Comparative and Foreign Law Commons^™

Legislative Committee Systems: A Design Perspective, Chase Stoddard

Indiana Journal of Constitutional Design

Committees are the defining characteristic of the modern legislature. While the centrality and study of party politics goes back further than committee politics, the focus on committee systems emerged over the course of the twentieth century, and legislatures could not function as we understand them without this mechanism. The United States Congressional committee system is the most studied system, yet virtually every country utilizes a committee system of some sort within its legislature. Despite their ubiquity in and centrality to the operations of legislatures, committees remain insufficiently studied, especially outside of the United States. The existing body of work tends …

Taxonomy Of Minority Governments, Lisa La Fornara

Indiana Journal of Constitutional Design

A minority government in its most basic form is a government in which the party holding the most parliamentary seats still has fewer than half the seats in parliament and therefore cannot pass legislation or advance policy without support from unaffiliated parties. Because seats in minority parliaments are more evenly distributed amongst multiple parties, opposition parties have greater opportunity to block legislation. A minority government must therefore negotiate with external parties and adjust its policies to garner the majority of votes required to advance its initiatives.

This paper serves as a taxonomy of minority governments in recent history and proceeds …

We Are All Farkhunda: An Examination Of The Treatment Of Women Within Afghanistan's Formal Legal System, Ashley Lenderman

Indiana Journal of Constitutional Design

In this paper, I will examine three cases of violence against women that went through the Afghan formal legal system: the case of Farkhunda, the Paghman district gang rape case, and the case of Sahar Gul. In the first Part, I will discuss the formal legal system framework on which the cases are based. In the second Part, I will discuss the cases in detail. In the third Part, I will describe neo-liberal, reformist, and neo-fundamentalist approaches to interpretation of Islamic law, and I will then draw out pieces of the decisions from the three cases that closely match these …

Improving The Criminal Justice System In Nigeria Through Restorative Justice: Lessons From Canada And New Zealand, Olaniran Akintunde

LLM Theses

This thesis argues the need for Nigeria to incorporate restorative justice within its criminal justice system. Its prevailing adversarial system is bedevilled with various challenges such as over- incarceration, recidivism, high rates of juvenile crime and prison congestion. The work draws lessons from Canada and New Zealand, two jurisdictions that have made improvements to similar systems like Nigeria via the adoption and practice of restorative justice. The advantages that a restorative justice alternative bring to criminal justice administration in Nigeria include less use of incarceration, improvement in social relationships, rehabilitation and the reintegration of young offenders. The thesis recommends that …

A Christian Oasis: The Role Of Christianity And Custom In The Laws Of Ethiopia, Cyril A. Heron

Cornell International Law Journal

Part I of this Note will analyze the history of Ethiopia’s legal system.

Part II of this Note focuses on modern Ethiopia and seeks to scrutinize Ethiopia’s Civil Code, Constitution, and other legislation. Written into the new constitution of Ethiopia is a declaration of secularism, similar to the United States and South Africa. Yet, in a nation that has existed as a Christian state for at least a millennium, it is nigh on impossible for Ethiopia to fully divest itself of its cultural mores with mere constitutional edict. The question is, therefore, what is to be made of traditional beliefs …

The Suitability Of South Africa's Business Rescue Procedure In The Reorganization Of Small-To-Medium-Sized Enterprises: Lessons From Chapter 11 Of The United States Bankruptcy Code., Mikovhe Maphiri

Michigan Business & Entrepreneurial Law Review

South African small- to medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”) are the bread and butter of our economy. Providing much-needed employment and developing the skills of historically disadvantaged persons formally and informally are some of the most significant benefits of SMEs in a developing country such as South Africa. However, despite these significant contributions to the socioeconomic development of the country, SMEs generally have the lowest survival rates in the world as compared to large enterprises globally, resulting in high rates of business failure and the loss of jobs which these entities create. The Companies Act of 2008 replaces the previous judicial management …

The Right To Appeal In Comparative Perspective, Dražan Djukić

The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process

Appellate procedures regarding the most serious crimes under domestic law are, in general, conducted differently in common law and civil law systems. This article reviews the differences concerning the primary facets of such proceedings, namely prosecutorial rights of appeal, access to appellate review, the scope of appellate review, the admission of additional evidence, appellate decisionmaking powers, and the functions of appellate review. It then explains that these differences result from dissimilar decisionmaking processes, degrees of adherence to the search for the truth, and sources of law.

Recent Developments In Marine Insurance Law And Consequences For Iran, Mohammad Ali Majd

LLM Theses

The United Kingdom Insurance Act 2015 entered into force on 12 August 2016. It introduced major changes to some provisions of the Marine Insurance Act 1906 which has been the principal model for establishing marine insurance law and practice not only in common law jurisdictions, but also in some civil law countries. The main areas of change are the duty of fair presentation, warranties, insurer’s remedies for fraudulent claims and damages for the late payment of claims. This thesis investigates how uniformity in international marine insurance law can be promoted by virtue of the new changes in English law and …

Game Of Tones: A Twail-Analysis Of The Evolution And Impacts Of The United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change Technology Transfer Regime In Africa, Adebayo Majekolagbe

