Post on 01-Apr-2015
Foreign Legal Research: when & how
Anne L. Abramson
Foreign & International Law Librarian
The John Marshall Law School
Lois L. Biro Law Library
Frequent Foreign Law Issues
Doing business in a foreign country: what types of entities can do business there? Pros and cons of a particular business organization? (i.e. export/import, distributorship, overseas office)Potential disputes: what law applies; what forum decides; how will judgment be enforced in another jurisdiction
When to Research Foreign LawPotential conflicts of law issueForum selection, choice of law and arbitration provisions Globalization & rising expectationsHarmonization: treaty may make it unnecessary to research foreign law in certain areas Foreign counsel
Foreign Legal Research Strategies
Use secondary sources
Find subject collections
Preliminary question: does a treaty apply?
Hague Conference on Private International Law
http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php
State Department Website
http://www.state.gov/
Bureau of Consular Affairs
http://travel.state.gov/
Judicial Assistance
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/judicial/judicial_702.html
Getting to Know You SourcesDoing Business GuidesMartindale Hubbell International Law DigestDepartment of Commerce WebsiteUniversity of Ottawa WebsiteIntroduction to the legal system of a foreign country (i.e. books, articles)
Doing Business Guides
http://www.bakernet.com/BakerNet/Resources/Doing+Business+In+Guides/default.htm
Martindale Hubbell International Law Digest
Legal>Area of Law – Topic>International Law>Find Laws by Country or Region>Search International Law Digests
COUNTRY(germany) & TOPIC(patent!)
Department of Commerce
http://www.export.gov/
Export.gov
http://www.export.gov/
Country Information
http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/foreigngovt.htm
World Legal Systems
http://www.droitcivil.uottawa.ca/world-legal-systems/eng-monde.php
Civil law: based on comprehensive written codes covering an entire area (i.e. civil); decisions binding only on parties; public v. private
Common law: judicial decisions are precedent
Customary, Religious, Mixed
Finding Foreign Law
Foreign Law GuideGLIN: Global Legal Information NetworkLLRX & Globalex Research GuidesCatalogs & indexes: books and articlesLast resort: Embassies or consular officesExample: German patent law, Italian commercial agency law—Foreign Law Guide, JMLS catalog, Worldcat
Foreign Law Guide Materials Indexed
http://foreignlawguide.com
Subject Headings
Countries & JurisdictionsIntroduction to Legal System
http://foreignlawguide.com
Agency & Distribution Agreements
Link to Materials Indexed
Worldcat
http://firstsearch.org
Links to Websites
http://foreignlawguide.com
Paraguay
Global Legal Information Network
http://www.glin.gov/search.action
Globalex
http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/
Globalex Country Guides
Websites of Particular Jurisdictions
http://www.jura.uni-saarland.de/english/glsindex.html
LLRX
http://www.llrx.com/
Websites on Particular Topics: FAOLEX
http://faolex.fao.org/faolex/
NATLEX of the ILO
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex_browse.home
Global Insolvency Law Database
www.worldbank.org/gild
Buffalo Criminal Law Center
http://wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/resource.htm
International Supreme Court Decisions
www.globalcourts.com
Lexis and Westlaw Coverage
Embassies & Consular Offices
www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls
Understanding Foreign Law
Translations: consider currency and accuracy
Beware of Babelfish
Foreign Law in U.S. Courts
Lost in Translation § 202c Vorbereiten des Ausspähens und Abfangens von Daten(1) Wer eine Straftat nach § 202a oder § 202b vorbereitet, indem er 1. Passwörter oder sonstige Sicherungscodes, die den Zugang zu Daten (§ 202a Abs. 2) ermöglichen, oder2. Computerprogramme, deren Zweck die Begehung einer solchen Tat ist,herstellt, sich oder einem anderen verschafft, verkauft, einem anderen überlässt, verbreitet oder sonst zugänglich macht, wird mit Freiheitsstrafe bis zu einem Jahr oder mit Geldstrafe bestraft.(2) § 149 Abs. 2 und 3 gilt entsprechend.
§ 202c Prepare spying and interception of data (1) who a criminal offence after § 202a or § 202b prepared, by he 1st passwords or other safeguard codes, those the entrance to data (§ 202a Abs. 2) make possible, or 2nd computer programs, whose purpose is committing such an act, manufactures, or another provided, sold, another leaves themselves, common or otherwise accessible makes, with imprisonment up to one year or with fine one punishes. (2) § 149 Abs. applies for 2 and 3 accordingly.
Types & Sources
From: Hoffman, Marci & Rumsey, Mary. International and Foreign Legal Research: a coursebook Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2008). K85 .H64 2008 7 th flr
Highly recommended: Germain, Claire M. Germain's Transnational Law Research: a Guide for Attorneys, Transnational Juris Publications, (1991-). K85 .G47 1991, 7 th flr
Common Law Civil Law Public International Law
Private International Law
Primary Sources ConstitutionsStatutesRegulations Court Decisions
ConstitutionsStatutesRegulations
TreatiesCustomaryGenerally recognized principles of law
National lawTreatiesCustomary Law
Secondary Sources Scholarly commentary
Court decisionsScholarly commentary
Court decisionsTeachings of publicists (scholarly commentary)
Court decisionsScholarly commentary