Esplex: A rule and conceptual model for representing statutes

ABSTRACT

The characteristics of the ESPLEX system which may be defined as a “rule and conceptual based model” are illustrated, together with the possibilities for its utilization, its similarities with other existing projects, and the requisites of the knowledge representation language. The methodology and the theoretical propositions that have led to the definition of the representation language are therefore explained. The characteristics of the system which manages the knowledge base are also described and a brief comment is made regarding future development.

REFERENCES

• 1: The problem of the rationalization of legislation has been dealt with at a governmental level in Italy by the Commission chaired by A. Barettoni Arleri (see "Fattibilita e applicabilita delle leggi", Rimini, Maggioli, lgB3). The Istituto per la documentazione giuridica of Florence organized on International Conference on this subject (see Proceedings "Automated Analysis of Legal Texts", A.A. Martino, F. 8occi (eds.), North-Holland Publishing, Amsterdam, 19B6). See also A.A. Martino, "Contributo loEico-informatico all'analisi della legislazione", in: "Informatica e Diritto" II, 1982, Florence, PP, 53-77; "Deontlc, Logic, Computational Linguistics and Legal Information Systems", A.A. Martino (ed.), North-Xolland Publishing, Amsterdam, 1982.
• 2: The Automated Analysis of Legislation Project ts part of a wider project entitled "Software for the Law", which receives special funding from the Italian National Research Council.
• 3: C. Biagtoli, P. Mariani, D. Ttscornia at al., "Un modello automatlco per l'anallsl dei slstemt normativi: una proposta sperimentale, in Proceedings {II International Conference on "L'informatica giuridica e le Comunit~ nazionali e internazionall", Rome, 1983. ~Blagioli, P. Mariani, D. Tiscornla etal., "Automated Analysis of Legislation", Peczenik A. (ed.), Theory of Legal Science, Reidel Publishing Co., 1984, pp. 587-605.
• 4: P. Mariani, A.A. Martino, D. Tlscornla et al., "Knowledge Base in the Automated Analysis of Legislation", in Automated Analysis of Legal Texts, A.A. Xarttno, F. Socci (eds.), North-Holland Publishing, Amsterdam, 1986, pp. 281-307. P. Mariani, A.A. Martino, "'Slstema Esperto' per il diritto", in Proceedingm of the Conference A.I.C.A. "Sistemi espertl e applicazionl di impresa", Milan, 1986.
• 5: C. Biagioli, O. Ferrari, "Principi per la rappresentazione formale del linguaggio legislativo", in Automated Analysis of Legal Texts, A.A. Martino, F. Socci (eds.), North-Holland Publishing, Amsterdam, 1986, PP. 483-49b.
• 6: It seems to us that today this intermediary who is somewhere between the traditional lawyer as he is a theorist or legal practitioner and the knowledge engineer is required for harmonizing the characteristics of the law with technological needs. We would moreover, like to express our thanks to lng. M. ~arinari and ing. ~. Bisconti for their technical assistance in the implementation phase of this project.
• 7: C.G. de Bessonet, G.R. Cross, "Conceptual Retrieval and Legal Decision-making", Automated Analysis of Legal Texts, A.A. Martino, F. Socci, (eds.), Borth-Holland Publishing, Amsterdam, 1986.
• 8: C.D. Hafner, "Representation of Knowledge in a Legal Information" Information Retrieval R~search, R. Oddu, S. Robertson, P. Williams (ads.), Butterworths & Co., London, 1981.
• 9: ~. Sergot, "Towards a Rule Based Representation of Open Texture in Law", Imperial College, London, April 1985; M. Sergot, "Representing legislation as Logic Programs", Imperial College, London, August, 1985.
• 10: Legge 3 maggio 1982, n. 20S "Norme sui contratti agrari". (L. $ dicembre 1971, n. 1102; L. 9 agosto 1973, n. 508; L. 11 febbraio 1971, n. 11; L. 10 dicembre 1978, n. 814; L. 12 gtugno 1962, n. 567; L. 10 maggio 1978, n. 176; L. g maggio 1975, n. 153; L. 22 luglio 1966, n. 606{ L. 22 matzo 1963, n. 320; L. 22 ottobre 1971, n. 865; L, 15 settembre 1964, n. 756; L. 4 agosto 1971, ~. 592; L. 25 febbraio 1968, n. 287. C.C. artt. 2118; 1640-1645; C.p.C. artt. 684, 878, 700)
• 11: On the suitability and interest of contract law see, L,T. McCarty, "Some Requireme~ts for a ComDuter-ba~ed Legal Consultant", Proceedings of the National Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Stanford University, August 1980.
• 12: H.L.A. Hart, "The Concept of Law", Oxford, 1961.
• 13: J.R. Searle, "Lea acres de language", Hermanno, Paris, 1972.
• 14: L.E. Allen, "Una guida per redattori giuridtci di testi normalizzati", in: Informatica e Dlritto, V, 1979, 1, Tomo Ii, PP. 61-114; L.E. Allen, C.S. Saxon, "Computer-aided Normalizing and Unpacking: Some Interesting Machin-prooessable Transformations of Legal Ruels", in: Proceeding of the First Annual Law and Technology Conference (Houston, 13-22 August 1984); L.E. Allen, C.S. Saxon, "Analysis of the Logical Structure of Legal Rules by a Modernized and Formalized Version of Hohfeld Fundamental Legal Conceptions", in Automated Analysis of Legal Texts, A.A. Xartino, F. Soccl (eds.), North-Holland Publishing, Amsterdam, 1986, pp. S85-451.
• 15: We talk about the "case" we are always discussing an abstract case which are those cases regulated by legal rules.
• 16: On the possibility of developing a shell for basic deontic logic, see Martino, "Software per ll legislatore", August, 1086.
• 17: WPROLOG Language, SZKI Computer Research and Innovation Center, Version 2.1., Budapest, Logtcware, September, 1985.
• 18: G. Kassel, "Le syst~me d'explication CQFE, une forme de mataraisonnement int~grant r~gles et objects", these, Universlt~ de Paris-sud, Centre d'Orsay, 8 december 1986.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.1 Applications and Expert Systems
          Subjects: Law

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

General Terms:
Design, Theory