BEST PRACTICES FOR AN INTERNAL WHISTLEBLOWING PLATFORM (WP)

Whistleblowing is one tool, among many others, to prevent, deter and detect violations of the law or of the firm’s own ethical norms. This article presents proposals to set up an effective internal whistleblowing platform within a firm. These proposals outline the procedures that should be followed to handle whistleblowing reports. In addition, the article explains how an internal department or an externalized service should be set up to process these reports. The purpose of these proposals is to reach a satisfactory compromise between the interests of the firm in having its own values upheld, the interests of the State in securing compliance with the laws, the interests of the employees in working in an honest and safe environment, the interests of other stakeholders to be treated fairly and finally, the interests of denounced parties not to be wrongly accused.     

The Proposed 100 by 50’ Act: Protecting Collective Bargaining of Workers in a “Just Transition” to a Clean-Energy Future

There is a longstanding misconception that any overlap between environmental policy and labor rights results in conflict. With the intensifying threat of climate change and the decline of fossil fuel development, international labor and climate groups have collaborated to develop a framework for a just transition to sustainable development that emphasizes social dialog between stakeholders. An increasing number of nations are guided by this framework as each incorporates its own transition model. The United States, however, remains on the sidelines. This article proposes that the U.S. enact recently proposed legislation to transform its energy sector, while also protecting its workers and the environment.     

An evidence-based methodology for human rights impact assessment (HRIA) in the development of AI data-intensive systems

Different approaches have been adopted in addressing the challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI), some centred on personal data and others on ethics, respectively narrowing and broadening the scope of AI regulation. This contribution aims to demonstrate that a third way is possible, starting from the acknowledgement of the role that human rights can play in regulating the impact of data-intensive systems.The focus on human rights is neither a paradigm shift nor a mere theoretical exercise. Through the analysis of more than 700 decisions and documents of the data protection authorities of six countries, we show that human rights already underpin the decisions in the field of data use.Based on empirical analysis of this evidence, this work presents a methodology and a model for a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA). The methodology and related assessment model are focused on AI applications, whose nature and scale require a proper contextualisation of HRIA methodology. Moreover, the proposed models provide a more measurable approach to risk assessment which is consistent with the regulatory proposals centred on risk thresholds.The proposed methodology is tested in concrete case-studies to prove its feasibility and effectiveness. The overall goal is to respond to the growing interest in HRIA, moving from a mere theoretical debate to a concrete and context-specific implementation in the field of data-intensive applications based on AI.     

Eco-Compensation Policies and Mechanisms in China

In recent years, China has felt the urgent need to address the ecological issues caused by its rapid economic growth. In doing so, one challenge it faces is how to address the interests of the various stakeholders involved. To this end, the Government of China at various levels has been exploring and implementing policies, measures and projects that serve as mechanisms or measures of eco-compensation. This article attempts to capture some of the key policies and practices established to date in China. The article concludes by outlining China's possible future priority actions in eco-compensation and key challenges ahead.     

Can legitimate interest be an appropriate lawful basis for processing Artificial Intelligence training datasets?

Precision and effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are highly dependent on the availability of genuine, relevant, and representative training data. AI systems tested and validated on poor-quality datasets can produce inaccurate, erroneous, skewed, or harmful outcomes (actions, behaviors, or decisions), with far-reaching effects on individuals' rights and freedoms.Appropriate data governance for AI development poses manifold regulatory challenges, especially regarding personal data protection. An area of concern is compliance with rules for lawful collection and processing of personal data, which implies, inter alia, that using databases for AI design and development should be based on a clear and precise legal ground: the prior consent of the data subject or another specific valid legal basis.Faced with this challenge, the European Union's personal data protection legal framework does not provide a preferred, one-size-fits-all answer, and the best option will depend on the circumstances of each case. Although there is no hierarchy among the different legal bases for data processing, in doubtful cases, consent is generally understood by data controllers as a preferred or default choice for lawful data processing. Notwithstanding this perception, obtaining data subjects' consent is not without drawbacks for AI developers or AI-data controllers, as they must meet (and demonstrate) various requirements for the validity of consent. As a result, data subjects' consent could not be a suitable and realistic option to serve AI development purposes. In view of this, it is necessary to explore the possibility of basing this type of personal data processing on lawful grounds other than the data subject's consent, specifically, the legitimate interest of the data controller or third parties. Given its features, legitimate interests could help to meet the challenge of quality, quantity, and relevance of data curation for AI training.The aim of this article is to provide an initial conceptual approach to support the debate about data governance for AI development in the European Union (EU), as well as in non-EU jurisdictions with European-like data protection laws. Based on the rules set by the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), this paper starts by referring to the relevance of adequate data curation and processing for designing trustworthy AI systems, followed by a legal analysis and conceptualization of some difficulties data controllers face for lawful processing of personal data. After reflecting on the legal standards for obtaining data subject's valid consent, the paper argues that legitimate interests (if certain criteria are met) may better match the purpose of building AI training datasets.     

