Law Commons^™

One Spark Can Set A Fire: The Role Of Intent In Incitement To Genocide, Kate Kovarovic

Kate Kovarovic

The world was introduced to an entirely new method of warfare during World War II: that which was fought with words. Hitler mastered the art of media manipulation, and the world struggled to overcome his capacity to influence the German people. After the war, the international community felt compelled to restrict the type of conduct that had enabled Hitler to so easily gain control of his audiences. However, legal scholars struggled to balance this need with the protection of free speech. Eventually, the Genocide Convention was drafted to explicitly prohibit direct and public incitement to genocide, but not mere hate …

Consumers Want To Be In Europe; Corporations Want To Be In The U.S.: How To Reform Mandatory Consumer Arbitration Agreements To Be Fair To Both Parties, Kelly Parfitt

Kelly Parfitt

Arbitration is a popular method of resolving legal disputes between businesses. However, in the last few years, corporations have begun putting mandatory consumer arbitration agreements in small print on sales contracts and receipts for consumer goods, credit cards, and mortgages. Consumers are forced to pay fees much higher than court costs, depending on the case. An arbitrator will do hundreds of cases with the same corporations, be familiar with and even in some cases be affiliated with the corporation. This system results in the overwhelming majority of cases being won by corporations. But in the European Union, consumers are given …

Geneva Conventions Apply To Us Should Be Extended To Apply To Soldiers, Contractors And Civilians, James T. Struck

James T Struck

Geneva Conventions Apply to us Should Be extended to apply to soldiers, contractors and civilians. Illinois courts do not understand that laws are being violated here with regard to civilians.

The Uncertain Future Of Icsid In Latin America, Ignacio Antonio Vincentelli

Ignacio Antonio Vincentelli

The purpose of this article is to research the historical interaction of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and Latin America, in an effort to suggest that the recent ICSID-unfriendly measures taken by some Latin American countries might not be an aberrational phenomenon in the region. If, moved by the engine of ideology, the rest of Latin America follows the example of Bolivia (the most radical of the ICSID-hostile countries) and denounces the Washington Convention, instead creating a new forum to resolve FDI disputes, at the regional level (as was recently proposed), the future of ICSID in …

International Commercial Arbitration And The Transformation Of The Conflict Of Laws Theory, Markus A. Petsche

markus a petsche

No abstract provided.

Somali Piracy-Underlying Causes And New Challenges To International Law And World Order, Ademun Ademun-Odeke

Ademun Ademun-Odeke

No abstract provided.

China's Labor Contract Law And The Liberalization Of Global Markets: Will Employees' Rights Equate To Employers' Nightmares?, Sharon Breckenridge Thomas

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Abstract: Lower labor costs and realization of profits have been key components in the expansion of the global market. As we continue to witness the prolific liberalization of the global market, it is essential that we remember the importance of human capital. Workers play a paramount role in the realization of continued and sustained global market growth. Paradoxically, sustained growth in the global market is also fueled by the absence of workers’ rights and the resulting reduction of labor costs. Thus, multi-national companies and workers employed by multi-national companies, have encountered a seeming contradiction of workplace realities. From a capitalistic …

Social Networking: A Conceptual Analysis Of A Data Controller, Rebecca Wong

Dr Rebecca Wong

This article updates a working party looking at the definition of a "data controller" under the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC within the context of a social networking environment. In brief, the article considers twhether the phenomenom of social networking (through Facebook (FB), MySpace and Bebo) has produced unintended consequences in the interpretation and application of the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC to the online environment. The Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC defines a "data controller" broadly to refer to the 'natural or legal person, public authority, agency or any other body which alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means …

China's Labor Contract Law And The Liberalization Of Global Markets: Will Employees' Rights Equate To Employers' Nightmares?, Sharon Breckenridge Thomas

S. Breckenridge Thomas

Abstract: Lower labor costs and realization of profits have been key components in the expansion of the global market. As we continue to witness the prolific liberalization of the global market, it is essential that we remember the importance of human capital. Workers play a paramount role in the realization of continued and sustained global market growth. Paradoxically, sustained growth in the global market is also fueled by the absence of workers’ rights and the resulting reduction of labor costs. Thus, multi-national companies and workers employed by multi-national companies, have encountered a seeming contradiction of workplace realities. From a capitalistic …

