Law Amendment Research Articles

Non-Educator Stakeholders and Public-School Principals' Views on the Proposed Amendments to the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996

On 13 October 2017, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) published Government Gazette No 41178 pertaining to the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (hereinafter BELA). The draft bill proposes to amend certain sections of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996. The DBE gave education stakeholders a window period to make inputs on the proposed Bill. Over 5000 submissions were received.
 On 27 and 28 January 2020, Ms Angie Motshekga (Minister of Basic Education) invited the educator unions and governing body federations to further consultations on the Bill. The Bill was again circulated to the public in 2021 in Government Gazette number 45601 after further amendments.
 In this article, the authors discuss school principals’ (as education stakeholders) opinions on the proposed amendments with a specific focus on school admission and language policies.
 The research on which this article is based was located within the framework of government and management terms like the decentralisation and recentralisation of the powers of principals and school governing bodies (SGBs) and the recent phenomenon of political realism.
 The research took the form of a qualitative case study using triangulation (semi-structured interviews, literature review and document analysis) to gather data.
 The data produced mixed results. Some education stakeholders were very critical of the proposed amendments to the South African Schools Act while other groups welcomed the proposed changes. Some principals felt that the government was employing political realism in rescinding (recentralising) some of the powers that had been devolved to them in 1996 after the dawn of democracy in South Africa. They believed that the recentralisation would impede their autonomy when they carry out their professional and governance duties (the duties the school governing body delegated to the principal) in partnership with their SGBs. They believed it represented a regression to apartheid education. Other principals welcomed a more centralised governance approach where school leadership was dysfunctional and where SGBs provided no meaningful assistance to school principals.

Achieving Organizationality Through Authorship Affordances — A Communicative Episode of Telegram Polling from 2019 Hong Kong

ABSTRACT In 2019, Hong Kong activists mobilized against the proposed Extradition Law Amendment Bill (Anti-ELAB) and relied on a mobile chat-app’s polling feature to make collective decisions. To understand the chat-app’s role in the movement’s ‘backstage’ dynamics — i.e., building coalitions, making decisions, and coordinating action away from public view — I analyzed a series of Telegram polls during the Anti-ELAB movement's airport sit-in/takeover. To generate insights into social movement studies, I combined aspects of a vibrant stream of research known as Communication as Constitutive of Organizing (CCO) with a nuanced use of the affordances concept. To identify the backstage dynamics of the movement, I applied criteria from the organizationality concept to assess the extent to which the movement communicatively exhibited organizational characteristics. Therefore, I addressed how chat-app polling facilitated collective decision-making and cultivated the movement’s social address and collective identity. Recognizing chat-app polling as pivotal in transforming voiced concerns to legitimized authority, I identified three authorship affordances that fostered authority practices: anonymity, hyper-temporality, and affectivity. This study makes three contributions: (1) it extends the understanding of backstage organizational dynamics of social movements by adding two additional criteria of collective decision-making and collective actorhood to the extant criteria of collective identity, (2) it refines the affordances concept to explore how chat-apps influence data-related practices in contentious politics, and (3) it provides a novel method of analysis to isolate and investigate the processual dynamics of authority practices.

Back to the future: The Family Law Amendment Act 2023 (Cth)

Back to the future: The Family Law Amendment Act 2023 (Cth)

The Relationship Between Administrative Impartiality and Conflict of Interest and Its Impact on Reducing Administrative Corruption

