Eurobond underwriter spreads

We examine the determinants of underwriter spreads on straight/fixed rate Eurobonds issued by US firms between 1990 and 1998. We find that underwriter spreads are influenced by: (i) the governing law as it influences the timely and orderly renegotiation of contract terms, with bonds governed by English law having significantly lower spreads; (ii) the distribution mechanism, with spreads higher on public issues than private placements; (iii) underwriter reputation, with more reputable underwriters charging higher spreads; and (iv) the choice of currency, with spreads higher in the less frequently used currencies and/or in currencies where underwriting activities are more concentrated.     

关于供电企业生存环境的思考

阐述了由于电力执法主体严重缺位,造成电力发展环境欠佳,盗窃电能相当普遍,电力设施破坏严重,电费欠费收缴困难等问题长期得不到解决,并提出各级地方政府要以人为本,加强法治,加大打击力度,以改善电力发展和供电环境。     

美国反垄断的经济学思考

众所周知,国际上垄断的主要形式是托拉斯,而美国这个崇尚自由竞争的经济大国,其垄断行为更为普遍。美国反垄断法的出台及实施,引起了我们更多的经济学思考,研究借鉴美国反垄断法的构成体系、主要内容以及典型的实施案例,对我国反垄断理论的研究和实践将有所裨益。     

财政补贴的竞争法审查及其改进——兼论《公平竞争审查制度实施细则（暂行）》

财政补贴是国家干预经济的重要手段,能够促进产业结构调整和转型升级、平衡和加速地区间的经济发展,但极易对市场公平竞争带来消极影响,例如破坏市场结构、误导市场行为、减损市场绩效,等等。《公平竞争审查制度实施细则（暂行）》对此予以重点关注,但缺乏全面性的制度构建。这方面,欧盟国家援助制度值得我们学习和借鉴。欲改进我国财政补贴的竞争法审查,必须落实公平竞争审查制度,坚持必要性原则、公平原则和透明度原则,同时要建立补贴评估机制、豁免机制、信息披露机制和异议机制,以规范财政补贴的实施,平衡财政补贴和竞争政策的冲突,确保市场竞争机制不被财政补贴所扭曲。     

Does the strength of the legal systems matter for trade in insurance and financial services?

This paper investigates if the strength of the legal system impacts on the trade in insurance and financial services in the high-income OECD and developing countries. Our findings reveal a statistically significant positive correlation of rule of law and regulatory quality with the exports and imports of insurance and financial services. Our empirical findings also reveal a negative and statistically significant correlation of contract enforcement with the exports and imports of insurance and financial services. We conclude that strengthening the rule of law and contract enforcement mechanisms can facilitate higher levels of trade in insurance and financial services.     

法律院校参与法律援助的价值及利用

服务社会是高等学校的应有功能与职责。于高等学校法律院系而言,参与法律援助应该是践行社会责任的最基本和最重要的形式。随着人权事业的日趋进步和发展,法律院系参与法律援助面临更大的机遇和挑战。正确认识高校参与法律援助的资源优势、价值,正视并有效解决存在的问题,对于法律合格人才的培养、对于法律援助本身均具有超越性的意义。     

建筑施工企业工程项目合同管理的法律风险及防范

工程项目是建筑施工企业经营管理的源头和效益的源泉。加强工程项目合同管理,从源头上预防和化解法律风险,杜绝纠纷案件,是提升项目创效水平,实现项目效益的重要环节。本文论述了工程项目合同管理中容易引发的法律风险,以及就如何防范法律风险有针对性的提出了预防措施,对建筑施工企业防范法律风险有着较强的指导意义。     

Rituals of cruise consumption and the 'new' middle class: desiring and 'devouring' maritime cruises

The consumption of maritime cruises is one of the most striking facets of the phenomenon of a new middle class emergence in Brazil. This study investigates the use of maritime cruises by emerging middle-class consumers to enact their new social status. Specifically, the research looks at ritualistic behaviour performed by consumers before, during, and after a cruise. The research uses a multi-method design characterised by a combination of ethnography and group discussions. The study contributes to enlarge McCracken’s typology of consumption rituals, showing how emerging consumers use the cruise as a rite of passage, during which they perform rituals of preparation, production, possession, and divestment. It also sheds light on specific rituals performed by consumers in order to transfer meanings from the cruise to their own selves. Finally, the findings suggest that consumption rituals in the context of social ascent may not have the transformative power of traditional rites.     

论英美法系国家的展示性证据

英美法系的展示性证据是一种有形证据,但不是一种实际存在的证据或事实,而是一种解说性证据,或者说律师用来提高举证说服力的证明方法。在法庭中使用展示性证据可以使自己的思想更容易被审理者理解和接受,尤其当涉及复杂的、技术性、科学性、数值性的案件。展示性证据包括图表、照片、摘要、模型、录像资料、事件的重建和演示等类型。展示性证据在开场陈述和结案陈词中都被律师广泛运用。