Autonomy, guardianship and mental disorder: one problem, two solutions

The law in England and Wales governing both the provision of medical care in the case of adults with incapacity and the provision of care and treatment for mental disorder presents serious problems for the principle of patient autonomy. The adult with incapacity has no competence either to consent to or refuse medical treatment but the law provides no statutory structure for substitute decision making on that adult's behalf. On the other hand the law does allow a person with mental disorder to be treated for that disorder despite his or her competent refusal. The nature of these inconsistencies is considered and the implications which flow from the singling out of mental disorder are examined with reference to experience in two Australian jurisdictions. The current proposals for reform of the Mental Health Act are then considered in the light of the conclusions drawn.     

纽约市犯罪率下降的相关因素及思考

目前纽约市的犯罪率稳中有降,社会秩序良好,公民的安全指数增加,其犯罪已得到了有效的控制。其主要的经验是:犯罪控制研究机构的多样性;高度重视对研究成果的转化;惩治犯罪与扩大社区矫正的密切结合;注重司法、执法与社区建设的密切结合;严密法网,强化道德;加强对未成年人违法犯罪的治理;控制文化的正面影响。这些措施都值得我国学习借鉴。     

论计算机犯罪的侦查机构建设

反思我国现存计算机犯罪侦查机构存在的诸多问题,我们不难发现我国与国外计算机犯罪侦查工作开展的比较好的国家还存在着很大差距,这些国家的计算机犯罪侦查机构为我国计算机犯罪侦查机构的建设提供了借鉴和参考。就我国计算机犯罪侦查机构建设的改革方向而言,我们应先着力修正一些外在性的制度的缺陷并着意完善之。     

对《公务员法》“违法命令不执行”条款的思考

《中华人民共和国公务员法》“违法命令不执行”条款规定的“违法命令”应该既包括具体行政命令,也包括抽象行政命令。但是该条款表述模糊,有可能导致执行中的混乱,可借鉴有关国家的规定予以改进。对于抽象违法命令不执行的情况在实践中可能存在潜在的困境,可以在适当的时候考虑扩大“违法命令”的范围,把规章纳入其中,从而赋予行政机关对于规章规范直接的选择适用权。     

善意取得与无权处分的冲突协调——兼评《物权法草案》善意取得之规定

善意取得与无权处分是相互区别与联系的两种法律制度。《民法通则》未规定善意取得及其与无权处分的关系。《合同法》关于无权处分的规定存在疏漏并与善意取得的适用有冲突,应通过合理的制度设计予以理顺。物权法草案中善意取得之规定有待进一步检讨和完善。     

侵犯商业秘密罪若干问题探析

自1997年刑法颁布以来,对商业秘密基本上形成了以民法保护为主、刑法保护为辅的法律保护格局,但是理论上和实践中均有一些争议和问题。侵犯商业秘密罪的主观罪过不应当包括过失,“重大损失”是一个比较抽象的概念,有必要通过司法解释予以明确,刑罚设置应当增加资格刑,罚金刑应优先,要明确罚金数额。     

试论刑案现场的犯罪信息

近年来,犯罪分子作案水平不断提高,主动有意识地破坏犯罪现场等反侦查现象正不断出现,而传统的现场勘查工作思路主要是注重对现场有限的有形痕迹物证进行提取和鉴定,这也是当前公安机关因现场提取不到有用的痕迹物证而导致一些案件难以侦破的重要原因之一。犯罪现场所寓含的犯罪信息十分丰富,除了那些有形的痕迹物证外,还包括很多潜在的隐性犯罪信息。获取犯罪现场的犯罪信息需要利用先进的科学仪器设备,更需要发挥人的主观能动性。     

论背叛国家罪及其认定

本文立足于刑法规定和司法实践 ,对背叛国家罪的犯罪构成要件及其认定中的罪与非罪的界限、一罪与数罪的界限及其犯罪形态的界定等几个重大而疑难的问题进行了较为深入的研究和探讨。     

流动人口犯罪主体预防对策

搞好流动人口犯罪的主体预防工作 ,减少流动人口犯罪的危害性 ,对于促进社会“两个文明”的协调发展 ,具有十分重要的意义。流动人口犯罪的主体因素具体表现为 :(一 )流动人口中许多人法制观念淡薄是造成违法犯罪的根本原因 ;(二 )不健康心理是导致流动人口犯罪的重要原因 ;(三 )文化素质低是流动人口犯罪的主要原因等五个方面。要从根本上解决流动人口违法犯罪问题 ,应从加强文明教育 ,树立正确的世界观 ,加强文化控制 ,弘扬主体文化等三方面入手     

Divorcing Responsibly

In this article I argue that Part II of the Family LawAct 1996 gives expression to a new form ofresponsibility. I begin by suggesting thatresponsible behaviour has shifted from prohibiting orrequiring particular actions: we now exhibitresponsibility by our attitude towards our actions. I then examine where this new conception ofresponsibility has come from. Through an examinationof the work of post-liberal theorists, principallyMichael Sandel, I argue that a changing view ofpersonhood within post-liberal theory has led to aquestioning of the possibility of choice, and that theabsence of choice necessitates a shift in thedefinition of responsible behaviour. If we are createdby our decisions then we cannot be held to account forour decisions, but only for the care we have takenover them. Responsibility is therefore measured notby our level of self-control but by our level ofself-awareness. Finally I examine the consequences ofthis shift in the meaning of responsibility. Withinthis framework autonomy is illusory thereforedecisions do not need to be respected. This explainswhy the implementation of Part II of the Family LawAct 1996 has been called into question. Within thisframework responsibility is relative therefore itextends indefinitely. This enables the Family Law Actto be uniquely intrusive and judgmental: everydivorcing couple, on being held up to scrutiny, isfound lacking.