This article examines the essential role of impartiality and conflict of interest management in combating administrative corruption, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive legal framework, independent oversight, and modern technologies. The study highlights the need for clear, comprehensive, and harmonized laws that address all aspects of corruption, with stringent penalties for violations. Ensuring the independence and capability of oversight and judicial institutions is crucial for effective law enforcement, as is the establishment of internal oversight mechanisms to prevent corruption within these bodies. The article underscores the role of education and cultural development, recommending continuous training for government employees and promoting an organizational culture based on transparency and impartiality. Additionally, modern technologies such as information management systems, online reporting platforms, and big data analytics are proposed as tools to enhance transparency and efficiency in the fight against corruption. Public access to financial and performance information through online platforms, alongside anonymous reporting systems, is identified as key to strengthening public oversight. The article stresses the importance of simplifying bureaucratic procedures to reduce complexity, improve operational efficiency, and curb corrupt practices. The study advocates for continuous review and amendment of laws in line with international standards, the provision of political and legal support to oversight bodies, and the creation of inter-institutional coordination to prevent conflicts and ambiguities in law enforcement. By drawing on successful experiences from other countries and adapting them to domestic contexts, the article concludes that these comprehensive strategies can significantly reduce corruption, increase public trust, and improve the efficiency of administrative systems in Iran. Key policy recommendations include strengthening the legal framework, enhancing oversight and judicial institutions, improving transparency, and fostering public participation in monitoring governmental activities.

GENERAL ELECTIONS AND THE STOCK MARKET

India holds general elections every five years to elect representatives for the Lok Sabha, ultimately determining the Prime Minister. These recurrent elections significantly impact the political landscape and investment environment, influencing economic policies, regulatory frameworks, and sectoral dynamics. Indian elections are riddled with far-reaching consequences, with their effects not only limiting themselves to the political landscape but also marginally affecting the stock market and economy. Uncertainty is ubiquitous; ranging from the common sundry labourer to the most accomplished business, a sense of unease underlines the election period. The volatility caused to stock market performance remains the primary anxiety for the market participants, analysts, and policymakers, and there is a certain element of political risk associated within the psyche of potential stakeholders. The relation between political risk and the capital market is not so significant in the long term although it does affect the market in the short term as it dries out quickly soon after the election result is announced. The election result primarily increases the volatility in the market for a few days. Studies have found that the highest average return occurred once the result was announced and subsequently settled down in a few days. A spike of variability was observed in the next seven days period after the election result announcement. It has been observed that the pre-election period usually gets more affected than the post-election period. Political transitions can trigger substantial changes in government policies, economic priorities, and regulations, subsequently affecting various sectors of the economy and companies, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the actual impact of general elections on the stock market. In many instances, the market only substantially fluctuates as a result of political announcements such as law amendments, regulation promulgation, and national elections. However, while

Identification and Ranking of Business Intelligence Components Using the Fuzzy TOPSIS Technique

Objective: The primary objective of this research is to identify and prioritize the components of business intelligence within subsidiaries of the National Bank by employing the fuzzy TOPSIS technique. This endeavor aims to establish a foundation for presenting a scientific approach to enhance business intelligence capabilities. Methodology: This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, initially gathering qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with senior managers from the bank's subsidiaries, followed by quantitative data collection using questionnaires. The fuzzy TOPSIS method was employed to handle the inherent ambiguity and uncertainty in the data, with linguistic variables used to represent the acceptability of each business intelligence component. Findings: Final model was including the dimensions of technical factors (components of information tools, characteristics of information and data, and analysis), business factors (components of stakeholders, economic and financial factors, and customer orientation), and intangible factors (including components of human capital and organizational capital) and 27 indicators. Subsequently, the identified components were ranked using the fuzzy TOPSIS technique, ultimately selecting "information confidentiality", "data reliability", and "high profit margin" as the most important indicators. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the dimensions of innovation in online advertising and its implications in digital marketing are interpretable, and legal supports for innovation in online advertising through the enforcement of laws, enactment and amendment of specific laws and regulations for digital marketing, removal of legal barriers to investment, revenue generation, and clarification of legal ambiguities and definitions in digital marketing are effective.

Directions of change in the spatial policies of Polish border municipalities during the first year of war in Ukraine, 2022

