Austria has returned looted works of art held by federal museums to their rightful owners or heirs, most of them Jewish, under a 1998 restitution law.

Under the restitution laws, occupants of confiscated properties have 10 years in which to relocate.

In a motion drafted in pen, he said he planned to argue that the government had too much discretion under a federal restitution law to confiscate writings.

And a Czech restitution law does not go even that far, covering only properties that were seized by the Communist regime that took power in 1948.

The return of these items has been arranged in a treaty between Germany and Russia but, as of June 2003, is blocked by Russian restitution laws.

A 1998 restitution law which pertains to public institutions has bolstered the family's legal position.

The first German restitution law was passed in Thuringia on September 14, 1945.

The passage of civil restitution laws in 35 states has dramatically changed that tendency.

When the park was created they were exiled outside the gates, but had title to their lands restored as part of post-apartheid restitution laws.

Whether the properties will be covered by a restitution law that is to be passed is an open question.