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

Classification of Social Institutions

Institutions, often referred to as devices, are classified into the following categories:

• State Apparatus: The set of institutions that produce, transmit, and apply legal rules (e.g., government, police, army, courts). These operate through violence, repression, or persuasion.
• Ideological Apparatuses: Institutions dedicated to producing, transmitting, and applying non-legal normative systems such as morality, religion, customs, and habits. These function primarily through ideology.
• Social Representation Equipment: Intermediaries between the grassroots and state institutions, such as NGOs and neighborhood movements.
• Management and Production Equipment: Entities dedicated to the creation, circulation, and exchange

The Courts of Cádiz and the Dawn of Liberalism (1808-1814)

In September 1808, the Courts of Cádiz established a central supreme board chaired by Floridablanca. This board later transferred its authority to a Council of Regency. Society became divided into liberals and absolutists. The Constitution of 1812 was approved, establishing the principles of a liberal regime:

• Indirect universal suffrage
• Equality of citizens before the law
• Abolition of traditional councils
• Removal of customs barriers

The Reign of Fernando VII: Absolutism and Liberalism (1814-1833)

After the liberal period, Fernando VII returned, ushering in six years of absolutist rule. This was followed by the Liberal Triennium (1820-1823) and then the repressive Ominous Decade (1823-1833)... Continue reading "Spain's 19th Century: From Absolutism to Republic and Restoration" »

The Evolution of Work

• Ancient Era: Slaves (until the 5th Century AD)
• Medieval Age: Servants
• Late Middle Ages: Guilds
  • Master
  • Journeyman (unofficial)
  • Apprentice (learner)

The Industrial Revolution: From Exploitation to Rights

The Industrial Revolution brought significant changes, eventually leading to modern labor protections:

• Child Labor

  Early Era: Children as young as 5 years old, often beaten to stay awake.
  Modern Standard: Prohibited under 18 (or 16); under 16 requires labor inspector permission.

• Working Hours

  Early Era: 12 to 19 hours per day.
  Modern Standard: Typically 8 hours per day.

• Compensation

  Early Era: Poor salary, barely enough for subsistence.
  Modern Standard: Minimum wage established (e.g., 700 €).

• Time Off

  Holidays: None vs. 30 days a year.

  Weekly

Foundational Concepts of Family and Marriage Law

Family

The group formed by the union between a man and a woman, or the community formed by either parent and their descendants.

Family Functions

The primary roles fulfilled by the family unit include:

• Procreative function
• Educational function
• Emotional function
• Economic function

Marriage and Conjugal Bonds

Marriage

The union of a man and a woman, established in accordance with the law, in order to fully share their lives.

Betrothed People

Individuals who are preparing to marry.

Proclamations (Marriage Banns)

A social warning or public announcement reporting the impending marriage.

Concubinage

The stable and prolonged union between a man and a woman without formal marriage.

Duties of Marriage

The primary duties... Continue reading "Essential Legal Terms for Family Structure and Domestic Relations" »

Freedom of Association and Trade Unions

Freedom of association is a fundamental right recognized by the Spanish Constitution. A union is an organization that aims to defend and promote the professional interests of its members.

Representative Duties and Trade Union Levels

There are different levels of representation for trade unions:

• Trade unions at the national level.
• Trade unions at the regional level.
• Sufficiently representative unions.

Worker Representation Pathways

Worker representation is implemented through two specific pathways:

• Unitary representation: Workers are entitled to participate in the company through their representatives. This represents the entire workforce through staff delegates and staff committees.
• Union representation: Unions,

Understanding Circumstantial Evidence in Trials

In criminal trials, it is not uncommon for there to be no direct evidence of a defendant's participation in a particular offense. In such instances, indirect or circumstantial evidence becomes crucial. This type of evidence aims to convince the court of the truth or certainty of facts that are not direct elements of the offense being tried. However, from these facts, the reality of the crime or the defendant's involvement can be deduced based on logic and experience. Often, this trial evidence leads to a legal presumption.

Key Requirements for Valid Circumstantial Evidence

For circumstantial evidence to be considered valid and effectively used, several conditions must be met:

• Multiple and Varied Indications:

International Standards in Domestic Law

This section examines the theoretical approaches to integrating international standards into a nation's legal system and details the specific framework within Spanish law.

Theoretical Approaches to Treaty Integration

• Dualistic Systems (e.g., Great Britain): Require internal approval. The treaty's scope is determined by the domestic law that incorporates it. In these systems, a later treaty can repeal a previous law, and a law enacted after an earlier treaty can also repeal it.
• Principle of Competition: Certain matters governed by international treaties would fall outside the scope of domestic rules. This acts as a reserve, preventing potential incompatibilities.
• Hierarchy of Norms: Establishes a clear hierarchy,

Anarchism in Spain: From Direct Action to Anarcho-Syndicalism

The international section of Spanish anarchism, stemming from the Bakunin trend, changed its name to the Federation of Workers in the Spanish Region (FTRE). This adaptation was necessary due to new laws banning international organizations operating from abroad.

During the 1893–1897 period, Spain witnessed outstanding acts of social violence, including:

• Attacks against key figures in political life.
• Bombs at the Liceo de Barcelona (Bcn), a representative body of bourgeois society.
• Attacks against the procession of Corpus Christi, a symbol of popular ecclesiastical worship.

Anarchism was accused of being behind the "Black Hand," murders attributed to its members, and the burning of crops... Continue reading "Spanish Labor Movement History: Anarchism vs. Socialism (1879–1910)" »

The Spanish Constitution (EC)

The Spanish Constitution (EC) is the supreme norm that regulates the various standards relating to areas, categories, specific subjects, and skills. Its structure is as follows:

• Preliminary Title
• Title I: Fundamental Rights and Duties: The Spanish and foreigners, rights and freedoms, rights and duties of citizens.
• Title II: The Crown.
• Title III: The Parliament (Cortes Generales).
• Title IV: The Government and Administration.
• Title V: Relations between the Government and Parliament.
• Title VI: The Judiciary.
• Title VII: Economy and Finance.
• Title VIII: The Territorial Organisation of the State.
• Title IX: The Constitutional Court.
• Title X: Constitutional Reform.
• Additional, transitional, repeal, and final provisions.

The Legal System

PGE: Income and Expenditure of the Public Sector

PGE: income and measures with regard to public expenditure and the administration, based on economic objectives of public policy and the political budget.

8.2 - PGE Concept

The PGE can define the budget through the legislative act that authorizes the maximum amount of expenditure to ensure sound economic management during the PGE. The State general budgets are an annual instrument adopted by means of a law voted in the Cortes (parliament). They establish obligations that must be recognized by the State and its autonomous bodies.

8.3 - Characteristics of the PGE

• Financial: the PGE represents the income and expenditure of the public sector.
• Authorization and control: act of authorization and control