Common sense and the principles of tort law in the American civil justice system are not always synonymous.

FORBES: Effort Fails To Strip Actual Injury Requirement From 'Failure To Warn' Drug Liability

The states are ceding many blocking powers, but in return for new ones from the federal level, particularly in higher education, the penal system and civil-service law.

ECONOMIST: German reform

But Thailand's legal system is based on civil law, so the case may not be treated as a precedent by other bankruptcy judges.

ECONOMIST: Broken Thais

John Wadham, director of civil rights organisation Liberty, described the law as "a fundamental part of our criminal justice system".

BBC: You are in: UK

They propose a smaller parliament and civil service, a new electoral law, a better system of tax collection and measures to stimulate the economy.

BBC: Italy experts present reforms in new coalition bid