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Current Legal Topics
The guides listed below provide legal commentary and recommended resources on issues and events with legal significance.
Australia | Children's Rights | Commemorative Observations | Cuba | Iraq | Japan | John Adams | Law Day Lebanon | Pakistan | Presidential Signing Statements | Russia | United States | War Powers
Australia: Terrorism Laws: Control Orders
Australia has a legislative basis for Control Orders, which are used to impose obligations, prohibitions, or restrictions on persons as deemed necessary to protect the public from terrorist acts.
Australia: Terrorism Laws: On Preventative Detention & Prohibited Contact Orders
Preventative Detention Orders and Prohibited Contact Orders are two mechanisms available under the Australian criminal law for addressing terrorism concerns. A Preventative Detention Order permits detention of a person for a short period of time (up to forty-eight hours), while a Prohibited Contact Order prohibits the detained person from contacting individuals named in the order.
Australia: Terrorism Laws: On Questioning Warrants and Questioning and Detention Warrants
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has the power to detain and question persons in relation to terrorism. In some instances, this detention extends to pre-charge detention. The ASIO may operate under either a Questioning Warrant or a Questioning and Detention Warrant.
Children's Rights
The national and international laws and practices are detailed and analyzed for sixteen nations including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Nicaragua, Russia, and the United Kingdom (England and Wales).
Commemorative Observations
Listed are the commentary and recommended resources for selected national observances and commemorative months: Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Law Day, National American Indian Heritage Month and National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Cuba: Legal Implications of Castro's Resignation
On February 19, 2008, Granma published a message from Fidel Castro in which he announced that, due to his poor health, he could no longer serve as President of Cuba. After Castro resigned, the National Assembly of People's Power (Cuba's legislative body) convened in order to elect a new president.
Iraq: Legal History and Traditions
Present day Iraq exists on land known to the ancient world as Mesopotamia. The territory was defined by its position between two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. The region experienced many types of rule and many formal and informal legal systems.
Iraq: Saddam Hussein Trial
Find information on the tribunal and its historical background with articles related to key legal issues. It includes print and Web citations to relevant treaties, laws, and references on the subject.
Japan: Article 9 of the Constitution
This research report analyzes Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and its possible amendment.
John Adams and the Boston Massacre Trial of 1770
In 1770 young lawyer John Adams, future President of the United States, served as defense counsel in the trial of eight British soldiers accused of murder during a riot in Boston. Adams's impassioned speech in defense of the soldiers resulted in their acquittal. This page shows the covers of five reports and transcripts of the court proceedings, and includes the full text of three of these items from the Law Library of Congress's Rare Book Collection.
Law Day
Law Day is a national day to celebrate the rule of law and its contributions to the freedoms Americans enjoy. This guide provides commentary and recommended resources concerning Law Day.
Lebanon: The Hariri Assassination
The investigation and potential prosecution of those involved in the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, former Prime Minister of Lebanon, could become a case study in the rapid development of international criminal law. In addressing such issues, the Law Library of Congress provides information and legal analysis reflecting the actual state of international law.
Lebanon: Presidential Election and the Conflicting Constitutional Interpretations
Lebanon may face its first major constitutional crisis since its creation in 1920, following World War I in which the Ottoman Empire lost its Arab provinces to the Allied Forces.
Pakistan: Crisis in the Judiciary
Find information and analysis of the suspension and subsequent reinstatement of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Pakistan: Musharraf’s Resignation
After being threatened with impeachment by these two parties, Musharraf announced his resignation from the presidency on August 18, 2008. Mohammedmian Soomro, Chairman of the Senate, took over as acting President, a responsibility given to him by the Constitution, until Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of the PPP and widower of Benazir Bhutto, was elected President on September 6, 2008.
Pakistan: Proclamation of Emergency
On November 3, 2007, General Pervez Musharraf, then Chief of Army Staff and the President of Pakistan issued a Proclamation of Emergency in Pakistan followed by the Promulgation of Provisional Constitution Order and the Oath of Office (Judges) Order, 2007. An analysis of the constitutionality of the Proclamation of Emergency follows.
Presidential Signing Statements
An introduction to research on official pronouncements issued by the President at or near the time a bill is signed into law. Provides a topical guide to resources.
Russia: Legal Aspect of War in Georgia
This report reviews legal aspects of Russia’s invasion into Georgia in August 2008 and Russia’s recognition of Georgia’s separatist enclaves’ independence. The report includes an analysis of relevant aspects of international law and Russian domestic law, as well as an evaluation of Russia’s legal justification for its actions. The report also provides historic background of the conflict and commentaries on laws regarding the deployment of the Russian military abroad.
Russia: Parliamentary Elections
On December 2, 2007, elections for the State Duma (lower house of the legislature) were held in Russia. For the first time in Russian history, all 450 parliamentary seats were divided between representatives of political parties elected by federal and regional party lists under a proportional electoral system.
United States: The Constitution
Assembled here are books, articles, and congressional testimony regarding separation of power issues in the United States: executive privilege, war powers, presidential inherent powers, state secrets privilege, and military tribunals.
United States: Gun Ownership and the Supreme Court
In anticipation of the Supreme Court’s pending decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, this guide and bibliography provides an introduction to the Second Amendment.
War Powers
Guide to research on the War Powers Act passed on November 7, 1973. A topical guide to resources is included.
Last Updated: 01/22/2009