Positive Law:

Positive law is a collection of legal rules and principles that are officially enacted, recognized, and enforced by governmental authorities in a specific jurisdiction. It differs from other sources of law, such as natural law and divine law, in that it relies on man-made rules created by established political institutions like legislatures, courts, and administrative agencies. Indian Constitution and Indian Penal Code are examples of positive law.

The term 'positive law' originates from the Latin phrase 'ius positum,' meaning 'established law' or 'law established by human authority.' Positive law encompasses both statutory law, which consists of written laws passed by legislatures, and regulatory law, which includes rules and regulations issued by administrative agencies. These laws are compiled, published, and made available to the public, providing clear guidance on allowed behaviour and the consequences of violations.

Positive law is characterized by its enforceability through penalties and its authoritative source in the commands of a sovereign or legislative body. It sets forth legal rights, duties, and obligations that govern the actions of individuals, organizations, and other entities within a particular legal system.

Positive law can cover a wide range of topics, including civil rights, criminal offenses, property rights, contracts, torts, and administrative procedures. In contrast to natural law theories, which propose that certain principles of justice and morality are inherent in the nature of law and can be determined through reason and moral intuition, positive law emphasizes the importance of legal rules as the primary focus of legal analysis.

According to the positivist perspective, the validity and legitimacy of legal rules stem from their formal enactment by recognized political authorities, rather than their conformity to external moral principles or divine commands.

Positive law serves multiple crucial roles in society, such as maintaining order, settling disputes, safeguarding individual rights, promoting fairness and justice, and facilitating the operations of government and the economy.

By providing clear regulations and procedures for governing human behaviour and resolving conflicts, positive law promotes stability, predictability, and the rule of law within a community.

Overall, positive law is a central component of modern legal systems, providing the framework for governance, legal rights, and the administration of justice. Its implementation and application are vital for upholding public order, protecting personal freedoms, and ensuring the efficient functioning of democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Negative Law:

In contrast, 'negative law' refers to legal principles or rules that arise from the absence of explicit legal prohibitions or regulations, rather than from explicit enactments. In other words, negative law can be understood as the legal principles that emerge when certain actions or behaviours are not prohibited by law.

This stands in opposition to positive law, which consists of formal legal rules and regulations that are explicitly enacted and enforced by government authorities. Positive law prescribes specific actions and outlines the consequences for non-compliance, while negative law arises from the lack of such directives or restrictions.

One example of negative law is the principle of freedom of speech. In many legal systems, the right to freedom of speech is considered a fundamental human right, and individuals are generally entitled to express their opinions and ideas without interference from the government. This freedom is considered a type of negative law because it is derived from the absence of laws or regulations that restrict or censor speech, rather than from specific legal provisions that affirm this right.

Likewise, the notion of freedom of contract can be viewed as a type of negative law. When it comes to contractual agreements, parties generally possess the autonomy to enter into contracts on their own terms, with certain limitations such as legality, capacity, and public policy. This freedom to contract is derived from the lack of laws or regulations that forbid or restrict contractual agreements, rather than from explicit legal provisions that grant individuals the right to contract.

It should be noted that the concept of negative law is not universally accepted or defined in the same manner in all legal systems. Some scholars may use the term 'negative law' to refer to the absence of legal rights or protections, while others may use it to describe legal principles that stem from the absence of specific legal prohibitions or regulations.

Furthermore, the line between negative law and positive law may sometimes be indistinct, as legal systems often encompass both explicit legal rules and principles that arise from the absence of such rules.

Differences between Positive Law and Negative Law:
The legal system employs two contrasting approaches, positive law and negative law, in the formulation and interpretation of legal principles. Positive law encompasses the official rules and regulations established by a governmental authority, including statutes, regulations, and judicial decisions, to govern society.

On the other hand, negative law refers to the absence of explicit legal rules or prohibitions in a certain area, often resulting from legislative inaction, constitutional limitations, or deliberate policy choices.

While positive law establishes a framework for defining rights, duties, and obligations within a society, negative law highlights areas where legal intervention is minimal or non-existent.

Positive law regulates conduct and resolves disputes through codified rules and procedures, while negative law emphasizes the freedom of individuals to act without legal interference in certain areas.

Ultimately, positive law and negative law work together to form a comprehensive legal system, with positive law providing structure and negative law delineating areas of discretion and freedom.

Conclusion:
Positive law is a set of laws created by recognized authorities, such as governments or legislatures, that dictate specific actions and behaviours individuals and entities must follow. It prioritizes the creation of rules and regulations through written statutes and formal legal processes, with the goal of regulating societal behaviour and maintaining order.

On the other hand, negative law primarily consists of restrictions or prohibitions imposed by legal authorities, outlining what actions are not allowed rather than mandating specific behaviours. Negative law establishes boundaries on individual freedom by specifying what is forbidden, allowing for more discretion within those boundaries. While positive law focuses on explicit legal norms and regulations, negative law highlights the absence of certain actions or behaviours within a legal system.