UNIVERSAL CRIMINAL JURISDICTION:An option or a legal obligation for States?

I Universal criminal jurisdiction,which is exercised by domestic courts of States,is considered today by some scholars as a panacea for fighting against impunity of perpetrators of the most heinous international crimes worldwide.

Impact of Mandatory Provisions on the Validity of Juristic Acts: A Path for Legal Policy Analysis

Contrary to the approach in judicial practice,Paragraph 1,Article 153,of the Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China,as a rule of invalidity for violating mandatory provisions,does not adopt a dichotomy towards mandatory provisions with effectiveness and administrative characteristics,yet it maintains the legislative philosophy of differentiation.It leaves unspecified whether mandatory provisions that do not explicitly render a juristic act invalid impact the act’s validity,entrusting this determination to the discretion of judges on a case-by-case basis.When judges,under the authority of Paragraph 1,Article 153 of the Civil Code,explore the normative intent of mandatory provisions to assess their effect on the validity of juristic acts,they should engage in legal policy analysis centered on consequence-based argumentation to overcome the limitations of norm typological analysis.This analysis employs a reasoning model predicated on the normative purpose,utilizing a consequencefocused interpretative approach for formulating and arguing propositions of rules applicable to pending cases,thereby arriving at case-specific conclusions.Since the invalidation of juristic acts serves as an auxiliary regulatory tool for the state economy and society,a consequence-oriented interpretation needs to be based on the idea of mutual instrumentalization of public and private laws.This entails predicting the outcomes of negating the validity of a juristic act in industrial regulatory scenarios and assessing these outcomes within the framework of public and private regulatory instruments.

The Legally Permissible Traditional Customary Uses of Wildlife and Forests under Kenyan Law

Kenya like most of sub-Saharan Africa is reliant predominantly on agriculture and natural resources;which include land, water, minerals and fisheries, but the most dominant of which are wildlife and forestry. Unlike minerals which are by law vested in the government and can only be extracted by it and not the citizenry, wildlife and forestry are resources that the citizens may utilize in their day to day lives to meet their needs. Apart from their consumptive uses, there are also non-consumptive uses and values of wild animals and forests;such as their intrinsic ecological value as gene banks, as well as their scenic value for viewing. These are essentially conventional values and uses. They are largely formal and universal ones that are universally obtaining across the world irrespective of the levels of civilization or cultural identity, and are even compatible with modernity. Apart from these, there are some wildlife and forestry uses which are unique to the typical African way of life as part of old traditional customs that have existed from earlier times. These are what are in this paper referred to as “traditional customary uses”. These uses are largely informal, rudimentary and archaic. They are nevertheless critical in the endemic African way of life and represent the inextricable rudimentary technologically bereft relationship between the African people and their natural resources. Under the country’s existing laws, some of these uses are prohibited and criminal sanctions prescribed to enforce their proscription, hence cannot be enjoyed or practiced. There are however others that the law has either expressly allowed, or not prohibited, hence may be lawfully enjoyed or practiced. These are what this paper has referred to as the legally permissible traditional customary uses;and are the ones that are its subject. As for wildlife, in the year 1977, the Kenya Government by a Legal Notice in the Kenya Gazette imposed a ban on all forms of hunting of wildlife. The ban is still in force. This therefore means that hunting is illegal, as legal prohibition has in effect prohibited all and any form of off-take or killing of wildlife. By implication therefore, under Kenyan law, only non-consumptive uses of wildlife may be enjoyed, and not the consumptive ones. These include viewing as well as socio-cultural and spiritual uses. In Kenya therefore, the only permissible traditional customary use of wildlife is its non-consumptive use for socio-cultural and spiritual purposes;subject of course to the existing legal prohibition on witchcraft under the Witchcraft Act (Cap 67 Laws of Kenya). This piece of legislation has prohibited the practice and promotion of witchcraft. This in effect means that the socio-cultural and spiritual uses of wildlife though legally permissible, will be enjoyed, provided it is not for witchcraft purposes. With regard to forests, this author has identified the following five as their legally permissible traditional customary uses under Kenyan law: Socio-cultural and spiritual (consumptive and non-consumptive) use, other than for witchcraft;use in herbal folk medicine, other than for witchcraft;use for human food and livestock fodder;use for firewood;and use as raw material in construction and traditional craft. Notably, in Kenya, traditional customary use is subject to the existing legal prohibition on witchcraft. Further, while it is the legally permissible use category that is the focus of this paper, the author nevertheless discusses the prohibited traditional customary uses as well. This paper is based on literature survey as well as data obtained from the author’s previous research whose primary data and findings have been published in recent times. It also draws from the documented research and diverse documented views of other commentators on the subject.

