20 December 2010

NOTICE: New Titles from Hart Publishing

A number of new comparative texts have been published by Hart Publishing.

Don't forget the 20% discount for readers of this blog (see the right-hand column for details).

The titles are:

The Constitution of Australia: A Contextual Analysis
Cheryl Saunders

Consistently with the aims of the series, the book canvasses the Australian constitutional system in a way that explains its form and operation, provides a critical evaluation of it and conveys a sense of the contemporary national debate. The chapters deal with the foundations of Australian constitutionalism, its history from the time of European settlement, the nature of the Australian Constitutions, the framework for judicial review, the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, federalism and multi-level government and rights protection. Running through all chapters is the story of the gradual evolution of Australian constitutionalism within the lean but almost unchanging framework of the formal, written, national Constitution. A second theme traces the way in which the present, distinctive, constitutional arrangements in Australia emerged from creative tension between the British and United States constitutional traditions on which the Australian Constitution originally drew and which continues to manifest itself in various ways. One of these, which is likely to be of particular interest, is Australian reliance on institutional arrangements for the purpose of the protection of rights. The book is written in a clear and accessible style for readers in both Australia and countries around the world. Each chapter is followed by additional references to enable particular issues to be pursued further by readers who seek to do so.

The Constitution of Japan: A Contextual Analysis
Shigenori Matsui

Japan boasts the second largest economy in the world and almost two thousand years of history. Yet, its first modern constitution, the Meiji Constitution, was not enacted until comparatively recently (1889). Since then, following World War II, Japan adopted its current Constitution, the Japanese Constitution of 1946. This book is designed to explain the outline of Japan's Constitution, together with a number of its unique characteristics and to offer an historical background and context which help explain its significance. Major topics covered include the constitutional history of Japan, fundamental principles of the Constitution, the people and the Emperor, the Diet and legislative power, Cabinet and executive power, and the Judiciary and judicial power. Also discussed is the protection of fundamental human rights, individual rights - including freedom of expression,economic freedoms, and social rights - pacifism and national defence, and the constitutional amendment and reform. Although the Japanese Constitution was enacted under the strong influence of the United States Constitution, many of its features are very different. For instance the existence of an Emperor, the long dominance of a conservative party over the Government, the relatively strong power of government bureaucrats, the absence of a leadership role in the Prime Minister, the small role the judiciary play in solving constitutional disputes and the struggle over national defence. Written in an accessible style and comprehensive in content, the reader will find this account of the constitutional law of Japan both unique and stimulating.

The Constitution of Finland: A Contextual Analysis
Jaakko Husa

This book deals with the living Constitution of Finland, with an emphasis on constitutional history, culture, and practice. 'Culture' here refers to the cognitive long-term social or mental structure which makes it possible for politicians, civil servants, judges, and lawyers to grasp the constitutional environment in which they exist.

Finland is a small modern, democratic Nordic country with a politically stable welfare system and a constitutional history dating back to the 1700s which contains remnants of Swedish rule, Russian rule, and the period of independence since 1917. It also contains several inner tensions: parliamentarism versus presidentialism, a high level of constitutionalism versus a virtual lack of constitutional judicial review, and a formally rigid but actually flexible constitution.

The book offers a realistic but critical overview of the Finnish constitution, while also discussing fundamental questions about the very nature of constitution and constitutionalism. In addition, the constitutional effect of the EU and the European Convention on Human Rights are discussed and, where appropriate, a specific comparative dimension is added.

The book is written in an uncomplicated manner and is aimed at those not familiar with the system, providing an introduction and first orientation without excessive detail. Each chapter concludes with a list of further reading and relevant websites.

The Constitution of Germany: A Contextual Analysis
Werner Heun

The German Basic Law, enacted in 1949 after total defeat and the experience of totalitarian barbarism, has become a model for constitutions around the world and a prominent example of modern constitutionalism. It features five fundamental principles - democracy, rule of law/Rechtsstaat, the social state, republican government and federalism – each expressly guaranteed and protected against constitutional amendment. As such the German Basic Law is a prime example of a cooperative and predominantly executive federalism characterised by a high degree of unitarianism and equality of its member states. The institutional structure, featuring the principle of the separation of powers, is a parliamentary system of government, in which the Chancellor and the political parties play leading roles. The Bundestag remains a powerful Parliament, while the Bundesrat and the Prime Ministers of the Länder act as an important counterweight. The Constitutional Court, as interpreter of the Constitution and possessor of a broad range of competences, occupies an especially important position, acting as arbiter between the different Federal institutions as well as between the Federation and the Länder. In the field of fundamental rights the Court has achieved far-reaching constitutionalisation and juridification of the whole political system, while at the same time creating a strong and consistent system of individual freedom and the liberalisation of society.