Local-level spatial policies in Poland are determined by diverse social, economic, political and environmental factors. On the one hand, they result from the specific characteristics of individual areas. On the other, however, supra-local factors are found to be playing an increasingly important role. These can include trends related to the Europeanisation of spatial planning and the associated promoted institutional changes and changes in planning practices. However, from February 2022 onwards, certain European countries in particular have seen another important factor has come into play, i.e. the war in Ukraine. It thus seems legitimate to verify how the fundamental change in the geopolitical situation, i.e. the location in the immediate vicinity of a victim state (Ukraine), an aggressor state (Russia) and an aggressor-friendly state (Belarus), along with a number of related consequences (including a change in the nature of border capacity, a sense of insecurity, potential changes in investment policy, etc.) determine the directions local spatial policies have been taking. The main purpose of the article is to diagnose the current planning situation of units of local-government administration along Poland’s eastern border by reference to two groups of issues: (1) concerning the state of progress of planning work, as well as (2) the impact of the outbreak of war in Ukraine on changes in spatial policy (perforce ancillary, given the small number of responses received). The source of the data were annual surveys of the Ministry of Development and Technology and Statistics Poland regarding the advancement of planning work at the level of the Polish gmina, as well and a survey addressed to all 77 such units of local administration located by the border. Particular reference was made to the application of spatial-planning instruments at the local level (studies of spatial planning conditions and directions, local spatial development plans and decisions on development conditions – with the analyses concerning the period before the major July 2023 amendment of spatial planning law). Particular attention was paid to the frequency of enactment of individual acts, with this being related to both earlier periods and trends in Poland as a whole. The research finds that the relatively high level of activity shown by some of the surveyed gminas in amending/updating spatial planning studies and spatial / physical development plans may not be related to the outbreak of war in Ukraine. The Polish spatial-planning system in fact lacks instruments by which to react flexibly and ensure the integration of development policies (as is particularly necessary when a crisis erupts).

Trade unionism and the politics of minimum wage implementation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, 2012-2022

This study investigated the role of trade unions (TU) in the politics of national minimum wage (NMW) implementation in Nigeria, with focus on Bayelsa State, 2019-2023. The problem of the study was that dynamics of power play and pursuit of selfish interest by leadership of the unions undermined the successful implementation of the 2019 NMW, particularly the consequential adjustment in wage. Marxist political economy was adopted as the theoretical framework of analysis. The study adopted mixed research method and applied the descriptive survey research design, by using both primary and secondary data. The study found that civil servants in Bayelsa State do not have good working conditions in terms of fully enjoying the 2019 NMW because the state government has a negative disposition towards the interests and welfare of civil servants. This is exacerbated by the weakness and ineffectiveness of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in such a way that the government and the leadership of NLC jointly exploit the workers. Fundamentally, the character of the national minimum wage law is major problem of NMW implementation in Nigeria. The study therefore recommended among others that Bayelsa State government should prioritize the welfare of civil servants in the State, bottom-up strengthening of the union and worker’s education consciousness should be encouraged and depolarization of the trade union, amendment of the NMW law in manner that accommodates percentile consequential adjustment relatively a new wage regime.

An assessment of the legal and regulatory framework supporting the implementation of the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) in Kenya

Abstract This study sought to establish the elements that constitute comprehensive legal and regulatory landscape for successful digital identity system establishment and implementation. Subsequently, the study sought to assess whether these elements were present in the establishment and implementation of the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) in Kenya. The study adopted a qualitative approach, data was obtained firstly, through literature review that provided background information to the study. Secondly, semi structured interviews were undertaken on purposively selected key informants. The study established that the elements that constitute a robust legal and regulatory framework for digital identity (ID) establishment and implementation include presence of a constitutional provision on the right to privacy; existence of a digital ID law governing the establishment of the system; amendment of laws relating to the registration of persons; existence of a data protection law; existence of an overarching law governing the digital economy among others. Largely, most of these elements were present in Kenya. However, the legislative approach adopted in crafting digital ID law in Kenya was wanting. This has undermined effective implementation of the NIIM system by among other things eroding public confidence in the system. The study concluded that effective operation of the system hinged on the existence of a robust and comprehensive legal and regulatory framework that will engender users’ trust in the system. In this regard, the study recommended review of the existing legal framework to ensure that it underpins both the foundational and functional aspects of the NIIM system.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Age Restriction on Marriage in Indonesia

