Lost in space? the role of place in the delivery of social welfare law advice over the telephone and face-to-face

ABSTRACT

Advice that is provided exclusively over the telephone has been promoted by government as more convenient and accessible than face-to-face appointments. The resulting push towards telephone-only provision, as implemented by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, challenges the long history of association between social welfare law advice and local delivery within disadvantaged communities. This article reports on qualitative research comparing telephone and face-to-face advice which uncovers the continuing relevance of place in the dynamics and mechanics of social welfare law provision. Familiarity with the geographical location, knowledge of local policies and procedures, relationships with opponents and allies, and an understanding of the ‘local legal culture’ mean that face-to-face advisers are often able to conduct their legal casework more effectively. Conversely, local knowledge is unlikely to be available to Community Legal Advice telephone advisers. This research suggests that, in addition, telephone-only advisers may be developing a more narrow understanding of the essential qualities of casework. These findings are particularly significant in view of the likely future expansion of remote methods of delivery in legal aid work.     

论缓刑的法律性质--兼评缓刑考验期满后再犯罪成立累犯的合理性

缓刑在不同的刑事诉讼阶段所表现的主要特性是不同的,因而对其性质进行分阶段的界定也就有了现实的依据和合理性。从决定是否对犯罪分子宣告缓刑的意义上来说,缓刑有刑罚裁量的性质;从对犯罪分子具体适用缓刑的各项规定的意义上来说,缓刑又具有刑罚执行的性质。缓刑,兼具刑罚裁量和刑罚执行两重性质。在明确缓刑具有刑罚执行的法律性质的前提下,认定缓刑考验期满后再犯相应之罪的犯罪分子为累犯,就有了理论以及法律上的合理性。此种处置,从一般预防和特殊预防的角度来看,既符合中国社会重视行为人主观意志的现实,又能更好发挥刑罚预防犯罪的功能,也是符合我国现行刑事政策和法律规定的。     

Seeking or controlling the truth? An examination of courtroom questioning practices by Canadian lawyers*

ABSTRACT

The questioning practices of Canadian lawyers were examined. Courtroom examinations (N?=?91) were coded for the type of utterance, the assumed purpose of the utterance, and the length of utterance. Results showed that approximately one-fifth of all utterances were classified as productive for gathering reliable information (i.e. open-ended, probing); less than one percent of all utterances were open-ended. Direct examinations contained more closed yes/no, probing, and open-ended questions. Cross-examinations contained more leading and clarification questions, and opinions. Moreover, cross- (vs. direct) examinations contained more questions with a ‘challenging the witness’ purpose. The longest utterances were opinions, followed by multiple and forced-choice questions. The longest answers were in response to open-ended questions, followed by multiple and probing questions. Implications for the truth-seeking function of the judiciary are discussed.     

上海租界外人眼中的中国民族主义

本文主要根据上海公共租界职员郭泰纳夫的两部代表作,利用中华民族对立面的观察角度,对中国现代民族主义的兴起和演变作了初步的追溯,认为从19世纪70年代以来,随着上海租界制度的扩展,首先在中国官员、绅商中萌发出了公开的不满情绪,并不可阻遏的日益发展;第一次世界大战结束后中国政府向巴黎和会提出的《希望条件说帖》,第一次锋芒直指外人在华特权,得到了普遍的拥护;此后,国共两党均成为民族主义的热情鼓动者,并迅速获得了最广泛的民意支持;1925年的五卅运动的根本原因,就是中华民族前所未有的自信。中国共产党的反帝纲领,道出了近代以来中华民族的心声。     

Gender-specific differences – first results from a survey on dental surgery

This study focuses on dental surgery from the perspective of practicing dentists through a nationwide survey among practicing dentists in Germany. Subjects were surveyed with respect to patient care and their training in dental surgery. With respect to surgical activity, this survey confirms male dominance in the field and that female dentists may be inclined grade surgical interventions as ‘complicated and risky’. Male dentists appear to be willing to take the same risks with greater self-confidence, whereas female dentists appear to overrate their personal uncertainty by underestimating their real technical capabilities. Though dental treatment in general is increasingly dominated by women, surgery is still dominated by male dentists. This can be viewed through observed gender differences with respect to risk perception and we advocate additional professional training of risk competence as mandatory for the future.     

马克思主义中国化的比较研究

马克思主义中国化的关键之处就是立足解决中国问题,既要符合马克思主义的基本原理,又要有理论创新。多视角研究马克思主义中国化,对于在新的历史时期更深刻地认识马克思主义中国化具有重要的意义。     

保障当事人诉讼权利的基本课题

在司法文明指数报告中,考察当事人诉讼权利的基本思路,包括设计二级指标和测试题目两方面内容。通过分析指数报告,可以发现当事人诉讼权利的保障情况总体不佳。保障当事人诉讼权利,应当强调发挥法院的作用;而未来改革的基本课题,包括如何防止权力主体滥用自由裁量权,以及如何为权力主体依法行使职权提供必要的外部保障。     

Are Power Asymmetries a Reason for the State to Intervene?

Power asymmetries between farmers and slaughterhouses have led the Swiss government to install an independent agency that evaluates the quality of pig and cattle carcasses. This case is used to explore public interventions to mitigate power asymmetries. The independent classification is described and its economic rationale explored. The positions of the most important stakeholders in the system are depicted and the counter-arguments analyzed by objective hermeneutics. It is concluded that public interventions against power asymmetries are no panacea but can be useful to create a just and effective system.     

转型时期刑事涉案财物扣押冻结问题研究

针对转型时期经济发展中出现的新型刑事案件和复杂的侦查工作局面,公安机关如何正确理解、适用法律,把握法律、政策界限,做到合法、合理地扣押冻结及妥善处理刑事涉案财物,是公安机关当前需要研究的课题。     

强制性戒毒措施的实施现状及其改革

《中华人民共和国禁毒法》废除了传统的强制戒毒和劳教戒毒，重新确立了由强制隔离戒毒、社区戒毒和社区康复等三种新的戒毒措施构成的强制性戒毒体系。该法近五年的运作实践表明，这三种戒毒措施的实施效果违背了立法者的初衷，“宜粗不宜细”的立法模式所造成的弊端也逐渐开始显现。我国应该明确“社区为主、隔离为辅”的强制性戒毒措施体系，同时对强制隔离戒毒和社区戒毒进行制度性完善。