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.

China's Real-Estate Legal System——Interview with Construction Minister Hou Jie about the Real-Estate Administration Law

The City Real-Estate Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as Real-Estate Administration Law) was adopted at the Eighth Session of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People’s Congress, and will come into force on January 1, 1995. For the public, especially overseas investors, to understand the law, the reporter had

On the Administrative Litigation and Reconciliation System in China

With the development of our society, the object and scope of government＇ s administrative function are expanding day by day.Facing the complicated new situation, new problem and the enhancement of the rule of law, the difficulty of hearing the administrative case isincreasing. This article mainly analyzes the present situation of the reconciliation of administrative litigation, discusses how to construct ourcountry＇ s administrative litigation reconciliation system, promote the administrative trial work smoothly, and better protect the legitimate rightsand interests of the parties.

On the Officer-selecting System of the Ancient China and the Realistic Significance

The officer- selecting system is an important part of the administrative legal system of the ancient China. In the ancient times,there were different officer- selecting systems in China,such as the hereditary system,the recommendatory system,the nine- rank system and the imperial examination system and so on. Different officer- selecting systems are reasonable and have some limitations at the same time. Besides,they own some realistic significance for the cadre- selecting system of the present.

Myanmar＇s Political Transition and the Adjustments of U Thein Sein Administra-tion＇s Policies towards China

During 2010-2011, Myanmar started its political transition. The U Thein SeinAdministration has made obvious policy adjustments towards China after it replaced the Mili-tary government. However, such adjustments were limited, as Myanmar hasn＇t totally lean tothe West, but keeping relatively closer political contact with China. Empirical analysis showsthat political institu6on and ideology are not the key reasons leading to such adjustments？China-Myanmar relations had undergone fluctuation, osdlla6on and stability during 2011-2016, the root causes of which are the legality of political power, national security based ongeopolitics and economic development demands of＂ Myanmar people. Moreover, those threefactors remain the primary considerations of the NLD Government when it handling relationswith China.

Laws and Regulations for the Registration and Administration of Petroleum Exploration and Exploitation in China

A series of laws and regulations related to the oil and gas.resources have already been pro-mu]gated and provided a legal basis for the activities of petroleum exploration and exploita-tion in China.These laws are as follows:

Approaches to Legalize Higher Education Administration System in China

The higher education administration system in China has been a central theme in the reform and development of our country's higher education. In the past two decades,deviation from reform goals, absence of reform participants, vagueness of reform approaches and other problems have occurred despite the significant effects gained through constant innovations in the reform under the guidance of government policies. For the purpose of better reforming the higher education administration system, the concept of ruling by law, or that of managing the university by law, should be applied. The key is to rationalize the relationship between government and higher institutions as well as to fully exercise the autonomous management of universities and colleges in order to achieve an overall reform of higher education administration system that is conducted from within and without.

非法采矿罪的保护法益与违法性认定

非法采矿罪的保护法益包括国家对矿产资源的所有权、矿产资源的完好性及生态环境。其中,矿产资源所有权是本罪必然侵犯的法益,而矿产资源的完好性与生态环境可谓选择性法益。取得采矿许可证而开采的,原则上排除非法采矿罪的违法性,但特殊情况下也可能构成非法采矿罪;未取得采矿许可证而开采的,原则上构成非法采矿罪,特殊情况下也可能排除非法采矿罪的违法性。采矿许可(证)属于解禁性许可,行为人通过贿赂、欺骗等不正当手段取得采矿许可证而开采矿产资源的,并不阻却违法性,应构成非法采矿罪。但是基于具体行政行为的公定力,在程序上应当由作出采矿许可决定的行政机关或其上级行政机关撤销许可后,司法机关方可认定为非法采矿罪。