Regulating Volunteering: Lessons from the Bingo Halls

This article uses charitable bingo to explore the sociolegal regulation of volunteers. Using case studies of two provincial bingo revitalization initiatives in Canada, I explore how charities and government officials manage the tension between regulating and incentivizing volunteers. I show that bingo revitalization plans in Alberta and Ontario increased surveillance of nonregularized workers and failed to protect charity service users from unpaid labor requirements. Moreover, revitalization initiatives reframe the volunteer role to focus on customer service and explaining how charities benefit the community. The potential for bingo volunteering to promote spaces of mutual aid with players will thus likely decline. I suggest that the allied power of charity and state over unpaid workers is increasing, giving charities better‐protected interests in volunteer labor and changing the tasks that volunteers do. The need for more research exploring the interests of volunteers as regulatory stakeholders in their own right is thus pressing.     

公益法人董事会职权配置研究

社团式公益法人董事会是公益法人执行机构。财团式公益法人董事会在公益法人治理结构中的法律地位相对比较复杂,既可能是执行机构,也可能是决策机构。两类公益法人董事会法律地位上的差别,决定了社团式公益法人和财团式公益法人董事会职权配置内容差别,更导致了公益法人董事会与其经营管理机构之间关系的不同。公益法人董事会职权配置既是对营利法人董事会职权配置借鉴的结果,又体现了对其自身特点的兼顾。     

人工智能的可解释性与AI的法律责任问题研究

人工智能(AI)作为类人类智能,无论我们是否赋予其主体资格,在解决其法律责任问题时,都必须对其行为进行解释,为此,探讨人工智能的法律责任问题,应该基于人工智能行为的可解释性的全新路径来推进,而不是纠缠于当下学界关于人工智能主体地位与法律责任的各种主体论与责任理论。人工智能的可解释性,亦即解释人工智能如何在大数据的基础上进行算法决策。然而,在AI领域,虽然以深度学习为代表的人工智能技术已取得了令人瞩目的成就,但如何确保以非技术性的方式向最终用户和其他利益相关方解释算法决策以及任何驱动这些决策的数据,仍是一个无法得到解决的难题,人工智能"黑箱"释明难题决定了人工智能行为的不可解释性。法律责任的本质是答责,不具有可解释性的人工智能不能自我答责,因此其无法承担法律责任;法律责任的目的是预防,不具有可解释性的人工智能无法实现法律责任的预防目的。人工智能法学研究的下一个前沿问题,是人工智能的可解释性问题。     

Political and economic determinants of insurance regulation in mental health

This article studies determinants of two important sets of laws regulating insurance coverage for mental health care: mandated inclusion of minimum coverage for psychotherapy, and mandated coverage for psychologist services, the so-called freedom of choice (FOC) laws. Political market models are developed and estimated to examine the passage of mandates and FOC laws among all fifty states from 1968 through 1983. Findings indicate that a number of groups influence whether these laws are passed, including psychologists and the state, which acts both in its own interests as a direct provider of services and to protect the public's interest. A state's political system and socioeconomic environment also influence the likelihood of passage of these regulations. Our findings run counter to the assumption often made by policymakers and researchers that regulations exclusively serve the interests of providers.     

The inefficacy of private enforcement of directors’ duties

Company directors play an important role in society. Their activities have significant effects on the interests of their companies, shareholders and other stakeholders. Consequently, the law regards them as fiduciaries and imposes duties which set out behavioural expectations. The private enforcement regime is the primary mechanism adopted by many common law jurisdictions for securing compliance with directors’ duties. The crucial question is whether this regime is effective in securing enforcement of directors’ duties. This article addresses this question by examining the fundamental weaknesses of the private enforcement regime. In exploring these weaknesses, it focuses on the UK and Nigerian experience. It crucially argues that the private enforcement regime, due to its weaknesses, is unable to provide deterrence and compensatory benefits. It is therefore ineffective as an enforcement mechanism for breach of directors’ duties. This article therefore concludes that there is need for a complementary enforcement regime.     

Improving the Non-Governmental System of Outsourcing Labour Regulation in China

Abstract:  This article examines, from a legal point of view, the working and functioning of the non-governmental system of outsourcing labour regulation in China. This examination is conducted from two angles. First, by adopting the analytical tool of contemporary international law, in particular human rights law, it is found that generally the outsourcing regulation system possesses its full legitimacy and special value in realising business entities' responsibilities to respect, protect, fulfil and promote labours' fundamental rights and interests. The international community has also set some minimum legal requirements in this regard. Second, reviewed in the context of domestic law and policy, this article identifies that many legal questions arising from the outsourcing of labour regulation in China have been neglected by either the governmental or the non-governmental labour regulation system. Some representative legal issues are illustrated. It is argued that the underlying causes are three pairs of controversies, i.e. the controversy between the ideal standardised model norms vis-à-vis the realistic specified local societal concerns; the controversy between the voluntary nature of the non-governmental norms vis-à-vis the necessity for official authorities' legal guidance and enforcement; and the controversy between the internal interests of the international production chain vis-à-vis the external interests of outer stakeholders. Finally, this article concludes that, on the one hand, the foreign buyer companies and the international non-governmental organisations must not neglect the particular societal concerns and demands in China, and, on the other hand, the Chinese public authorities should promote and direct the development of the non-governmental labour regulation by improving the governance of rule of law as well as policy making and implementation. Some tentative proposals are raised for solution.     

Second‐hand Emotion? Exploring the Contagion and Impact of Trauma and Distress in the Asylum Law Context

Applicants' accounts of experiences of fear, trauma, violence, and persecution are central to the process of claiming asylum. These narratives are, at a human level, primed to provoke emotional responses, not only in the narrator but also in those to whom the account is relayed. In this article, we explore the vectors of emotionality that permeate asylum decision‐making in the United Kingdom, focusing particularly on the risk faced by the professionals involved of suffering vicarious trauma. More specifically, based on a series of 104 semi‐structured interviews with asylum stakeholders and observation of 48 appeals to the Immigration and Asylum Chamber of the First‐tier Tribunal, this article identifies the adoption by legal and quasi‐legal professionals of emotional coping strategies – of detachment and denial of responsibility – that risk being deployed in maladaptive ways that jeopardize the prospects for justice.     

Why the world wants controls over Artificial Intelligence

This article reviews the nature, the current state and possible future of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is described both in the abstract and in four forms that are currently evident not only in laboratories but also in real-world applications. Clarity about the public's concerns is sought by articulating the threats that are inherent within AI. It is proposed that AI needs to be re-conceived as `complementary artefact intelligence', and that the robotics notion of `machines that think' needs to give way to the idea of `intellectics', with the focus on `computers that do'. This article lays a foundation for two further articles on how organisations can adopt a responsible approach to AI, and how an appropriate regulatory scheme for AI can be structured.     

Stakeholder Orientation vs. Shareholder Value—A Matter of Contractual Failures

This article analyzes the conflict of interests between shareholders and other stakeholders, including when such conflicts of interests may arise. It is argued that shareholder value cannot be justified simply by referring to any prerogative property rights of the shareholders. Instead, shareholder value coincides with the efficient hypothetical perfect contract. However, due to contractual failures in certain bargaining situations, management may be unable to internalize the firms externalities. This means that in these situations there is a tradeoff between a broad duty of loyalty for management in listed firms and other traditional remedies. The theoretical insights are applied on a case from the Danish Supreme Court (Louis Poulsen A/S) where the interests of the stakeholders were decisive. It is shown that the verdict may instead harm the relevant stakeholders illustrating how cautious the legal system should use a doctrine based on the company's interests. In addition, the notion of a firm's social responsibility is critically evaluated together with the associated pitfalls of accepting this concept.     