Child marriage in Indonesia is a multifaceted issue, encompassing religious interpretations, cultural values, and even the influence of technological advancement. A significant factor is the amendment of Indonesian marriage law, which include Article 7, empowering judges to grant marriage dispensation. While this is viewed by some as a solution and a means of child protection through religious and cultural lenses, others see it as a perpetuation of child marriage, contradicting both child protection and marriage laws. This research aims to examine the impact of marriage law in Indonesia, specifically regarding age restrictions and its close association with marriage dispensations in religious courts. Critics argue that this provision has led to an increase in child marriages, with a multitude of biological, physiological, and sociological implications. This study employs normative legal research, incorporating legal, conceptual, and comparative approaches through case analysis and juridical methods. The findings indicate that Marriage Law No. 1 of 1974, along with its amendment—Law No. 16 of 2019, are legally inconsistent with Law No. 23 Year 2002 on child protection. Therefore, legal reform is recommended to raise the marriage age to 21, aligning with biological, psychological, and sociological definitions of adulthood.

신종전형계약의 민법전 편입 방법론에 관한 연구

The expansion of the ‘typical’ contract of korean civil code means the expansion of the freedom of contract. Therefore, the incorporation of new contracts into the Civil Code due to changes in society is more than welcome. Based on the discussion at the time of working on the civil law amendment in 2014, which didn’t succeed, this paper explored the meaning of incorporating new contracts into the civil law after examining the kind of methodology of legislation, typology of new contracts, and types and solutions of mixed contracts etc.
 First of all, the incorporation criteria at the time of working on the civil law revision in 2014, such as it’s utilization in daily life, frequency in court decisions, validity based on comparative legal research, it’s independency as a type of contract and normality, are still considered valid. As a legislative method, the legislative process is important, but the pre-legislative evaluation is also important, and legislative policy decisions must be made carefully. It was emphasized that the so-called salami legislative strategy has limitations and that the system and unity of civil law can be improved through a full amendment. This paper urges people to be alert to the phenomenon that contract types closely related to the daily life of the people are settled outside the civil law (excessive expansion of special privatel law) and to accept them back inside the civil code. At least, it is necessary to always keep in mind the interpretation of systematic harmony with the basic principles and rules of civil law. Travel contracts, brokerage contracts, and medical contracts were discussed only to the extent necessary in relation to the subject of this paper. The characteristics of typology (openness, totality, hierarchicality, clarity, and flexibility) were examined through examples of transaction-typical contracts. The key is to detect the difference between “subsumtion” and “classification (to type)”. In addition, the types of mixed contracts and their solutions were explored by leaning on some Supreme Court's precedents. The worth-evaluating, meaning-centered, and overall observation methods, which are characteristic of typology, generally present specific and valid solutions to the issues, but this is also the result of enduring some uncertainty of typology. Research and reflection on the solution of mixed contracts are also meaningful in the discussion on the incorporation of new contracts into the Korean Civil Code. When legislating a typical case in which the combination solution is judged as reasonable, appropriate methods (e.g., applying mutatis mutandis to each typical contract or applying specific regulations to them each) are used, and the legal requirements by legislation are more strictly defined in cases where an absorption solution is valid (e.g., using rule-exception regulations). The theory of interpretation follows accordingly. Furthermore, in the case of a contract that includes 'atypical elements', it is necessary to be careful in the analogical application of the relevant contract regulations or laws within the scope of such 'atypical elements'. The study of modern contract types is, in the end, an exploration of 'structural types of contracts’ - as can be seen in the contract structure theory and non-performance structure theory or case structure theory. And the normative power of those structures types comes from the empirical foundation of the practice and the broad approval of related organizations such as academia. In the type of structure, existence and justification are not separated. They communicate with each other. And as this communication is repeated, orderly(structure-oriented) regulating of ever-changing reality can be achieved. As a result, a more realistic 'normative structure type' is to be found.

