This reference volume will assist the attorney who needs to understand inheritance laws, administration, and probate proceedings in other states and foreign jurisdictions. Among the areas covered are rights of intestacy, rights of pretermitted and posthumous children, and rights of election by surviving spouses. The book also addresses problems inherent in probate, administration, and kinship proceedings and furnishes the attorney with a method for gathering the information these proceedings require. Henner also highlights Western European estate tax treaties and their interaction with the laws of the United States, thus providing a rudimentary foundation for understanding the conflict of laws. He also provides commentary on common law, community property, administrative duties, etc. Finally, the volume contains organizational charts and informational data sheets, as well as a directory of bar associations.

Part of ABC-CLIO's groundbreaking About State Government set, this volume is the first comprehensive resource to focus exclusively on judicial politics at the state level, covering all 50 states and demonstrating the profound influence state courts have on American life. The Judicial Branch of State Government: People, Process, and Politics reveals the workings of a network of courts that generate tremendous legal activity and yet have not previously been the focus of a comprehensive, in-depth reference. Beginning with the origins of American law, this volume examines the many different types of state court cases, legal decision-making processes, court administration procedures and personnel, and political issues such as judicial selection and funding. A concluding section summarizes the structure and mechanisms of the court systems of each of the 50 states. Filling a major reference need, the titles in ABC-CLIO's About State Government set offer comprehensive coverage of contemporary American politics at the state level. Each of the three volumes focuses on a specific governmental branch, providing both general information and comparative details of how that branch operates in each state. Written by scholars in the study of law and politics-all experts on the structure, function, and societal impact of state courts Provides numerous tables and graphs to help readers comprehend the complexities of each state's court system

This book re-constructs the evolution of the border conflict between Croatia and Slovenia. The aim is to reveal the processes at work, the historical and contemporary circumstances, and the strategies and motives of the actors involved. The book highlights the roles of the European Union and of judicial third parties in the management of the conflict. Further, it considers the precedent-setting value of the Slovenian-Croatian conflict, the attempts at its resolution, and what they mean for the ongoing and prospective EU enlargement in South East Europe. Internal documents and interviews are at the heart of this process-tracing analysis, which discusses the third-party roles of the European Commission and the EU Council Presidency in 2008/2009 as a mediator-facilitator in the drafting stages of the arbitration agreement, and the judicial work of the arbitration tribunal and the EU Court of Justice. Lastly, the book offers policy recommendations on how to strengthen dispute resolution and solve current bilateral issues in the EU accession process.

Smith introduces a new concept, "critical judicial nominations," to advance scholars' understanding of the consequences of the federal nomination process for the Supreme Court and the American political system. The study suggests that specific events related to the judicial branch, namely "critical judicial nominations," have significant unanticipated consequences for the Supreme Court's role in the political system, as well as for electoral politics. This is demonstrated in illustrative historical examples which, most importantly, include an in-depth case study of the Clarence Thomas nomination and its subsequent ramifications.

In recent years collective litigation procedures have spread across the globe, accompanied by hot controversy and normative debate. Yet virtually nothing is known about how these procedures operate in practice. Based on extensive documentary and interview research, this volume presents the results of the first comparative investigation of class actions and group litigation 'in action'. Produced by a multinational team of legal scholars, this book spans research from ten different countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, including common law and civil law jurisdictions. The contributors conclude that to understand how class actions work in practice, one needs to know the cultural factors that shape claiming, the financial arrangements that enable or impede litigation, and how political actors react when mass claims erupt. Substantive law and procedural rules matter, but culture, economics and politics matter at least as much. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of law, business and politics. It will also be of use to public policy makers looking to respond to mass claims; financial analysts looking to understanding the potential impact of new legal instruments; and global lawyers who litigate transnationally. Contributors: A. Barroilhet, C. Cameron, N. Creutzfeldt, M.A. Gomez, A. Halfmeier, D.R. Hensler, C. Hodges, K.-C. Huang, J. Kalajdzic, A. Klement, B. Stier, E. Thornburg, I. Tzankova, S. Voet

Like many books, this one argues for a more restrained Supreme Court. Unlike most other books, however, this one grounds that call in a fully elaborated constitutional theory that goes beyond the "counter-majoritarian difficulty."