LLM Theses

The 1992 Rio Outcome articulates what is arguably, to date, the most ambitious North–South environmentally sound technology (EST) transfer aspirations. Yet, 26 years post-Rio, Africa remains at the lowest rung of the global EST deployment totem. Departing from talking-points like the connection of EST transfer and intellectual property rights, this research focuses on the normative underpinnings of the history, processes and dynamics of UNFCCC’s EST transfer regime. Using a ‘reconsidered’ Third World Approach to International Law approach and its accompanying historical research methodology, the thesis seeks to track landmarks in UNFCCC’s EST transfer regime evolution and the impacts of a …

Wrong Conclusion, No Resolution: United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334'S Erroneous Conclusions On The Legality Of Israeli Settlements In Judea, Samaria, And Jerusalem, Howard L. Bressler

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

The article challenges the prevailing view that Israeli settlements in Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem are illegal under international law. It argues that the right of Jews to settle in these areas is rooted in the League of Nations Mandate for Palestine and reaffirmed by Article 80 of the UN Charter, which protects existing rights under international instruments. The analysis contests the validity of UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and asserts that neither the Geneva Convention nor customary international law prohibits Israeli settlements in these territories.

Constitutional Coups As A Threat To Democratic Governance In Africa, John Mukum Mbaku

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

The article examines the phenomenon of "constitutional coups" in Africa, where leaders manipulate constitutional provisions to extend their power, undermining democracy. It argues that while the African Union (AU) has adopted frameworks like the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine to address unconstitutional regime changes, its response to constitutional coups has been inconsistent and ineffective. The analysis highlights the tension between state sovereignty and human rights, emphasizing the need for stronger AU mechanisms to prevent such abuses and promote democratic governance.

Masthead, Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review, Vol. 2 (2018-19)

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents, Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review, Vol. 2, Iss. 1

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

No abstract provided.

Economic Crises And Foreign Investors: Between Necessity And Reparation, Suha Ballan

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

The article critiques the current investor-state arbitration system for its reliance on private law analogies, which often results in all-or-nothing outcomes unsuitable for addressing economic crises. It advocates for integrating public law remedies into the system to better balance corrective justice with broader economic stability and context. The analysis highlights the limitations of the necessity defense in international law and proposes alternative approaches, such as mandatory insurance and fund allocation models, to address these challenges more effectively.

Money Is Fungible, Causation Shouldn't Be: An In-Depth Analysis Of The Proximate Cause Standard Under The Anti-Terrorism Act, Rebecca Glikman

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

The article critiques the differing interpretations of proximate cause under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) by the Second and Seventh Circuits, arguing that the Seventh Circuit's more relaxed standard, as articulated in *Boim III*, should be adopted universally. The Second Circuit's strict standard, requiring a direct link between the defendant's actions and the terrorist act, is seen as undermining the ATA's purpose of providing remedies for victims. In contrast, the Seventh Circuit's approach, which considers the fungibility of money and imposes liability for material contributions to terrorist organizations with knowledge or reckless disregard, aligns better with the statute's intent to hold …

Emoji: The Other Tech Monopoly, Edward T. Brawley

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

No abstract provided.

Eb-5 Visa Regulation And Controversy: How An Immigration-Securities Hybrid Visa Has Been Used To Fund Real Estate Ventures, Rachel Behar

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

The EB-5 visa program, designed to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors, has become a controversial tool often misused to fund luxury real estate projects in affluent areas. While the program has contributed significantly to the economy, its implementation has strayed from its original intent, leading to criticism over issues like gerrymandering of Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs), inadequate securities regulation, and fraud risks. The article calls for reforms to align the program more closely with its intended purpose of aiding underserved communities.

The Geopolitical Implications Of The United States Of America's Withdrawal From The Paris Agreement, Christopher Mahoney

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

The Trump Administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has significant geopolitical implications, as it creates a leadership vacuum that China is poised to fill, potentially reshaping the global transition to renewable energy. While the U.S. federal government steps back from international climate efforts, non-federal actors like states and cities continue to advance climate initiatives. The withdrawal underscores the importance of domestic innovation in clean energy to counterbalance China's growing influence.

Supreme Court Of Canada On The Appropriateness And Scope Of A Global Website Takedown Order, Jennifer C. Daskal

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

In Google v. Equustek, the Supreme Court of Canada ordered Google to delist all websites used by Datalink, a company that stole trade secrets from Equustek, a Canada-based information technology company. Google had agreed to do so in part, but with respect to searches that originated from google.ca only, the default browser for those in Canada. Equustek however, argued the takedowns needed to be global in order to be effective. It thus sought an injunction ordering Google to delist the allegedly infringing websites from all of Google's search engines whether accessed from google.ca, google.com, or any other entry point. Google …

The (Not-So) “Brave New World Of International Criminal Enforcement”: The Intricacies Of Multi-Jurisdictional White-Collar Investigations, Emily T. Carlson

Brooklyn Law Review

We have entered a new age of international white-collar crime and are seeing the growing interdependency of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and parallel foreign agencies to conduct investigations and subsequent prosecutorial proceedings. This coordination to combat these crimes, however, has revealed a troubling question—how can enforcement agencies work effectively together if they have fundamental differences in the legal authority governing testimony-gathering and what evidence is allowed before a grand jury? The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in United States v. Allen, confronted this issue directly as it overturned two indictments arising out of suspected manipulation of a …