Today's Legal Pulse
UK pushes commonhold reform to boost housing supply
The Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill proposes abolishing leasehold and mandating new homes be sold as commonhold, tying the change to a target of delivering 1.5 million homes annually—the highest since 1968. The model remains untested, with fewer than 25 developments and unresolved issues around dispute resolution.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader clear final merger hurdles
Agents ‘Instrumental’ in Helping Landlords Navigate Legislative Changes, Says Ombudsman
The Property Ombudsman warned that the new Renters Rights Act will require letting agents to help private landlords meet updated notice periods, possession grounds and anti‑discrimination rules. The legislation bans no‑fault evictions, caps rent‑increase limits and prohibits charging more than one month’s rent in advance. TPO reported a 58% jump in complaints between November 2025 and February 2026 as tenant‑rights awareness grew. While the reforms aim to align tenant security with landlord stability, smaller landlords will need phased guidance to comply fully.
Agency Wins Tribunal Challenge Against Selective Licensing Conditions
AST Lettings Ltd successfully challenged Charnwood Borough Council’s selective‑licensing conditions at the First‑tier Tribunal, arguing they exceeded the Housing Act 2004. The tribunal agreed, leading to a March 2025 settlement that requires the council to amend or drop several disputed licence clauses....
I Had £20,000 Stolen and Had to Fight a 13-Month Fraud Reporting Rule to Get It Back
A UK pensioner lost about $25,000 in an investment fraud that remained hidden for 17 months. Under the Payment Systems Regulator’s Mandatory Reimbursement Requirement, banks must be notified within 13 months of the last payment, otherwise refunds are limited. Lloyds...
Claimant Law Firms Launch Consumer Legal Association
Claimant law firms representing consumers have launched the Consumer Legal Association (CLA), a trade body designed to showcase the sector’s $7 bn‑plus economic contribution. The CLA will succeed the Association of Consumer Support Organisations and will conduct research on the industry’s...
New Residential Conveyancing Firm Seeks Estate Agency Partners
Farringdon, a new London‑based residential conveyancing firm, has officially entered the UK market and is recruiting estate‑agency partners to refer home‑sale clients. The firm has already secured early referral agreements with JLL and Streets Ahead as it builds a nationwide...
The Biglaw Attorney Who Billed 3,451 Hours Last Year Deserves A Nap
ALM’s latest data reveals that a Biglaw attorney logged a staggering 3,451 billable hours in 2025, the highest total recorded for any lawyer that year. The article frames the figure as a trivia question, inviting readers to guess which firm...
Conservative Physicians Accuse Medical Boards of Censorship
Two conservative physicians and a medical group asked the Fifth Circuit to revive claims that the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) are threatening to strip board certifications for dissenting medical...
A Look at Health Concerns as Roundup Case Reaches Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a pivotal case that could reshape the decades‑long litigation over Roundup, Bayer's glyphosate‑based herbicide. Plaintiffs allege the product causes cancer, while Bayer argues federal pesticide law preempts state lawsuits and points to EPA...
Players Are Suing Nintendo over Switch 2 Accessory Price Hikes After Ruling that Companies Are to Be Issued Tariff Refunds
Nintendo’s Switch 2 launched at $499.99 amid controversy over steep accessory price hikes tied to U.S. tariffs. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration lacked authority to impose those tariffs, prompting Nintendo to sue the government for a full refund...
AU10TIX Partners with Camunda for KYC/KYB Workflow Orchestration
Identity‑verification specialist AU10TIX has selected Camunda’s enterprise orchestration platform to power its high‑volume KYC and KYB workflows. The integration externalizes decision logic, allowing AU10TIX to scale verification scenarios, improve transparency, and route exceptions to human agents via Camunda’s Optimize and...
Prediction Markets on War Must Be Strictly Regulated
"If you're listing markets on when a land invasion is going to occur, free markets are wonderful, but when it leads to people's deaths, it's a problem" Christopher on why prediction markets on military operations cross a line that can't be...
