A Juristic initiative by the talented folks

JURIS: A layman's guide to the law' is the most recent initiative to bring the law to the general mass. The book is a compilation of 84 selected articles were regularly published in Dhaka Tribune's weekly law page. The articles were written by about 35 most talented young legal minds of Bangladesh and edited by Abdullah Al Arif. Law should be understandable to all and all should have some basic acquaintance with their legal rights and responsibilities, and Zafar Sobhan, Editor of Dhaka Tribune urged so in this book. 

This hardback is catalogued into twenty nine different chapters. The title of the opening article, under the 'Women's rights' chapter, is “From the bed room to the courtroom”, authored by Barrister Farzana Hussain. In this article, the author argued to bring out our bedroom issues like domestic violence into the light of courtroom. Marital rape, an unsung paradox in the country is being discussed comprehensively. Apart from this, many other vibrant and courageous views are being discussed in this portion, i.e. victim's character in rape trial, violence against women, skin colour discrimination in TV commercials, vulnerability of female garments worker and so on. 

The next chapter is 'Legal know-how' emphasising on procedural matters to enforce one's rights. Further, a variety of fees, which are not revealed in reality, has been addressed properly. 

Following two chapters inscribe on legal system and legal education. Reporting on court proceeding has now become a sensitive issue as far as the contempt of court is concerned. Hence, subsequent portion focused on matters relating to the idea of freedom of expression and its limits. 

At present, constitution turns into a fashionable word but what constitutes a constitution? – S M Masum Billah, a PhD candidate at Victoria University of Wellington, raised this question in the chapter on constitutional matter followed by a chapter on children's rights.

Each page of this book has gathered diverse of opinions and views. The use of interesting cartoon art-work depicting law and human rights issues has increased the possibility of attracting the readers of all kinds. This is helpful for the readers to concentrate on the topics and relate the issues with real-life experiences. 

To prove the truth of multiplicity, this layman's guide contains many practical issues like human trafficking, tort, Alternative Dispute Resolution, intellectual property rights, labour and employment, right to information, refugees, human rights, drug adulteration, food safety, medical malpractice, rights of the ethnic community, rights of the people with disabilities, third gender rights and many others. Moreover, it has featured legal luminaries, book reviews and so on. 

Considering the taste of readers and importance of issues, articles selection and synchronisation have been done quite cautiously, and it reflects the importance of this book for all legal and non-legal minds. The terminologies used in this book are very straightforward and reader-friendly, which makes it a layman's guide in true sense. On reading this book, one would easily have an idea on basic legal issues. 

THE REVIEWER IS RAISUL ISLAM SOURAV, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF LAW AT DHAKA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY.