Toward Better Outcomes for Families Through Innovative Dispute Resolution Programs in England

This article explores and shares the learning from two of Cafcass’ innovative dispute resolution pilot programs. The programs aim to improve outcomes for families against the backdrop of rising private law demand in England, while keeping the child at the center. The Positive co‐Parenting Programme pilot provides a structured intervention to reduce conflict and promote timely resolution for children and families in complex cases. The Support with Making Child Arrangements pilot explores whether the provision of a package of support to parents ahead of the first court hearing can help them come to safe agreements about their children without the need for court intervention.     

Autonomous weapon system: Law of armed conflict (LOAC) and other legal challenges

The legality of autonomous weapon systems (AWS) under international law is a swiftly growing issue of importance as technology advances and machines acquire the capacity to operate without human control. This paper argues that the existing laws are ineffective and that a different set of laws are needed. This paper examines several issues that are critical for the development and use of AWS in warfare. It argues that a preemptive ban on AWS is irrelevant at this point and urges the appropriate authorities to develop a modern legal framework that is tailored to embrace these state-of-the-art weapons as the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) develops. First, this paper explores the myriad of laws designed to govern the potential future development and deployment of artificial intelligence and AWS in the context of International Humanitarian Law or LAOC. Second, the paper argues that it will be challenging for AWS to fulfill the requirements laid out under the International Committee of the Red Cross and LOAC for the rules of humanity, military necessity, distinction, proportionality and precaution, especially as it is related to noncombatants. Third, the paper discusses command responsibility and argues that states should establish accountability for wrongful acts committed by the AWS. Finally, this paper contends that there is an urgent need for a new legal framework to regulate these AWS and presents different solutions for the legal framework of AWS.     

我国国际民事程序法"国家本位"秩序价值初探

在目的价值定位方面,我国国际民事程序法存在着"国家本位"秩序观倾向.秩序总是必要的,更具根本性的,但秩序的类型亦是可以多元的.在中外民商法律秩序形成过程中,我国的国际民事程序法除必须体现国家意志之外,理应涵纳更多的当事人自主意思以及国际本位理念的成分,这也是修订我国民事诉讼法、仲裁法等程序法律时所要考虑的一个基本层面.     

论我国民法典应当采纳反致和转致制度

反致是国际私法上一项特有的制度。一个多世纪以来 ,各国学者对它争论不休 ,莫衷一是 ,但这并不妨碍各国实践普遍采纳这一制度。究其原因 ,乃是反致制度有利于公正合理地解决国际民事纠纷 ,符合国家的利益 ,符合国际私法的宗旨和本质。虽然其也受到现代冲突法革命的冲击和挑战 ,但在各国国际私法趋于一致之前 ,仍然有其存在的价值。我国未来的民法典 (涉外篇 )应该采纳反致和转致制度 ,并适当扩大反致制度的适用范围 ,但应以必要和不造成无限循环为限。     

美国《1998年国际宗教自由法》及对中美关系的影响评析

<1998年国际宗教自由法>(以下简称IRFA)是由美国保守派推动制订的一部具有域外效力的美国国内法.由于该法所包含的双重标准以及该法在推行过程中必然会产生的诸多问题,该法实施以来"产生"的域外效力十分有限,未对中美关系造成直接影响.但在美国社会不断保守化的背景下,IRFA对中美关系的间接和负面影响不容小视.针对美国国务院每年发布的<国际宗教自由年度报告>中对中国宗教自由状况的歪曲,中国政府予以外交上的坚决谴责是必须的,但从根本上说,在宗教领域奉行接触政策,勿视美国为敌,怀柔美国应是当前我国韬光养晦外交的较佳选择.     

东盟:区域化“国际社会”的理论与实践——英国学派的视角

冷战结束后,区域化"国际社会"的全球发展趋势明显,用传统的国际关系理论很难诠释和驾驭,英国学派的"国际社会"理论在更广阔的时空观中来观察和分析国际关系的区域化进程,提供了一个独特的视角,东盟则提供了一个典型的个案。     

论全球金融危机下的中美经济关系失衡及其调整

20世纪90年代以来,中美经济关系日益紧密;但与此同时,两国贸易关系与投资关系失衡也不断加剧。全球金融危机的爆发对中美贸易关系失衡与投资关系失衡产生了不同的影响,并导致二者的调整路径明显分化。在后危机时代,美联储的宽松货币政策及退出时机、中美两国的经济结构调整、现行国际货币体系的改革以及人民币国际化进程的加速都将影响中美经济关系失衡的调整。从长期来看,中美投资关系失衡的调整将慢于贸易关系失衡的调整,但二者最终都将向均衡水平回归。     

简评《2010年新加坡国际仲裁中心仲裁规则》

通过介绍新加坡国际仲裁中心最新版本《仲裁规则》（第四版）,并将之与新加坡国际仲裁中心较早版本《仲裁规则》（第三版）进行比较,简要评述新旧版本之异同,指出该最新版本在功能和制度上虽具有一定的新意,但也有可能在实务中引出更多的问题。总体而言,该最新版《仲裁规则》更加突出地体现了新加坡国际仲裁中心管理案件的功能和仲裁庭自主进行仲裁程序之间的平衡,有望促进新加坡国际仲裁中心地位的进一步巩固。     

The maquiladora electronics industry on Mexico’s northern border and the environment

The electronic sector, in particular, the computing industry, has become an increasing concern because of the environmental impact of its products throughout their life cycle. The United States, Europe and Japan as the greatest consumers of electronic goods have given special attention to this issue. The fast computer obsolescence and its difficult confinement, because of the hazardous substances contained, have required a special effort of technical innovation. Nevertheless, this effort seems to respond mainly to the standards required by the countries in which these goods are produced, consumed and confined, which are radically different in developed and developing countries. Though an important part of the production process (assembling) is done in developing countries, little attention has been paid to the environmental quality at this production stage. This study examines the environmental problems and strategy of the electronic assembly industry in the three northern border cities of Mexico. Almost half of 200 electronic maquiladora enterprises surveyed had not undertaken any active environmental policy and there was a limited environmental standards enforcement. Evidence was found that the firms that had operated for a longer period of time had better chances of taking better care of the environment. Environmental firm policies became weaker as one descended from the head office to the subsidiaries and then to their suppliers. It is also found that some transnational corporations operate with double standards in Mexico and thus strong national policies on environmental standards in Mexico are required to change this practice.

论后金融危机时代金融监管国际合作的组织机制——全球金融集体安全机制构建思考之一

金融全球化呼唤金融监管国际合作,而金融监管国际合作需要国际金融监管组织。鉴于目前的国际社会结构,国际金融监管组织只能是国家间组织,而非超国家组织。由于现有的国际金融组织都不足以担当金融监管国际合作的历史使命,国际社会需要创建一个全新的国际金融监管组织。这一全新的国际金融监管组织应该具有以下组织形态特征:第一,它应该是一个全球性的、开放性的、专门性的、政府间的金融监管组织;第二,它应该是一个能够凸显国际关系民主化的金融监管组织;第三,它应该是一个具有横向综合监管职能的金融监管组织。