The First Draft Is the Power Move Law Firms Keep Ignoring
Law firms are losing the strategic advantage of drafting the first version of litigation documents as in‑house legal teams increasingly produce those drafts themselves. The shift is driven by mature corporate litigation functions, AI‑assisted drafting tools, and client demands for...
Court Blocks Education Department’s Data Demands for over 170 More Colleges
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that stops the U.S. Department of Education from enforcing its new race‑and‑sex admissions data survey against roughly 178 additional colleges, including elite institutions such as Harvard and Caltech. The order expands an earlier...
‘It’s in Our DNA’: Nursing Home Giant PACS CEO on Compliance Transformation After Investigation, Growth, $100M Tech Investments
After a 2024 billing investigation, PACS Group (NYSE:PACS) revamped its compliance framework and poured roughly $100 million into technology, standardizing EMRs and real‑time dashboards across its 323 facilities. CEO Jason Murray says the changes have woven compliance into the company’s DNA,...
Congress Must Reject New Insufficient 702 Reauthorization Bill
Speaker Johnson introduced the Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act as a last‑minute effort to reauthorize Section 702 of FISA, which is set to expire in days. The bill adds a post‑search review by a civil‑liberties officer but stops short of requiring...
Opinion | China’s AI ‘Hotel California’
Beijing’s National Development and Reform Commission abruptly cancelled Meta’s $2 billion acquisition of Chinese AI startup Manus, a deal that had closed in December. The regulator issued a terse one‑sentence notice without detailing its reasoning. Analysts suspect the move reflects growing...
Todd Blanche Sued Over Epstein Files Cover Up
Todd Blanche, the Justice Department official overseeing the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, is being sued by journalist Katie Phang for allegedly concealing and improperly redacting thousands of Epstein‑related documents. Phang’s complaint claims Blanche violated the 2025 Epstein Transparency Act, which mandates...
AI, Antitrust, and the Mirage of Data Dominance
The article contends that data alone is not a durable barrier to entry in generative AI and warns that premature antitrust or regulatory action could cement incumbent dominance. It emphasizes that data quality, context and substitutes matter more than sheer...
Maine Enacts Wage Transparency Law
Maine’s legislature passed LD 54, a wage‑transparency law that takes effect on July 13, 2026. The measure obligates any employer with ten or more employees to disclose a prospective pay range in every job posting, and to provide that range to employees upon...
Stable Rules for Stablecoins: Treasury Proposes AML and Sanctions Framework for Issuers
On April 8, 2026 the U.S. Treasury’s FinCEN and OFAC issued a proposed rule to apply Bank Secrecy Act requirements to permitted payment stablecoin issuers (PPSIs). The rule treats PPSIs as financial institutions, mandating comprehensive AML/CFT programs and, for the first time,...
SBIA Resources in Chinese 中文信息
The FDA’s Small Business and Industry Assistance (SBIA) program has released Chinese-language versions of six recent webinars, covering critical topics such as the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, establishment registration, electronic submission requirements, eCTD data standards, GDUFA II, and generic drug...
5 Key Takeaways | State and Local Tax Risk and Opportunities
Lauren Ferrante of Kilpatrick presented a comprehensive overview of emerging state and local tax risks and opportunities at the Center for Professional Education Multistate Corporate Taxation webinar. She highlighted the tightening of Public Law 86‑272 protections, ongoing pre‑ and post‑Wayfair nexus...
SEC Warns Hedge Clauses Breach Fiduciary Duty
Through recent guidance and enforcement actions, the SEC has made clear that so-called ‘hedge clauses' – provisions that limit an adviser's liability to gross negligence or willful misconduct, or that suggest clients waive certain legal rights – may mislead clients...