Reforming Relocation Law: A Reply to Prof. Thompson

This article provides a response to Prof. Thomson's critique, noting many points of agreement and also the broader consensus that is emerging among experts in the field. The research evidence, and the wider body of knowledge on children's well‐being generally, supports the proposition that relocation is a risk factor for children after parental separation but provides no support for a general presumption either in favor of, nor against, relocation. Nor should it be assumed that the interests of children are the same as those of their primary caregiver. We defend our three questions arguing the need in an adult‐centric debate to focus resolutely on children's interests rather than on adult rights. Both Prof. Thompson's approach and our own involve guided decision making with the child's best interests as the paramount consideration—his through weak presumptions based upon research about how judges respond to relocation issues and ours through focused questions based on research on how parents and children respond to relocations issues. We do not consider that codifying the existing practices of the courts represents real reform. We identify various risks involved in using presumptions, but note that, in jurisdictions with limited publicly funded resources for individual case assessment, presumptions, burdens or guidelines may be needed to offer rough justice to impecunious parents.

Key Points for the Family Court Community
• Notes points of emerging agreement on relocation within the research community
• Explores the differences between the use of presumptions and focused questions and highlights the role of empirical research of the lived experience of children and families postrelocation disputes
• Identifies how the level of public resourcing for the family law system may impact upon decisions about the substance of the law concerning relocation

     

我国食品安全风险规制模式之转型

以食品安全风险规制所涉主体为基点，通过考察行政机关、利害关系人、专家和普通公众四类主体在食品安全风险规制中所承载的不同角色和功能，可以抽象出食品安全风险规制的两种模式。我国传统的食品安全风险规制模式属于自上而下模式，食品安全法的颁布与实施强化了该模式。面对当前我国频繁发生的食品安全事件，自上而下的规制模式在风险议题形成、安全标准制定、风险评估、风险信息沟通和风险管理等方面面临全面挑战。相互合作的规制模式有当代政治法律理论和国外食品安全风险规制经验的支持，有助于在食品安全风险规制所需要的理性与感情、科学与民主之间寻求尽可能的平衡，符合我国食品安全风险规制的现实需要。在规范层面上，该模式的制度框架由核心制度、支持性制度和技术制度构成。     

吉林省生态旅游开发中利益协调机制的建立

生态旅游开发涉及到多个利益主体,如何在不同利益的主体之间建立一个合理的利益协调和分配机制,已成为实现旅游业可持续发展的关键.本文立足于吉林省生态旅游开发的实际,对生态旅游主要利益主体的利益分配现状进行了分析,并探讨了存在问题的原因,在此基础上提出了解决利益分配问题的相关措施,以期为区域旅游经济的可持续发展提供参考.     

The Practice of Law as an Obstacle to Justice: Chinese Lawyers at Work

This article helps strengthen our comparative and theoretical understanding of lawyers as gatekeepers to justice by analyzing the screening practices of lawyers in a non-Western context. The explanation for Chinese lawyers' aversion to representing workers with labor grievances focuses on their own working conditions, on the organization of their legal labor, and on their evaluations of the moral character of prospective clients. By linking the screening practices of Chinese lawyers to their socioeconomic insecurity and to popular stereotypes informing and legitimating their screening decisions, this article identifies institutional and cultural obstacles not only to the official justice system but also to cause lawyering. After establishing motives for screening clients, this article then demonstrates lawyers' screening methods: by defining legal reality in strategic and often misleading ways, lawyers use the law as a weapon against the interests of the individuals who seek their help.     

Multiple choice examining in law

This article will review the place of assessment in Higher Education. In investigating alleged over‐assessment in higher education, it is argued that an excess of one form of assessment over another limits student learning. How this imbalance has a detrimental effect on learning is identified, before solutions for the individual lecturer and institutions are considered. The author draws on existing literature, but also contributes his own experience and his research in the UK and USA.