The Fiduciary Constitution Of Human Rights, Evan Fox-Decent, Evan J. Criddle

Faculty Publications

We argue that human rights are best conceived as norms arising from a fiduciary relationship that exists between states (or statelike actors) and the citizens and noncitizens subject to their power. These norms draw on a Kantian conception of moral personhood, protecting agents from instrumentalization and domination. They do not, however, exist in the abstract as timeless natural rights. Instead, they are correlates of the state’s fiduciary duty to provide equal security under the rule of law, a duty that flows from the state’s institutional assumption of irresistible sovereign powers.

Playing By The Rules: Combating Al Qaeda Within The Law Of War, David Glazier

William & Mary Law Review

Although the conflict formerly known as the “war on terror” is now in its eighth year, key legal issues governing the use of force and military detention remain largely unresolved. These questions survive the Bush administration, as the United States continues to launch aerial strikes against al Qaeda and President Obama has indicated his intention to continue the use of preventative detention and military trials even after Guantánamo is closed. Military victory is not possible, but good faith application of authority from the law of war can effectively complement traditional criminal law in combating the threat. Even if the Geneva …

“Runaway Train” : Controlling Crimes Committed By Private Contractors Through Application Of The Uniform Code Of Military Justice, Matthew Dahl

Matthew C. Dahl

No abstract provided.

Are You There, Geneva? It's Me, Guantanamo, Keith A. Petty

Keith A. Petty

This essay examines the application of the Geneva Conventions at the Guantánamo Bay Military Commissions. International and domestic commentators have long criticized the military commissions for failing to adhere to the laws of armed conflict enshrined in Geneva, referring to Guantánamo as a “legal black hole.” This criticism, however, is misplaced. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the legal framework for prosecuting suspected terrorism detainees has evolved. The underlying reason for this is a considerable gap in the Geneva protective regime for combatants who do not satisfy the legal requirements of prisoners of war (GCIII) or civilians (GCIV). Nonetheless, …

Nicaea And Sovereignty, Craig G. Bateman

C. G. Bateman

This research is concerned with the development of international law in so far as it relates to the historical background for the Peace of Westphalia, which itself is understood as a seminal event in the history of the growth of both the theoretical notion of sovereignty and, in its present milieu, as an attribute of states. This research gets behind Westphalia, to suggest a plausible nexus of ideology and events which led to these treaties, and to focus specifically on the event which I suggest was the sin qua non development which led to the Westphalian concord. I suggest that …

The Principle Of Equal Treatment In Triangular Relationships, Michael Gruenberger

Michael Gruenberger

The European Court of Justice [ECJ] held in Coleman v. Attrigde Law, Case C-303/06, E.C.R. I- [2008], that the prohibition of direct discrimination laid down in Art. 1 and 2 Directive 2000/78/EC is not limited only to people who are themselves disabled, but includes a less favorable treatment of an employee which is based on the disability of her child, whose care is provided primarily by that employee. The Coleman case is the first noticeable case in European anti-discrimination law with facts involving a triangular relationship: the person who presumably discriminates, the injured party and the carrier of the characteristics …

Gaiben & Bengoshi Llp: Cross-Border Legal Practice In Japan, Erich W. Struble

Erich W Struble

In 2005, reforms to Japan’s 1986 Foreign Lawyers Law became effective that permitted foreign law firms to fully merge with Japanese law firms. Several major international law firms immediately took advantage of this liberalization in order to provide more seamless and comprehensive service to their clients. Other international law firms chose not to fully merge with Japanese law firms, opting instead to remain in “joint venture” arrangements with Japanese firms or with individual Japanese bengoshi. Still other international law firms with a presence in Japan have decided to remain independent. After providing the necessary background, this Article explains why different …

Blood Libel: Radical Islam’S Conscription Of The Law Of Defamation Into A Legal Jihad Against The West—And How To Stop It, Robert A. Pate

