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Asian Legal Sources Research Guide

Introduction

This guide focuses on Asian legal sources generally with a special emphasis on China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea. The Wolff Library collects Asian materials that are primarily in English, and this guide focuses solely on English-language materials. Please note that subscription databases that are only available to the Georgetown Law community are indicated as Georgetown Law Only. Materials marked with Try-It are recommended and have been very useful to the librarians.

If you are getting started with your research, and would like help with researching foreign law in general, our research guide Foreign and Comparative Law will help you identify the basic sources and help you formulate a research strategy. If you want a quick background on the legal systems of each of the countries, consult Modern Legal Systems Cyclopedia available in print and online (Georgetown Law Only) (it is current as of 2005) or Martindale-Hubbell Law Digest: Asia Law Digest available in print and online(Georgetown Law Only).

The "Selected Print Sources" section for each jurisdiction highlights recent books the Library has received on a given jurisdiction, as well as looseleaf publications that contain chapters on the individual jurisdictions. Please note that looseleafs are updated regularly, and are indicated as such in this guide. Click here to learn more about looseleafs.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Wolff Library reference desk at 202-662-4195 or by email: intlref@law.georgetown.edu. You may also submit your question via this online form.

Asian Sources Generally

If you would like to browse our collection of Asian materials, it is located on the fourth floor of the Wolff library under the call numbers KNC-KPV. Another way to search for materials is to try keyword searching the online catalog (or try our NEW catalog interface). For example,<Asia law> or <Asian legal>.

Overviews

• East Asian Law: Universal Norms and Local Cultures INTL KNC79 .E38 2002
• Law, Capitalism and Power in Asia : The Rule of Law and Legal Institutions INTL KNC514 .L39 1999

Selected Print Sources

• Doing Business in Asia INTL KM304 .D6 1991 (updated regularly)
• Copyright Law and the Information Society in Asia INTL KM371 .C67 2007
• Insolvency Law in East Asia INTL KNC362 .I57 2006 and online (Georgetown Law Only)
• Intellectual Property Law in Asia INTL KNC370 .I568 2003 and online (Georgetown Law Only)
• A Legal Guide to Doing Business in the Asia-Pacific INTL KNC84.B87 L46 2010

 

Journals

For additional assistance in locating international and foreign periodical literature, see our research guide. Country-specific journals are listed below.

• Asia-Pacific Development Journal available in print and online (for free starting in 2000)
  Please note the previous title of this journal was Economic bulletin for Asia and the Pacific INTL KZ5010 .A2 ST/ESCAP v. 44 1993
• Asia-Pacific Journal on Human Rights and the Law available in print and online
• Asian Law Journal available in print and online (Georgetown Law Only)
• Australian Journal of Asian Law full coverage available in print and coverage only runs from 2005 to 2006 for the online access
• Columbia Journal of Asian Law in print and online (Georgetown Law Only)
  Please note the previous title of this journal was Journal of Chinese Law available in print and online.

Other Research Guides

• Legal Research Guides for China, Japan, Korean, and Taiwan (University of Washington)

China

If you would like to browse our collection of Chinese legal materials, it is located on the fourth floor of the Wolff Library under the call numbers KNN - KNQ. Another way to search for materials is to try keyword searching in the library catalog.

Overviews

• The Legal System of the People's Republic of China in a Nutshell INTL KNQ70 .C498 2003
• Chinese Law and Legal Theory INTL KNN440 .C443 2001
• Basic Concepts of Chinese Law INTL KNN122 .B37 1997
• Chinese Law INTL KNQ68 .C43 1999
• A Guide to the Legal System of the PRC INTL REF KNQ1572 .G85 1997
• Modern Legal Systems Cyclopedia INTL K530 .M62 1984

Selected Print Sources

• Arbitration Law in China INTL KNQ1829 .M6 2001
• China Law and Practice INTL KNQ6 .C54 (updated regularly)
• China Laws for Foreign Business INTL KNQ3220 .C44 1985 (updated regularly)
• Chinese Intellectual Property Law and Practice INTL KNQ1155 .C48 1999
• China Law Deskbook (2nd ed.) INTL KNQ78.B87 Z56 2005
• China Law Series Various titles on many different subjects, such as contracts, constitutional law, banking law, and criminal law.
• China's Takeover Law : Regulation and Reform INTL KNQ3224 .H83 2006
• Chinese Contract Law : Theory and Practice INTL KNQ858 .Z45 2006
• Civil Procedure : China INTL K2205 .I57 1994 (updated regularly)
• Commercial Laws of the World : China INTL K1004.15 1976 (updated regularly)
• Constitutional Law : China INTL K3165 .I58 1992 (updated regularly)
• Contracts : China INTL K840 .I58 1993 (updated regularly)
• Criminal Law : China INTL K5000 .I6 1993 (updated regularly)
• Doing Business in China (4th ed.) INTL HC427.92 .D65 2003
• Environmental Law : China INTL K3585.4 .E583 1991 (updated regularly)
• Intellectual Property : China INTL K1401 .I586 1997 (updated regularly)
• Intellectual Trade Regulation in China : Law and Policy INTL KNQ3405 .Z43 2006
• The PRC Property Series INTL KNQ683 .P72 1995 (updated regularly)
• Social Security Law : China INTL K1900 .I52 1994
• Tax Laws of the World : China INTL K4504.15 1964 (updated regularly)
• Tort Law : China INTL K923 .T678 2002 (updated regularly)
• Transport Law : China INTL K4024.3 T7 1994 (updated regularly)