As the volume of international business transactions continues to grow dramatically, and as trade relations develop between an ever-increasing number of countries, it is inevitable that many questions of comparative business risk and liability should arise. What common elements underlie the various methods of limiting product liability applied in different national jurisdictions? How do different legal regimes protect the legitimate rights of consumers? These were the fundamental questions addressed by a seminar on warranties and disclaimers held within the framework of the 2000 Annual Conference of the International Bar Association in Amsterdam. The seminar - jointly sponsored by IBA Committees S (Products, Liability, Advertising, Unfair Competition and Consumer Affairs), M (International Sales and Related Commercial Transactions) and CC (Corporate Counsel) - consisted of four introductory summaries and 33 country reports by local practitioners. The presentations focused on many important issues, including the following: legal and contractual warranties in contracts for the supply of goods or services between manufacturers, distributors and end-users; methods of communicating disclaimers and limitations of liability; strategies for securing limitations of liability downstream; and variations in the legal effectiveness of disclaimers and limitations.

This edition gives full attention to the new constitutional context in which South African criminal law now operates. It also looks at the emerging culture of human rights and freedoms which has begun to generate a significant shift in perceptions of the "boni mores" of a new South African society. The law is stated as at June 1996, and references to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa are to the final Constitution enacted in 1996.

The Architect's Legal Handbook is the most widely used reference on the law for practicing architects and the established textbook on law for architectural students. Since the last edition of this book in 2010, the legal landscape in which architecture is practised has changed significantly: the long-standing procurement model with an architect as contract administrator has been challenged by the growing popularity of design and build contracts, contract notices in place of certificates, and novation of architect's duties. The tenth edition features all the latest developments in the law which affect an architect's work, as well as providing comprehensive coverage of relevant UK law topics. Key highlights of this edition include: an overview of the legal environment, including contract, tort, and land law; analysis of the statutory framework, including planning law, health and safety, construction legislation, and building regulations in the post-Grenfell legal landscape; procurement and the major industry construction contract forms; building dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, adjudication, and mediation; key fields for the architect in practice, including architects' registration and professional conduct, contracts with clients and collateral warranties, liability in negligence, and insurance; entirely new chapters on various standard form contracts, architects' responsibility for the work of others, disciplinary proceedings, and data protection; tables of cases, legislation, statutes, and statutory instruments give a full overview of references cited in the text. The Architect's Legal Handbook is the essential legal reference work for all architects and students of architecture.

Every year, millions of people across Europe - innocent and guilty - are arrested and detained by the police. For some, their cases go no further than the police station, but many others eventually appear before a court. Many will spend time in custody both before and following trial. Initial attempts by the European Union to establish minimum procedural rights for suspects and defendants failed in 2007, in the face of opposition by a number of Member States who argued that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rendered EU regulation unnecessary. However, with ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, criminal defense rights are again on the agenda. Based on a three year research study, this book explores and compares access to effective defense in criminal proceedings across nine European jurisdictions (Belgium, England/Wales, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Turkey) that constitute examples of the three major legal traditions in Europe: inquisitorial, adversarial, and post-state socialist. Part I sets out the research methodology and analysis of the baseline requirements that, according to ECHR case law, have an impact on the rights of the accused. In addition to the general fair trial rights (the presumption of innocence, the right to silence, equality of arms, and the (conditional) right to release pending trial) the rights explored include: the right to information, the right to legal assistance and legal aid, and a number of procedural rights (the right to adequate time and facilities to prepare a defense, participation rights, the right to free interpretation and translation, and the right to reasoned decisions and to appeal). Part II consists of a description and critical analysis of access to effective criminal defense in the nine countries examined. Part III includes a cross-jurisdictional analysis of compliance, in law and in practice, with the ECHR requirements. It also contains an analysis of how they interrelate, and of whether structures, systems, and legal cultures exist to enable individuals to effectively exercise these rights. This book contributes to implementation of the rights of suspects and defendants to a real and effective defense, especially for those who lack the means to pay for legal assistance themselves. The recommendations are designed to contribute to the development of meaningful policies and processes that will help to ensure effective criminal defense across the EU. The book is essential reading for academics, researchers, students, defense lawyers, and policy-makers in the area of criminal justice in Europe.

