Dispute resolution in federal systems

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Issue 167

Abstract

Deals with 4 broad approaches to conflict management in federal systems of government: formal dispute resolution, informal dispute resolution, dispute avoidance, and popular dispute resolution. Courts undertake the task of formal dispute resolution through judicial review: issues of current significance include judicial concepts of federalism, the reference jurisdiction, Scottish devolution, and supranational federalism and the European Court of Justice. Examples of informal dispute resolution are few. The South African Constitution includes a provision, requiring parties to an intergovernmental dispute to exhaust all other remedies before resorting to litigation. (Original abstract - amended)