Journals

• China Journal = Chung-kuo yen chiu Available electronically on JSTOR (1995-2003).
• China: An International Journal Follow link to electronic version on ProjectMuse (starts 2004).

Databases and Web Sites

• ISINOLAW Chinese laws, cases, and other information in Chinese and English. GULC only
• China Trade Extra GULC only Excellent source for information on trade and related issues. For more information on trade issues, see World Trade Online GULC only
• China Data Online GULC only
  Statistical data the national, provinces, counties and cities levels. The database contains annual macroeconomic, industry, and socio-economic data, with some monthly data. Few market research reports and trade data (in Chinese).
• Lexis has selected laws and cases from the PRC. Paths provided below. GULC only
  • Legal>Legal (excluding U.S.)>China & Hong Kong>Case Law>ChinaLawInfo Database of Chinese Judicial Cases from 1989
  • Legal>Legal (excluding U.S.)>China & Hong Kong>Legislation & Regulations>ChinaLawInfo Selected PRC Laws
• Westlaw has China International Commercial Arbitration-Legislation (CHNICA-LEGIS) GULC only
• China Links on WorldLII Links to some English-language translations of laws.
• Chinese Law Prof Blog

Other Research Guides

• Finding Chinese Law on the Internet (GlobaLex)
• How to Find the Laws of the People's Republic of China: A Research Guide with Selective Annotated Bibliographies (Washington University)
• A Complete Research Guide to the Laws of the People's Republic of China (PRC) (LLRX)
• Chinese Law on Trade, Investment and Intellectual Property Rights: A Bibliography of Selected English-Language Materials, 32 Int'l J. Legal Info. 1 (Spring 2004)
• Chinese Legal Research: An Outline Selected Print Sources and Internet Sites, 28 Int'l J. Legal Info. 94 (Spring 2000)
• Internet Chinese Legal Research Center

Hong Kong

If you would like to browse our collection of Hong Kong legal materials, it is located on the fourth floor of the Wolff Library under the call number KNR. Another way to search for materials is to try keyword searching in the library catalog.

Overviews

• An Introduction to the Hong Kong Legal System (3rd ed.) INTL KNR6.3 .W47 1998
• Introduction to Law in the Hong Kong SAR INTL KNR6.3 .D63 1996
• The Sources of Hong Kong Law INTL KNR6.3 .W47 1994

Selected Print Sources

• The Annotated Ordinances of Hong Kong INTL REF KNR1.85 .A5
• Commercial Laws of the World : Hong Kong INTL K1004.15 1976
• Constitutional Law : Hong Kong INTL K3165 .I58 1992 (updated regularly)
• Contracts : Hong Kong INTL K840 .I58 1993 (updated regularly)
• Corportations and Partnerships : Hong Kong INTL K1301 .I58 1991 (updated regularly)
• Criminal Law : Hong Kong INTL K5000 .I6 1993 (updated regularly)
• Criminal Law in Hong Kong INTL KNR379.5 .J33 2003
• Cyber Law : Hong Kong INTL K564 .C6 I58 2004 (updated regularly)
• Environmental Law : Hong Kong INTL K3585.4 .E583 1991 (updated regularly)
• Financial Markets in Hong Kong : Law and Practice INTL KNQ9323.6 .F56 2006
• Halsbury's Laws of Hong Kong INTL KNR2.5 .H3 1995 (updated regularly) A good encyclopedia.
• Hong Kong Law Reports and Digest INTL KNR2.23.A2 H66 (updated regularly)
• Hong Kong Data Privacy Law : Territorial Regulation in a Borderless World (2nd ed.) INTL KNR416 .B47 2003
• Intellectual Property Rights Hong Kong SAR and People's Republic of China INTL KNR1100 .P46 2003
• Internet Law in Hong Kong INTL KNR109 .W74 2003
• Principles and Practice of Civil Procedure in Hong Kong INTL KNR353 .C36 2001
• Tax Laws of the World : Hong Kong INTL K4504.15 1964 (updated regularly)
• Tort Law in Hong Kong INTL KNR96 .G56 2002
• Transport Law : Hong Kong INTL K4024.3 T7 1994 (updated regularly)

Journals

• Hong Kong Law Journal INTL K8.O6 Available electronically on Lexis (1995-2000) and on Westlaw (starting with 2001).

