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

Fundamental Non-Discrimination Principles in Trade Law

In international trade law, non-discrimination is a fundamental principle that ensures equal treatment of goods, services, and service suppliers from different countries. The two main principles of non-discrimination in international trade law are:

1. Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) Principle

• Definition: The MFN principle requires that a country treats goods, services, and service suppliers from one country no less favorably than it treats goods, services, and service suppliers from any other country.
• Purpose: To prevent discriminatory treatment and ensure that countries do not favor certain trading partners over others.

2. National Treatment Principle

• Definition: The national treatment principle requires

Death Row Demographics and Trends

• Southern states account for 55% of death row inmates.
• Approximately 3,300 individuals are on death row.
• Over 100 death sentences are issued each year.
• More than 25 executions occur annually.
• Executions declined between 1935 and 1970.
• Inmate riots have remained stable over the past 30 years.
• About 56% of those executed are white, while 35% are Black.
• The percentage of Black Americans on death row is disproportionately high.
• The race of the victim is the largest factor in death penalty cases.
• 30 states have the death penalty.
• Electrocution is still used in Nebraska.
• Executing mentally ill individuals is considered cruel and unusual punishment under the 8th Amendment.
• As of 2020, only 9% of inmates have a college education.

Legal Comparisons

Negligence vs. Intentional Tort

Negligence and intentional torts differ primarily in the mindset of the individual causing harm. Negligence occurs when someone fails to exercise reasonable care, often resulting in unintentional harm. In contrast, intentional torts, like assault or battery, involve deliberate actions intended to harm another person.

Strict Liability vs. Negligence

Strict liability and negligence share the goal of holding individuals accountable for harm caused, but their requirements for proving fault differ. Negligence requires proving that the defendant failed to exercise reasonable care, while strict liability does not require any proof of fault.

Defamation vs. Nuisance

Defamation and nuisance are distinct torts... Continue reading "Key Legal Concepts: Torts, Dismissal & Offenses" »

Charles Manson: Cult Leader and Criminal

Charles Milles Manson (born November 12, 1934) was an American criminal who led what became known as the Manson Family, a quasi-commune that arose in California in the late 1960s.

The Tate/LaBianca Murders

Manson was found guilty of conspiracy to commit the infamous Tate/LaBianca murders, carried out by members of the group at his instruction. He was convicted of the murders themselves through the joint-responsibility rule, which makes each member of a conspiracy guilty of crimes their fellow conspirators commit in furtherance of the conspiracy's objective.

"Helter Skelter" and Apocalyptic Visions

Manson is often associated with the phrase "Helter Skelter," a term taken from the Beatles' song of that name.... Continue reading "Charles Manson: The Criminal Mind Behind the Family" »

Classification of Legal Acts

Legal acts can be classified based on various criteria:

• Positive or Negative: Acts necessary to conduct an action or omission of a right to start or finish.
• Unilateral: When the will of one person is sufficient to form the act.
• Bilateral: When two or more people are required to form the act.
• Acts During Life (Inter Vivos): Those whose effectiveness does not depend on the death of those whose will they emanate from.
• Testamentary Provisions (Mortis Causa): Those effects that produce after death.
• Onerous: Acts in which the provision of one party corresponds to a consideration from the other.

Vices of Legal Acts: Causes for Invalidation

Vices are causes for which legal acts lose their efficacy or validity. Some of these include:... Continue reading "Legal Acts: Classification and Vices Affecting Validity" »

Jurisdiction in the European Union

1. Relation with Other Legal Instruments

1.1 Other Specific EU Legal Instruments

Does not affect specific matters.

1.2 Brussels Convention

Superseded by the Brussels Regulation. References to the Convention should be to the Regulation.

1.3 International Conventions

Supersedes existing treaties, but treaties retain validity where not superseded. The Brussels Regulation (Regulation 44/2001) does not affect specific treaties. The Regulation shall not affect treaties prior to its entry into force.

2. Scope of Application

2.1 Time

March 2002

2.2 Geographical Scope

All EU members except Denmark (Denmark joined in 2005).

2.3 Material Scope

Civil and commercial matters (excluding revenue, customs, and administrative matters). Does... Continue reading "Jurisdiction in the European Union: A Comprehensive Summary" »

Difference Between Preliminary and Provisional Measures

Preliminary Measures

Preliminary measures allow the future plaintiff to gather information needed to establish the facts of the case. The main requirement is demonstrating the necessity of specific information for the proceeding to establish the case in the complaint.

Two types of information-gathering measures exist:

• Testimony and Oral Testimony of a Person: To obtain knowledge held by someone.
• Submission of Documents: To access relevant documents.

To request such measures, one must demonstrate a just cause and relevance to the case.

Provisional Measures

Provisional measures, requested by a future plaintiff, aim to prevent risks of a future positive judgment not being enforced. The purpose is... Continue reading "Preliminary vs. Provisional Measures in Litigation" »

Inchoate Crimes: An Overview

Definition

Inchoate crimes, also known as incomplete crimes, are actions that are not crimes in themselves but occur in conjunction with other crimes. Examples include attempted murder and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Types of Inchoate Crimes

Conspiracy

Conspiracy is the oldest inchoate crime. It involves an agreement between two or more people to commit an unlawful act. The purpose of conspiracy laws is to prevent and punish criminal partnerships from attempting substantive offenses.

Elements of Conspiracy:

1. Agreement between two or more people
2. Intent to commit a crime
3. Overt act by any co-conspirator in furtherance of the conspiracy

The overt act need not be criminal but only needs to carry the project forward.

Conspiracy... Continue reading "Inchoate Crimes: Conspiracy, Attempt, Solicitation, and More" »

The European Commission

The European Commission is one of the main institutions of the European Union. It represents and upholds the interests of the EU as a whole and drafts proposals for new European laws.

The 27 Commissioners, one from each EU country, provide the Commission’s political leadership during their 5-year term. Each commissioner is assigned responsibility for specific policy areas by the President. The President is proposed by the Council (composed of the heads of government) and elected from the most voted European party.

Core Purposes

• Proposing new laws: The Commission proposes new laws to protect the interests of the EU and its citizens, aiming to satisfy the widest possible range of interests. Its departments produce a draft