Today's Legal Pulse
Biden sues DOJ to block release of interview audio
President Biden filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the Department of Justice from publishing an audio interview, arguing the release would be improper. The action has sparked political commentary, including remarks from former President Trump.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader clear final merger hurdles
KYND Warns Insurers of Surge in US Website Privacy Lawsuits
Cyber‑risk firm KYND warns insurers that U.S. privacy lawsuits tied to routine website tracking have surged from a few hundred to over 2,000 cases annually. The claims focus on marketing pixels and analytics tools rather than data breaches and can be filed without proving financial harm. An analysis of nearly 10,000 North American firms found 17.7% use tracking without visible consent, rising to 20.2% among SMBs with revenues under $1 billion. Insurers now face a scalable, accumulation‑prone liability that differs from traditional cyber risk.
HCCH Monthly Update: March 2026
The Hague Conference on Private International Law welcomed Guatemala as its 93rd member on 4 March 2026, expanding the organization’s global reach. On the same day the 2019 Judgments Convention entered into force for Albania and Montenegro, while Monaco ratified the...
ASIC’s Evolving Oversight of Australia’s Private Markets
Australia’s private markets are shifting from niche alternatives to a core pillar of capital formation, with private credit expanding 500% to over AUD 200 billion (≈USD 132 billion) and superannuation funds now managing AUD 4.3 trillion (≈USD 2.8 trillion), of which more than 20% is allocated to unlisted...
Canada Announces Semi-Annual Reporting Pilot
Canada’s securities regulators launched a voluntary pilot allowing eligible venture issuers to file semi‑annual reports instead of traditional first‑ and third‑quarter filings, including the Management’s Discussion and Analysis. To qualify, companies must be listed on the TSXV or CSE, have...
The Last Chapter in the Book of Howey: The Movie
The SEC issued an Interpretive Release that clarifies when a digital asset stops being treated as a security under the Howey test. Corp Fin Director Jim Moloney labeled the guidance “The Last Chapter in the Book of Howey,” noting that...
Video: Biden Administration Censorship Ends With Legal Settlement That Liberals Don't Want to Discuss
A federal court settlement in Missouri v. Biden disclosed that White House officials pressured Facebook to label accurate vaccine information as misinformation. The dispute stemmed from a BMJ investigation on Pfizer’s COVID‑19 trial that was flagged by a Facebook fact‑checker,...
Why Transparency Is the New Currency in Personal Injury Law
Transparency is emerging as a critical differentiator in personal injury law, with claimants increasingly expecting clear explanations of each case stage. National Claims highlights that uncertainty around legal processes, evidence requirements, and timelines fuels demand for openness. Industry bodies such...
Dispute Resolution Case Study: Conflict on the High Seas
In 2018 a heated dispute erupted between French and British scallop fishermen in the English Channel, culminating in a physical clash where roughly 35 French boats confronted five British vessels. The conflict stemmed from divergent national fishing rules—France bans scallop...
Judge Rules Alabama Power Can Keep Its Solar Fee, Among the Nation’s Highest
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit, allowing Alabama Power to retain its $39‑per‑month standby fee for residential solar customers, one of the highest in the United States. The fee, calculated at $5.41 per kilowatt of installed capacity, adds roughly $39...
Mazur Reaction: A Victory for All, Says CILEX
The Court of Appeal overturned the original Mazur ruling, delivering a judgment that clarifies the scope of supervision and delegation in litigation. CILEX hailed the decision as a victory for its members, confirming that chartered legal executives can now litigate...
California Gets Serious About Regulation (Again)
Effective Jan 1 2026, California expanded its CCPA/CPRA into a unified governance framework that blends privacy, cybersecurity, and AI regulations. The new rules mandate formal risk assessments for high‑risk processing, regulate automated decision‑making technologies, and require independent cybersecurity audits. Obligations roll out...
Superannuation Advertising Ban – Draft Regulations
On 27 March 2026 the Australian Treasury released an exposure draft of the Corporations Amendment (Ban on Advertising Superannuation Funds During Onboarding) Regulations 2026. The draft amends the Corporations Regulations 2001 to enforce a ban on advertising MySuper products to new employees during onboarding,...
