The scattering law for inelastic neutron scattering from classical systems is derived by treating the wavefunctions of the scattering system in the stationary phase approximation and taking the classical limit of the Wigner phase space distribution function. In this way recoil effects are properly accounted for and the scattering law fulfils the relation of detailed balance. It is shown why classical van Hove correlation functions do not properly describe neutron scattering from classical systems.