Databases and Web Sites

• Lexis has selected laws, ordinances, and cases from Hong Kong. Paths provided below. GULC only
  • Legal>Legal (excluding U.S.)>China & Hong Kong>Case Law
  • Legal>Legal (excluding U.S.)>China & Hong Kong>Legislation & Regulations
• Westlaw has several Hong Kong case law and legislation databases. Paths shown below. GULC only
  • Directory>International/Worldwide Materials>Asia and the Pacific Rim>Individual Countries> Hong Kong>Cases
  • Directory>International/Worldwide Materials>Asia and the Pacific Rim>Individual Countries> Hong Kong>Legislation
• The Database of the Laws of Hong Kong (Bilingual Laws Information System)
• Hong Kong Legal Information Institute This is a good free source for Hong Kong case law, ordinances and regulations.
• Hong Kong Links on WorldLII Links to some English-language translations of laws.
• Collection of Links at WashLaw

Japan

If you would like to browse our collection of Japanese legal materials, it is located on the fourth floor of the Wolff Library under the call number KNX. Another way to search for materials is to try keyword searching in the library catalog.

Overviews

• Japanese Legal System (2nd ed.) INTL KNX68 .D425 2002
• Japanese Law (2nd ed.) INTL KNX68 .O32 1999
• Japanese Law in Context : Readings in Society, the Economy, and Politics INTL KNX74 .J374 2001

Selected Print Sources

• EHS Law Bulletin Series INTL REF KNX6.5 .J36 (updated regularly) This is the most comprehensive collection of Japanese laws translated into English. If you want to check if a specific law is included in the Series, this online index may be helpful.
• Basic Japanese Laws INTL KNX479 .A28 1997
• Commercial Laws of the World : Japan INTL K1004.15 1976
• Constitutional Law : Japan INTL K3165 .I58 1992 (updated regularly)
• Corporations and Partnerships : Japan INTL K1301 .I58 1991 (updated regularly)
• Cyber Law : Japan INTL K564 .C6 I58 2004 (updated regularly)
• Doing Business in Japan INTL KNX920 .D6 (updated regularly)
• Essentials of Japanese Patent Law : Cases and Practice INTL KNX1202 .K39 2007
• Family and Succession Law : Japan INTL K670 .F355 1997 (updated regularly)
• Insurance Law : Japan INTL K1241 .I575 1992
• Japanese Contract and Anti-Trust Law : A Sociological and Comparative Study INTL KNX858 .V57 2002
• Japanese Employment and Labor Law (2nd ed.) INTL KNX1270 .S8413 2002
• Law and Investment in Japan : Cases and Materials (2nd ed.) INTL KNX3202 .L28 2000
• Social Security Law : Japan INTL K1900 .I52 1994
• Tax Laws of the World : Japan INTL K4504.15 1964 (current as of March 2006) available online through RIA International Tax Library (Accessed through Checkpoint. Choose "international" in the drop-down box under "practice area" on the left hand side.)

Journals

• Journal of the Japanese and International Economies INTL K10.O7505

Web Sites

• Japan Law
• Japan Legal Resources (Temple University)
• Japan Links on WorldLII Links to some English-language translations of laws.

Other Research Guides

• Japanese Law via the Internet (GlobaLex)
• Update to Japanese Law via the Internet (LLRX)
  

Korea

If you would like to browse our collection of Korean legal materials, it is located on the fourth floor of the Wolff Library under the call number KPA. Another way to search for materials is to try keyword searching in the library catalog.

Overviews

• Introduction to the Law and Legal System of Korea INTL KPA68 .I58 1983
• Modern Legal Systems Cyclopedia INTL K530 .M62 1984

Selected Print Sources

• Legal Reform in Korea INTL KPA470 .L44 2004
• Commercial Laws of the World: Korea  K1004.15 1976 (current as of March 2006) available online through RIA International Tax Library (Accessed through Checkpoint. Choose "international" in the drop-down box under "practice area" on the left hand side )
• Doing Business with Korea INTL KPA3272 .D64 2003
• Intellectual Property Law in Korea INTL KPA1155 .I58 2003
• International Finance in Korea INTL KPA3202 .J48 2002
• Tax Laws of the World : Korea INTL K4504.15 1964 (current as of March 2006) available online through RIA International Tax Library (Accessed through Checkpoint. Choose "international" in the drop-down box under "practice area" on the left hand side )
• Korea's Banking Law Reform : Post Asian Crisis INTL KPA940 .K56 2003

Journals

• Journal of Korean Law INTL K10.O479 Available electronically on HeinOnline (2001-2003).
• Korean Journal of International and Comparative Law INTL K11.O71 Previous title of journal was Korean Journal of Comparative Law . Available electronically on HeinOnline (1973-2003).

Web Sites

• Collection of Links at WashLaw
• Korea Links on WorldLII Links to some English-language translations of laws.

 

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