South America

Inter-American Bar Association

Web pages describing the aims and functions of the Inter-American Bar Association (IABA). The Association was founded in 1940 by lawyers and jurists representing 17 nations and 44 professional organisations, aiming to "promote the rule of law and protect the democratic institutions in the Americas." The site sets out the IABA's objectives, purposes and organisational structure with notes on membership procedures. Information is provided on events and conferences and a copy of the most recent newsletter can be downloaded in PDF. A set of related law links is also available.

Organization of American States

The Organization for American States (OAS) is a regional forum for dialogue and cooperation on political, economic and social issues in the Americas. In addition to general information on its membership and programmes, the website contains the full-text of a number of OAS documents including its charter, annual report, conventions, treaties, all resolutions from the General Assembly and Permanent Council from 1994 onwards, and press releases from 1995 onwards. Also included are the transcripts of key speeches made by the Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General since 1995.

International IDEA

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is an intergovernmental organisation promoting the growth of democracy worldwide. It is based in Sweden and has offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The website has background information its work and details of databases, networks and publications. Sections of the site cover work in the areas of electoral processes, political parties, constitution building, democracy and gender, state of democracy and democracy and conflict.

Guide to MERCOSUR Legal Research: Sources and Documents

Online guide to researching the work of Mercosur, the trading bloc of South American countries (Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay). The guide is by Edgardo Rotman who is Foreign and International Law Librarian and Senior Lecturer in International and Comparative Law at the University of Miami School of Law. The guide was last updated in 2024 by Gloria Orrego Hoyos and Mariel Romaniand and is freely available on New York University's Globalex website. It gives background information and precedents and provides details of the basic documents, arranged by subject.

Indian Law Resource Center

Website of the Indian Law Resource Center a non-profit law and advocacy organisation based in Washington, D.C and Montana. The site gives information about the staff and Board of Directors of the Center along with details of work being undertaken which focuses on indigenous peoples and covers issues such as sovereignty, environment, land rights, human rights and land reform.

Secretariat for Legal Affairs, Organization of American States

The Secretariat for Legal Affairs forms part of the Organization for American States (OAS) providing advice and legal services to the OAS in the field of public international law and private international law. The OAS is a regional forum for dialogue and cooperation on political, economic and social issues in the Americas. The site explains the work of the Inter-American Specialized Conferences on Private International Law (CIDIP) who produce international instruments such as conventions, protocols, uniform documents and model laws which are provided on the site.

National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade

Website of the National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade (NLCIFT) a non-profit research organisation affiliated to the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona. The aim of NLCIFT is "to develop the legal infrastructure necessary to facilitate the movement of goods, services and investment capital in the Western Hemisphere." The NLCIFT carries out research into the commercial laws and practices of countries in the Western Hemisphere with the aim of harmonising and standardising the legal infrastructure and eliminating the barriers to free trade.

Commercial arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution methods

Collection of national laws and other information relating to commercial arbitration and alternative dispute resolution methods, on the website of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The collection covers countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. It includes the texts of national laws and guidelines. For some countries, a document called "Responses to Arbitration Questionnaire" is available, giving an overview of the arbitration law for that country and saying to which relevant conventions it is a party.

Due Process of Law Foundation

The Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF) is a private, non-profit organisation which aims to promote "the reform and modernization of Latin America's national justice systems to ensure that the rule of law and respect for human rights are the hallmarks of justice systems throughout the Americas." DPLF's activities include research and training focusing on international justice, judicial accountability and transparency and equal access to justice. Details of activities and publications relating to each area can be viewed on the site.

Disclosing Justice: a study on access to judicial information in Latin America

Report by the Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF), looking at the legal frameworks for access to judicial information (including freedom of information laws) in the following Latin American countries: Argentina; Chile; Colombia; the Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Honduras; Mexico; Panama; Peru and Uruguay. For each country there is information on the availability of administrative information (financial, statistical and personnel) and case law. The report also outlines the legal instruments that provide access to information and looks at how the information is provided.

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