title: Application of Bayesian networks for sustainability assessment in catchment modeling and management (Case study: The Hablehrood river catchment)

authors: Keshtkar, A.R.

subjects: Bayesian network

abstract: Catchment management is a process which increases the sustainable development and management of all catchment resources in order to maximize the balance among socioeconomic welfare and the sustainability of vital ecosystems. The increase of anthropogenic activities within river catchments causes degradation and serious problems for stakeholders and managers, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Although there are many techniques for solving these problems, it is not easy for catchment managers to apply them. An integrated Bayesian network model framework was applied to evaluate the sustainability of a semi-arid river catchment located in the Iranian Central Plateau river basin encompassing 32.6 km2 area on the Hablehrood river catchment, located in the northern part of the Iranian Central Plateau river basin. The research illustrated the assessment of the relevant management problems, the model framework, and the techniques applied to extract input data. Results for the study area implementation and a suggestion for management are described and discussed.

text: Application of Bayesian networks for sustainability assessment in catchment modeling and management (Case study: The Hablehrood river catchment) Catchment management is a process which increases the sustainable development and management of all catchment resources in order to maximize the balance among socioeconomic welfare and the sustainability of vital ecosystems. The increase of anthropogenic activities within river catchments causes degradation and serious problems for stakeholders and managers, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Although there are many techniques for solving these problems, it is not easy for catchment managers to apply them. An integrated Bayesian network model framework was applied to evaluate the sustainability of a semi-arid river catchment located in the Iranian Central Plateau river basin encompassing 32.6 km2 area on the Hablehrood river catchment, located in the northern part of the Iranian Central Plateau river basin. The research illustrated the assessment of the relevant management problems, the model framework, and the techniques applied to extract input data. Results for the study area implementation and a suggestion for management are described and discussed.

year: 2013

title: Employment Advocate vs Employment Lawyer; A comparative analysis between New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom

authors: Dimitrov, Dara

subjects: employment advocates

abstract: New Zealand is facing a burgeoning number of employment advocates in its legal system, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of the enactment of the Employment Relations Act (ERA) 2000, New Zealand’s parliament intended that employment disputes be resolved in a non-adversarial and efficient manner that required little legal representation. Employment advocates are meant to meet that need; a relatable agent for an employment litigant that resolves disputes faster and cheaper. However, there have been increasing concerns from the employment judges, the New Zealand Law Society, lawyers and the public about the professionalism and competency of employment advocates. Recent case law questions whether employment advocates can continue to operate without restrictions or an oversight body. This paper demonstrates why some employment advocates operate below the standards expected by the courts and the impact it has on their employment litigants or clients. An international comparison to paid agents in Australia and McKenzie friends in the United Kingdom is also included. This paper recommends that the current operations of employment advocates undermine employment litigants’ access to justice and that New Zealand’s parliament needs to reconsider the role of employment advocates in employment disputes

text: Employment Advocate vs Employment Lawyer; A comparative analysis between New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom New Zealand is facing a burgeoning number of employment advocates in its legal system, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of the enactment of the Employment Relations Act (ERA) 2000, New Zealand’s parliament intended that employment disputes be resolved in a non-adversarial and efficient manner that required little legal representation. Employment advocates are meant to meet that need; a relatable agent for an employment litigant that resolves disputes faster and cheaper. However, there have been increasing concerns from the employment judges, the New Zealand Law Society, lawyers and the public about the professionalism and competency of employment advocates. Recent case law questions whether employment advocates can continue to operate without restrictions or an oversight body. This paper demonstrates why some employment advocates operate below the standards expected by the courts and the impact it has on their employment litigants or clients. An international comparison to paid agents in Australia and McKenzie friends in the United Kingdom is also included. This paper recommends that the current operations of employment advocates undermine employment litigants’ access to justice and that New Zealand’s parliament needs to reconsider the role of employment advocates in employment disputes

year: 2023

title: Are historical perpetual leases on Maori owned land (Native reserves) a basis for currently enforceable fiduciary obligations?

authors: Dimitrov, Dara

subjects: fiduciary obligations

abstract: Colonial perpetual leases over what were once native reserves continue to trouble the New Zealand government. The colonial Public Trust Office was tasked with managing and administering Māori property affairs, with a focus on the administration of the native reserves. However, if the perpetual leases continue to be viewed through the contractual lens, relief for the Māori landowners will not be forthcoming. Therefore, examining the rationale for imposing fiduciary duties upon the colonial Public Trust Office is essential. Where traditional legal fiduciary literature explores the onerous proscriptive duties that bind persons occupying a fiduciary position, this article establishes that the extensive statutory role assigned to colonial Public Trust officers in managing the native reserves for their Māori beneficiaries created a fiduciary relationship. Moreover, this article shows that, when the colonial Public Trust Office exercised its powers, this often led to conflicts of interest with their Māori beneficiaries.

text: Are historical perpetual leases on Maori owned land (Native reserves) a basis for currently enforceable fiduciary obligations? Colonial perpetual leases over what were once native reserves continue to trouble the New Zealand government. The colonial Public Trust Office was tasked with managing and administering Māori property affairs, with a focus on the administration of the native reserves. However, if the perpetual leases continue to be viewed through the contractual lens, relief for the Māori landowners will not be forthcoming. Therefore, examining the rationale for imposing fiduciary duties upon the colonial Public Trust Office is essential. Where traditional legal fiduciary literature explores the onerous proscriptive duties that bind persons occupying a fiduciary position, this article establishes that the extensive statutory role assigned to colonial Public Trust officers in managing the native reserves for their Māori beneficiaries created a fiduciary relationship. Moreover, this article shows that, when the colonial Public Trust Office exercised its powers, this often led to conflicts of interest with their Māori beneficiaries.

year: 2024