Legal Reform Examples
In 1876, Cesare Lombroso, an Italian and Jewish physician often called the «father of criminology,» introduced a certain type of criminal, the «born criminal.» Although his argument that criminals have different biological characteristics than non-criminals fell out of favor, he argued that criminals had «wild» evolutionary markers left behind by more primitive populations. Lombroso began extensive investigations involving the accurate measurement of skulls, jaws and other body parts, claiming to be able to use a positivist and scientific approach to identify criminals. His intention was to «bring back evolutionary biology and physical anthropology to implement Italy`s `backwardness`.» In part, Lombroso wanted to prove the inferiority of southern Italy in order to justify intrusive social and political reforms (D`Agostino, 2002). This is an example of how the field of criminology and the myth of «objective science» have been used for political purposes. Given the peculiarities of historical developments in Russia, it can be argued that without large-scale legal reform, it would be extremely difficult to succeed at the same time as judicial reform. It is now necessary to start a comprehensive legal reform, which must be completed by 2020. The official public presentation and implementation of this legal reform should be primarily the responsibility of the executive and legislative branches. The legal reform programme must be adopted in the form of a legal act. [6] WASHINGTON, 14. January 2020 – The regulatory environment for women`s economic empowerment has improved over the past two years, with 40 economies implementing 62 reforms that will help women – half of the world`s population – realize their potential and contribute to economic growth and development.
according to a new World Bank study. Nevertheless, the results are mixed – in many countries, women have only a fraction of men`s legal rights, hindering their economic and social development. Adults received during criminal proceedings. On the one hand, these cases recognized the rights of young people. On the other hand, they pointed out the commonalities between adolescents and adults and argued that the two should be treated fundamentally differently in the legal system in a kind of double standard. Following In re Gault, the juvenile court was repeatedly confronted with challenges to the procedural clause as it concerned juvenile offenders (McKeiver v. Pennsylvania, 1971; Related to Winship, 1970). As a result, Grisso (2000, 1996b) notes that legislators are increasingly supportive of retaliation and are less tolerant of efforts to rehabilitate young offenders. This trend continues today, as the prospect of «cracking down on crime» is often used to attract voters, although it has been noted that retaliation is often more costly and less effective than rehabilitation approaches (Piquero & Steinberg, 2010; Scott and Steinberg, 2008; Seller and Arrigo, 2009; Zimring, 2005). Reforms to protect juvenile offenders` right to due process have been followed by initiatives to promote a specific sentence or sentence of imprisonment established by law (American Bar Association, 1980). Thus, this period of reform was intended to reduce the unpredictability inherent in the earlier era of juvenile justice, which allowed for discretionary sentences (sentencing by judges who order a sentence tailored to the needs of the accused and society) for juvenile offenders.
The sentencing decision was temporarily supported by people with very different philosophies on the appropriate way to sentence minors. Grisso (1996b) notes that those who supported the philosophy of reprisal supported sentencing reform because, in their view, young offenders received their fair desserts. In addition, these individuals cite some clinical support for this approach because of the therapeutic effect of teaching adolescents responsibility for their actions. Sub-Saharan Africa: Eleven economies have implemented 16 reforms in seven areas. The Democratic Republic of the Congo introduced maternity benefits subject to social security contributions and adjusted the retirement age. In Côte d`Ivoire, spouses now have the same right to own and manage property. Mali has adopted reforms on non-discrimination in the workplace. Sao Tome and Principe has adopted new labour legislation to meet the demands of the labour market and bring laws into line with international standards. South Sudan has passed its first labour law since independence. The Alberta Law Reform Institute is the official legal reform body of the Province of Alberta. It provides comprehensive, independent advice to the Government of Alberta and other organizations to ensure that the law and administration of justice are kept current and serve Albertans in the best possible way.
The achievement of legal equality between the sexes requires strong political will and concerted effort, including on the part of Governments, civil society and international organizations. But legal and regulatory reforms can serve as an important catalyst to improve the lives of women, as well as their families and communities. Second, researchers need to ask themselves to what extent there can be a genuine transnational discourse on law and development. Is it possible to create useful and authentic knowledge of law and development based on theory and relevant beyond a single country or even a single area of law within a country? One of the main accusations against the old right-wing and development movement was that it was attempting to impose an ethnocentric bias for Western law under the guise of academic knowledge. As we approach the task of refining the new law and development, we must be careful to avoid this trap. It is tempting to see the legal institutions of our own society as a model to be emulated by developing countries, albeit with some delay, so that evolution can do its job. This is all the more tempting when it is done to promote our national interest in shaping foreign markets in a way that is favorable to Western capital, and in particular to our own domestic companies. To avoid this mistake, the new law and development should be provisional, situational and dialogical. We must be careful not to project our own past onto others and to idealize our own society. We should try to develop knowledge only in relation to those who are directly affected by our «science» in a truly transnational environment.
The British Columbia Law Institute was incorporated in January 1997 under the Provincial Society Act. The general objectives of the Institute, as described in article 2 of its statute, are to promote the clarification and simplification of the law and its adaptation to modern social needs, to promote the improvement of the administration of justice and respect for the rule of law, and to promote and conduct scientific legal research. The British Columbia Law Institute`s website provides access to an invaluable database of legal reform documents from common law jurisdictions around the world. The WBL only measures the formal laws and regulations that govern a woman`s ability to work or own a business – it does not capture a country`s actual norms and practices. The global average was 75.2, up slightly from 73.9 two years ago. It is clear that much remains to be done, because in many countries women have only a fraction of men`s legal rights, which discourages them from finding employment and entrepreneurship. Many reforms had been carried out in the areas of work and marriage, particularly in the adoption of laws protecting women from violence. In the past two years, eight economies have enacted domestic violence laws for the first time. Seven economies now have new legal protections against sexual harassment in the workplace.
U.S. police have considerable leeway to use force against civilians, but officers are rarely held accountable for the harmful and, in some cases, lethal consequences of their actions. In recent months, the need for increased police accountability has sparked protests and headlines following a series of high-profile incidents of police violence against the Black community.