Abstract
This paper presents a new language for isomorphic representations of legalknowledge in feature structures. The language includes predefinedstructures based on situation theory for common-sense categories, andpredefined structures based on Van Kralingen‘s (1995) frame-based conceptualmodelling language for legal rules. It is shown that the flexibility of thefeature-structure formalism can exploited to allow for structure-preservingrepresentations of non-primitive concepts, and to enable various types ofinteraction and cross-reference between language elements. A fragment of theDutch Opium Act is used to illustrate how modelling and reasoning proceed in practice.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aït-Kaci, H. (1985). A New Model of Computations Based on a Calculus of Type Subsumption. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Barwise, J. (1989). The Situation in Logic. CSLI Publications: Stanford, CA.
Bench-Capon, T.J.M. & Coenen, F.P. (1992). Isomorphism and Legal Knowledge Based Systems. Artificial Intelligence and Law 1(1): 65–86.
Bench-Capon, T.J.M. & Forder, J. (1991). Knowledge Representation for Legal Applications. In T.J.M. Bench-Capon (ed.) Knowledge-Based Systems and Legal Applications, 245–262. Academic Press: London.
Bench-Capon, T.J.M., Robinson, G.O., Routen, T.W. & Sergot, M.J. (1987). Logic Programming for Large Scale Applications in Law: A Formalisation of the Supplementary Benefit Legislation. In Proceedings of The First International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Law, 190–198. Association for Computing Machinery: Vancouver.
Brachman, R. & Schmolze, J. (1985). An Overview of the KL-ONE Knowledge Representation System. Cognitive Science 9: 171–216.
Devlin K.J. (1991). Logic and Information. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, MA.
Karpf, J. (1989). Quality Assurance of Legal Expert Systems. In Preproceedings of the Third International Conference on “Logica, Informatica, Diritto”, 411–440. Florence.
Keller, B. (1993). Feature Logic, Infinitary Descriptions and Grammar. CSLI Lecture Notes, Vol. 44. CSLI Publications: Stanford, CA.
Kelsen, H. (1991). General Theory of Norms. Clarendon Press: Oxford.
Van Kralingen, R.W. (1995). Frame-Based Conceptual Models of Statute Law. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Leiden. Kluwer Law International: The Hague.
Van Kralingen, R.W., Oskamp, E.W. & Reurings, E.R. (1993). Norm Frames in the Representation of Laws. In Svensson, J.S., Wassink, J.G.J. & van Bruggenhout, B. (eds.) Legal Knowledge Based Systems: Intelligent Tools for Drafting Legislation, Computer-Supported Comparison of Law, 11–21. Koninklijke Vermande: Lelystad.
McCarty, L.T. (1989). A Language for Legal Discourse. In Proceedings of The Second International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Law, 180–189. Association for Computing Machinery: Vancouver.
Minsky, M. (1974). A Framework for Representing Knowledge. Artificial Intelligence Memo No. 306, MIT, AI Laboratory. Also in Brachman, R.J. & Levesque, H.J. (eds.) Readings in Knowledge Representation, 245–262. Morgan Kaufmann: San Mateo, CA.
Peek, N.B. (1995). Structure-Preserving Representations of Complex References. In Hage, J.C., Bench-Capon, T.J.M., Cohen, M.J. & van den Herik, H.J. (eds.) Legal Knowledge Based Systems: Telecommunication and AI & Law, 95–104. Koninklijke Vermande: Lelystad.
Pollard, C. & I.A. Sag (1987). Information-Based Syntax and Semantics. Volume 1: Fundamentals. CSLI Lecture Notes, Vol. 13. CSLI Publications: Stanford, CA.
Prakken, H. & Schrickx, J. (1991). Isomorphic Models for Rules and Exceptions in Legislation. In Breuker, J.A., de Mulder, R.V. & Hage, J.C. (eds.) Legal Knowledge Based Systems. Model-based Legal Reasoning, 17–27. Koninklijke Vermande: Lelystad.
Rounds, W.C. & Kaspar, R. (1986). A Complete Logical Calculus for Record Structures Representing Linguistic Information. In Proceedings of the IEEE Symposium on Logic in Computer Science, 34–43.
Routen, T.W. & Bench-Capon, T.J.M. (1991). Hierarchical Formalizations. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies 35: 69–93.
Shieber, S. (1986). An Introduction to Unification-Based Approaches to Grammar. CSLI Lectures Notes, Vol. 4. CSLI Publications: Stanford, CA.
Valente, A. (1995). Legal Knowledge Engineering: A Modelling Approach, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Amsterdam. IOS Press: Amsterdam.
Visser, P.R.S. (1995). Knowledge Specification for Multiple Legal Tasks; A Case Study of the Interaction Problem in the Legal Domain, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Leiden. Kluwer Law International: The Hague.
Von Wright, G.H. (1963). Norm and Action; A Logical Enquiry. International Library of Philosophy and Scientific Method. Routledge & Kegan Paul: London.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Peek, N. Representing Law in Partial Information Structures. Artificial Intelligence and Law 5, 263–290 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008238332032
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008238332032