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.     

Striking hard rock veins. Multinational Corporations and Miners’ Unions in Mexico and the United States, 1906-1952

ABSTRACT

This paper analyzes simultaneous strikes during the first half of the 20th century in North America. The transformation of production in copper, lead, zinc, and silver mining districts determined the formation of a working class that operated between Mexico and the United States. Therefore, the labor conflicts combined market circumstances and management-imposed homologation of work structures across firm divisions with the international coordination of miners. The paper describes the emergence, growth, and demise of a regional industrial system.     

串通拍卖行为的刑法规制及其立法完善--对一起恶意串通拍卖案件的实证分析

串通投标与串通拍卖是两个不同的法律概念,其外延并无包容或交叉关系,二者在标的、目的、社会危害程度、适用法律等方面均有一定的区别."串通投标情节严重的应追究刑事责任"是我国刑法的明文规定,但我国刑法并未明确规定串通拍卖的行为构成犯罪,因此不宜将串通拍卖行为认定为串通投标罪.对于串通拍卖的行为,一般依照<拍卖法>由工商行政管理部门给予行政处罚即可;但对于具有严重社会危害性的串通拍卖行为并构成犯罪的,应当按照非法经营罪或者合同诈骗罪定罪处罚.     

引领人民向自由前进的航标——浅评卢梭的《社会契约论》

卢梭的《社会契约论》既是一部政治学著作,又是一部法学著作,是世界思想史上的重要古典文献之一。本文即从它的历史背景出发,对其"自由与平等"的目标、性质以及"主权在民"的重要思想进行了浅显的评析。     

Finger in the Dyke or the Floodgates Stemmed? Sections 29–40 of the Employment Act 2002

This article considers Sections 29–40 of the Employment Act 2002 in the context of post-War developments in labour relations culminating in the National Industrial Relations Court. It considers the development of Employment Tribunal which rather than being the last resort intended by the legislators, has become the first resort of complainants, often for trivial matters by employees; or by employers taking an extremely broad view of Gross Misconduct by employees. Due to the volume of cases and the shortage of Chairs, cases are constantly delayed and postponed. The article posits that these are the principle reason behind the framing of Sections 29–40 of the Employment Act 2002 which introduced a new Section 9(1)(a) into the Employment Tribunals Act 1995. This has given the Chair of an Employment Tribunal the authority to strike out a weak case at a Pre-Hearing Review that will strike the case out once and for all at this juncture. The aim is to encourage employers to have proper procedures and for employees to follow them. This article suggests that in fact the reforms will have the opposite effect; that they have introduced another layer of legal complexity which will further increase the number of cases brought before the Employment Tribunal.     

论我国抽象行政行为的司法审查

对抽象行政行为进行司法审查是各国政治体制中分权制约原则的具体体现,也是司法权监督制约行政权的重要方式。笔者认为,我国现行行政诉讼立法已经确立了中国特色的对抽象行政行为的司法审查制度。然而,我国现行对抽象行政行为的司法审查,只是间接的、附带的和有限的司法审查,并不适应我国民主与法治建设的需要。因此,我们必须从思想观念、法律规范、组织体制、制度程序和人员素质等方面予以健全和发展。     

影响就业的几个因素及解决方案

促进劳动力充分就业是构建社会主义和谐社会的重要内容和根本要求，也是我们研究经济社会又好又快发展的重大课题。在市场经济条件下，影响劳动力充分就业的因素有许多。诸如城乡劳动力市场的分割、城乡经济和劳动力“二元结构”、就业歧视、劳动力流动存在制度性障碍等。通过分析就业形势，总结影响就业的诸多因素，提出几点意见和建议。     

论以批准作为生效条件的合同

在我国民事立法中,批准是某些合同的生效要件。合同经批准生效的立法构造在司法实践中引起了一定的混乱。尽管司法解释为此作出了不懈的努力,但还是无法彻底克服以批准作为合同生效条件所带来的弊端。尤其在合同订立后至批准手续办理完毕之前以及合同因客观原因无法得到批准的情况下,当事人之间将会因合同不生效而不存在基础法律关系。因此,批准不应当被规定为合同的生效要件,急需在立法上进行重构。     

试论《劳动合同法》的实施效果与运行障碍

<劳动合同法>的颁布和实施引起强烈的社会反响,人们寄望于这部法律扭转当前的劳资格局,建立和谐稳定的劳动关系.但是,这部法律的良好实施取决于用人单位守法的自觉度、劳动者权利意识的觉醒度和劳动保障监察的力度.只有改革现行的社会保险制度,细化<劳动合同法>的抽象条款,加大<劳动合同法>的宣传力度和监察力度,才能取得良好的实施效果.