Constitutional – Legal News Feed

SCOTUSblog

Re-evaluating Precedents: The Legacy of Buck v. Bell and the Imperative of Birthright Equality in US Jurisprudence

Pieter Gunst9 hours ago03 mins

The jurisprudential saga inspired by the “born free and equal” clauses, deeply ingrained in historical American legal texts, invariably highlights the tension between foundational rights and regrettable judicial decisions. While these clauses, found in the Declaration of Independence and multiple state constitutions, underscore a vision of equality, the 1927 Supreme Court case, Buck v. Bell,…

Jurist

Zambia’s Passport Cancellations Raise Human Rights Concerns Amid National Security Claims

Pieter Gunst20 hours ago04 mins

Recent actions by Zambian authorities, involving the cancellation of passports for six prominent figures on national security grounds, have sparked significant concerns among human rights advocates. Amnesty International has criticized these measures as an administrative tool utilized to stifle dissent and silence critics of the government. The six affected individuals include former ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba,…

Jurist

Guatemala Dismisses Charges Against Indigenous Activists, Garnering Praise from Human Rights Organizations

Pieter Gunst1 day ago04 mins

In a recent development, Guatemala’s judiciary has ceased criminal proceedings against four Indigenous leaders who faced charges related to their involvement in the country’s national strike in October 2023. This move has been praised by organizations like Amnesty International as a step forward in upholding the right to freedom of assembly, particularly amidst ongoing concerns…

Law360

Supreme Court Overturns Missouri Congressional Map: Key Victory for Voting Rights Litigation

Pieter Gunst3 days ago03 mins

Elias Law Group LLP and Stinson LLP have achieved recognition in this week’s Law360 Legal Lions list following a significant U.S. Supreme Court decision. The court ruled against Missouri’s newly drawn congressional map that was seen as favoring Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. This decision marks a prominent moment in voting rights litigation, highlighting…

Law.com

The Lasting Legal Impact of 9/11: How the Attacks Reshaped the Legal Profession 25 Years On

Pieter Gunst3 days ago04 mins

Twenty-five years after September 11, the ripple effects of the terrorist attacks continue to shape the legal profession in profound ways. The attacks brought about significant legal and institutional changes, reshaping how lawyers, law firms, and courts operate. Personal recollections and lasting institutional shifts highlight the ongoing influence of that fateful day on the sector….

Jurist

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Injunction Against Trump Administration’s Mail-In Ballot Restriction Rule

Pieter Gunst3 days ago04 mins

A federal appeals court in Boston has declined the Trump administration’s request to lift an injunction that blocks the U.S. Postal Service from implementing a controversial rule restricting mail-in ballots. This decision, made on Thursday, affirms an earlier ruling by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani. The ruling prevents the Postal Service from executing key parts…

SCOTUSblog

Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court: A Model of Judicial Independence and Constitutional Safeguard

Pieter Gunst3 days ago04 mins

Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) stands as a unique judicial authority, distinct from other supreme courts across the nation, such as the Federal Court of Justice. While the latter focuses on statutory law encompassing criminal and civil cases, the FCC is exclusively tasked with constitutional matters, including judicial review of legislation and resolving conflicts between…

Law360

Supreme Court Urged to Reassess Disqualification of Former U.S. Attorney in Nevada, DOJ Concerns Rise

Pieter Gunst4 days ago03 mins

The U.S. Department of Justice is urging the Supreme Court to reconsider a Ninth Circuit decision that disqualified Nicholas Trutanich, the former U.S. Attorney for Nevada appointed under the Trump administration. The DOJ argues that the ruling disrupts the executive branch by creating “ongoing confusion” over the permissible scope of disqualification for U.S. Attorneys. This…

Jurist

UN Security Council Endorses Libya’s Pivotal Election Accord, Paving Way for National Reforms

Pieter Gunst4 days ago04 mins

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has expressed support for the recent agreement reached between Libya’s rival factions, describing it as a significant move toward organizing national elections, which Libya has not seen for over a decade. This accord, finalized on August 30, was facilitated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and…

Jurist

Amnesty International Criticizes Meta for Ineffective Moderation of Anti-LGBTI Hate Speech in Hungary

Pieter Gunst4 days ago04 mins

Amnesty International has criticized Meta Platforms Inc. for allegedly failing to effectively enforce its content moderation policies against anti-LGBTI hate speech on Facebook in Hungary. The organization claimed that the platform prioritized user engagement over the safety of marginalized communities, contributing to harmful human rights impacts experienced by Hungarian LGBTI individuals. Daniela Schnidrig, from Amnesty’s…

SCOTUSblog

U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Missouri’s Proposed Congressional Map Amid Legal Dispute

Pieter Gunst4 days ago04 mins

The United States Supreme Court has issued an order preventing the state of Missouri from implementing a new congressional map that could potentially give Republicans an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Court’s action comes as part of the ongoing litigation over the state’s redistricting process and adheres to a recent decision…

Bloomberg Law

Sixth Circuit Chief Judge Defends Supreme Court’s Neutrality in Trump-Related Cases

Pieter Gunst5 days ago03 mins

The Sixth Circuit Chief Judge has recently made a public defense of the U.S. Supreme Court’s handling of cases involving former President Donald Trump. This comes in response to recurring criticisms alleging partisanship in the Court’s decisions during Trump’s tenure. The defense was articulated during a legal forum, where the judge emphasized the Court’s adherence…

SCOTUSblog

Supreme Court Confronts Tension Between State Voting Autonomy and Federal Oversight in Postal Service Rule Challenge

