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The Spanish Legal System. Daniel Mabrey Sam Houston State University. Spain Legal System. Country Facts Iberian Peninsula Includes Ballearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla ~ 40,000,000 people Currency = Peseta, but the Euro is found everywhere
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The Spanish Legal System Daniel Mabrey Sam Houston State University
Spain Legal System Country Facts • Iberian Peninsula • Includes Ballearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla • ~ 40,000,000 people • Currency = Peseta, but the Euro is found everywhere • Languages = Officially Castillian, but there are several regional languages (Catalan, Basque, Galician
Spanish Legal System Political System • Largely a reaction to Franco’s Dictatorship • Parliamentary Monarchy • King is Head of State • 17 Autonomous Communities with own Parliament and Government
Spanish Legal System Political System • 3 Effective Governments • Central Government • Autonomous Communities Government • Municipal Government
Spanish Legal System Sources of Spanish Law • Case Law • Determined by Supreme Court • Appeal-driven • Can rule on Constitutionality of Laws • Legal Doctrine • Only provides interpretation and clarification for case law • No legal authority
Spanish Legal System Types of Law • Organic Law • Ordinary Law • Decree-Law • Legislative Decree • Regulation • International Treaties • European Community Legislation
Spanish Legal Systems Legal Professions • Lawyer • Procurator • Notary • Judges and Magistrates • Public Prosecutors • Professors and Catedraticos
Spanish Legal System Catalonia • 4 Provinces – Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, Tarragona • Approximately 7 million people • 5 million in Barcelona alone • Borders France, Andorra, Basque Country, Valencia • Languages: French, Catalan, Castillian, widely spoken
Spanish Legal System Spanish Police Structures • State Police Catalan Police Structures • Guardia Civil • Mossos D’Esquadra • Local Police • Special Security Services
Special Legal Systems Special Legal Circumstances • Terrorism • ETA • Islamic Fundamentalists • Organized Crime • Illegal Immigration
Spanish Legal Systems Questions? Daniel Mabrey mabrey@shsu.edu