Rights of succession.

An important event for a family is the death of a relative. The property of a dead person is dealt with under the law of probate.

Many people make a will before their death containing their instructions regarding what is to happen to their property when the die. The maker of a will is called a testator.

In most countries, there are laws of succession which clearly lay down who is entitled to the property of an intestate relative and in what order.

Intellectual property

Most countries put limits on copying words, the art and music, the technologies. Such work is known as intellectual property. The main legal instruments for protecting it are patents and copyrights. In order to prevent a new discovery or scientific process from being copied it’s necessary to apply for a patent. A patent makes it illegal for others to use the invention without permission. Literature, artistic works, computer programs, movies cannot be patented. But they can be protected by copyright. In most countries they are automatically protected when they are created. Intellectual property can be protected if ownership is clear. Another kind of intellectual property is a trademark. It is a symbol which everyone comes to associate with the company. Companies often register them. Infringing copyrights can be a criminal offense.

Constitutional Law

There are laws which enable citizens to take legal action against the state. These actions are part of constitutional law. A constitution is the political and ideological structure within which a system of law operates. Most countries have a formal written constitution. They put it above other laws by making it difficult to change. The main reason of having constitutional law is to prevent governments from becoming too powerful and interfering too much in the Jives of individuals. The functions of the state could be divided into executive, legislation and judicial. Most constitutions describe the fundamental rights of citizens. These usually include general declarations about freedom and equity. One of the most important principles is the principle of judicial review. It enables a court to overturn illegal or irrational decision.

International Law

Public international law governs the relationship between international entities, be they groups or individuals. It includes international criminal law, international humanitarian law and maritime law (f.e., the law of the sea)

Private international law addresses the question of under which jurisdiction a case may be heard.

Supranational law is a system in which member states pool their authority. The supranational body is able to enforce legal norms for and against member states and their citizens. An example of such a system is the European Union's European Community Law.

Sources of International Law

There are two primary sources of International Law:

1. Customary Law. These are the aspects of international law which derive from custom 4 Examples include the rules governing various international crimes such as slavery or genocide.

2. Conventional Law. Conventional international law derives from international agreements and treaties. Arguably the practices of international organizations such as the United Nationals are an additional source of international law.

Human rights.

A human right is one to which people all over the world are entitled, whatever their nationality and wherever they live. Human rights are basic minimum standards of freedom and security for all.

Most countries of the world have signed international agreements concerning the treatment of individuals. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

A very large area of human rights law is concerned with refugees. The refugees are who have fled from their own countries because of human rights abuses, political pressures or economic hardship.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1292