Abstract

Different formalisms for defeasible reasoning have been used to represent knowledge and reason in the legal field. In this work, we provide an overview of the following logic-based approaches to defeasible reasoning: defeasible logic, Answer Set Programming, ABA+, ASPIC+, and DeLP. We compare features of these approaches under three perspectives: the logical model (knowledge representation), the method (computational mechanisms), and the technology (available software resources). On top of that, two real examples in the legal domain are designed and implemented in ASPIC+ to showcase the benefit of an argumentation approach in real-world domains. The CrossJustice and Interlex projects are taken as a testbed, and experiments are conducted with the Arg2P technology.

Highlights

  • This is a feature we could find in ASPIC+ and ABA+, though we found that the ABA+ way of modelling knowledge and arguments much less intuitive for a legal user

  • To demonstrate how Arg2Pcan be used in different legal contexts, we describe two case studies focused on private international law (PIL) and criminal justice, respectively

  • Our analysis has shown a strong convergence between the different systems for defeasible reasoning, while they offer different solutions that may cater for the needs of different legal applications

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Summary

Introduction

Much work has been done in AI and law research on computable models of the law and the development of legal reasoning systems. One is liable if one voluntarily causes damage and one does not act out of self-defence or a state of necessity The semantic originally developed by Dung has been connected to the research by Prakken and Sartor and Bench-Capon This has led in particular to the development of frameworks for structured argumentation such as ASPIC+ [16] and Carneades [17,18], which are partially inspired by the features of legal reasoning. The vast extent of research on computable legal argumentation so far has not been matched by corresponding number of deployed applications We believe that this depends on the fact that no open development environment suitable for legal applications is so far available for argumentation systems. We exemplify the use of one of these technologies—Arg2P—by modelling two application scenarios, concerning private international law and criminal procedure, respectively

Running Example
Defeasible Logic
ASP for Non-Monotonic Reasoning
Implementation Based on Structured Argumentation
Arg2P: An Inclusive Approach to Model Diversity
The Technology
Case Studies in the Legal Domain
Application in the Private International Law Domain
Discussion
Application in Criminal Justice
Conclusions and Way Forward
Full Text
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