On July 28, 2023, an unexpected shift occurred in the mattress industry. A coalition of United States domestic producers and wholesalers of mattresses officially filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). Within these petitions, the coalition was seeking the imposition of antidumping (AD) duties on imports…
Earlier this year, on July 12th, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan has taken a definitive step towards ensuring the recovery of assets acquired illegally and hidden abroad. He has signed a new law, ‘On the return of illegally acquired assets to the state,’ and also made supplementary amendments to the country’s Code of Administrative Offenses,…
A recent decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could have significant implications for employers and their HR policies, even in non-unionized workplaces. In a case decided on August 2, 2023, known as Stericycle, Inc., the NLRB has potentially changed the landscape of employment law by reversing a previous 2017 decision regarding the analysis…
The California Privacy Protection Agency’s (CPPA) Enforcement Division has taken up the mantle of scrutinizing data privacy practices by connected vehicle manufacturers and accompanying technologies. The CPPA, a body established by the 2018 California Privacy Rights Act, is chiefly engrossed in crafting regulations. This latest probe, however, signals the expanding scope of their remit. (Robinson+Cole…
The United Kingdom has earned a bit of a reputation for lagging behind in terms of corporate criminal enforcement, especially when compared with the practices in the United States and elsewhere. However, over the recent years, it appears that the UK government is intent on rectifying this, as evidenced by a series of reforms aimed…
In a recent development, the Southern District of New York dismissed a petition to confirm a foreign arbitration award amounting to $145 million. The award was initially rendered in Hong Kong, but the court made its decision to dismiss based on lack of personal jurisdiction. The case brought to the attention the complexities surrounding the…
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) released a statement recently expressing concern over the systemic persecution of Shia Hazaras in Afghanistan, warning of a potential genocide under Taliban rule. In its call for action, FORUM-ASIA highlighted the urgency to amplify the situation of marginalized groups like the Shia Hazaras in Afghanistan. The…
On July 27, the Biden Administration revealed via a detailed fact sheet, an ongoing development for a Renters Bill of Rights, which was first introduced earlier this year. Spearheaded by actions focusing on supporting renters, this unfolding development has been covered and documented by JD Supra, a renowned legal news outlet. As part of this…
On July 31, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) issued its annual report for the calendar year 2022, showcasing its activity in screening foreign investments for potential national security threats. The past year proved particularly engaging for the committee, as the report details an unprecedented number of reviews, with a total…
In a noteworthy development, an MIT task force specifically designed to develop guidelines and principles on Generative AI’s responsible use for law and legal systems has released preliminary versions of seven principles. These principles aim to ensure factual accuracy, ensure valid legal reasoning, align with professional ethics and diligently use AI responsibly in the legal…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, ranging from text and image generators to music and software code marvelling utilities, have seen a significant proliferation recently. However, their integration with Intellectual Property (IP) has been the subject of intense discussion in legal circles. One of the key focal points of these debates circles around whether works of art…
The U.S. Treasury Department recently released its 2022 annual report to Congress on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This report, which covers the entirety of the 2022 calendar year, provides important insights and statistical data regarding the CFIUS process and the state of foreign investments into the United States throughout…
In a recent landmark decision, the Singapore High Court has declared cryptocurrency as property that can be held in trust. The judgement was passed in the case of ByBit Fintech Ltd v Ho Kai Xin and others [2023] SGHC 199, making this the first instance where the Singapore courts have arrived at such a ruling….
In a significant move that aligns with global sustainability trends, the UK government announced on August 2, 2023 that it plans to establish company sustainability disclosure standards. The proposed standards will be in place by July 2024, with the aim of enhancing the comparability and value of reported information for investors. This initiative demonstrates the…
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) concluded its 56th session in Vienna, Austria on July 25, 2023. This influential conference brought together legal scholars and practitioners from around the globe to discuss and shape the future of international trade law. According to the information provided by legal updates publisher JD Supra, numerous…
The previous week’s litigation in London was marked by a flurry of legal activity. Law firm Hugh James instigated legal actions against Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP due to the guidance it provided to a medical group involved in a case over non-medical-grade silicone implants[1]. In more international news, Panasonic has lodged a patent claim against…
Last week, the legal scene in London was abuzz with several noteworthy cases. These included a dispute between Hugh James law firm and Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP, a patent claim by Panasonic against Chinese companies Xiaomi and Oppo, and collapsed law firm Carillion’s lawsuit against the U.K. government and three partners from PwC. Hugh James,…
Welcome to the August 2023 edition of The BR Privacy & Security Download, the digital newsletter dedicated to serving legal professionals with interest in privacy, security and data protection practices. This edition comes from the leading law firm, Blank Rome LLP. The detailed newsletter was expected to host an enlightening array of discussion points, legislative…
On July 19, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) granted a further extension for U.S. persons’ right to pursue action against collateral backing the Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., more commonly known as PdVSA’s defaulted 2020 8.5% bonds. This decision was facilitated through General License (GL) 5L, a part…
The realm of corporate governance has been rife with key developments as of August 2023. In this summary, we will review and analyze the most notable movements, with a particular focus on their impact on corporations and law firms in the United Kingdom. For legal professionals seeking to stay abreast of such developments, clear and…
Forecasts suggest that more than 1 billion travelers headed to Europe will be impacted by the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), anticipated to launch in 2024. This system, which requires non-European travelers, including those from the United States, to seek approval before proceeding with their travels, marks a significant change in policy for…
In the realm of operating in multiple jurisdictions, businesses grapple with the challenge of complying with pay equity regulations. Central to our discussion today are the similarities between the EU Pay Transparency Directive and a spectrum of state-level regulations and federal laws in the United States. The EU’s endeavor to ensure wage transparency seeks to…
In an intriguing turn of events in international litigation, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in the case of Yegiazaryan v. Smagin (available for review here), offering a new approach for foreign plaintiffs looking to collect on arbitration awards in the U.S. By employing the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), it can indeed…
On July 26, 2023, a pivotal joint compliance note (“JCN”) was issued by the U.S. Departments of Justice, Treasury, and Commerce. The issuance of this JCN revolved around detailing the voluntary self-disclosure (“VSD”) policies concerning potential violations of U.S. sanctions regulations, export control laws, and others tied to national security. This latest development, as detailed…
The recent emergence of IFRS S1 and S2 Sustainability Disclosure Standards by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has caused a significant shift in global sustainability discourse. ISSB, which was established by the IFRS Foundation (IFRS), launched what could be considered a worldwide baseline of disclosure standards to foster consistent and understandable notifications on risks…