Robert A Pate

On May 19th, 2009, a panel of distinguished legal professionals assembled in Washington, D.C. at a conference, entitled Libel Lawfare: Silencing Criticism of Radical Islam, to discuss radical Islam’s exploitation of Western libel laws to silence authors and journalists who seek to expose terror-financing networks and criticize radical Islam. The debate also embodied a cresting wave of public concern about the surprising ways Western laws enable this assault.This paper seeks to call attention to two critical mistakes, which were perpetuated by panelists at the conference and which are consistently present in current libel lawfare scholarship. Foremost, no one has yet …

An Escape Route From The Medellin Maze, Anthony S. Winer

Anthony S. Winer

The recent Supreme Court decision in Medellín v. Texas created a veritable “maze” for foreign prisoners in the U.S., and their countries of nationality, who might wish to enforce their rights under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (the “VCCR”). This decision, and other Supreme Court and lower federal court opinions, have erected “dead ends” for prisoners and their countries of nationality that block their “escape” from this maze. These opinions, among other implications, cast substantial doubt on the availability of judicial relief for individuals under the VCCR, foreclose executive enforcement, and exclude the possibility of corrective injunctions for many …

Judicial Politics And International Investment Arbitration: Seeking An Explanation For Conflicting Outcomes, David Schneiderman

David Schneiderman

International investment arbitration has been described as a private system of justice addressing matters of high public policy. Yet, despite the very high stakes involved – in terms of both policy room and monetary implications – tribunal awards are sometimes difficult to reconcile. This conflict usually is explained with reference to the fact that these are ad hoc tribunals addressing specific disputes arising under particular investment treaties. Not so easily explained are conflicting tribunal awards drawing on virtually identical facts, invoking the same treaty text, where arbitrators seemingly change their mind from one case to the next without any explanation. …

Goodbye Boiler-Plate: Practical Advice For Drafters Of Domestic And International Arbitration Agreements, Pamela Fulmer, Noel Rodriguez, M. Anderson Berry

M. Anderson Berry

Parties agree to arbitrate disputes because, among other things, arbitration can be quicker and more flexible than judicial proceedings. This leads to advantages that all parties desire: decreased costs and better predictability of outcome. However, problems arise in domestic and international arbitrations that may defeat these advantages. As this article explains, well thought‐out and effective arbitration provisions can significantly reduce the incidence of these problems. While primarily relying on specific examples from the U.S. domestic sphere, this article also applies to the international sphere unless otherwise indicated.

The core assertion of this article is this: instead of cutting and pasting …

Evidence In International Criminal Trials: Lessons And Contributions From The Special Court For Sierra Leone, Patrick Matthew Hassan-Morlai

Patrick Matthew Hassan-Morlai

The general aim of this paper is to contribute to the discourse on the development of a system of international criminal justice. In so doing, this paper will pay attention to one aspect – rules of evidence – and examine its role in ensuring the rights to fair trial. The examination is limited to discussing offences relating to the jurisdiction ratione materiae of the SCSL contained in Articles 2-5 of the SCSL Statute.

Developing A Private International Intellectual Property Law: The Demise Of Territoriality?, Graeme B. Dinwoodie

William & Mary Law Review

No abstract provided.

Scope Of Arbitration In Chinese Bits: Policies & Implications, Guang Hong

Guang Hong

This article starts by analyzing the different ingredients that have come together to formulate the current state of China’s policy toward foreign investment. These ingredients are non-exhaustive in nature but are essential in setting the context for the issue to be discussed. Next, we move into the core issue: What are the implications of Bilateral Investment Treaties (“BITs”) that contain arbitration clauses, which incorporates a “narrow” or “broad” scope of arbitration? Specifically, how does the scope of arbitration affect foreign investors conducting Foreign Direct Investment (“FDI”) in China and how does it affect Chinese investors who conduct FDI abroad? In …

In Search Of Justice: Increasing The Risk Of Business With State Sponsors Of Terror, Gabriel C. Lajeunesse

