Essay on the simplification effected by the codes of law prepared and adopted for British India, and the desirability of framing similar codes for England, Ireland, and Scotland

Abstract

The formation of codes, or of consolidated statutes relating to portions of Indian law, has taken place within the last few years. The greater portion of this work was carried out in the year 1872. The first statute on this subject became law in 1859. The public are still ignorant of the extent of this great legal reform?the difficulties encountered and the success achieved in this undertaking. In order to form a judgment as to whether what has been, carried out in India can or ought to be attempted in England, it is necessary to consider precisely what has been done in the former country. It is necessary to examine shortly, in-the first place, the state of the Indian law, previous to the passing of these statutes; secondly, the form in which they have been passed; lastly, whether, tested by experience, they have proved successful.