Constitutional constraints on ad hoc legislation : a comparative study of the United States, Germany and the Netherlands / Anna Jasiak.
2011
K3165 .J375 2011 (Map It)
Available at Cellar
Formats
| Format | |
|---|---|
| BibTeX | |
| MARCXML | |
| TextMARC | |
| MARC | |
| DublinCore | |
| EndNote | |
| NLM | |
| RefWorks | |
| RIS |
Items
Details
Author
Title
Constitutional constraints on ad hoc legislation : a comparative study of the United States, Germany and the Netherlands / Anna Jasiak.
Published
Cambridge ; Portland : Intersentia ; [Maastricht] : METRO, [2011]
Copyright
©2011
Call Number
K3165 .J375 2011
Former Call Number
Comp 910 J31 2011
ISBN
9781780680170 (pbk.)
1780680171 (pbk.)
1780680171 (pbk.)
Description
xxviii, 323 pages ; 24 cm.
System Control No.
(OCoLC)749781757
Note
Originally presented as the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--Universiteit van Tilburg, 2010.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 293-309) and index.
Series
Record Appears in
Gift
Purchased from the income of the Edith L. Fisch Fund
Gift
The Arthur W. Diamond Law Library
Purchased from the income of the Edith L. Fisch Fund
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
vii
Abbreviations
xvii
Table of Cases
xxi
pt. I
INTRODUCTION
1
1.
The motivation for this study
3
2.
Defining ad hoc legislation
5
3.
Research question
5
4.
Scientific relevance
6
5.
Approach
7
5.1.
Selection of countries
8
5.2.
Method
9
5.3.
Sources
10
6.
The structure of the book
11
pt. II
THE UNITED STATES
13
ch. 1
Ad hoc legislation: Cases
15
Introduction
15
1.1.
The Elizabeth Morgan case
15
1.1.1.
Background
15
1.1.2.
Congress' twofold intervention: The Elizabeth Morgan Acts I and II
16
1.1.2.1.
Objections, constitutional, and otherwise to the Elizabeth Morgan legislation
17
1.1.3.
Concluding remarks
20
1.2.
The Terri Schiavo case
21
1.2.1.
Background
21
1.2.2.
The Florida legislature's intervention in the Schiavo case: Terri's Law
21
1.2.2.1.
Constitutional challenges to Terri's Law
22
1.2.2.2.
The Florida Supreme Court's judgment
24
1.2.3.
Congress' intervention in the Schiavo case: An Act for the relief of the parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo
24
1.2.3.1.
Constitutional objections to the Act
25
1.2.4.
Concluding remarks
28
1.3.
The Northwest Timber Compromise
28
1.3.1.
Background
28
1.3.2.
Congress' intervention: The Northwest Timber Compromise
29
1.3.2.1.
Objections, constitutional, and otherwise to the Northwest Timber Compromise
30
1.3.3.
Concluding remarks
33
1.4.
Conclusions
33
ch. 2
The requirement of generality
37
Introduction
37
2.1.
Hurtado v. People of State of California
37
2.2.
State level: Special and local laws and public purpose
39
2.2.1.
Special and local laws
39
2.2.2.
Public purpose
40
2.3.
Federal level: Special laws and public purpose
42
2.3.1.
Special laws
42
2.3.1.1.
Private bills
42
2.3.1.2.
Project laws
49
2.3.2.
Public purpose
50
2.3.2.1.
Pork barrel legislation and earmarks
52
2.3.2.2.
Special interest legislation
54
2.4.
Conclusion
57
ch. 3
Ad hoc legislation and the U.S. constitutional principle of the separation of powers
59
Introduction
59
3.1.
The Bill of Attainder Clause
59
3.1.1.
Singling-out effect
60
3.1.2.
Punishment
62
3.2.
The Ex Post Facto Clause
64
3.2.1.
Retroactivity and punishment
65
3.2.2.
Bill of Attainder Clause or the Ex Post Facto Clause?
66
3.3.
Congress' intervention in pending cases vs. the judicial branch
66
3.4.
Finality of final judicial decisions
69
3.4.1.
Reopening final judgments
69
3.4.2.
Overruling specific final judgments
73
3.5.
Congress' intervention in pending cases v. the executive branch
75
3.6.