정신장애 범죄인에 대한 형사법적 대응체계의 문제점과 개선방안

From the murder case at a PC room in Gangseo-gu in 2018 to the recent stabbing incidents at Sillim Station and Seohyeon Station, violent incidents by people with mental disorders (including people with mental disabilities related to various addictions such as alcohol or drugs, or people with mental disabilities equivalent to it) continue to occur, leading to high-risk situations such that blind spots in the social safety net still exist due to the lack of a management and supervision system for people with mental disorders in society. In addition, crimes committed by people with mental disorders have increased significantly since 7,304 cases in 2018, increasing to 8,902 cases in 2021, and the recidivism rate has reached 64.3%, meaning that people are immediately released into society without receiving continuous treatment after the end of treatment custody or treatment order (tentative termination). It has been pointed out that there is no judicial treatment and management system for mentally disabled people who have returned to society. Even though violent crimes committed by the mentally disabled are still emerging as a social problem, criminal justice agencies are not reviewing the causes of the crime of the mentally disabled and moving forward with therapeutic treatment but are instead taking measures that focus on repeated surveillance, isolation, and institutionalization. The current treatment and custody law has no provisions for treatment linkage, cooperation, and collaboration between criminal justice agencies and mental (health) medical institutions for therapeutic treatment. Moreover, as criminal justice agencies focus on surveillance, isolation, and institutionalization due to insufficient legislation on treatment linkage, social concerns that mentally disabled people may be stigmatized as potential criminals are increasing, and the need to prevent crimes by mentally disabled people and improve the criminal legal response system is also increasing. Keeping the above situation in mind, this study reviewed the legislative examples of the United States, Germany, and Japan and the limitations of the criminal legal response system for mentally disordered criminals, focusing on the treatment perspective, such as treatment and custody, under the current Medical Treatment and Custody Act. As a result, the following problems were found: First, a lack of connection between the treatment order after the end of treatment and custody; Second, the absence of maintenance and management after the end of the treatment order; Third, the absence of mandatory diagnosis before the execution of the treatment order, and Fourth, a lack of connection and cooperation between the criminal justice system and the mental (health) medical system, and Fifth, the reduction of the target of treatment orders leads to more violent crimes. Therefore, to solve this problem, it is necessary to 'improve' criminal legal response measures, such as harmony and cooperation between the criminal justice system under the Medical Treatment and Custody Act and the mental (health) medical system under the Mental Health and Welfare Act, and more effective treatment of criminals with mental disorders. Accordingly, revision of the Medical Treatment and Custody Act and related criminal law amendments were presented as improvement and legislative measures. However, to more effectively achieve the criminal policy purpose of preventing crimes by mentally disabled people and preventing recidivism within the legislative system between criminal justice and mental (health) medical care proposed in the amendment to the Medical Treatment and Custody Act, it is judged to introduce the followings measures: First, specialization of therapeutic treatment, second, strengthening the ability to respond to mental health problems, third, the right of probation officers to apply for administrative hospitalization, fourth,

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL ATTENTION ON SUBREDDIT COMMUNITY PRACTICES: THE CASE OF /R/HONGKONG

What happens to internet communities after a global media event puts them in the public spotlight? Does the flood of new members change a given community's practices, structures, and discussions? Do things go back to normal? These questions lie at the heart of our research project, which examines how a local subcommunity on the popular website Reddit changed as its matter of focus became a global discussion subject. Specifically, this study analyses changing posting practices on /r/hongkong, a local subreddit whose popularity skyrocketed in 2019, with the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement garnering worldwide media coverage. Now, with global attention shifting away from the protests and the 2020 Hong Kong National Security law, the subreddit no longer exhibits the same level of activity. But what can be learnt beyond simply looking at the numbers? Can a qualitative change be observed on /r/hongkong? In this extended abstract, we examine the existing research on subreddits as a community, consider the potential significance of media events and subsequent influxes of new users for community practice, outline our methodological approach, and highlight some preliminary findings.

The Constitutional Right of Parents to Bring up Their Children in the Context of Attempts to Amend the Education Law

In recent years, there has been a significant amount of public debate, particularly from conservative and right-wing circles, regarding the issue of external organizations, notably NGOs, conducting extracurricular activities in Polish schools. In some cities, parents decided to let their children take part in extracurricular activities without full knowledge and awareness of the content of these activities and the teaching aids applied to them. There were frequently justified suspicions of children and young people being demoralised during these classes, particularly in relation to gender ideology and the so-called “hard” sex education. The article examines three pieces of legislation regarding education: 1) the Education Law Amendment Act on the Government’s Initiative, 2) the Education Law Amendment Act on the Deputies’ Initiative, and 3) the Citizens’ Bill “Let’s Protect Children. Let’s support parents.”

