This seminar will focus principally upon the so-called ‘classical’ Mixed Jurisdictions of which there are about 15 or so in the world. Prominent among these are South Africa, Scotland, Quebec, Puerto Rico, Israel, The Philippines and Louisiana. There is debate about the countries belonging to this group and our research interest may extend beyond this circle in order to deal with classification issues. Each student in the seminar will select a topic dealing with some aspect of the Mixed Jurisdictions and write a research paper that will be presented and discussed in class. A paper topic may relate to any micro or macro aspect of such systems and should make use of the comparative method. Before topics are chosen, the opening classes will discuss the defining characteristics and traits of the mixed jurisdictions and students will be introduced to the literature on the subject. The principal text in the course will be V.V. Palmer (ed), Mixed Jurisdictions Worldwide: The Third Legal Family (2001). (3 Credits)
Spring 2018
Vernon Palmer
International & Comparative Law
Seminars