A hipertrofia do presente no direito da era da globalização

Este estudo procura refletir sobre o novo quadro que se abriu ao direito com a desestruturação do projeto da modernidade societária. Tendo atingido o seu ponto mais elevado entre a Segunda guerra mundial e a queda do muro de Berlim, este projeto, realizado no quadro do Estado-nação, vinculou o indivíduo (societário) a uma rede de instituições e procurou determiná-lo, juridicamente, a partir de uma elaborada pirâmide normativa amiga da previsibilidade, da segurança e do futuro. O mundo das autonomias, da profusão estatutária, dos particularismos, de um complexo mosaico de fontes em concorrência, aquele mundo medieval ligado a um passado imemorial, a um tempo fechado sobre si próprio, é agora superado por um modelo social e jurídico de pendor monolítico, em que o presente, já liberto da vis atrativa do passado, vinculado aos valores da calculabilidade e da utilidade, se projeta no futuro. Pois bem, o fenómeno da globalização e a progressiva construção de uma sociedade e de um mercado globais não deixam de pôr em causa aquele projeto da edificação de uma sociedade integral dentro do território de cada Estado-nação. Hoje, as fronteiras, as estruturas fixas e a própria tradição, tudo é sacrificado no altar da instantaneidade, tudo se reduz ao “êxtase do presente”. Ora, como é cada vez mais evidente, esta “presença hipertrófica do presente” não é amiga da lei. Outras fontes do direito como os direitos do homem, a jurisprudência, a lex mercatória e o contrato parecem ser mais adequadas. Daí que se fale já de uma legalidade branda, de direito «flexível», de direito «líquido», de direito «solúvel», etc.

«Às portas da lei»(?): reflexos do diálogo divergente entre West e Posner sobre as possíveis leituras de Kafka na perspetivação do homem perante o direito

Considerando duas diferentes perspetivas acerca da relevância do Movimento Law and Literature na sua configuração Law in Literature, a de Robin WEST e a de Richard POSNER, especificamente confrontando as suas divergentes leituras de Franz KAFKA, o presente artigo propõe uma leitura crítica das consequências das correspondentemente conflituantes compreensões antropológicas para os problemas do sentido do direito e da posição do homem perante o direito.

O direito de propriedade e o direito de construir

O n.º 1 do art.º 62.º da Constituição da República Portuguesa (CRP) consagra a garantia do direito de propriedade, bem como a sua transmissão em vida ou por morte, ou seja, e como afirmam Jorge Miranda e Rui Medeiros1, as pessoas singulares e as pessoas colectivas gozam do direito de ter bens em propriedade, constituindo o direito de propriedade uma garantia institucional e um direito fundamental.

Uma reconstituição do sentido do Direito – na sua autonomia, nos seus limites, nas suas alternativas

The present essay starts from a diagnosis of the contemporary social and cultural situation and considers a set of plausible cultural polarities in general and the polarity freedom/ sense in particular with the purpose of developing a reflection about Law’s reconstructed sense, its autonomy, its limits and its actual alternatives.

As organizações internacionais e a proteção dos direitos dos indígenas no âmbito do Direito Internacional: especial referência ao sistema interamericano de direitos humanos e ao direito brasileiro

The purpose of this article is to analyze the role played by key international organizations, particularly those of the UN and the OAS systems in protecting the rights of indigenous peoples under international law. The method adopted for the preparation of this work is descriptive and analytical, applying document analysis based on primary literature sources, especially those arising in organs of the UN and inter-American systems, mainly the jurisprudence from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. This article starts with the assumption underlying that international organizations have a preponderant role in the need to safeguard and secure the universality and indivisibility of human rights of indigenous peoples. It is argued further that resolutions and conventions emanating from such organizations are absorbed by national legal order of States members, so that, once these standards internalized by States, they can acquire legal force, beyond moral, in order that their liability is accepted.

Notas dispersas sobre algumas normas do C.P.

In this paper it is made a reflection on some rules of the Portuguese Criminal Code. First it is made an analysis of some aspects related to the crime of simple bodily harm, in particular on its public or semi public nature. Thereto, some aspects regarding articles 143, 145 and 146 of the portuguese Criminal Code have to be taken under consideration. Then, in the context of crimes against property, it is analised the legal institute referred to in paragraph 1. of article 206 (restitution or compensation), as well as it subjective scope.