Cultural Difference on Trial: The Nature and Limits of Judicial Understanding comprises a sustained philosophical exploration of the capacity of the modern liberal democratic legal system to understand the thought and practice of those culturally different minorities who come before it as claimants, defendants or witnesses. Exploring this issue from within the tradition of contemporary analytical and naturalistic philosophy and drawing upon recent developments in the philosophy of mind and language, this volume is informed by a sound academic and practical grasp of the workings of the legal system itself. Systematically analysing the nature and limits of a judge's ability to understand culturally different thought and action over the course of a trial, this volume is essential reading for anyone interested in the workings of the modern legal system.

The clergy abuse scandal has posed the greatest threat to the traditional understanding of the Catholic priesthood since the Protestant Reformation. Now, as then, the deadliest attacks are coming from within the Church. In an attempt to improve a system that allowed a small minority of the clergy to violate children and ameliorate the gross negligence of some bishops who recycled these predators, the American bishops instituted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002. It is, unfortunately, doing the Church more harm than good.

In Hope Springs Eternal in the Priestly Breast, Fr. James Valladares shows how justice and charity have been violated by some bishops in dealing with accused priests. He examines the pertinent canons that guide the Church's judicial system and finds that these are often ignored or wrongly applied. He provides true cases that highlight the injustice of the process and the agony of priests who have been subjected to the charter's draconian mandates.

The Church has incurred tremendous financial losses because of settlements rising from both legitimate and false claims. Her image has been marred by the secular media, which has taken advantage of the crisis. Even so, we often fail to understand how trivial these are in comparison to the damage done to the priesthood by the enactment of the charter's policies. This is the most pressing issue that the bishops need to address.

This book provides a comprehensive study of the standard of 'full protection and security' (FPS) in international investment law. Ever since the Germany-Pakistan BIT of 1959, almost every investment agreement has included an FPS clause. FPS claims refer to the most diverse factual settings, from terrorist attacks to measures concerning concession contracts. Still, the FPS standard has received far less scholarly attention than other obligations under international investment law. Filling that gap, this study examines the evolution of FPS from its medieval roots to the modern age, delimits the scope of FPS in customary international law, and analyzes the relationship between FPS and the concept of due diligence in the law of state responsibility. It additionally explores the interpretation and application of FPS clauses, drawing particular attention to the diverse wording used in investment treaties, the role ascribed to custom, and the interplay between FPS and other treaty-based standards. Besides delivering a detailed analysis of the FPS standard, this book also serves as a guide to the relevant sources, providing an overview of numerous legal instruments, examples of state practice, arbitral decisions, and related academic publications about the standard.

This innovative book proposes a fundamental rethink of the consensual foundation of arbitration and argues that it should become the default mode of resolution in international commercial disputes. The book first discusses the most important arguments against this proposal and responds to them. In particular, it addresses the issue of the legitimacy of arbitrators and the compatibility of the idea with guarantees afforded by European human rights law and US constitutional law. The book then presents several models of non-consensual arbitration that could be implemented to afford neutral adjudication in disputes between parties originating from different jurisdictions' to offer an additional alternative forum in the doctrine of forum non conveniens or to save judicial costs. The first dedicated exploration into the groundbreaking concept of default arbitration, Rethinking International Commercial Arbitration will appeal to scholars, students and practitioners in arbitration and international litigation.

This is the second volume to appear in the "AIJA Law Library" series. It has been prepared by members of the AIJA Standing Commission on International Arbitration under the editorship of Peter Eijsvoogel. It is intended to be a reference work for practitioners in the field of international arbitration, both counsellors and arbitrators. The book features 20 national reports from major jurisdictions. These outline the general character of the legal system in respect of ADR procedures, sources of procedural rules for arbitration, law and practice on documentary evidence and submissions, testimonial evidence and the involvement of experts. In addition, the text contains a detailed analysis of the legal rules pertaining to the taking of evidence in both civil and common law systems, and highly practical contributions relating to deposition skills.

