Law and Policy Database

The Decree-Law provided the regulatory framework with respect to fishing and aquaculture activities in national waters and the high seas of Timor-Leste, pursuant to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste's objective to attain its economic and social development policies while ensuring the conservation and protection of the aquatic environment.

The Law provided the legal framework for the formation and operation of different types of regular commercial companies.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004 created the alternative dispute resolution system in the Philippines with the objective of promoting the State's policy of encouraging the freedom of the parties to amicably and speedily resolve their disputes.

The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 recognizes the State's policy to protect and preserve the quality of marine waters and prevent the pollution of the Philippines' water resources. The Act established a comprehensive water quality management framework by primarily laying down water quality guidelines.

The Securitization Act of 2004 establishes the legal and regulatory framework for securitization in the Philippines.

The Anti Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004 penalizes violence committed against women and children in accordance with the State's policy of valuing the dignity of women and children.

The Act aims to protect consumers against unfair trade practices and provides consumers with additional rights and remedies on goods which do not conform with the provisions of the Act.

The Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport (NGVPPT) has the following objectives: (i) to enhance energy supply security in the transport sector through fuel diversification using indigenous natural gas; and (ii) to use compressed natural gas as a clean alternative fuel for transport. The Executive Order identifies the key components covered by the NGVPPT, namely, gas supply, infrastructure development, market development, technology, incentives and financial assistance, manpower development, standards and other regulatory concerns, and information education communication.

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court recognized the "battered woman syndrome" and discussed how it could qualify as self-defense under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, a mitigating circumstance to reduce the penalty imposed.

The Forestry Regulations of Vanuatu prescribe forms, fees, bonds and other matters under the Forestry Act. It prescribes forms related to agreements, licenses and environmental protection. They provide for the amounts of bonds for timber license, sandalwood license, special license and minimum Royalty Rates. They also provide a schedule of fees for various forestry transactions.