The trial of Saddam Hussein and his seven co-defendants who are accused for crimes against humanity concerns human rights lawyers and human rights groups whether the defendants will have a fair trial under current conditions in Iraq. The trial began on the 19th of October 2005 and it was adjourned for 40 days to give the defence more time to prepare. On November 28, the trial resumed but it was adjourned until December 5 to allow one of Hussein's co-defendants to obtain a replacement for his lawyer who was murdered. In the same day a former U.S attorney gener... [read more]

Cyprus was a British colony until 1960, when the island became an independent republic. Until independence the legal system was based on the English legal system. As a result of British Rule, the English legal system was introduced in Cyprus and many laws were enacted in an effort to import the doctrines of common law and equity in Cyprus. After independence in 1960 the English legal system was largely preserved. According to Article 188 of the 1960 Constitution all laws in force on the date of the coming into operation of this Constitution shall, until amended, whe... [read more]