Sociology of law: what is its disciplinary status?

Sociology of law: what is its disciplinary status? (by Akmal Saidov) reviews the current standpoints on the problem of the place for the sociology of law in the overall structure of sociological knowledge. Stressing academic and practical potentialities of the sociology of law the author differentiates between the notions of 'sociology of law' and 'legal sociology' with the aim to define the disciplinary nature of these branches of sociological studies. In author's opinion, 'sociology of law' should properly belong to legal sciences. This is especially important for the new independent countries of the former USSR where sociological studies in the legal and law-enforcement fields are closely dependent on the legislative activities of the public government bodies.