This article attempts to explore the relationship between law and anthropology, drawing on ethnographic research conducted in a Bangladeshi village. The article sheds light on the historical development of anthropological studies of customary law and its evolution within state law in the modern era. It is argued that ethnographic insights are integral in determining the extent to which state law is accessed and observed. It is further sug- gested that in the absence of an effective state mechanism for dispute resolution - due to a number of factors such as affordability and logistics, familiarity with the law, and bureaucratic obstacles - Bangladeshis continue to rely on alternative, pre-modern legal mechanisms in seeking justice and resolving disputes. The article also highlights some of the inefficacies of this process, particularly with regards to the disparities ordinary villag- ers face when demanding their rights. In so doing, a case is made for the inclusion of an interdisciplinary approach to the study of law.