Law
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The Principle of Legality: No Crime, No Punishment Without Law
The principle of legality holds that an act can only be punished if it was already defined as a crime by a written law in force when it was committed. Known by the maxim nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege, it is one of the oldest safeguards against arbitrary punishment.
Read Article →FeaturedDiplomatic Immunity: The Legal Origins of Why Ambassadors Are Above Local Courts
Why can't ambassadors be arrested abroad? We trace diplomatic immunity from ancient tradition to the 1961 Vienna Convention, and explain its limits and the persona non grata rule.
Read Article →FeaturedNon Bis In Idem: Why Can't a Person Be Tried Twice for the Same Crime?
The principle of non bis in idem — known in Anglo-American law as double jeopardy — protects individuals from being tried or punished twice for the same offense. This article traces its roots from Roman law through English common law to the U.S. Constitution, and examines exceptions like the dual sovereignty doctrine.
Read Article →FeaturedHabeas Corpus: The 800-Year-Old Legal Guarantee of Personal Freedom
Latin for "you shall have the body," habeas corpus guarantees that no one may be deprived of liberty without lawful justification — one of the oldest and most fundamental principles in modern law.
Read Article →FeaturedPresumption of Innocence: The Legal Guarantee of Being Innocent Until Proven Guilty
The presumption of innocence guarantees that a person is considered innocent until their guilt is established by a final court judgment. This article examines its legal foundations, from Article 38 of the Constitution to the European Convention on Human Rights.
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Law
The Principle of Legality: No Crime, No Punishment Without Law
The principle of legality holds that an act can only be punished if it was already defined as a crime by a written law in force when it was committed. Known by the maxim nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege, it is one of the oldest safeguards against arbitrary punishment.
Law
Diplomatic Immunity: The Legal Origins of Why Ambassadors Are Above Local Courts
Why can't ambassadors be arrested abroad? We trace diplomatic immunity from ancient tradition to the 1961 Vienna Convention, and explain its limits and the persona non grata rule.
Law
Non Bis In Idem: Why Can't a Person Be Tried Twice for the Same Crime?
The principle of non bis in idem — known in Anglo-American law as double jeopardy — protects individuals from being tried or punished twice for the same offense. This article traces its roots from Roman law through English common law to the U.S. Constitution, and examines exceptions like the dual sovereignty doctrine.
Law
Habeas Corpus: The 800-Year-Old Legal Guarantee of Personal Freedom
Latin for "you shall have the body," habeas corpus guarantees that no one may be deprived of liberty without lawful justification — one of the oldest and most fundamental principles in modern law.
Law
Presumption of Innocence: The Legal Guarantee of Being Innocent Until Proven Guilty
The presumption of innocence guarantees that a person is considered innocent until their guilt is established by a final court judgment. This article examines its legal foundations, from Article 38 of the Constitution to the European Convention on Human Rights.