Balancing Law and Justice: Resolving Inheritance Law Conflicts between Iraqi Federal and Kurdistan Regional Legislations

This research examines the conflict arising from the differences in legal texts between the existing Iraqi Personal Status Law and the frequently amended laws in the Kurdistan Region. Furthermore, the issuance of amendments by the Kurdistan Region has exacerbated this conflict, leading to confusion and disputes between the two legal frameworks. The uncertainties surrounding the rationale behind these amendments have raised questions and doubts among legal practitioners and researchers, prompting a conservative approach within the courts. This study addresses and resolves these uncertainties by employing a comparative and analytical methodology. With a focus on constitutional and legal standards and the principle of justice, the research aims to clarify the applicability of either law. By undertaking this comprehensive analysis, the study endeavors to eliminate perceptions of ambiguity and hesitation, thereby contributing to a more cohesive legal landscape in the region. The research results show the fundamental difference between the Iraqi Personal Status Law and the amended law in the Kurdistan Region in matters of inheritance, specifically centered on the obligatory will and the wife's inheritance, and the Kurdish legislator made amendments in both issues, considering that amending federal laws is guaranteed to the regions by constitutional texts as long as they do not conflict with the constant provisions of Islam and the principles of democracy. This is not considered a departure from the 2005 Iraqi constitutional framework because the Federal Supreme Court, in its capacity as supervisor of the constitutionality of laws.

Occupational carcinogens and mutagens in Poland - occurrence and workers' exposure in the years 2018-2021 based on the data from Central register of carcinogenic or mutagenic agents

Central register of data on exposure to carcinogenic or mutagenic chemical substances, their mixtures, agents or technological processes (CRCR) conducted by Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) enables monitoring of such agents occurrence in working environment in Poland. The NIOM conducts CRCR based on the provisions of the Regulation of the Minister of Health of 24 July 2012 on chemical substances, their mixtures, agents or technological processes with carcinogenic or mutagenic effects in the work environment. The work summarizes the information reported to CRCR in 2018-2021. The data were extracted from CRCR, to which it was transferred by sanitary inspections. The data were extracted from CRCR. Data in this register is gathered based on employers' notifications to sanitary inspection. The study includes the number of reported agents (chemical substances and technological processes), the number of enterprises and the number of persons exposed to particular groups of agents (chemical substances, technological processes, ionizing radiation). The number of substances notified to the CRCR increases, from 382 reported substances in 2018 to 444 in 2021. Significant increase in the number of enterprises reporting technological processes (from 981 in 2018 to 5422 in 2021) and the number of exposed persons results from the law amendments extending the list of carcinogenic or mutagenic processes. The CRCR is a unique database on the occurrence and exposure to occupational carcinogens and mutagens, in which data from over 20 years has been collected. The increase in the number of reports to the register was mainly influenced by legislative changes regarding carcinogenic or mutagenic agents. Due to amount and complexity of data, they can be used for analysis in projects and programs aimed at raising awareness and reducing risk of occupational exposure to carcinogens and also during legislative works in Poland and in the EU. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(5):399-407.

Family Name Adoption in the Dutch Colonies at the Abolition of Slavery in the Context of National Family Name Legislation: A Reflection on Contemporary Name Change

Name change can only take place in the Netherlands under strict conditions and according to patronizing regulations. At the moment, an amendment of name law is being drafted that would give descendants of Dutch citizens whose ancestors lived in slavery an exemption. If they have a family name that their ancestors received upon their release, they may change it free of charge. It remains to be seen, however, whether the desire to adopt new names in keeping with a reclaimed African identity can also be granted. After all, that would conflict with the general regulations when creating a new name. The whole issue shows political opportunism. First, it would be useful to get a good picture of name adoption in light of surnaming in general. Is it right to consider the names in question as slave names? Are they really that bad? It is more likely that precisely the exceptional position now obtained leads to undesirable profiling. In fact, the only solution to embarrass no one is a wholesale revision of the name law that does away with outdated 19th century limitations. Why should anyone be unhappy with their name? Why should someone who insists on having a different name be prevented from doing so? This essay examines the announced change in the law against the background of surnaming in general and the acquisition of family names in Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles in particular.

