Law Commons^™

Exhaustion Of Administrative Remedies: The Lesson From Environmental Cases, Marcia R. Gelpe

Faculty Scholarship

The law governing exhaustion of administrative remedies is complex and confusing and fosters needless litigation: litigation that is burdensome to the courts and costly to defendants, that adversely affects agency decision making and that by its very existence, wrongly influences courts to dispense with the exhaustion requirement. Exhaustion remains troublesome to the courts; many of the decisions are confusing and poorly reasoned. A reexamination of the exhaustion doctrine is called for, not only to indicate how the cases should be decided, but also to clarify the issues sufficiently to guide parties' behavior so that they may avoid litigation over exhaustion's …

Compensation For Victims Of Hazardous Substance Exposure, J. David Prince

Faculty Scholarship

Hazardous wastes, threatening environmental and human safety, are being generated at an alarming rate. In this Article, J. David Prince discusses the threats posed by hazardous wastes and the remedies that are available in Minnesota for dealing with those threats. Professor Prince analyzes a proposed compensation scheme for victims of hazardous waste exposure in Minnesota and suggests that a modification of that scheme be adopted by the Minnesota Legislature.

Court Trial Empirical Survey: Interview Responses From Trial Judges Explaining Their Experiences And Views Regarding The Trial Of Non-Jury Cases, John O. Sonsteng, Roger S. Haydock

Faculty Scholarship

Knowing how a judge will react to certain trial techniques in a trial can greatly enhance an attorney's effectiveness in the courtroom. This article contains and explains the results of the authors' empirical survey. Fifty-nine judges serving in both criminal and civil court in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area were surveyed, with each judge responding to thirty-eight questions designed to obtain objective information concerning their experiences and views on effective trial advocacy. The survey covered eight topics: (1) trial briefs; (2) pretrial chambers discussions; (3) opening statements; (4) direct and cross-examinations; (5) evidentiary matters; (6) closing arguments; (7) findings of fact …

The Scope Of Bargaining In Minnesota Public Sector Labor Relations: A Proposal For Change, Deborah A. Schmedemann

Faculty Scholarship

This article surveys and analyzes the law on the scope of bargaining under the Minnesota Public Employment Labor Relations Act (PERLA) and suggests ways to make it more certain and responsive to public policy. Part II sets out the conflicting policy considerations to be accommodated in defining the scope of bargaining. These considerations form the basis for Part Ill's criticism of the present law under PELRA and guide the recommendations for change made in Part IV.

Resolving The Paradox Of The Innocent Construction Rule, David Larson

Faculty Scholarship

The application of the innocent construction rule in defamation cases has led to illogical and questionable holdings. This article will explain the nature of that rule and illustrate its use by focusing on cases arising in Illinois. It will review the recent case of Chapski v. Copley Press, where the Illinois Supreme Court rejected the innocent construction rule, and raise the possibility that additional reform may be necessary in Illinois. Finally, other jurisdictions relying upon similar rules of interpretation will be identified and discussed.

The Minnesota Commitment Act Of 1982 Summary And Analysis, Eric S. Janus, Richard M. Wolfson

Faculty Scholarship

Minnesota law governing commitments has been substantially

revised and recodified in the Minnesota Commitment Act of 1982.

The prior law is repealed and the new law is substituted for it effective

August 1, 1982.

This article has three purposes. First, the significant changes in

the civil commitment law are identified and their implications explored.

Second, where appropriate, the legal background underlying

the changes is explored in order to place the changes in context.

Third, the article identifies ambiguities and inconsistencies in the

Act, posits resolutions, and suggests areas for legislative attention.

Animal Feedlot Regulation In Minnesota, Marcia R. Gelpe

Faculty Scholarship

Animal feedlots frequently are the subject of dispute between operators and surrounding landowners. In this Article, Professor Gelpe identifies the environmental problems created by animal feedlots and discusses the common-law remedies. In addition, Professor Gelpe provides valuable insights into the application and Interpretation of feedlot regulations recently enacted by Minnesota.