论碳排放权交易合规中行政监管的制度优化

在双碳目标下引导碳交易企业积极主动地开展自我合规,是健全碳排放权交易市场的重要路径,亦是国家行政监管模式发展成功的关键。规制理论为我国碳排放权交易合规中的行政监管提供了规范性启示和有益性借鉴。我国碳排放权交易合规管理的行政监管不断优化的过程,是回应型规制、智慧型规制和后设规制从理论逻辑转化为实践逻辑的过程。目前,我国碳排放权交易合规管理的行政监管存在立法规范相对滞后,风险管理明显不足以及配套机制付之阙如等问题,可从三个方面来推动我国碳排放权交易合规中行政监管的优化:完善协同性“碳合规”法律体系,提升碳排放权交易相关法律位阶,发布碳排放权交易合规管理指引;加强多元性“碳合规”风险管理,事前采取源头预防,事中贯穿风险沟通,事后加大处罚力度;结合我国“碳合规”管理的现状,建立行政执法和解、处罚裁量规则激励和社会声誉型激励等激励性“碳合规”监管机制,力图为实现双碳目标贡献思路与方案。

秦汉行政报告中的“请”与“报”

秦汉行政报告的“请”与“报”制度是维护君主专制主义中央集权体制机制的一项重要政治法律制度。秦汉依法对行政请示报告的类型、办理程序、审批答复、处理和利用等方法和原则作出了明确规定,建立了相应的行政申请报告呈报和批复的体制机制,为行政请示报告工作提供了可以遵循的法律制度,加强了对行政的监督和检查,限制了行政权力的滥用,提高了行政管理的质量和效率。

民政部门担任遗产管理人的困境与法律对策研究

遗产管理人是《民法典》规定的新制度,民政部门作为兜底主体担任遗产管理人是我国法律制度上的一项创新。自《民法典》实施以来,各地都在积极探索民政部门担任遗产管理人的做法与经验,但由于缺乏配套性、操作性、实施性的具体规定,导致民政部门工作中产生许多困惑与问题,影响民政部门遗产管理职能的发挥与落地。应当通过制定立法解释,完善司法解释和相关规范性文件,从源头上解决裁判依据问题,进一步明确民政部门在遗产管理实务中独立的法律地位和诉讼主体地位,细化指定遗产管理人确认和启动程序在内的各项具体规则,制定遗产管理人工作操作指引,明确承担遗产管理职能的内设机构、职责、人员、编制和经费,并加快专业人才的培养步伐,使这一新制度能够落地落实,实现《民法典》的立法宗旨。

论算法行政的潜在风险及法律规制

算法行政是算法技术嵌入政府治理体系形成的新型治理模式,数据、算法决策、代码与法律是算法行政生成的三大基石,重构了政府权力和组织架构。当前,算法行政存在行政权威转移、行政程序失当、行政相对人权利弱化、行政主体责任模糊等风险。故而,需要从法律层面控制算法行政风险,包括合理限制算法行政决策权、构建算法行政正当程序、赋予行政相对人算法权利以及明确主体责任归属等举措,以规范算法行政的运用与发展。

体育赛事转播权法律保护问题研究

体育赛事转播权是一种涉及多方利益且复杂的权利,其法律保护问题一直是学界关注的焦点。从国内外学者的观点出发,探讨了体育赛事转播权的性质界定,并分析了我国法律对体育赛事转播权的相关规定。然而,现实中存在一些问题,包括立法和司法方面以及版权意识等,都严重影响了体育赛事转播权的保护。为完善法律保护措施,需要从立法、司法和其他方面进行改进。

行政权力下放的实践:基于职权委托的解释

行政权力下放是基层行政执法体制改革的重要手段,下放形式以地方规范性文件、地方工作文件为主,下放方式是省政府授权,下放权力覆盖行政处罚、行政许可等行政权力。行政权力下放过程中,存在法律性质界定不清、乡镇和街道的执法主体资格受质疑、行政诉讼中被告认定不一的问题。从职权委托的构成要件出发,论证行政权力下放的本质不是法律授权或行政授权,而是以行政职权转移为核心的职权委托。应构建职权委托制度,对乡镇和街道的执法主体资格和行政诉讼被告资格予以肯定。