Intervenções corporais probatórias e direitos fundamentais: compatibilidade e limites

In this paper we will essentially consider the relations between the State punitive claim as well as the pursuit of material truth of facts on the one hand, and on the other hand, the admissibility of evidence collected on the body of the accused in criminal investigations. Aware of the multiple and different refractions that this matter involves, especially considering the potential interference of the principle nemo tenetur se ipsum accusare (or privilege against self-incrimination), this approach is illustrated by the critical appreciation of the ECHR decision in the case Bogumil vs. Portugal, trying to reach some propositions (necessarily poor) regarding the specifics of evidence-related body interventions in cases of arrest and detention.

O processo disciplinar no Estatuto da Ordem dos Advogados portugueses: entre a vertigem de uma estrutura acusatória e a miragem da protecção dos direitos fundamentais do advogado arguido

The exercise of disciplinary action, for the practice of misconduct by a lawyer or trainee lawyer, is the sole responsibility of the O.A., as professional body representative of their peers. The disciplinary procedure prescribed in the statute of the O.A., presents a framework for an integrated accusatory principle of research. The participation of the rapporteur of the disciplinary proceedings in the voting of the resolution imposing a disciplinary sanction is substantively unconstitutional for violating paragraph 5 of article 32nd of the Portuguese Constitution. The requirement to comply with this legislation stems, ultimately, from the similar nature of the fundamental rights of the accused lawyer or trainee lawyer to the rights, freedoms and guarantees protected in criminal proceedings.

Sobre a importância de construir uma teoria do Direito Internacional em face do nacionalismo

The present essay is based on a lecture delivered on the 25 August 2011 at the KIMEP (Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research). Its principal aim is to explore the relationship between international law and nationalism, whilst arguing that both concepts cannot be viewed as two separate and self-contained realities, but should rather be considered in light of their mutual interaction. The external actions of a nation are reflected internally. Similarly, its internal actions have external repercussions. In this work, such consequences are examined in a nation-state with an authoritarian structure as opposed to those found in a democratic nation-state. Additionally, the concept of nationalism is studied in its variant forms in both these contexts, leading to the premise that an aggressive and expansionist nation-state is unlikely to be guided by a constitution that places a high value on democracy and freedom. A nation which does not respect the liberties of its own nationals will undoubtedly disrespect other States and their nationals, and vice-versa. This begs the question: should international law be irresponsive and neutral in these cases? Although briefly, this work also discusses a personalist or individualist type of nationalism by exploring its foundations and advantages and, consequently, postulating its legitimacy and compatibility with the underlying tenets of international law.

A europeização do Direito Constitucional português em matéria de direitos fundamentais – o caso do direito à identidade genética

This article aims to show the Europeanization of the Portuguese Constitutional Right in the matter of the right to one’s genetic identity. The formal recognition of this Right, in the Constitution, was influenced by the actions of the European Council regarding Biomedical Rights and dates back to 1997’s Revision of the Constitution. Not only did the conclusions of the European Council in this matter influenced the Portuguese Constitution but they also affected other documents of international and regional nature like the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The latter also managed to find its way into our national legislation. Thus, this flow of influences in the matter of the right to one’s genetic identity and the constitutionally of some dispositions of national legislation about medically assisted procreation are the subject of our analysis.

Como constroem os juízes a decisão de casos difíceis? R. Posner e o Direito como uma Área Aberta. Algumas reflexões

In “How Judges Think” R. Posner’s main purpose is to develop a “cogent, unified, realist and appropriately eclectic account of how judges arrive to their decisions in nonroutine cases”. Because “law” is unnable to generate acceptable answers to all legal questions there’s an open area in which judges have decisional discretion. This article focuses on that concept of “open area” and in how judges behave when they are judging in the open area.

As declarações do arguido e a estrutura acusatória do processo penal português

Changes to the rules concerning the admissibility of statements read in trial, previously provided by the defendant, despite its apparent simplicity, undermine the criminal procedural architecture projected from the constitutional structure accusatory criminal procedure. The principle that in judging only can be valued the evidence produced before the judge gives rise the production of evidence by the prosecution in the investigation phase.