Abstract
The objective of the sociology of law is to investigate the dialectical interaction between the formal state legal system and the social structure and culture. One specific area suited for this type of investigation is dispute settlement as undertaken by individuals in different socio-legal cultural contexts. Do people, for instance, prefer to settle disputes within or outside the state legal system, and why? The current study, based on data collected from 100 research participants, shows that 56% of disputes are settled through the state legal system, 20% of disputes are settled through socially recognized non-state methods and 24% of disputes are settled through ‘extra-dispute settlement methods’ recognized neither socially nor by the state. The investigation further reveals that disputants’ preferences for resolution method are primarily determined by the nature and meaning of the disputes as embedded in their socio-cultural situational contexts and having established connection(s) within the formal legal system.

Prit Kaur. (2017) Changing Patterns of Dispute Settlement in an American City, Pakistan Journal of Criminology, Volume-09, Issue-3.
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