The book comprises contemporary legal theory pertaining to Democratic States based on the Rule of Law from the perspective of general principles of law. It explains in detail, theoretically and based on the specific case law, the phenomenon of general principles of law â as a source of law and directly applicable legal norms. It is a work of legal theory, legal philosophy, and legal method, but it will also assist scholars and practitioners in the transitional justice field as it shows how this theory of general principles of law has assisted Latvia to move away from the socialist legal tradition.
Daiga Rezevska, Dr.iur. (2004), University of Latvia, is Professor, former justice of the Constitutional Court, and ad hoc judge of the European Court of Human Rights. Her most recent publication is Legislation in Latvia. In: Karpen U., Xanthaki H. Eds. Legislation in Europe: Country by Country Guide (Hart Publishing, 2021).
2âUnderstanding and Types of General Principles of Law
â1âDefinition
â2âThe Origin of General Principles of Law and Basic Groups of Meaning of Law
â2.1âThe Origin of the Understanding of General Principles of Law
â2.2âThe Doctrine of Legal Positivism and General Principles of Law
â2.3âThe Doctrine of Natural Law and General Principles of Law
â2.4âContemporary Legal Theory Pertaining to Democratic States Based on the Rule of Law and General Principles of Law
â3âGeneral Principles of Law and Legal Norms
â4âTypes of General Principles of Law
â4.1âPositivisation of General Principles of Law
â4.2âDerived and Discovered General Principles of Law
â5âConclusions
3âThe Axiological Meaning of General Principles of Law
â1âMeaning of General Principles of Law in the Variety of Sources of Law
â1.1âSignificance of the Variety of Sources of Law in the Western Legal System
â1.2âNormative Legal Regulation of Sources of Law in Latvia
â1.3âDivision of Sources of Law in Latvia
â1.4âHierarchy of Independent Sources of Law in Latvia
â2âImportance of the General Principles of Law in Drafting Normative Legal Acts
â3âThe Role of General Principles of Law in the Application of Legal Norms
â4âConclusions
4âThe Functional Effect of General Principles of Law
â1âApplication of General Principles of Law
â1.1âDeriving, Discovering and Concretization
â1.2âSolving of Mutual Collisions
â1.3âEvaluative Subsumption
â2âThe Impact of General Principles of Law on the Application of Written Legal Norms
â2.1âCollisions and Validity
â2.2âInterpretation
â2.3âFurther Development of Law
â2.4âElaboration of Decision
â3âConclusions
Bibliography
Index
The book on legal theory, legal philosophy, and legal method, also containing the issues of transitional justice will be of interest to law scholars, practitioners, and students including post-graduates.