For many, the notion of home ownership is a cornerstone of the so-called ‘Australian dream.’ However, in recent times, changes in the housing landscape and public policy have provoked a shift in perspective about renting and home ownership, with a focus increasingly leaning towards the benefits of renting. In a recent publication by K&L Gates…
For years, the cannabis industry was chiefly the domain of entrepreneurs and risk-takers ready to navigate grey areas of the law. As 80% of American states have now legalized cannabis for medical and/or adult recreational use, it was just a matter of time before larger, less risk-tolerant entities entered this expanding market. Recent reports affirm…
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the first set of 10 drugs selected for Medicare negotiation, marking a considerable step in the U.S. government’s effort to control the high cost of prescription drugs. The HHS’s decision is part of a larger regulatory and legislative landscape shaping health care in the United…
The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), has announced a settlement agreement. This agreement, which was publicized on June 15, 2023, involves Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital (Yakima), a not-for-profit community hospital. This settlement comes as a consequence of a breach of protected health information (PHI) at Yakima, which…
Much has been said about the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”), a significant piece of legislation enacted by Congress at the dawn of this year. The primary aim of CTA, as codified in 31 USC 5301, et seq., is to deal with the disclosure of corporate ownership and the prevention of money laundering and financing…
In a surprising twist of events tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finds itself in suit. It seems the epicenter of the issue involves a drug called Ivermectin, typically employed as a horse dewormer but repurposed in the throes of the health crisis by some medical professionals as a…
In an update provided by the law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) has named the first ten drugs that will be subject to Medicare price negotiation under the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). As a reminder to our readers, the IRA aims to…
In an apparent response to the Pillar Two global minimum tax rules (the GloBE Rules) issued by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Government of Bermuda has initiated a public consultation to solicit feedback on its proposal to establish a corporate income tax by 2025. The central focus of the GloBE Rules…
On Monday, Seoul became the gathering point for 50,000 educators, who took to the streets to demand the protection of their rights and advocate for legal reform concerning parental pressure. In recent times, the country has experienced an alarming trend with a growing number of educators succumbing to suicide owing to increased professional pressure, a…
In a recent move demonstrating the heightened interest in artificial intelligence (AI) by federal authorities in the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken legal action over AI-related misleading claims. This action is particularly noteworthy for legal professionals working within international corporations and law firms, as it potentially signals increased scrutiny and regulation…
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has proclaimed the deferred 2022 EEO-1 reporting time period will ultimately commence on October 31, 2023. With a deadline set for December 5, 2023, corporations and law firms will need to organize their required reports. As indicated by the announcement by Littler on JD Supra, this period is highly…
The industrial scenario in the United Kingdom has recently stirred up, with more strikes and industrial actions demanding better wages and working conditions. This wave of unrest has swept across diverse sectors including transportation, education, and health, leading to severe impacts on national level services like the National Health Service and the rail service. This…
US prosecutors have voiced concerns to a judge stating that former President Donald Trump’s daily comments about a Washington, D.C. election obstruction case could “prejudice” the jury pool in the nation’s capital. These assertions were made amidst ongoing legal proceedings and dispute with Trump’s legal team concerning a government request to file a sealed motion….
The domain of artificial intelligence (AI) has often been engulfed in debates surrounding its governance and regulation, a topic that has sparked discussions and disagreements among key figures within the industry, as well as policy makers, researchers and eminent tech executives. These voices have emerged with growing concern related to the diverse ethical, social, and…
On Monday, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, stepped down from his role in the face of severe criticisms following a report from the Ontario Integrity Commissioner. Last week’s report outlined that Clark had been involved in a conflict of interest and had violated integrity mandates during his tenure, particularly in relation…
The executives of Lundin Oil, now known as Orrön Energy, Ian Lundin and Alex Schneiter, began their criminal trial for alleged war crimes in Sudan on Tuesday. The allegations mark the start of a landmark trial that spotlights corporate accountability for alleged war crimes. Dating back to the company’s operations in Sudan from 1999 to…
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) took a pivotal step by announcing the release of a new Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing (the “Scheduling Letter”) on August 25, 2023. This development was effective a day prior to its publication, and it holds relevance to all compliance reviews launched on or after August 24,…
The past director of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s whistleblower office is now set to join the partnership at Phillips & Cohen LLP. This was a recent announcement made by the law firm. The now-former director’s transference is a notable shift in the legal landscape. This move displays an interrelation between major government entities…
In a recent ruling, the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal announced that the Hong Kong government has a duty to provide an “alternative legal framework for recognition of same-sex relationships”. The Court determined that the government’s long-term failure to deliver on this duty constituted an infringement of the constitutional right to privacy. However, it…
As various eligible projects start to develop, employers are weighing up the advantages of the available tax credits offered under the Inflation Reduction Act. To claim these attractive incentives, employers must adhere to certain obligations including the payment of Davis-Bacon prevailing wages and meeting specific apprenticeship requirements. The Act’s protocols necessitate a robust understanding of…
In a recent development having significant implications for False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals drastically reduced an FCA award owing to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) delayed intervention which collided with the statute of limitations. The case presented a situation where the DOJ’s eight-year delay resulted in forfeiture of over…
Congress is faced with a hefty agenda upon its return from the August recess, with limited opportunity to drive it through. Adding to the time pressure is the impending deadline on September 30 to approve appropriations packages or establish a continuing resolution (CR) to steer clear of a federal government shutdown. The recap information and…
President Joe Biden has chosen former partner of Sidley Austin, Christopher Fonzone, to head the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) within the U.S. Department of Justice. This announcement was made on Tuesday, indicating a replacement for Christopher Schroeder who left his position earlier in the summer. The OLC plays a key role within federal governance,…
In a significant legal decision that may have far-reaching implications, a Texas District Court has declared the state’s preemption law unconstitutional. The contentious law, which has been caught in an ongoing legal battle, pertains to the state’s attempt to nullify local enactments on employment and other matters that contradict or exceed the provisions of state…
In a new development in the healthcare industry, the United States Department of Justice and medical supplier Lincare Holdings Inc. reached an agreement where the latter will pay a hefty sum of $29 million in order to settle claims of violating the False Claims Act (FCA). The allegations against Lincare Holdings Inc. revolve around overcharging…