Visas of Foreigners Affected by Middle East Conflict Extended Until May 1 -- DOJ
The Philippine Department of Justice has unilaterally extended the automatic visa stay for foreigners affected by the Middle East conflict until May 1, relieving them of any fees, fines or penalties. The extension builds on a prior order that allowed stays...
PensionBee Supports FCA Move to Regulate ESG Ratings
PensionBee has welcomed the FCA’s proposal to regulate ESG ratings providers, calling it a long‑overdue step toward greater transparency. The retirement‑savings platform urged the regulator to adopt a proportionate, internationally aligned framework that reduces reporting burdens on smaller firms. It...
CollBox Wins 10th Annual Startup Alley Pitch Competition At ABA Techshow
CollBox, a payment‑acceleration platform for law firms, captured first place in the 10th annual Startup Alley pitch competition at the ABA Techshow in Chicago. The contest, which showcases emerging legal‑tech innovators, also saw Candle AI earn second place for its...
A New Legal Research Conference Coming Soon — And Last Day Before Ticket Prices Increase
LegalTech Connect announced its inaugural Law Firm Research & Innovation Conference, scheduled for April 28 in New York. Early‑bird registration is priced at $949 but expires on March 31, after which tickets increase to $999. The agenda promises sessions on AI‑enabled research...
How Do AI-Native Law Firms Work?
General Legal, an AI‑native law firm, uses a full‑stack artificial intelligence engine to draft and review commercial contracts, allowing it to deliver standard agreements for as little as $500 while maintaining 40‑50% profit margins. By automating roughly 80% of the...
London International Disputes Week Refreshes Board with Double Appointment
London International Disputes Week (LIDW) has refreshed its board, appointing Quadrant Chambers COO Sarah Longden and Stewarts partner Sherina Petit as new members. They replace Ben Giaretta and Emily Morris, who helped steer LIDW’s post‑pandemic revival. Longden brings 30 years...
The Nuclear Safety Protections in Federal Crosshairs
President Trump’s recent executive orders are prompting the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to roll back the long‑standing ALARA radiation‑protection standards that have limited worker and public exposure at federal nuclear sites. The changes could allow up...
New I-T Law, Higher Securities Transaction Tax on F&O Trade to Kick in From April 1
The Indian government will roll out a new Income‑Tax Act 2025 and related budget measures on April 1, 2026, including a higher securities transaction tax (STT) on futures‑and‑options (F&O) trades. STT on futures rises to 0.05% (from 0.02%) and on options to...
Starlink to Appeal Namibia Licence Rejection
Starlink will appeal Namibia's telecom regulator decision that rejected its licence and spectrum access because the company is fully foreign‑owned, violating the country's 51% local‑ownership rule. Nigeria's communications authority has mandated that telcos compensate customers with airtime credits when service...
UK Seeks Views on Reshaping Cyber Laws for Downstream Gas and Electricity
The UK government, together with regulator Ofgem, has launched a consultation on revising cyber‑resilience rules for downstream gas and electricity licensees. The proposal would impose baseline cyber security requirements on all Ofgem‑licensed operators, while applying stricter standards to the most...
PCMI Appoints Nick Scissons as General Counsel to Lead Global Legal Strategy
PCMI, a cloud‑based provider of finance‑and‑insurance software for automotive dealers, announced Nick Scissons as its new General Counsel. Scissons will lead the global legal function, advising the executive team, board and investors on strategy, governance and risk. He arrives from...
What Happens to My Crypto when I Die?
A recent panel of regulators, crypto technologists, legal experts and bank executives debated the looming inheritance crisis in digital assets. Participants highlighted that lost private keys can render cryptocurrency permanently inaccessible, leaving heirs unable to claim rightful wealth. While self‑sovereignty...
Lack of Clarity in New Hate Speech Laws Impacting Artists, Arts Bodies Warn
Queensland introduced the Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns Out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendment Bill 2026 on March 11, criminalising words, symbols and expressions that may "menace, harass or offend." Within weeks, Brisbane artist James Hillier was...
Employee "Disregarded Facts" And Made "Egregious Misrepresentations"
The Fair Work Commission reprimanded an employee who continued to rely on AI‑generated submissions for his general‑protections claim after the tribunal deemed the material incoherent and misleading. The employee alleged he was forced to quit after being reassigned to labouring...