裁量基准二阶构造的法理展开

现代社会的高阶立法主要是一种框架秩序,行政机关制定和适用裁量基准时享有二阶裁量空间,裁量基准兼具法制定与法适用的双重属性。但是,上位法规范和一般法原则仍对这种二阶裁量有框架拘束力,故行政裁量基准制度的统合法理是“行政自主与法律拘束的统一”。这一法理既是行政裁量之治的核心要义,也是司法监督执法裁量理由的基本准据。行政规章和规范性文件都是我国裁量基准的载体,但目前规范性文件趋同化程度较高,宜加强地方政府规章的立法表达,形成层级裁量基准体系。

行政义务继受理论的逻辑证成

行政法律关系中义务主体变动,产生原义务人应承担的行政义务,是否可能由第三人继受以及如何继受的问题。我国行政法规范虽然存在有关行政义务继受的程序规定,但缺乏明确行政义务继受构成要件的实体规定。司法实践中亦面临因义务主体死亡或终止后,其行政义务如何履行的疑问。“主体非同一性”和“义务同一性”是行政义务继受的必要概念要件,当满足存在具有可继受性的具体行政义务、继受原因的发生以及继受法律基础等三个条件后,继受行政法律关系产生,原义务人的行政义务由第三人继受。但通常情形下确定原义务人行政义务的行政决定对继受人不具有执行力,行政机关应当基于原行政决定的公定力,以继受人为相对人作出新的行政决定,从而确定继受人的继受义务范围。

教育惩戒的法理基础与规范运行——兼论教育惩戒的合法性要件

《中小学教育惩戒规则(试行)》将教育惩戒实施纳入法律轨道,这意味着教育惩戒实施行为应当接受司法的合法性审查。然而,教育惩戒合法性要件存在实施主体责任不明,实施依据定位模糊,实施程序难以规范化以及实施措施合法性边界不明等问题。为此,应将教育惩戒纳入行政法律关系。在惩戒主体方面,将教师和学校主体责任定性为行政责任。在惩戒依据方面,为纾解教育惩戒的场景性与规范性之间的张力,一方面法律应遵循授权明确性原则,另一方面应通过制定校规明确教育惩戒实施的情形、程序与措施。在惩戒程序方面,将惩戒措施分为影响学生在学关系与非影响学生在学关系两类。对于前者,应适用正当程序原则予以补充性适用;对于后者,应适用校规制定的规范性程序。在惩戒措施方面,从反面应由法律规范界定体罚性事项,从正面应适用比例原则作为惩戒措施的合法性标准。另外,应在立法与司法两个维度完善教育惩戒的合法性要件。

妨害兴奋剂管理罪的法益确证及展开——兼与李冠煜商榷

关于妨害兴奋剂管理罪保护的法益存在“法益一元论”与“法益二元论”,其中“法益二元论”又可以分为“一元法益说”与“多元法益说”。“法益一元论”与妨害兴奋剂管理罪的因果性不足,“多元法益说”则模糊了法益保护的内容,而从法益内涵、性质看,本罪保护的法益应是“一元法益说”中的体育竞技公平公正。在体育竞技公平公正法益内容的指涉下,妨害兴奋剂管理罪不属于抽象危险犯,而是实害犯,“情节严重”是对“引诱、教唆、欺骗”行为性质的规定,属于违法性要素,对其认定应发挥法益对构成要件的解释机能,重塑“情节严重”的内容。

论行政裁量基准法律效力的类型化构建

行政裁量基准是控制行政裁量的重要规范性工具,裁量基准法律效力的辨明有利于规范行政活动,反哺行政立法的科学化。有关裁量基准法律效力的观点可以归纳为事实效力说、间接法律效力说和直接法律效力说,但都缺乏对裁量基准法律效力的全面的体系性认知。全面认识裁量基准的法律效力必须建立在对裁量基准种类的类型化构建的基础上。具体而言,对裁量基准法律效力的评价体系应基于裁量内容标准、公开性标准、创设权利义务性三个因素进行类型化构建。据此,裁量基准的法律效力应当三分为事实效力、间接法律效力、直接法律效力。个案裁量基准的法律效力则根据三个因素组合的具体结果在间接效力到直接法律效力之间波动。同时,可以采取“赋分制”对具体类型的裁量基准法律效力作可视化处理。