The legal system of the present-day Czech Republic would not be understood properly without sufficient knowledge of its historical roots and evolution. This book deals with the development of Czech law from its initial origins as a form of Slavic law to its current position, reflecting the influence of the legal systems of neighbouring countries and that of Roman law. The reader can see how a legal system originally based on custom developed into written and codified law. Czech law was fully dependent upon developments within the Luxemburg, Jagiellonian and, primarily, Habsburg monarchies, although some features remained autonomous. The 20th century is particularly important in the development of the Czech state and law of today, namely due to the establishment of an independent Czechoslovakia in 1918 and its split in 1992 giving rise to the independent identities of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. It was a century encompassing periods of democratic as well as totalitarian regimes; political, ideological, economic and social changes stemming from such transformations were projected into, and reflected in, the system of Czechoslovak and Czech law. It can therefore serve as a “case study” for researchers interested in the transition of democratic legal systems into totalitarian regimes, and vice versa.

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this monograph on the Czech Republic not only describes and analyses the legal aspects of labour relations, but also examines labour relations practices and developing trends. It provides a survey of the subject that is both usefully brief and sufficiently detailed to answer most questions likely to arise in any pertinent legal setting. Both individual and collective labour relations are covered in ample detail, with attention to such underlying and pervasive factors as employment contracts, suspension of the contracts, dismissal laws and covenant of non-competition, as well as international private law. The author describes all important details of the law governing hours and wages, benefits, intellectual property implications, trade union activity, employers’ associations, workers’ participation, collective bargaining, industrial disputes, and much more. Building on a clear overview of labour law and labour relations, the book offers practical guidance on which sound preliminary decisions may be based. It will find a ready readership among lawyers representing parties with interests in the Czech Republic, and academics and researchers will appreciate its value in the study of comparative trends in laws affecting labour and labour relations.

A comprehensive review of the arbitration law and practice in the Czech Republic including: discussion of arbitration practice and procedure; an examination of the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal; the appointment of arbitrators including the challenge and replacement of arbitrators; an analysis of the various types of awards including a discussion on deliberations, agreements, settlements, and the costs of arbitration; a discussion on the amendment and challenge of awards including the liability of arbitrators; and, a review of the enforcement of domestic and foreign arbitration awards.

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this book provides ready access to the law applied to cases involving cross border issues in the Czech Republic. It offers every lawyer dealing with questions of conflict of laws much-needed access to these conflict rules, presented clearly and concisely by a local expert. Beginning with a general introduction, the monograph goes on to discuss the choice of law technique, sources of private international law, and the relevant connection with other laws. Then follows clear description and analysis of the rules of choice of law on natural and legal persons, contractual and non-contractual obligations, movable and immovable property, intangible property rights, company law, family law (marriage, cohabitation, registered partnerships, matrimonial property, maintenance, child law), and succession law (including testamentary dispositions). The presentation concludes with an overview of relevant civil procedure, examining lex fori and issues of national and international jurisdiction, acceptability and enforcement of foreign judgements, and international arbitration. Its succinct yet scholarly nature, as well as the practical quality of the information it provides, make this book a valuable resource for lawyers handling cases in the Czech Republic. Academics and researchers, as well as judges, notaries public, marriage registrars, youth welfare officers, teachers, students, and local and public authorities will welcome this very useful guide, and will appreciate its value in the study of private international law from a comparative perspective.

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this practical guide to information technology law – the law affecting information and communication technology (ICT) – in the Czech Republic covers every aspect of the subject, including the regulation of digital markets, intellectual property rights in the digital context, relevant competition rules, drafting and negotiating ICT-related contracts, electronic transactions, and cybercrime. Lawyers who handle transnational matters will appreciate the detailed explanation of specific characteristics of practice and procedure. Following a general introduction, the monograph assembles its information and guidance in six main areas of practice: (1) the regulatory framework of digital markets, including legal aspects of standardization, international private law applied to the online context, telecommunications law, regulation of audio-visual services and online commercial platforms; (2) online public services including e-government, e-health and online voting; (3) contract law with regard to software, hardware, networks and related services, with special attention to case law in this area, rules with regard to electronic evidence, regulation of electronic signatures, online financial services and electronic commerce; (4) software protection, legal protection of databases or chips, and other intellectual property matters; (5) the legal framework regarding cybersecurity and (6) the application of criminal procedure and substantive criminal law in the area of cybercrime. Its succinct yet scholarly nature, as well as the practical quality of the information it provides, make this monograph a valuable time-saving tool for business and legal professionals alike. Lawyers representing parties with interests in the Czech Republic will welcome this very useful guide, and academics and researchers will appreciate its value in the study of comparative law in this relatively new and challenging field.

With the successful introduction in 2010 of the Czech Yearbook of International Law, Professor Alexander J. Bělohlávek and Professor Naděžda Rozehnalová, the editors, present the 2011 volume of this ambitious project. The second volume focuses on the admittedly controversial topics relating to a shift from the investors’ viewpoints on investment protection to the contrasting viewpoints of the host states, which are facing growing numbers of alleged claims by investors. Volume II has set as its objective to plot the shift in the paradigm towards a new balance between investors and host states in the investment protection system. Such a shift can be observed in the rising number of counterclaims brought by host states against investors, by the introduction of new standards for evaluation of investments in light of the good faith of the investor at the time of an investment, and by the choice of an absolute means of protection of a host state's interest against investor claims by termination of an existing investment treaty. These topics represent pieces of the whole mosaic of this problem, to which the second volume of the Czech Yearbook of International Law is dedicated to a wide professional audience. The Czech Yearbook of International Law (CYIL) is a collective effort by the following persons and institutions

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this practical analysis of the law of property in the Czech Republic deals with the issues related to rights and interests in all kinds of property and assets-immovable, movable, and personal property; how property rights are acquired; fiduciary mechanisms; and security considerations. Lawyers who handle transnational disputes and other matters concerning property will appreciate the explanation of specific terminology, application, and procedure. An introduction outlining the essential legal, cultural, and historical considerations affecting property is followed by a discussion of the various types of property. Further analysis describes how and to what extent legal subjects can have or obtain rights and interests in each type. The coverage includes tangible and intangible property, varying degrees of interest, and the various ways in which property is transferred, including the ramifications of appropriation, expropriation, and insolvency. Facts are presented in such a way that readers who are unfamiliar with specific terms and concepts in varying contexts will fully grasp their meaning and significance. The book includes ample references to doctrine and cases, as well as to relevant international treaties and conventions. Its succinct yet scholarly nature, as well as the practical quality of the information it provides, make this book a valuable time-saving tool for any practitioner faced with a property-related matter. Lawyers representing parties with interests in the Czech Republic will welcome this very useful guide, and academics and researchers will appreciate its value in the study of comparative property law.