New Legislation on the Lease of Agricultural Land by the Municipality

Abstract On May 1, 2021, Act No. 151/2021 Coll., amending Act No. 504/2003 Coll. on the lease of agricultural land, agricultural business and forest land and on the amendment of certain laws as amended by later regulations, which amend Act of the Slovak National Council No. 330/1991 Coll. on land adjustments, arrangement of land ownership, land offices, land fund and on land communities as amended (hereinafter referred to as “Amendment No. 151/2021 Coll.”) entered into force. Amendment No. 151/2021 Coll. fundamentally changes the rules and obligations of the municipality as the owner of agricultural land when leasing agricultural land to other persons. The paper clearly explains the most important institutes related to the lease of agricultural land by the municipality and points out the new legal regime of the lease of municipal agricultural land effective from 1 May 2021.

Exploring the Experiences of Pharmacists with Drug Shortages in the UK

Abstract Introduction Drugs can become short in supply for many reasons including increased demand and reduced production1. Drug shortages have the potential to impact patients and pharmacists. A recent study reported pharmacists spending up to 11 hours per week dealing with drug shortages2. However, the overall impact of experiencing and dealing with drug shortages on pharmacists and patients has not been fully investigated, particularly within community pharmacy, an area of practice that has been struggling with drug shortages. Aim To highlight the challenges pharmacists face and the constraints within the current system when dealing with drug shortages. Methods The study was reviewed and received ethical approval. This was a survey study involving practising community pharmacists in the UK. Pharmacists were invited through social media and professional networks to complete a validated online survey during the period of September to December 2021. Survey data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results 100 responses were received from 11 regions in the UK. Eighty three percent of the respondents were experiencing drug shortages 3 or more times per week and more than 70% spent 1-3 hours per week dealing with them. The majority of the respondents (93%, n = 93) indicated that drug shortages were a problem for them and sixty one (n = 100) respondents reported that they had worsened since the start of the pandemic. In addition, sixty five (n = 100) respondents believed that drug shortages had had an impact on patient care. How the respondents dealt with prescriptions for drugs that were in shortage varied with a third (34%) responding they would contact the prescriber and suggest an alternative. The respondents suggested ways for improving the management of drug shortages including giving pharmacists more legal power to change prescriptions, increasing the number of Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) and providing early and transparent communications. Discussion/Conclusion Spending time dealing with drug shortages impacts on the pharmacists’ workloads and quality of patient care. There was a variation between how respondents indicated they dealt with drug shortages. Patients should be able to obtain their medicine(s) and pharmacists need to respond in a way that ensures delivery of person-centred care. How pharmacists deal with shortages and why they do this needs further exploration. Some respondents suggested ways to help manage drug shortages. An increase in number of SSP’s may not be the best approach as they can be inflexible and time consuming. Initiatives such as more legal powers have received attention by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) who believes an amendment in law to allow pharmacists to make minor changes to prescriptions affected by drug shortages would improve patient access to medicines and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. This comes at a time when community pharmacists are under pressure to offer services such as minor ailments, blood pressure checks and contraception. Despite the survey being undertaken over a year ago and the small sample size, drug shortages continue to be an issue that impacts community pharmacists, which requires further investigation.

Owning the Police: Crime Data, Copyright, and Public Information

Online crime maps, which plot law enforcement crime data, promise to promote civic engagement and increase government transparency. This study reviewed the websites of the 250 largest U.S. cities and found 65% host or link to a crime map, and that 116 police departments entered into agreements with crime mapping companies that provide the companies preferred or exclusive access to local crime data, curtailing public access and use. This study examines the legal tactics used by commercial mapping companies to maintain information control, explores recent examples of legal battles over the data, and proposes solutions, including targeted public record law amendments, parallel access, and a generalized right of access.