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This article offers a critical analysis of the methods by means of which data relating to the performance of second pillar pension schemes are collated, compared and reported. This is done with regard to the performance of mandatory private second pillar pension funds in Eastern Europe. By critically examining data published in a number of World Bank studies, and through the identification of data problems and irregularities, the article argues that a much more elaborate and transparent approach to the collation, comparative analysis and reporting of data is needed. Required is the establishment of a consensus regarding what should represent a robust basis for making credible policy recommendations, not least with regard to pension re-reforms in the countries of Eastern Europe and elsewhere. In the absence of such a consensus, unresolved data problems and irregularities may potentially continue to influence the formulation of incomplete national policy conclusions regarding the performance of second pillar pension funds and, in turn, the ability of policy-makers to evaluate appropriately the need for, and assess the feasibility of implementing in a sustainable manner, pension re-reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article shows the reality of national hereditary law in relation to the immutable aspect of applying norms containing hereditary collation in current Cuban juridical practice, even when the high number of cases of hereditary distribution and adjudication show that l judges overlook the institution. This is specially caused by the complex legal formula contemplated in Article 530 of the Civil Code (Republic of Cuba, 1987) and the exaggerated normative economy accompanying the text of the Cuban civil code when improperly dealing with figures such as the legitime, operations for calculation, and determination of the legitime (computation or fictitious sum, imputation), collationable and not collationable goods, ways of termination of collation, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gift on the occasion of death (donatio mortis causa) in Roman law was a contractual disposition, made during the life of the donor, and in his contemplation of his own death, which took effect upon the donor's death. The donee had no claim against the donor during the donor's life. Only on the occasion of the donor's death, had the donee assumed property rights over the subject matter of the gift. The transfer of property was conditional upon the donee outliving the donor. In contrast, a post-mortem gift (donatio post mortem) a contract modality with a suspensive term (délai suspensif). It gave the donee the claim against the donor during the donor's lifetime, but delayed until the occasion of the donor's death. Here, the transfer of property rights was not conditional upon the donee outliving the donor, as the donnee's inheritors could succeed to his rights against the donor. A post-mortem gift and a gift on the occasion of death had significantly different legal effects in Roman law. Still, the confusion among the two is not uncommon in contemporary legal doctrine and legislation. For instance, some agreements are sometimes labeled as gifts on the occasion of death, even though they do not possess characteristics of the Roman donatio mortis causa. On the other hand, a post-mortem gift is occasionally being assigned certain characteristics, which are in fact typical for a gifts on the occasion of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Codex Ephraemi Syri rescriptus is an important, but due to its dilapidated condition rather neglected, textual witness of the Septuagint. This article dwells on the damage pattern of the manuscript and identifies the application of the so-called Giobert Tincture as its cause. However, modern fluorescence photography allows new collations of the manuscript despite its heavy damage. As for Ecclesiastes, there are 14 new or improved readings, compared with Tischendorf's edition of 1845. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article sheds light on the joinder of claims under alternate ambiguities in the United States. Ambiguous gifts in wills are treated with very scant courtesy by the English courts. Unless the ambiguity can be removed by extrinsic evidence, the gift fails to take effect; the principle being that an unambiguous disposition is necessary to defend the title of the heir at law, next of kin, residuary devisee or legatee, or person entitled in default of appointment. There are many cases, however, in which the ambiguity is very limited in extent.