Evaluating Antitrust Exemptions in College Sports
Very insightful take from antitrust attorney and economist (and former FTC commissioner) @JoshWright1977 on how to think about potential antitrust exemptions in college sports:
In Defence of Canada Briefing (Isue 7)
On April 21 Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon introduced Bill C‑28, amending the Aeronautics Act to create the Canadian Space Launch Act. The law provides a statutory framework for commercial launch and re‑entry, enabling Canada’s first sovereign space‑launch capability. It underpins a $200 million, 10‑year...
HR Reporting to Legal Signals Risk over Performance
Who HR Reports To Says More Than You Think - CX Journey™ https://t.co/cZBDG4PEpf When HR reports to Legal permanently, even in regulated industries, the organization signals: “We prioritize risk containment over workforce performance.” https://t.co/u9aQ57VArG
Jack in the Box Franchisee Files Sweeping Lawsuit Against Brand
A Jack in the Box franchisee is suing the brand over, roughly, everything, including excessive rent charges, cannibalization, marketing issues, third-party delivery and, you guessed it, a sewer repair. https://t.co/JI5lpL2LO7
Employment Law Beyond Earth: Emerging Trends in the Space Workforce
The private space sector now employs roughly 373,000 U.S. workers, accounting for about 80% of global space activity. Employment in the industry has grown about 27% over the past decade, outpacing overall private‑sector growth. Courts are applying traditional wage‑and‑hour, labor‑relations,...
NY Courts May Force Prediction Markets to Repay Illegal Profits
“But in New York, the stakes might be higher for prediction markets should the courts not rule in their favor. Companies based in New York can be required to pay restitution of illegal profits to their customers across the country.”...
Hope Supreme Court Case Ends with Thomas Majority
I hope this gets litigated to the Supreme Court and Clarence Thomas writes the majority opinion.
Biglaw’s Prime Directive: Don’t Dilute Equity, But Avoid Making It Seem Like A ‘Caste System’
Biglaw firms are increasingly creating non‑equity partnership tiers to expand leadership ranks while safeguarding the value of existing equity stakes. Lorie Almon, chair of Seyfarth Shaw, says the tiered model lets firms add partners without diluting ownership and keeps financial...
Supreme Court Declines Review of Ohio Utility Bribery Case
Supreme Court won’t hear appeal in Ohio utility bribery case #energysky -- via Canary Media: https://t.co/iVx5NgQKQv
Cities Sue Over Firetruck Monopoly, Story Strikes Nerve
There are so many cities and towns upset with the firetruck monopoly that are now suing. I'm surprised BIG's story did so well, but this one touched a nerve. https://t.co/32VFty2M4X
California Bills Would Pause Mortgage Payments in Disasters
Three California bills targeting disaster‑related mortgage and insurance relief cleared their respective Assembly committees and now await full votes. AB 1842 would require lenders to offer an initial 180‑day forbearance, with extensions up to a total of 12 months, whenever a...
Prosecutors Say Wisconsin Police Chief Helped California Gun Dealers' Illegal Ammo Import Scheme
Prosecutors say California brothers Jacob and Darin Dowd recruited the former chief of the Town of Linn, Wisconsin, to submit a fraudulent purchase order that would allow them to import roughly 490,000 armor‑piercing rounds under a law‑enforcement exemption. The ATF...
Supreme Court Wary of Barring Police From Phone Searches to Find Crime Suspects
The Supreme Court heard arguments in Chatrie v. U.S., questioning whether police can use geofence warrants to compel Google for location data without a traditional warrant. Justices were divided, with some emphasizing the investigative value of precise phone‑tracking and others...
Supreme Court Won’t Hear Appeal in Ohio Utility Bribery Case
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and lobbyist Matt Borges, leaving their federal racketeering convictions intact. Their case stemmed from the HB 6 scandal, in which FirstEnergy secured over $1 billion in...
Salesforce Sought to Create ‘Negative Record’ of Employee Out on FMLA Leave, Lawsuit Claims
Salesforce is facing a lawsuit alleging it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act by terminating an employee who took FMLA leave to care for his father’s cancer. The plaintiff claims the company deliberately...
