Catalans Declare Independence From Spain!

I do not know what to make of this, but wonder whether it will inspire other independence movements, such as Quebec from Canada, Montreal from Quebec, Griffintown from Montreal, perhaps even Texas from the USA although I tend to doubt it:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41780116

Being involved in new countries and States could be fun. It could create jobs for lawyers looking to assist as consultants on new judicial systems and I may try for a piece of that action. A buddy of mine worked in Iraq doing this and Barcelona is a whole lot nicer and safer place to live. Helping Griffintown start a judicial system modeled after New York village courts would be a lifelong dream.

Jalimon,

The impact on business and commerce of independence movements is an important point. In my case if I think opportunistically about it, as I do see work for attorneys as consultants in developing new judiciaries. It’s only for this reason I see independence movements as interesting. I personally do not care about the politics, that is for the locals to determine. But if we see such movements in Quebec, I would look at it as a possible business opportunity.

jalimon said:

The problem EB is developing new judiciaries does not produce any goods and no service other then public services which the population has to pay.

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Jalimon,

Any new state will need a judicial system. It cannot do without one. So let’s not minimize the importance’s of having one. It’s unlikely the Catalans, for example, will want to follow all elements of the Spanish judicial model. Even within existing judicial systems, reforms and changes are often ongoing. I could see working as a consultant or administrator in a fledgling judiciary of a new state.

I was fascinated when the Mohegan Sun Casino, operated on sovereign land within the State of Connecticut, developed their own judicial system, tort code, constitution and employment code. They chose to let the State of Connecticut have jurisdiction over all criminal matters while the Mohegan Gaming Disputes Court has jurisdiction over all civil gaming matters and injuries arising at the Casino while the Mohegan Tribal Court has jurisdiction over all tribal matters, including domestic matters among the Mohegan tribal members. All of this happened because they reached out to experienced Connecticut attorneys who helped them make it happen.

My friend who went to Iraq to work as a consultant to the Iraqis after Saddam Hussein takedown told me they were instituting a new judicial system but the problems they encountered in doing this were the same as those that have led to sectarian strife- Sunnis vs. Shiites and trying to negotiate with each of those groups. Working with the Catalans, Quebec, Montreal, or Griffintown on any possible new independent judiciaries would be interesting work for any attorney experienced in how different judicial systems work. I am licensed in 3 different jurisdictions to practice and I see the differences between the systems and I know what works and what doesn’t. I have observed the Quebec civil courts (Palais de Justice) and there are many similarities with Connecticut’s civil short calendar system but one notable difference is how motion practice is handled. Quebec implements a system used by Connecticut prior to the mid 1990s. Hard for me to explain unless it’s to an attorney. But CT figured out a way to streamline short calendar arguables and if Quebec were independent I would send an email to the new Court administrator suggesting that change.

ssj3 said:

I agree with you EB that it is highly unlikely that Texas would ever secede from the union. However, I have read articles and heard a piece on NPR a long time ago that if it were to secede, it would be one of the only states that could actually survive on its own.

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Texas is the only State that can very likely pull off a secession. You have to also know Texas’s history. At one time it was a Mexican controlled territory. Texas became an independent Republic for around 10 years, and then achieved Statehood with the USA. The Texas revolution succeeded largely through the efforts of some extremely heroic Texans, in a series of battles with the Mexican army. It’s a State that has a long history of operating somewhat autonomously particularly in areas like criminal punishment. There is also a large concentration of wealth in certain parts of the State. However I don’t think it will happen.

jalimon said:

Could Alberta join the US instead of separate?

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Interestingly, and ironically, if Texas and Alberta were to simultaneously declare their independence and secede from the US and Canada respectively, Alberta would be well advised to follow the Texas model for seceding and becoming a State in the first place. The history of Texas as a part of the USA actually dates back to the Louisiana purchase from France, when the USA wanted Texas as part of the Louisiana territory. It did not happen at that time but when Texas declared its independence from Mexico, it became an independent Republic, and for the entirety of its period as an independent Republic, it was negotiating Statehood with the USA.

Interestingly and ironically, Alberta, like Texas, has a notable oil/energy industry. Should Texas secede, Alberta would be a perfect replacement as the 50th State, for that reason alone. Albert could become, first, a independent Republic, and then negotiate Statehood, a la Texas back in the 1830s and 1840s. The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames then become American hockey teams, and their players become American residents who would then get a tax winfall. Best of all would be that travel to Alberta would be cheaper as it would be domestic airfare rather than international, meaning all of us American can go to Banff on the cheap as far as airfare, while the rest of Canada loses that tourism revenue and looks on with stunned silence. Presumably Sol Tee Nutz would become a dual citizen, already Canadian by birth but now American by residency.

I would send in applications as a consultant on the new Alberta State Judiciary system. There could be some really great job opportunities with Albertan statehood.

5 Officials of Catalonia Arrested By Belgian Police

They are charged with inciting rebellion and sedition, among other things:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41877858