Gabriel C. Lajeunesse

If the aims of tort law are deterrence, compensation, and provision of equitable distribution of risks, U.S. anti-terrorism laws have been marginally effective at best. Though Congress has passed legislation providing causes of action to U.S. victims of terrorism, compensation of victims is often difficult and terrorists are rarely deterred. Attempts to provide such recourse include the Antiterrorism Act of 1991 (“ATA”), the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (“AEDPA”), and the Flatow Amendment to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (“FSIA”). These attempts, however, are not enough. Until international banks and insurers realize the potential risk of doing …

The Effectiveness Of Pandemic Preparations: Legal Lessons From The 2009 Influenza Epidemic, Bradly Condon, Tapen Sinha

Bradly Condon

The A(H1N1) influenza epidemic provided the first indication of the effectiveness of the pandemic preparations that countries and international organizations initiated in the wake of the 2003 SARS epidemic. In the case of SARS, China was criticized for not reporting the outbreak quickly enough. This led to new reporting requirements under WHO regulations. In the case of the 2009 influenza epidemic, Mexico and the United States complied with their obligations to report outbreaks to the WHO as soon as they detected a problem. The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern within 48 hours of laboratory confirmation that …

How (Not) To Discourage The Unscrupulous Copyist, Peter L. Ludwig

Peter L. Ludwig

This short article explores how the U.S. and Japanese courts implement the doctrine of equivalence when determining patent infringement. The doctrine of equivalence is a balance of, on one hand, the public’s interest to know the metes and bounds of the patent; and on the other hand, the private interest of the patentee to be granted a sufficient scope for the granted patent. After comparing and contrasting the courts’ implementation of the doctrine, I propose a new method that places the burden on the patent practitioner, before infringement proceedings begin, to determine the proper scope of the patent.

Spirit Food And Sovereignty: Pathways For Protecting Indigenous Peoples' Subsistence Rights, Allison M. Dussias

Allison M Dussias

Abstract: SPIRIT FOOD AND SOVEREIGNTY: PATHWAYS FOR PROTECTING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ SUBSISTENCE RIGHTS

By Professor Allison M. Dussias

This article examines three pathways recently followed by Native American tribes and other Native communities in seeking protection of their rights to culturally valuable and legally protected subsistence resources – wild, renewable resources on which Native peoples have traditionally relied to sustain themselves. They have pursued their claims not only through litigation in U.S. courts, but also through claims to international bodies and through the regulatory process. The sources of law and rights on which they have relied as they followed these different …

Repackaging, Pharmaceuticals, And The European Union: Managing Gray Markets In An Uncertain Legal Environment, Robert Bird

Robert C Bird

One of the most robust gray markets in the world is the parallel importation of pharmaceutical drugs in the European Union (EU). Drug manufacturers have tried to stop parallel importation with over thirty years of litigation. The result has applied. This manuscript examines the forces underlying the EU gray market for drugs, discusses how trademark law and not patent law has become the primary basis for legal challenges, and offers strategies for manufacturers to impede importers in a truly chaotic legal environment.

Freeze-Outs: Transcontinental Analysis And Reform Proposals, Marco Ventoruzzo

Marco Ventoruzzo

One of the most crucial, but systematically neglected, comparative differences between corporate law systems in Europe and in the United States, as crucial as often neglected, concerns the regulations governing freeze-out transactions in listed corporations. Freeze-outs can be defined as transactions in which the controlling shareholder exercises a legal right to buy out the shares of the minority, and consequently delists the corporation and brings it private. Beyond this essential definition, the systems diverge profoundly.

This gap exists despite the fact that minority freeze-outs are one of the most debated issues in corporate law, in the public media, in a …

Responsibility Sharing And The Rights Of Refugees: The Case Of Israel, Tally Kritzman-Amir

Tally Kritzman-Amir

This paper aims at examining the Israeli refugee law and practice through the lens of responsibility sharing. We will offer a critical analysis of the implementation of the Israeli asylum regime, showing the impact this regime has on responsibility sharing. We will also analyze the discourse on the issue of responsibility sharing, however limited in scope it is. This discussion emerges from an awareness of the fact that Israel is in a unique geopolitical situation, due to its proximity to Africa and being the only economically-stable democracy in the region. Israel is also embroiled in an ongoing conflict with its …