Caught in the Middle: 3 Places Where EEOC Rollbacks Collide with California Law
The EEOC under the Trump administration rolled back guidance that previously protected transgender employees, allowing restroom denial and intentional misgendering under Title VII. In contrast, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) continues to require restroom access, correct pronoun use,...
Gavel Unveils Browser‑Based AI Contract Platform, Expanding Exec Suite
Los Angeles‑based legal AI firm Gavel rolled out Gavel Exec for Web, a browser‑based AI contract drafting and review platform. The new SaaS solution extends the company’s Word add‑in to a full workspace, available without a sales call, and is...
South Africa Pulls Draft AI Policy After AI‑generated Fake Citations Surface
Communications Minister Solly Malatsi announced the withdrawal of South Africa’s draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy after an internal review uncovered fabricated references, likely produced by AI. The move underscores the challenges of relying on AI for drafting legislation and the...
Elon Musk Sues OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in $100 Billion‑plus Breach Case
Elon Musk has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI chief Sam Altman, accusing him of betraying a 2015 partnership and seeking more than $100 billion in damages and a permanent injunction on OpenAI’s charter. The high‑profile trial begins with jury selection...
UK to Launch Spending, Delivery Inquiry Into National Digital Identity Scheme
The UK Public Accounts Committee has opened an inquiry into the spending and delivery of the government’s national digital identity programme, which aims for a 2029 launch. The probe follows the 2019 scrutiny of the failed GOV.UK Verify system and...
EEOC Issues 2026 Telework Guidance, Recommends Case‑by‑Case Accommodation Decisions
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released guidance in February 2026 urging employers to treat telework requests as individualized reasonable accommodations under the ADA. The memo stresses effectiveness, essential functions, and operational impact, giving HR leaders a concrete framework for...
Supreme Court Appears Divided Over Roundup Weedkiller Case
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on a pivotal Roundup case, revealing a split among the justices. The dispute stems from a 2019 Missouri lawsuit alleging glyphosate caused non‑Hodgkin lymphoma, and it could set precedent for thousands of similar state‑level...
EU Tells Google to Open up AI on Android; Google Says That's "Unwarranted Intervention"
The European Commission’s Digital Markets Act investigation concluded that Google’s Gemini AI enjoys privileged, system‑level access on Android, limiting competition from third‑party chatbots. The EU is proposing rules that would require Google to open Android’s AI stack, create free APIs,...
DOJ Decides It’s Going To Try To Prosecute The Southern Poverty Law Center Out Of Existence
The Justice Department has filed a federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, accusing it of wire fraud, false statements, and money‑laundering related to payments made to informants infiltrating extremist groups. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed the SPLC...
A Balancing Act – ISED Publishes New Rules for Space Debris Mitigation
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) released the final SMSE‑005‑26 regulatory framework to curb orbital congestion. The rules make the 5‑year de‑orbit requirement enforceable for LEO satellites, mandate active propulsion for spacecraft above 600 km, and set a 90 % disposal‑success...
Virginia Enacts $2,000 Daily Cap on Crypto Kiosks to Combat $300M Scam Losses
Virginia has passed House Bill 489, limiting crypto‑kiosk transactions to $2,000 per day and $10,000 per month, with a 48‑hour hold on transfers. The measure targets the $300 million in losses reported by the FBI in 2025 and aligns the state...
Department of Labor Proposes New Regulatory Safe Harbor for Prudent Selection of Designated Investment Alternatives in Participant-Directed Individual Account Plans
On March 30, 2026 the U.S. Department of Labor issued a proposal for a process‑based safe harbor that would give ERISA fiduciaries a presumption of prudence when selecting designated investment alternatives (DIAs) in participant‑directed individual‑account plans. The safe harbor hinges on fiduciaries...