"Ley Orgánica de Libertad Religiosa"

Question

Hi, I'm a bit confused about the use of Orgánica in the phrase Ley Orgánica I'm no lawyer but I can't think of anything in English that corresponds to this.

Are there any legal types around who can enlighten me about this? All help gratefully received. Thanks

Answer 1

ley orgánica

Una Ley Orgánica es aquella que se requiere constitucionalmente para regular ciertas materias.

Perhaps you should read the English version of the article that discusses it's meaning in the U.S.

English version

So it's a Constitutional ruling? Hmm, very very helpful. Thanks a lot. - lagartijaverde, Dec 10, 2010

Answer 2

I would say that it is "The organic law of freedom of religion," such as the one in a country's Constitution.

An organic law or fundamental law is a law or system of laws which forms the foundation of a government, corporation or other organization's body of rules. A constitution is a particular form of organic law for a sovereign state.

Great! Thanks. I fet the idea, now I'll have to figure out a good way of expressing it in English. that's very helpful. - lagartijaverde, Dec 10, 2010

Answer 3

Okay. I didn't explain that well enough.

Organic laws are not always Constitutions -- the Organic law is also made up of case law (precedent), some laws taken from England, etc. Then there are basic laws such as "Do not kill" that don't need case law to back them up. All of these laws, which a country used to establish its earliest legal foundation, make up the Organic law.

Therefore,

La Constitución y de la Ley Orgánica de Libertad Religiosa = The Constitution and the Organic Law of Religious Freedom.

Answer 4

Here's the phrase: Como conclusión de lo expuesto expresamos la opinión de que los principios de la Constitución y de la Ley Orgánica de Libertad Religiosa no han tenido el efecto de eliminar las formas de privilegio y discriminación propias de un Estado confesional...

Here's my translation:

"In conclusion to the above we hold the view that the principles of the Constitution and the Constitutional Law of Religious Freedom have not had the effect of removing the forms of privilege and discrimination characteristic of a confessional state... "

It's that age old conflict between the Catholics and the Protestants, (yawn) This time it's the Protestants putting the boot in. The piece is to do with the first speech Juan Carlos 1 made in which he laid down legislation concerning religious freedom.

Thanks for your help.