Exploring Legal Pluralism: Professor Hendry and Dr Alex Green publish new interdisciplinary monograph

Professor Hendry from the School of Law and Dr Alex Green from York Law School have published a new monograph with Routledge.

Legal pluralism evokes two distinctions: ‘state’ vs ‘non-state’ law; and ‘law’ vs ‘non-law’. As such, although this book focuses upon circumstances in which two or more legal orders compete to govern the same social space, it also addresses the nature of law in general.

Drawing on material conflicts arising within jurisdictions such as Australia, Burundi, Cameroon, Gambia, the United States, and Zambia, Legal Pluralism: New Trajectories in Law explores the conceptual, moral, and political challenges that legal pluralism creates. Emphasising that non-state law carries no less dignity than that often ascribed to the legal orders of contemporary states, it advances a theoretically sophisticated argument in favour of recognising and respecting genuine cases of legal pluralism, wherever they arise. 

Furthermore, this interdisciplinary book explores complex social and moral dimensions within legal pluralism and discusses law’s universal values alongside its unique applications across societies. Dr Green says:

In the book, we discuss the complex social and moral contexts of legal pluralism itself, as well as the nature of law – it's universal value(s) and necessary particularity. We also engage with the rule of law and the relationship between colonialism and political legitimacy.

Professor Hendry highlights:

In addition to academic lawyers, there is something in this interdisciplinary book for comparatists, anthropologists, sociologists, and political and social philosophers.

Accessible and thought provoking, this book will appeal to legal scholars, anthropologists, sociologists, and political and social philosophers as well as practising lawyers, judges, and policymakers who deal with issues of legal pluralism.

For further updates, please follow Professor Hendry on X @mortonjen and on Bluesky at @jenhendry.bsky.social.