Pieter Gunst5 days ago04 mins

A coalition of 22 states, spearheaded by California, alongside the District of Columbia, has urged the Supreme Court to preserve a federal judge’s decision that stops the Trump administration from enforcing certain provisions of a U.S. Postal Service rule concerning mail-in ballots. The legal entanglement originated from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump…

SCOTUSblog

U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Intervene in Missouri’s Congressional Redistricting Case, Upholding State’s Decision

Pieter Gunst5 days ago03 mins

The United States Supreme Court has recently declined to intervene in a significant case involving Missouri’s congressional districting, upholding a state supreme court decision. This development comes in the backdrop of the Republicans’ intent to secure 7 out of 8 congressional seats in Missouri, an ambition that appears thwarted with the existing districting arrangements. In…

Jurist

Missouri Faces Electoral Uncertainty as Supreme Court Blocks Redistricting Effort

Pieter Gunst6 days ago04 mins

Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s recent decision to deny Missouri’s emergency request to implement a redrawn congressional map for the upcoming midterm elections significantly impacts the state’s political landscape. This decision preserves the existing 2022 congressional map, preventing the redistricting law embedded in House Bill 1 (HB 1) from taking effect until voters have the opportunity to…

SCOTUSblog

Supreme Court’s Electoral Map Decision Reshapes Missouri’s Political Landscape Ahead of 2026

Pieter Gunst6 days ago04 mins

Justice Brett Kavanaugh recently issued an order that blocks Missouri from implementing a new congressional map, which was anticipated to provide Republicans with an extra seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for the upcoming November elections. The order was part of the Supreme Court’s interim docket decisions and most likely ensures that the existing…

SCOTUSblog

The Impact of “Born Free and Equal” Clauses on Same-Sex Marriage Rights in the United States

Pieter Gunst6 days ago04 mins

The “born free and equal” clauses embedded within civil and constitutional history in the United States have long played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of fundamental rights, including the contentious issue of same-sex marriage. The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, and subsequently others, encapsulated these ideals, seeding principles later instrumental in the landmark decision…

SCOTUSblog

Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court Intervention in Mail-In Voting Dispute

Pieter Gunst1 week ago03 mins

Article The Trump administration has once again sought the intervention of the Supreme Court in its ongoing battle over restrictions on mail-in voting. This marks the third time in less than six weeks that the administration has approached the court to stay rulings affecting mail-in ballots. The latest move arises from a decision by U.S….

SCOTUSblog

Missouri’s Congressional Map Dispute Reaches Supreme Court Amid Political Tensions

Pieter Gunst1 week ago04 mins

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has approached the United States Supreme Court, requesting intervention in a legal dispute concerning the state’s congressional maps. In a petition filed on Friday evening, Hoskins urged the Supreme Court to halt a decision by the Missouri Supreme Court that mandates the use of the 2022 congressional map instead…

Ars Technica

FCC vs. Disney: Legal Battle Over Media Freedom and Broadcast Licenses Intensifies

Pieter Gunst1 week ago03 mins

The ongoing legal battle between the Trump administration and media giant Disney has escalated as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urged a court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Disney. The outcome of this case could potentially lead to the nonrenewal of ABC’s broadcast licenses. This legal feud emerged after Disney accused the FCC of…

SCOTUSblog

Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Semi-Automatic Rifle Bans in Pivotal Session

Pieter Gunst1 week ago03 mins

The Supreme Court is set to deliberate on the constitutionality of bans on AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles with hearings scheduled for December 2, 2026. The cases, Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins, have been consolidated and will be closely observed given their implications on Second Amendment rights. These cases have risen through…

Jurist

Kenya’s 2010 Constitution at 16: A Balancing Act of Reflection and Reform Amidst Societal Division

Pieter Gunst1 week ago03 mins

Kenya’s commemorations for the 16th anniversary of its 2010 Constitution were a mixture of celebration and critical introspection. On August 27th, 2026, Kenyans gathered to reflect on a transformative document that reshaped governance, devolving power to counties and embedding a robust Bill of Rights. Yet, the day’s events starkly illustrated the divide in societal perceptions…

SCOTUSblog

Supreme Court Declines to Revisit New York Healthcare Workers’ Vaccine Mandate Challenge

Pieter Gunst1 week ago03 mins

In its final summer order list, the Supreme Court once more opted not to review a contentious legal dispute concerning New York healthcare workers’ demand for religious exemptions from the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The healthcare workers brought forth their case, Does 1-2 v. Hochul, arguing that the mandate violated federal anti-discrimination laws by denying…

SCOTUSblog

Supreme Court Rulings, U.S. Territories, and the Unsettled Legacy of the Insular Cases: A Modern Legal Examination

Pieter Gunst1 week ago04 mins

The interplay between constitutional law and the status of U.S. territories has resurfaced in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. Barbara. While the ruling reaffirmed the expansive understanding of birthright citizenship in the United States, pivotal developments following this decision highlight ongoing disputes surrounding the rights of individuals born in U.S….

Law360

Virginia Federal Court Upholds International Trade Commission’s Authority in Patent Dispute with Altria

Pieter Gunst2 weeks ago03 mins

In a significant legal development, a Virginia federal judge has rejected Altria’s constitutional challenge against the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding its patent proceedings. This decision emerged from Altria’s attempt to halt a patent case initiated by Juul Labs over vape technology. The court’s decision to grant summary judgment to the ITC underscores the…