Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Law & Jurisprudence

The Presumption of Innocence

The presumption of innocence is a fundamental pillar of the criminal process model, marking a clear break from the inquisitorial system. It asserts that an accused person is innocent until a conviction has been issued against them. This right is recognized in all international human rights instruments.

Core Tenets of the Presumption

To rebut this presumption, a minimal evidentiary burden is required, which must accurately demonstrate the defendant's guilt. It should also be considered a rule of treatment, applying throughout all criminal trial proceedings, ensuring the accused is considered and treated as innocent.

The presumption of innocence demands that a guilty verdict is rendered only when certainty of the accused'... Continue reading "Criminal Justice: Presumption of Innocence & In Dubio Pro Reo" »

Item 1: Employment Relationship

Conditions of Employment:

• Personal: Work carried out by the individual.
• Volunteer: Work done voluntarily.
• Employed: Work done under the employer's direction.
• Employment: Workers get paid for their work.
• Dependent: Subject to the employer's rules and obligations.

Failure to meet one of these conditions means it is not an employment relationship.

Relationships Not Considered Employment:

• Public officials (working for the state or autonomous region).
• Mandatory personal benefits.
• Work done out of friendship (helping a neighbor with a move).
• Family work (working with your father without receiving remuneration).
• Self-employment.
• Commercial agents.

Special Industrial Relations:

• Household services, athletes, entertainers, individuals

Understanding Occupational Safety & Health

Costs Associated with Workplace Incidents

• Medical expenses
• Benefit allowances
• Disruption of production
• Material costs
• Cost of days not worked
• Corporate responsibility

Techniques for Preventing Work-Related Damage

Prevention techniques can be broadly categorized into two areas:

• Acting on Health: Involves medical techniques.
• Acting on the Work Environment: Involves non-medical prevention techniques.

Preventive Medical Techniques

• Preventive medical examinations
• Preventive medical treatments
• Professional aptitude assessments (choice of profession)
• Health education

Non-Medical Prevention Techniques

• Job security measures
• Workplace hygiene
• Ergonomics
• Psychosociology
• Education and training
• Social policy initiatives

Employer and

The European Commission

• Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
• Main executive body of the EU, responsible for implementing decisions of the Parliament and the Council.
• Has representation in each of the 27 member states.
• A new Commission is appointed every 5 years, proposed by member state governments.
• Defends the general interests of the Union.

Main Features

• Proposes the elaboration of legislative texts.
• Runs and enforces EU law.
• Represents the EU in international organizations.

The Council of the EU

• Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
• Integrates a government representative from each member country.
• Chaired every 2.5 years by the president of a member country's government.
• Presents to member state governments.

Main Functions

• Decides with the Parliament on the adoption

Contractual Consent

• Consent: Consistency or agreement between declarations of intentions of the parties listed in the contract. At least two statements are required:

Essential Elements of Consent

• Statement of intent to offer: A person proposes an undertaking or a contract to another.
• Statement of willingness to accept: A reply to the statement of intent, accepting the contract offer.

Contractual knowledge must be produced regarding the object and the cause of the obligation.

Fundamental Principles

• Freedom of Content: Parties can set the terms they want, provided it is not against the law, morality, or public order. (Article 1255 of the Civil Code: The contracting parties may establish the covenants, terms, and conditions as they see fit, provided

Unit Representatives

Unit representatives represent all workers, union delegates, and representatives within the same sections.

Collective Agreement

Collective agreements, provided by Articles 82 to 92, are agreements between worker representatives and employers. They define working conditions, salaries, and other terms, even for non-mandatory attributes (where negotiation is allowed).

Who Negotiates?

• Business/Entrepreneur Level: Unit representatives.
• Specific Worker Categories (e.g., Iberia pilots): Union sections negotiate for the entire group, not just members.
• Business Sector (Industry Unions/Associations): The most representative unions/associations.

Agreement Application

The agreement applies to all workers and covers working conditions, salaries,... Continue reading "Worker Representation and Collective Bargaining Essentials" »

Marital Status: A Comprehensive Legal Definition

Definition

Marital status refers to the legal standing of an individual in relation to marriage and family. It defines the rights and obligations a person has within these contexts.

Different Civil Statuses

• Single
• Married
• Divorced
• Widowed
• Concubine
• Natural Son
• Legitimate Son
• Recognized or Unrecognized Son

How to Modify Marital Status

Marital status can be modified through the following:

• Voluntary Acts: These are actions taken by individuals that produce intended legal effects. Examples include marriage, voluntary recognition of natural children, and repudiation of recognition.
• Legal Facts: These are events independent of an individual's will that have legal consequences. Examples include birth and death.

Labor Conflict Resolution: Negotiation and Litigation

650. Juridical Conflict: Negotiation and litigation.

651. Conflict of interest.

652. Bargaining and union struggle.

653. Legal representation, trade unions, and the most representative business associations.

Addressing the Labor Authority

654. Writing.

655. To the labor authority.

656. 3 days.

657. To respond.

Mediation and Arbitration in Labor Conflicts

658. Intervention of a person or institution that proposes solutions for the parties to resolve the conflict.

659. Intervention of a person or institution that tries to get the parties to resolve the conflict themselves.

660. Intervention of a person or institution that requires the parties to settle the conflict.

661. Not in both cases; the person or... Continue reading "Labor Conflicts, Strikes, and Lockouts in Spain" »

Evolution of EU Treaties

Each relevant or incorporating a new member joins the club that introduced changes in international treaties:

• Single European Act of 1986
• • EU Treaty of Maastricht, 1992
  • 1997 European Treaty
  • Treaty of Nice, 2001

A text called the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, a constitutional treaty, was presented in Rome in 2004. The treaty was very important because it was submitted to a referendum of what was then the EU (18 states). The referendum had limited participation because the text was very complex.

In other states, it was also submitted to a referendum. It was going well until the French and Dutch votes resulted in negative outcomes. The text could not enter into force as it needed an affirmative vote from all members... Continue reading "Evolution of EU Treaties and Legislation" »

Conventional Terminations

The Conditions Precedent

Article 49.1.b) of the Spanish Workers' Statute (ET) states that an employment contract may be terminated for reasons mentioned in the contract itself. These are known as conditions subsequent. Jurisprudence considers this type of clause lawful unless there is abuse.

The Mutual Agreement

This is a typical conventional termination, contemplated in Art. 49.1.a) ET. The employer and employee agree to extinguish the contract. This does not, in principle, preclude problems arising from the execution of that agreement, such as the balance of payments and joint settlement.

Conclusion of Time and the Work or Service

This refers to the termination of temporary contracts. In general, Art. 49.1.c) ET states... Continue reading "Conventional & Legal Termination of Employment Contracts in Spain" »