A Primer On Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance, Michael K. Steenson

Faculty Scholarship

The Minnesota No-Fault Act has undergone substantial change since its enactment in 1974. Recent legislative modifications and judicial constructions of the Act's provisions have served to correct earlier deficiencies, but have raised new and complex problems of interpretation. In light of these developments, Professor Steenson provides an overview that explains how the Act functions. After tracing the history of automobile insurance regulation in Minnesota, Professor Steenson examines in detail the various compulsory and optional insurance coverages under the Act, the proper sources of payment under those coverages, and the limitations imposed by the Act on the right to recover damages …

The Anatomy Of Products Liability In Minnesota: Principles Of Loss Allocation, Michael K. Steenson

Faculty Scholarship

In this article, Professor Steenson continues the discussion that began in The Anatomy of Products Liability in Minnesota: The Theories of Recovery, appearing in the last Issue of the William Mitchell Law Review, by shifting the analytical focus to the problems involved in allocating awards among the parties in Minnesota products liability cases. Professor Steenson analyzes defenses, contribution and indemnity, and the impact of Minnesota's comparative fault act on products liability law.

The Anatomy Of Products Liability In Minnesota: The Theories Of Recovery, Michael K. Steenson

Faculty Scholarship

The law of products Iiability has undergone a dramatic evolution since MacPherson v. Buick Motor Co. As a result of this rapid development, substantial uncertainty as to the scope of liability of product manufacturers and sellers exists. The purpose of this Article is to eliminate some of that confusion. After tracing the history and development of the law of products liability in Minnesota, the author discusses the various elements and standards of strict Iiability. Finally, the author proposes several jury instructions that help clarify the relationship between strict liability and negligence. Throughout the Article, Minnesota is used as a model …

Annual Report Of The Electric Power Committee, J. David Prince

Faculty Scholarship

This is the annual report of the Electric Power Committee for 1980. It reports on legislative and judicial developments, and issues relevant to the Electric Power Committee.

Annual Report Of The Electric Power Committee, J. David Prince

Faculty Scholarship

This is the annual report of the Electric Power Committee for 1979. It reports on legislative and judicial developments, and issues relevant to the Electric Power Committee. This report is in four parts. Part I reviews the extensive developments during 1978 under the federal air and water pollution laws. Part II briefly considers other federal developments of significance to the electric power industry. Part III is an update of last year's review of developments concerning solar energy. Part IV consists of the 1978 reports from selected states.

Zoning For The Mentally Ill: A Legislative Mandate, Deborah A. Schmedemann

Faculty Scholarship

Under the aegis of President John Kennedy, Congress first began to concern itself with the needs of the mentally ill over two decades ago. Bills providing for community mental health centers and congregate housing have appeared subsequently to attempt to expedite integration of the mentally ill into community life. These congressional mandates, however, have met with reluctance-if not hostility. While federal law makers have been the champion of deinstitutionalization, they have placed responsibility for implementation of their programs on the state and local levels. There, local governmental authorities have reacted defensively to exclude the mentally ill from their neighborhoods, primarily …

No-Fault In A Fault Context: Tort Actions And Section 65b.51 Of The Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act, Michael K. Steenson

Faculty Scholarship

The passage of the Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act has created new problems for the Minnesota lawyer. Some of the most pressing problems concern the effect of the Act on tort actions. This article analyzes the provisions of the No-Fault Act dealing with limitations on tort recovery and suggests solutions to come of the many interpretive problems created by the Act.

The Uses Of Scientific Information In Environmental Decision Making, Marcia R. Gelpe

Faculty Scholarship

This Article explores the response of the legal system to the uncertainty which is inherent in the scientific analysis of environmental impact. The first principle of due process is that the assignment of responsibility correspond with the actor who did in fact cause the injury. We argue that existing concepts of cause-in-fact, the foundation of liability, place potentially severe constraints on the ability of the legal system to respond to the need to minimize the risks of future environmental injury. Further, these constraints exist to some degree regardless of whether the prohibitions or restrictions take the form of adjudication, administrative …

Peace-Keeping Costs And Charter Obligations - Implications Of The International Court Of Justice Decision On Certain Expenses Of The United Nations, James F. Hogg

Faculty Scholarship

This article analyzes the important legal and political implications of the July 20, 1962 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. This opinion dealt with one of the most serious problems facing the United Nations Organization - how to finance and pay for its operations. By a majority of nine to five, the court advised the General Assembly that expenses occasioned by the United Nations operations in the Congo and in the Middle East constituted "expenses to the Organization" within the meaning of Article 17, paragraph 2 of the United Nations Charter. This opinion may prove to be one …