Legal Theories That Make for Outstanding Law Dissertation Topics
The topic of a law dissertation is probably the most important step of academic research. A good topic shows your interests and is current in the legal discourse. Legal theories offer a broad basis for dissertation topics because they get into the underlying principles, philosophies, and frameworks of legal systems. Exploring legal theories enables students to examine laws, applications, and societal impact in influential and novel research.
Natural Law Theory
One of the oldest schools of thought regarding legal theory, natural law is based on the idea that laws are premised upon (or “dictated by”) “the same moral principles that govern nature”. Dieser theory holds that laws should be just and moral, and not just orders from the state. A dissertation on natural law theory might explore its continuing relevance for contemporary positive (legal) systems, in fields such as human rights and constitutional law. Such as you might study how natural law principles inform judicial decisions on issues relating to fundamental rights or how natural law fits in with secular legal frameworks.
Legal Positivism
Legal positivism opposes natural law theory and defines law as the outcome of social facts and authority, without regard to morality. This theory is concerned with the big difference between “what is the law” and “what ought to be the law.” A legal positivism dissertation might analyze its effects on legal certainty, predictability, and authority in our present legal systems.
For instance, one could examine what is the relevance of legal positivism in many codified legal systems (compare civil law jurisdictions). Or you could analyze when it is applied, such as in instances of judicial activism, where courts interpret laws beyond what the legislature intended. A third and interesting angle is the tension that legal positivism might create with moral reasoning when confronted with controversial legal issues such as abortion euthanasia, artificial intelligence etc. For students balancing exams and dissertation work, you might also consider services where you can pay someone to take your online exam, freeing up time to focus on research.
Critical Legal Studies
Modern and interdisciplinary critical legal studies (CLS) studies law in relation to social, political and economic power structures. This theory questions the typical claims of objectivity and neutrality as regards the law, and argues that inequalities and privileges are often reinforced by legal systems. A CLS-based dissertation might explore its application to racial inequality, gender discrimination or economic injustice.
For example, you might examine how CLS critiques shaped recent judicial reforms or how they apply to international law’s construction of global inequalities. Another topic might be to explore how CLS might help explain the limits of corporate law to environmental degradation or labour rights. And where CLS intersects with other disciplines (like sociology or political science) those intersections also permit interdisciplinary research. Using professional services like the best law dissertation help UK ensures your dissertation is well-structured and impactful.
Conclusion
Legal theories provide rich foundations for law dissertation topics. Whether studying natural law’s moral foundations, legal positivism’s structured authority or critical perspectives of CLS, students can engage the philosophical foundations of the legal system. Focusing on those theories can make your dissertation a contribution to the ongoing discussion of how laws in fact come about, are understood, and applied. Choose a theory that interests you and that meets current legal issues. For those needing extra support, services where you can buy assignments cheap, can make the dissertation process more manageable.