A Study on the Legal Status of Procurement Service Providers on WeChat and Related Legal Regulations

In modern society, online shopping on behalf of others has become a trendy pattern of consumption and particularly the overseas purchasing on WeChat has blossomed like a raging fire. However, this low-cost and unsupervised purchasing pattern has brought countless con？ icts between consumers and procurement service providers. As a consequence, based on the sales pattern on WeChat overseas purchasing, this paperdelivers a classifled discussion about the legal relationship between the procurement service provider and other subjects in the overseas purchasing process, in order to further explore the legal obligations undertaken by the procurement service provider. Besides, this paper also digs deep into the reasons for drawbacks of the WeChat sales pattern, in the hope to standardize the trading mode of WeChat overseas purchasing.

法律行为规范对身份行为的有限适用

身份行为的构造依托于以意思表示为要素的抽象法律行为框架,不能以事实先在性架空意思自治。即使家庭法没有明确规定,身份行为也存在成立和效力的判断问题。根据纯粹身份行为和身份财产行为的区分概括描述适用模式的意义有限,即使是身份财产行为,也不能当然适用法律行为规范,而必须结合具体行为的性质以及所涉法律行为规范之利益状态进行个别化检视。在具体的规范适用检视中,应当首先考虑立法者的法政策决断,然后再考虑不同身份行为的本质。限制法律行为规范的适用往往意味着对当事人意思自治的限制,其背后往往存在维护身份关系安定性及公共利益的特殊考量。

A Study on Legal System of Heritage Trust

Heritage trust system can well make up the deficiencies in testamentary succession,gift by will and other systems.However,many existing problems have seriously hindered the development of China's heritage trust system.This paper describes the concept and analyzes the nature of heritage trust system and makes some thoughts on improving China's heritage trust system based on its current situation and deficiencies.

优先权之反思与重述

优先权的概念范畴有狭义和广义之分。源自法国民法的狭义优先权长期游离于我国债物二分体系之中,已造成权利性质难辨、公示机制阙如和其他衍生的学理弊端。广义优先权谱系的创设存在语境虚假、效果无益、集合异类等显著缺陷。在狭义优先权中,一般优先权实为债权,特别优先权实为法定抵押权。此种法定抵押权与受其担保的主债权相区分,具有债法和物法的双重面相。其他所谓的“优先权”子项主要包括竞争中享有优待地位的资格和对因顺位判定原则或规则所生结果的描述。

Effect of Space Law on Space Activities

In recent years, people have made increasing studies and discussions on the relationship between the law and space activity. Some famous space law scholars in the world have put forward the opinions of "impact of the development of space technology on the law of outer space" and "development of space law as a result of astronautical technology", which show the fact that space activity and law infiltrate and influence each other. Space technology has played a leading role in the generation and development of space law. The paper quite agrees with the above mentioned opinions, but tries to

专利权恶意取得及其规制路径

伪造并不真实存在的技术方案、明知为现有技术(或现有设计)、故意侵犯他人技术秘密并申请专利,以及违反保密审查义务在外国申请专利后又在中国国内申请专利等四种行为,是典型的专利权恶意取得行为。根据这些行为所侵害的法益为公共利益或是特定第三人利益,可以将其分为无效的专利权恶意取得行为与可撤销的专利权恶意取得行为。对于前者,任何单位或者个人都可以向国务院专利行政部门请求宣告专利权无效;对于后者,只能由利益受到损害的特定第三人主张撤销原授权决定,并请求变更权利归属。专利权恶意取得行为的规制,既需要司法机关在个案中层层把关、细致甄别,又需要行政审查机关注重源头治理、加强事后惩戒,形成协同治理体系。

