The German Constitution and international law: some remarks on the comparison with the openness of the South African Constitution

2017 ◽  
pp. 295-304
Author(s):  
Stefan Lorenzmeier
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
South African ◽  
The South ◽  
German Constitution ◽  
South African Constitution

The Interaction between Section 233 of the South African Constitution and the Commentaries to the OECD Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enelia Jansen van Rensburg
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
International Law ◽  
South African ◽  
The South ◽  
Double Taxation ◽  
The Republic ◽  
South African Constitution

The Commentaries to the OECD’s Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital are at times consulted by South African courts when double taxation agreements are interpreted. The question considered in this article is the nature of the interaction, if any, between these Commentaries and section 233 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. Section 233 requires a court to prefer a reasonable interpretation of legislation that is consistent with international law over other interpretations that are not consistent with international law. The contribution analyses various aspects of the wording of section 233, including the meaning of the phrase ‘international law’. It points out the various roles that transnational sources may play with regard to section 233, for example these sources may either constitute the ‘international law’ to which section 233 refers, or they may be aids to the interpretation of those sources that constitute ‘international law’. The contribution considers which of these roles the Commentaries are most likely to play for purposes of section 233.

Professor John Dugard: A South African Perspective

2007 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 955-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAX DU PLESSIS
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
South African ◽  
The South ◽  
International Court Of Justice ◽  
Human Rights Abuses ◽  
International Court ◽  
The Government ◽  
South African Constitution ◽  
The Impact

This article considers the work of John Dugard in the field of human rights and international law and the impact thereof on the South African legal landscape. After tracing the importance of Dugard's early work in South Africa in the fields of legal philosophy, human rights, and international law, the article turns to consider the later achievements in Dugard's prestigious career. The author highlights the numerous cases in which Dugard appeared as counsel before the South African courts, and considers the impact that Dugard had on the drafting of the South African Constitution in relation to international law and its use in interpreting the South African Bill of Rights. The final section of the article considers the shameful failure of the South African government to support Dugard in his bid to be appointed as a judge of the International Court of Justice. The author concludes that notwithstanding the fact that the government has not accorded him the recognition he deserves, Dugard's pioneering human rights work continues unabated in his various positions, including in his role as the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights abuses in occupied Palestine.

scholarly journals TEORI INTERNASIONALISME DALAM SISTEM HUKUM NASIONAL

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 199
Author(s):  
Ninon Melatyugra
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
South African ◽  
The State ◽  
Process Theory ◽  
The South ◽  
Legal Process ◽  
Crucial Problem ◽  
Municipal Law ◽  
South African Constitution ◽  
Transnational Legal Process

<p><strong>Abstrak</strong></p><p>Konstitusi suatu negara memegang peran penting dalam menjelaskan posisi hukum internasional dalam sistem hukum nasional. The South African Constitution adalah salah satu contoh konstitusi yang menjabarkan secara eksplisit mengenai kedudukan hukum internasional sehingga mempreskripsi pengadilan untuk menggunakan hukum internasional secara langsung dalam wilayah domestik. Masalah muncul bagi negara yang tidak memiliki ketentuan eksplisit dalam konstitusi, seperti Indonesia, namun praktiknya terdapat penggunaan hukum internasional oleh agen negaranya. Artikel ini menawarkan teori internasionalisme untuk memberi dasar legitimasi bagi negara yang ingin patuh terhadap hukum internasional di saat konstitusi tidak memiliki ketentuan eksplisit yang mengaturnya. Teori ini dibangun dengan fondasi 2 teori yakni teori <em>transnational legal process </em>yang menitikberatkan pada bagaimana negara memperlakukan hukum internasional, dan teori <em>international constitution </em>yang berfokus pada bagaimana perlakuan hukum internasional tersebut bersifat konstitusional. </p><p> </p><p><em><strong>Abstract </strong></em></p><p>A constitution of a nation holds an important role to define international law before municipal law. The South African Constitution is an example of constitutions that explain explicitly the position of international law and prescribe its courts to observe international law in domestic zone. A crucial problem has risen in States which have no explicit provisions in their constitutions, like Indonesia, but the State agent acts of using international law are often found. This article offers internationalism theory in order to give the States a legitimacy to be comply with international law although the constitution lacks the explicit provisions. The theory contains 2 basic theories which are transnational legal process theory that stresses on how states treat international law properly; and international constitution theory that focuses on how the treatment becomes constitutional.</p>

Does German Law Still Matter?A Few Remarks about the Relevance of Foreign Law in General and German Law in Particular in South African Legal Development with Regard to the Issue of Constructive Expropriation

2002 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanri Mostert
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
South African ◽  
German Law ◽  
Comparative Law ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
The South ◽  
Legal Principles ◽  
Legal Development ◽  
Foreign Law ◽  
South African Constitution

Ever since its enactment, Sec. 39 para. 1 of the South African Constitution has fascinated lawyers with an inclination for comparative law. Subsections (b) and (c) of this provision compels the South African judiciary to consider international law and enables it to consider foreign law in the interpretation of any of the fundamental rights espoused by the Constitution. Sec. 35 para. 1 of the Transitional (Interim) Constitution, which preceded the 1996 Constitution, contained a similar provision. Meanwhile, it has become a feature of the South African Constitutional Court's decision-making process to work comparatively in the solution of many of the issues brought before it. Thus, the new Constitution, apart from introducing a new constitutional and political order in South Africa, gave rise to renewed interest in comparative law and the reception of foreign legal principles.

scholarly journals THE RIGHT TO MOTHER-TONGUE EDUCATION: PRACTICABLE OR NOT?

Obiter ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chrizell Chürr
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Cumulative Effect ◽  
The South ◽  
National Education ◽  
Mother Tongue Education ◽  
South African Constitution ◽  
The Right ◽  
South African Schools Act

Mother-tongue and mother-tongue education are recognized worldwide as one of the most efficient ways to function cognitively and socially. This article addresses the role of proper mother-tongue education with an emphasis on the importance of “language” since language is vital to a child’s right to a basic education in all its dimensions. Without mother-tongue education, every child’s right to learn and to become a skilful adult, able to participate independently in society, is at risk. The cumulative effect of the South African Constitution, the National Education Policy Act, the South African Schools Act, several international instruments and a number of ground-breaking cases, as well as the interaction between them on mother-tongue education will be examined. The implementation of certain education models will also be proposed.

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