'Expert Privilege' in Civil Evidence
Paul England

Expert evidence frequently wins or loses cases. The importance of handling that evidence properly is therefore paramount. Fundamental to this is the application of privilege. Indeed, thorny privilege issues relating to expert documents, drafts, communications, instructions, collateral use, joint statements, statements of replaced experts, amongst other issues, come up time and again in practice.

This book approaches 'expert privilege' as a subcategory of privilege of its own. This is not because it is defined by a uniform subset of rules that apply to all situations in which expert material is at issue, but precisely because it is not. Neither can assumptions about privilege in expert evidence be based on other areas of application. Instead, 'expert privilege' is a highly idiosyncratic and problematic area. None of the traditional privilege texts are dedicated to this important subject. A book dealing with 'expert privilege' as a subject area of its own is therefore highly overdue. This is the first such book.

This book provides an overview of the issues, cases and rules that feature in this complex area, with the touchstone of practicality kept very much in mind throughout. The order in which issues are discussed follows the process by which expert evidence is prepared, from instruction through to collateral use. The intended readership is solicitors and counsel practicing in England and Wales in all the areas of civil, commercial litigation that use expert evidence. This book will also be of interest to practitioners in other common law countries and academics who are interested in English procedural law.

Jurisdiction and Judgments in Relation to EU Competition Law Claims
Mihail Danov

This book sets out the way that, through enhanced private antitrust enforcement reform, private international law has a pivotal role in EU competition law disputes with an international element. The author offers a thorough analysis of the post-2003 policy of the EU favouring private law enforcement of EU competition law and its implementation under the existing provisions for jurisdiction and recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments under the Brussels I regime. The book also considers how the jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments issues are dealt with in England under the common law rules applicable when Brussels I does not apply. The complex private international law problems in respect of cross-border class actions that have arisen in several countries, as well as judgments in relation to antitrust infringements, are also discussed. The author further examines the choice of law issues that may arise before the English courts under Rome I and Rome II. The potential problems regarding jurisdiction of arbitral tribunals and choice of law in arbitral proceedings in relation to EU competition law claims, and the jurisdiction of English courts in proceedings ancillary to arbitration claims, are dealt with accordingly.

Debating Social Rights
Conor Gearty and Virginia Mantouvalou

Debating Law is a new series that gives scholarly experts the opportunity to offer contrasting perspectives on significant topics of contemporary, general interest.

In this second volume of the series, Conor Gearty argues that for rights to work effectively in the wider promotion of social justice, they need to be kept as far away as possible from the courts. He acknowledges the value of rights language in legal and political debate and accepts that human rights are not solely civil and political, with social rights language clearly having a progressive, emancipatory dimension. However he says that lawyers — even well-intentioned lawyers — damage the achievability of the kind of radical transformation in the priorities of states that a genuine commitment to social rights surely necessitates. Virginia Mantouvalou argues that social rights, defined as entitlements to the satisfaction of basic needs, are as essential for the well-being of the individual and the community as long-established civil and political rights. The real challenge, she suggests, is how best to give effect to social rights. Drawing on examples from around the world, she argues for their 'legalisation', and examines the role of courts and the role of legislatures in this process, both at a national and a international level.

European Merger Control
Michael Rosenthal and Stefan Thomas

European merger control is among the most important and complex aspects of competition law. The rapid pace of development in this area presents a further challenge: legislation and guidance documents are frequently issued and updated, and the formidable body of Court and Commission case-law continues to grow at a daunting rate. This book provides a comprehensive treatment of EC merger control law and procedure. It adopts an integrated approach that embraces both the law and economics of merger control, supplemented throughout with practical insights drawn from the authors' own experience. The book blends practical and academic perspectives and addresses new and unsolved questions of EC merger control law.

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