法律权力概念辩疑

权力是法律主体通过实施法律所规定宣告式言语行为、从而产生法律地位的资格,这里的法律地位与宣告式言语行为所包含的意愿相一致。法律权力概念具有普遍性,并非是由公法所专享的概念。法律权力既可以改变法律主体自身的法律地位,也可以改变他人的法律地位,且不以他人的同意为必要条件。法律权力具有构成性,它的核心在于使得行为人的意愿产生与之一致的法律地位,而不在于对行为人表达该意愿的行为加以规制。法律权力即便有时可以作为法律权利的构成因素,也不能将之视为法律权利的特殊形态,两者的内涵具有明显的差别。

破解体育赛事数据法律保护困境:赛事数据使用权益模式

大数据时代体育赛事数据的商业和技术价值不言而喻,为保障赛事组织者的赛事数据权益,理论界提出“确权”保护模式,即依托现有的法律规范或通过立新法进行确权的形式,赋予赛事组织者以赛事数据的相关权利。但由于赛事数据权益主体多、客体类型复杂,以“确权”模式保护体育赛事数据存在着权利内容不明晰、隐私数据保护难的法律困境。因此,可尝试转变对赛事数据权益的保护思路,搁置确权,促进流通,实现收益。构建赛事数据“使用权益”模式,以营利与否决定赛事数据“使用许可”的程度,保障赛事组织者利益;对赛事数据进行分类分级,规范采集、使用标准,加强对运动员隐私数据的保护。从而在赛事数据采集、使用、收益、隐私保护之间达到平衡,实现数据权益。

美国冻结和处分俄罗斯主权资产的法律路径与挑战

俄乌冲突已持续两年,美国及其欧洲盟友提供的外国援助是乌克兰获得财政资源的最直接的方式。随着对乌援助在国内外面临的经济压力和政治压力不断增大,美国政府不得不开始寻找新的资金来源。拉拢盟友一起冻结和处分俄罗斯的海外主权资产,将之用于协助乌克兰应对冲突和战后重建,成为美国当前最为中意的方案。美国的决策者正在积极研究论证实施该方案的现有法律和政策路径,试图从法理、国内法、司法判例和国际法中发掘充分的法律依据,甚至酝酿推出转移俄罗斯海外主权资产的强制性法案,意图以所谓的“合法手段”达成目的。美国此举的本质是以法律战打经济战,将冻结和处分外国主权资产的手段合法化、正当化,这不仅会伤害美国的软实力,受到国际社会的广泛质疑,还会对解决俄乌冲突带来不利影响。

重新确定据法阐释抑或依法办事之法的方法

据法阐释依法办事之法的第一次确定,是指立法者创设制定法的活动。由于制定法规范是一般性、体系性的抽象存在,因而其实施需要在语境中具体化。制定法的具体化是抽象法律的重新确定。重新确定的实质是“法律注我,我注法律”的双向思维,是人与法关系的互动,既需要克服惯常思维中存在的据法阐释依法办事思维的单向性,也需要防止主体性的随意发挥,在抽象法律具体化过程中使用法律方法。在语境中重新确定法律意义的总体方法,就是认同法治理想所设定的三段论思维方式,但需要打开制定法的封闭性,区分制定法与法,把法律价值以及其他社会规范等附条件地拟制为法;然后经过法源思维的过滤或使用法律思维规则,最终确定据法阐释依法办事之法。

论法律行为中一体性意思的认定——以法律行为的部分无效为基础

当法律行为的一部分无效时,该无效部分是否影响其他部分的效力,是《民法典》第156条规定的部分无效制度所要解决的问题。部分无效制度适用的前提之一是相关法律行为具有一体性,只有具有一体性的法律行为才存在部分与整体的关系问题。判断法律行为是否具有一体性,应以当事人是否具有一体性意思为核心。一体性意思包括明示的一体性意思和推定的一体性意思。在没有明示的一体性意思时,可依据法律行为成立上的一体与经济上的一体推定一体性意思。如果相关法律行为有不同的当事人,或者相关合同构成了合同联立的情况,一体性意思便不具有适用性,相关法律行为不具有一体性。