This authoritative commentary examines the new Vienna Rules and the Austrian Arbitration Act that both came into effect on 1 July 2006 as the result of a major reform. Following a call for modernization, this reform has further enhanced the attraction of Austria as an arbitral seat and has reinforced the importance of the Centre for parties seeking to resolve international commercial disputes. While the Rules themselves have become widely known among lawyers and arbitrators, there has been no significant commentary or guidance available until the advent of this book. Set out as an article-by-article commentary, the authors' expert guidance proceeds in conformance with international practice, reconciling approaches adopted in both common law and civil law traditions. Within this enormously valuable international perspective, the book provides in depth coverage of all details of arbitral procedure under the Vienna Rules and Austrian arbitration law, including: - validity of arbitration agreement and jurisdictional disputes; - appointment, rights and duties of arbitrators; - liability of arbitrators; - multiparty proceedings; - challenge of arbitrators and experts; - treatment of counter-claims; - interim measures of protection; - settlements and awards; and - costs and fees in arbitration. The book provides the reader with a framework, and specific instruments, to negotiate arbitrations effectively and ensure that the process remains predictable, expeditious and fair. Drawing on extensive research into the practice of the International Arbitral Centre in Vienna, as well as on case law, academic writing, and the Act's legislative history, this book will be of great value to corporate counsel, international lawyers, and arbitrators, as well as to students of dispute resolution.

In this book, 78 leading attorneys in California and New York describe how they evaluate, negotiate and resolve litigation cases. Selected for their demonstrated skill in predicting trial outcomes and knowing when cases should be settled or taken to trial, these attorneys identify the key factors in case evaluation and share successful strategies in pre-trial discovery, negotiation, mediation, and trials. Integrating law and psychology, the book shows how skilled attorneys mentally frame cases, understand jurors' perspectives, develop persuasive themes and arguments and achieve exceptional results for clients.

The book is a brief journey through centuries and jurisdictions and expands on examples of enactment practices of states that support, challenge or even reject communication during pending litigations. England, as the main representative of a jurisdiction, suggests communication solutions potentially different than the practice in the United States where litigation communication first time occurred. Accordingly, the author offers a comprehensive analysis and detailed historical narrative of the positions of various jurisdictions in relation to communication in the legal process. As a kind of applied legal history, the book provides an exploration of historical events that were significant in a legal communication context and addresses their implications for modern enactments. The account looks at the history of regulations to allow a better understanding of the strict rules that have often been cited over the years support or restrict communication in the legal process. The author provides the reader with proper contexts on different judicial and communication considerations, as well as the collaboration of legal and public relations experts, in a particular form of crisis and reputation management, in the litigation process. As such, this book is an attempt to present an accurate and thoughtful account of the theory and history of litigation communication, which is directly relevant in various debates such as the work on the meaning and context of the Contempt of Court Act in England or the American First and Sixth Amendments in different centuries.

In the public law area, there is an understanding that judicial decision making is not always objective, that the courts are not constrained by the law and the facts of the case, and that courts are actually policy makers influenced by extraneous factors that have little to do the legal and factual matters of a case. Through a combination of an integrative review of the relevant literature in the public law area and new case studies researched by the author, Barbara Yarnold argues that the public law area has discarded the traditional view of the judiciary as a passive interpreter of the law who truly weigh the facts of each case. She examines political and environmental variables that have been used to explain judicial outcomes and develops an original general theory of public law explaining under what circumstances political variables impact court decisions, and when region, as an environmental variable, is related to judicial outcomes. The central question in this study is When exactly do the law and the facts count? As Yarnold's analyses of the judicial decision field draw variables from political science, economics, psychology, and criminal justice, among other fields, this work also suggests that the public law area is multidisciplinary in nature. The book concludes with a case study examination of interest groups involved in asylum-related appeals and their role in the Sanctuary Movement. Students and scholars of public administration, law and society, and public law will find Yarnold's integration of research and current literature toward a general theory of public law highly provocative and interesting.

The Contract is the core tool of governance in a free market economy. An EU Contract Law Code is now on the political agenda because all three legislative bodies in the EU and most member states favour it in principle. In its communication of July 2001, the Commission proposed three major options: to enhance the existing EC Contract Law by eliminating inconsistencies; introducing a European Code which substitutes national laws; and introducing a European code which only supplements national laws. This book achieves three things: For the first time, European academia is discussing these three options in an extensive and systematic way - with pros and cons, in a transparent and systematic way, along broad lines and often also important details. The book contains the views of all protagonists - from all those who really drafted the models to all those who illustrated the potential of decentralized rule-making and invented the very idea of an Optional Code. And it is the first book in which the optional Code, which is the alternative most likely to come, is thoroughly analysed at all. The book also contains a full map of design possibilities. It is the executive summary of what European academia thinks of the future of European Contract Law and a European Code. It is the Academic Green Paper on European Contract Law.