Conclusion
76
ch. 4
Equal protection
77
Introduction
77
4.1.
Classification
77
4.2.
Strict scrutiny and intermediate tests
78
4.3.
Rational basis test
78
4.4.
Conclusion
82
ch. 5
The Due Process Clause
83
Introduction
83
5.1.
Arbitrariness
83
5.2.
Procedural and substantive due process: Threshold question
84
5.3.
Procedural due process
84
5.4.
Substantive due process
85
5.5.
Equal protection and due process
85
5.6.
Retroactive legislation and due process
86
5.7.
Conclusion
87
ch. 6
Ad hoc legislation and deliberative democracy
89
Introduction
89
6.1.
Appropriations bills and legislative riders
89
6.2.
Objections
90
6.2.1.
Procedural aspects
91
6.2.2.
Substantive result
91
6.3.
Appropriations riders and the Supreme Court
92
6.4.
Conclusion
93
In Sum
95
pt. III
GERMANY
97
ch. 1
Ad hoc legislation: Cases
99
Introduction
99
1.1.
The Schorner case
99
1.1.1.
Background
99
1.1.2.
The Lex Schorner
100
1.1.2.1.
Objections, constitutional, and otherwise to the Lex Schorner
101
1.1.2.2.
The Bundesverfassungsgericht's judgment
104
1.1.3.
Concluding remarks
105
1.2.
Sudumfahrung Stendal
106
1.2.1.
Background
106
1.2.2.
Accelerating legislation
106
1.2.3.
The Sudumfahrung Stendal Act
107
1.2.3.1.
Constitutional challenges
108
1.2.3.2.
The Bundesverfassungsgericht's judgment
110
1.2.4.
Concluding remarks
112
1.3.
Conclusion
112
ch. 2
The requirement of generality
115
Introduction
115
2.1.
Two concepts of laws: Laws in the formal and laws in the material sense
115
2.2.
Special laws: Individual laws and project laws
119
2.2.1.
Art. 19(1) GG
119
2.2.1.1.
Ratio
119
2.2.1.2.
A catalog of fundamental rights in Art. 19(1) GG
121
2.2.1.3.
Individual laws (Einzelfallgesetze)
122
2.2.1.4.
Individual legislation (Einzelfallgesetzgebung) vs. case-generated legislation (Anlassgesetzgebung)
125
2.2.2.
Project laws or special measure laws (Mainahmegesetze)
126
2.3.
The general interest requirement
127
2.4.
Conclusion
132
ch. 3
Equal treatment
135
Introduction
135
3.1.
The arbitrariness test (Willkurverbot)
136
3.2.
The justification test (die neue Formel)
136
3.3.
The relationship between the two tests
137
3.4.
The consistency of the legal system and the equality principle
138
3.5.
Legal protection
140
3.6.
Conclusion
141
ch. 4
Legal certainty (Rechtssicherheit) and the protection of legitimate expectations (Vertrauensschutz)
143
Introduction
143
4.1.
Retroactive legislation
143
4.1.1.
Real retroactivity (echte Ruckwirkung)
144
4.1.1.1.
Grounds for justification
144
4.1.2.
Pseudo-retroactivity (unechte Ruckwirkung)
150
4.1.3.
Retroactive legislation and final judicial decisions
151
4.2.
Impulsive legislative changes and legal certainty
153
4.3.
Conclusion
154
ch. 5
Proportionality
155
Introduction
155
5.1.
Suitability (Geeignetheit)
156
5.2.
Necessity (Erforderlichkeii)
156
5.3.
Proportionality sensu stricto (Angemessenheit)
157
5.4.
Conclusion
158
ch. 6
Ad hoc legislation and the German constitutional principle of the separation of powers
159
Introduction
159
6.1.
Ad hoc laws and the separation of powers between the legislature and the executive
159
6.2.
Legislative intervention in pending cases and the separation of powers between the legislature and the judiciary
160
6.3.
Conclusion
163
In Sum
165
pt. IV
THE NETHERLANDS
167
ch. 1
Ad hoc legislation: Cases
169
Introduction
169
1.1.
The Western Scheldt (River) case
169
1.1.1.
Background
169
1.1.2.
The decision of the Dutch Council of State
170
1.1.3.
The legislative response: The Licensing of Dredging Act
170
1.1.3.1.