法人实施有效民事法律行为的界限研究

当前我国民法体系中对法人实施民事法律行为的效力边界未有明确规定,这主要是法人的民事权利能力和民事行为能力范围不清晰导致的。从我国民法体系法人制度的历史演变轨迹来看,国家对法人民事权利能力和民事行为能力规范的界限已发生了较大变化。通过解释目前相关法律条文的文义以及类推适用这种“法律漏洞”补充方式,可以看出:法人的民事权利能力不受其经营范围、业务范围或章程规定、设立目的宗旨或任务规定的限制,与自然人相同,其有资格在所有民事法律行为中享有民事权利和承担民事义务;但这并不意味着其拥有以自己的行为去取得所有民事活动中的民事权利、履行民事义务的民事行为能力。除了在前述规定范围内实施的符合法律规定的民事法律行为有效外,在前述规定范围外实施的民事法律行为要根据法人的不同类型及其是否获得政府许可或法律授权等因素来确定该民事法律行为的效力。

我国放生外来入侵物种行为法律规制之现状及完善

我国当前立法已开始重视构建放生外来入侵物种行为的规制制度,与防治外来物种入侵构成“对外+对内”的双重规制保障。然而放生外来入侵物种的法律规制路径在制度设计与解释适用中仍存在禁止放生外来物种范围不明确、惩处机制难以覆盖实际危害后果、公法责任规制选择适用标准模糊、行政主体责任缺失等问题。问题症结源于制度设计的立法分散与标准不一,需要通过加快出台分类分级的外来入侵物种名录、扩充法律规制的修复手段、引入风险评估系数、补充行政机关人员的行政责任等途径加以完善。

预备行为实行化立法优化探微

近年来,随着风险社会理论的兴起与积极刑法观的确立,预备行为实行化已经成为各国刑法的重要立法趋势。尽管我国的预备行为实行化立法具有较为坚实的理论基础与现实依据,但也存在刑罚权的过度扩张、预备行为的非定型性、刑法总则与分则的重复等问题,需要予以完善。为合理限制预备行为实行化立法的范围,实现犯罪预防与人权保障的平衡,应当贯彻罪刑法定原则实质侧面的要求,强调立法的适正性与明确性。具体而言,适正性要求只能将对重大法益创设抽象危险的预备行为实行化,并确保相关罪名的法定刑设置的公正性与均衡性;明确性则要求加强犯罪构成的定型化、排除兜底性的条文规定、原则上采取叙明罪状以及将刑法总则关于预备犯的规定调整为以不罚为原则、以处罚为例外的立法模式。

《教师法》修订应当突出对教师权益的保障——专访劳凯声教授

自《中华人民共和国教师法》实施以来,我国教师队伍的生存状况整体获得改善,教师的社会经济地位总体适当,但在教师队伍内部出现分化的趋势,教师的权利义务开始面临失衡的问题。面对社会变迁及其对教师职业的挑战,《教师法》修订应当在正确认识教师职业性质的基础上明确教师的法律地位,重点解决明确修法的基本目的、重构教师权利义务体系、改革完善教师聘任制度等问题。《教师法》修订应当始终坚持维护教师权益的价值导向,综合运用多部门法律规范调整教师法律关系,应当更新法治理念,努力提升修法的质量水平。

法律视野下基本医疗服务拟制公共产品属性及国际实践

基本医疗服务本质上是私人产品。健康权入法使基本医疗服务转化为拟制公共产品,而非公共产品或准公共产品。基本医疗服务区别于非基本医疗服务是基本医疗服务成为拟制公共产品的前提,健康从个人事务上升为国家法律义务是基本医疗服务成为拟制公共产品的主要依据,分级诊疗是国家履行被拟制为公共产品的基本医疗服务义务的具体表现。美、英、俄、德等典型国家的立法实践为我国对作为拟制公共产品的基本医疗服务实行全民医保基础上的政府供给提供了可借鉴经验。

刑事再审抗诉实证研究——以360份裁判文书为样本

刑事抗诉是检察机关法律监督工作的重要组成部分,逐渐成为刑事审判监督格局的中心。司法实践中,适用法律错误与量刑错误是检察机关提起再审抗诉的主要理由。从再审抗诉结果上看,绝大多数抗诉意见都得到法院支持;从再审抗诉质量上看,检察机关对实体性问题提出再审抗诉的质量高于对程序性问题的抗诉质量;从再审抗诉功能的实践样态上看,再审抗诉的追诉色彩浓厚,纠错功能突出,检察机关的中立地位偏移,监督属性不足。检察机关应回归客观中立立场,严格控制不利于被告人再审抗诉的提起,实现再审抗诉“实体+程序”双轮驱动,提升再审抗诉工作质效。