Non-Legal Sanctions in Soft Law

Document Type : Scientific research

Authors

• Abdolhossein Shiravi
• Mohammad Hosein Vakili Moghadam

https://doi.org/10.22067/le.v21i5.48139

Abstract

Based on the current approach, to ascertain and enforce the sanctions in law is one of the exclusive functions of governments. But the deeper examination reveals that many transactors prefer non-legal sanctions. At first glance, this self-enforcement mechanism seems to be contrary to legal fundamentals. Therefore, these sanctions are contested in law. This article is an attempt to consider a new approach. The article represents the multi- faced concept of sanction and tries to outline obvious reasons for preferring non- legal sanctions. The article focused on soft law because in this new branch of law, the honor of obligations is based on reputational cost and not coercive third- party mechanisms. As a result it is safe to say that in spite of what is accepted in traditional legal theories, compliance of obligations is widely influenced by non- legal sanctions.

Keywords

• Soft Law
• Sanction
• Legal Pluralism
• Social Control

References

[1]- Allio Lorenzo. (2011). On the Smartness of Smart Regulation - A brief Comment on the Future Reform Agenda. European Journal of Risk Regulation, Vol. 19, pp. 19-25. ##

[2]- Altschuller Sarah & Leher Amy. (2009). Corporate Social Responsibility. The International Lawyer, Vol. 43. pp. 577 – 588.##

[3]- Bernstein Lisa. (1994). Social Norms and Default Rules Analysis. Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal, Vol. 3, pp. 59 – 91.##

[4]- Charny David. (1990). Non Legal Sanctions in Commercial Relationships, Harvard Law Review. Vol. 104, pp. 373- 467.##

[5]- Cooter Robert & Porat Ariel. (2001). Should Courts Deduct Non-Legal Sanctions From Damages. The Journal of Legal Studies, Vol. 30, pp. 401 – 422. ##

[6]- Di Robilant Anna. (2006). Genealogies of Soft Law, The American Journal of Comparative Law. Vol. 54, pp. 499 – 554.##

[7]- E. Gersen Jacob & A. Posner Eric. (2008). Soft Law, Stanford Law Review. Vol. 61, pp. 8 – 83.##

[8]- E. Scott Robert & B. Stephan Paul. (2004). Self-Enforcing International Agreements and the Limits of Coercion, Wisconsin Law Review. Vol. 51, pp. 551 – 630.##

[9]- Fluckiger Alexandre. (2009). Why Do We Obey Soft Law, Rediscovering Public Law and Public Administration in Comparative Policy Analysis, pp. 45- 62. ##

[10]- Freeman James. (2006). The Self-Reported Impact of Legal and Non-Legal Sanctions on a Group of Recidivist Drink Drivers. Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behavior. Vol. 9(1), pp. 53- 64. ##

[11]- Gruchella Tadeusz. (1984). A Framework for Understanding Soft Law. European International Law Studies. Vol. 30, pp. 37 – 88.##

[12]- H. McAdams Richard & Nadler Janice. (2003). Testing the Focal Point Theory of Legal Compliance: Expressive Influence in an Experimental Hawk/Dove Game, University of Illinois College of Law. Law and Economics Working Paper Series Working Paper .No. LE03-011. ##

[13]- Hillbenberg Hartmut. (1999) A Fresh Look at Soft Law. European Journal of International Law, Vol. 10, pp. 499 - 515 . ##

[14]- Jackson Kevin. (2010). Global Corporate Governance: Soft Law and Reputational Accountability. Brook J. International Law. Vol. 35, pp. 43 – 106.##

[15]- Jafari- Langrodi, M.J. (2004), Terminology of Legal Terms and Phrases, Tehran, Ganjedanesh Publishing, 13th Edition, (In Persian). ##

[16]- Jafari- Langrodi, M.J. (2005), Theory of Equilibrium, Tehran, Ganjedanesh Publishing, First Edition. (In Persian). ##

[17]- Jafari- Langrodi, M.J. (2010), Vasit New Terminology of Legal Terms and Phrases, Tehran, Ganjedanesh Publishing, Second Edition, (In Persian).##

[18]- Juurikkala Oskari. (2009). Law and Social Norms in Contractual Relationships. Helsinki Law Review. Vol. 42, pp. 49 – 67.##

[19]- Katozian, Naser, (2007), General Principles of Contracts, Tehran, Behnashr Publishing, Vol. 1, 7th Edition, (In Persian). ##

[20]- Khoee, Abolghasem (2001), Mesbah_o_Alfeghaha, Qom. Elmie Publishing, Vol.1, First Edition. (In Arabic). ##

[21]- Klein Benjamin & B. Leffler Keith. (1981). The Role of Market Forces in Assuring Contractual Performance. Journal of Political Economy. Vol. 13, pp. 615-653.##

[22]- L. Shelton Dinah. (2008). Soft Law, The George Washington University Law School. Public Law and Legal Theory Work Paper. No. 322.##

[23]- Moghnie, Javad, (2001), Feghh-o-al- Emam Sadegh, Qom, Ansarian Publishing, Vol.3, Second Edition. (In Arabic).##

[24]- Morth Ulrika. (2004). Soft Law in Governance and Regulation. Edward Elgar Publishing, First Edition.##

[25]- Nollkaemper Andre. (1998). The Distinction Between Non-Legal and Legal Norms in International Affairs: an Analysis with Reference to International Policy for the Protection of the North Sea from Hazardous Substances. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. Vol. 13, pp. 355- 370.##

[26]- Panther Stephan. (1999). Non – Legal Sanctions, Institute of Economics AWM University Hamburg. Work Paper No. 078.##

[27]- Santner Ashley. (2011). A Soft Law Mechanism for Corporate Responsibility: How the Updated OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises Promote Business for the Future. The George Washington International Law Review. Vol. 43, pp. 378-388.##

[28]- Shaffer Gregory. (2009). How Business Shapes Law: A Socio – Legal Framework, Connecticut Law Review. Vol. 42, pp. 147- 183.##

[29]- Shirazi, Mohammad, (1998), Al-Feghh, Qom, Kotob-Al-Eslami Publishing, First Edition, (In Arabic). ##

[30]- Sokol Daniel. (1999). Order Without Enforceable Law: Why Countries Enter in to Non – Enforceable Competition Policy Chapters in Free Trade Agreements. Chicago – Kent Law Review. Vol. 83, pp. 110 – 163.##

[31]- Tabrizi, Javad, (1995), Ershad-o-ataleb ela talighe ala-almakaseb, Qom, Esmaeelian Publishing, Vol. 1, 3th Edition. (In Arabic).##

[32]- Teichman Doron (2009). Non Legal Sanctions and Damages: an Economic Analysis. European Journal of Legal Studies. Vol. 13, pp.18 -35.##

[33]- Telser L.G. (1980). A Theory of Self Enforcing Agreements. The Journal of Business. Vol. 53, pp. 27 – 44.##

[34]- Underwood John. (1968). Moral Obligation and the Concept of Law. Rutgers Law Review. Vol. 23, pp. 68 – 81.##

[35]- Van Erp Judith. (2008). Reputational Sanctions in Private and Public Regulation. Erasmus Law Review. Vol. 01, pp. 145- 161.##

[36]- Williams Cynthia.(2004). Civil Society Initiatives and Soft Law in the Oil and Gas Industry. International Law and Politics Journal. Vol. 36, pp. 457 – 502.##