Objections, constitutional, and otherwise to the Act
171
1.1.4.
Concluding remarks
175
1.2.
Modification of the Media Act --- the BNN Act
176
1.2.1.
Background
176
1.2.2.
The BNN Act
177
1.2.2.1.
Objections to the Act
178
1.2.3.
Concluding remarks
180
1.3.
Volkert van der G. and permanent camera surveillance
180
1.3.1.
Background
180
1.3.2.
Objections, constitutional, and otherwise to the ministerial regulation
182
1.3.3.
Concluding remarks
185
1.4.
Conclusion
185
ch. 2
The requirement of generality
189
Introduction
189
2.1.
Two concepts of laws: Laws in the formal and laws in the material sense
189
2.2.
Special laws: Individual laws and project laws
193
2.2.1.
Individual laws and the Dutch Constitution
193
2.2.2.
Project laws
193
2.3.
General interest requirement
197
2.4.
Conclusion
200
ch. 3
Equal treatment
201
Introduction
201
3.1.
The principle of equal treatment in Dutch law
201
3.2.
Unequal treatment vs. discrimination
203
3.3.
Equal treatment and beneficial legislation
205
3.4.
Conclusion
206
ch. 4
Legal certainty
207
Introduction
207
4.1.
Prospective amendments
207
4.2.
Retroactive legislation
210
4.2.1.
Retroactive legislation and the ECHR
211
4.3.
Conclusion
212
ch. 5
Ad hoc legislation, the Dutch constitutional principle of the separation of powers, and the right to a fair trial
215
Introduction
215
5.1.
Ad hoc laws and the separation of powers between the legislature and the executive
215
5.2.
Legislative intervention in pending court proceedings: The ECHR
216
5.2.1.
The Stran Greek Refineries case
217
5.2.2.
The Building Societies case
218
5.2.3.
The Zielinski case
219
5.2.4.
The ECtHR's guidelines
220
5.3.
Overruling of judicial decisions by the legislature
225
5.4.
The right to a court
228
5.5.
Conclusion
229
In Sum
231
pt. V
COMPARISON AND ANALYSIS
233
Introduction
235
ch. 1
Constitutional limitations in general
237
Introduction
237
1.1.
Generality of laws
237
1.1.1.
...in the philosophy of law
238
1.1.2.
In Constitutional Law
241
1.1.2.1.
An absolute requirement of the generality of laws
241
1.1.2.2.
Generality of laws: General scope of application
243
1.1.2.3.
Generality of laws: Legislative motives
244
1.1.2.4.
Generality of laws: The general, public interest
247
1.1.2.5.
Concluding remarks
249
1.2.
Equality
249
1.2.1.
Low scrutiny vs. strict scrutiny
251
1.2.2.
Consistency and stability of legal rules
251
1.2.3.
Concluding remarks
253
1.3.
Legal certainty
253
1.3.1.
Individuals' expectations
253
1.3.2.
Legal certainty in the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands
255
1.4.
Proportionality
256
1.4.1.
Suitability of means
258
1.4.2.
Fair balance
259
1.5.
Transparency in lawmaking
260
1.5.1.
Transparency of legislative choices
260
1.5.2.
Transparency as a limitation on legislative riders
262
ch. 2
Constitutional limitations and typology of ad hoc legislation
265
Introduction
265
2.1.
Curative legislation: Legal certainty and the presumption against retroactivity
265
2.2.
Interfering legislation: Separation of powers and fair trial
267
2.2.1.
Rule of law: Separation of powers vs. fundamental right to a fair trial
268
2.2.2.
The purpose of the separation of powers principle
269
2.2.3.
Factual vs. fictitious approach
269
2.2.4.
The importance of the generality of laws
270
2.2.5.
Concluding remarks
271
2.3.
Overruling legislation: Separation of powers, fair trial, and retroactivity
271
2.3.1.
Reopening a case
272
2.3.2.
Retroactive review
274
2.3.3.
Rendering the judgment impracticable
275
2.3.4.
Concluding remarks
276
2.4.
Accelerating legislation: Access to a court, separation of powers
277
2.4.1.
Separation of powers
278
2.4.2.
Legal protection: Access to a court
280
2.4.3.
Concluding remarks
282
Conclusions
285
Bibliography
293
Index
311
About the author
321