Amyl and the Sniffers’ Amy Taylor Wins Major Court Victory in Photographer Copyright Dispute
A U.S. federal judge in California largely sided with Amy Taylor, frontwoman of Amyl and the Sniffers, in her copyright dispute with photographer Jamie Nelson. The court denied Nelson's anti‑SLAPP motion, allowed Taylor to amend her federal claim and keep...
Morpheus Research Report Alleges 'Anti-Competitive' Practices by MakeMyTrip Despite CCI Order
Morpheus Research released a report accusing MakeMyTrip of continuing anti‑competitive price‑parity practices despite a 2022 Competition Commission of India fine of $26 million. The activist short‑seller alleges the platform uses an internal “price competitiveness score” to indirectly enforce parity, while also...
CFTC Secures Consent Order Against Operator of KuCoin Exchange
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission secured a consent order against Peken Global Limited, the operator of the KuCoin exchange, for allowing U.S. users to trade on its platform without CFTC registration. The order imposes a permanent injunction against future violations...
Pinsent Masons Makes up 23 Partners
Pinsent Masons announced the promotion of 23 new partners effective 1 May, a slight decrease from the previous year. The cohort is 65% male, reversing last year’s female majority, and is heavily weighted toward energy and infrastructure specialists. Sixteen partners join...
ASIC Remakes Relief Instruments for AFS Licensees and Overseas Banks
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has introduced a new legislative instrument, ASIC Corporations (Foreign Licensees and ADIs) Instrument 2026/121, replacing the 2016 version and running until April 1, 2031. The instrument exempts foreign AFS licensees from record‑keeping and audited financial statement...
Service Quality and Consumer Protections to Improve in Proposed Changes to NBN Regulation
The ACCC released a draft determination that will set NBN Co’s regulatory framework from 1 July 2026, proposing lower capital spending, reduced weighted‑average cost of capital, and tighter benchmark service standards. It also upgrades the entry‑level broadband offering to a 25 Mbps download/10 Mbps...
Scrapping Junior Rates "Not the Right Step" Amid High Youth Unemployment
The Fair Work Commission has voted to eliminate junior pay rates for employees aged 18 and over in three modern awards. Workplace lawyer Brett Feltham warns that the change could dampen employers' willingness to hire younger staff. The Australian Chamber...
Ex-Deutsche Bank Manager Sues Bank for at Least $624 Million
Former Deutsche Bank asset‑wealth head Michele Faissola and four ex‑colleagues sued the lender in a London court for at least £473 million ($624 million), part of a broader claim of £664 million ($877 million). The lawsuit alleges they were wrongly blamed in a 2013...
Swiss Court Bans Use of ‘Milk’ on Plant-Based Alternatives, Rejecting Danone’s Appeal
Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court rejected Danone’s appeal, confirming that the word “milk” cannot appear on plant‑based product labels, even in altered forms such as “This Is Not M*lk.” The 4‑1 decision aligns with a recent UK ruling against Oatly and...
FMC Blocks Shippers’ Bid to Skip War Surcharge Notice
The Federal Maritime Commission rejected four major carriers' request to impose an immediate war‑risk surcharge on U.S.–Middle East routes without the required 30‑day notice. The decision forces any new fees to wait until at least early April and obliges shippers...
Squire Patton Boggs Names Andrew Wilkinson as Next European Managing Partner
Squire Patton Boggs has appointed Andrew Wilkinson as its new European managing partner, taking over from Jonathan Jones in May. Wilkinson, a London partner since 2003, leads the firm’s IP and technology practice, advising on AI, fintech, telecoms and other...
Rethinking Private Ordering: The Financial Disclosure Quandary
The SEC has delegated full rulemaking authority over U.S. financial disclosure to the private‑sector Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), creating a full‑delegation private‑ordering model. This arrangement places standard‑setting power in the hands of accountants who also must comply with the...
Effective AI Oversight Through Proof Drills
Effective AI oversight now hinges on the ability to reconstruct a single AI‑influenced decision with verifiable records. The EU AI Act makes automatic event logging a compliance prerequisite for high‑risk systems, but merely having policies is insufficient. A "proof drill"—a...
Senator Blumenthal Probes SEC Crypto Case “Pullback”: Regulatory Uncertainty Returns:
Senator Richard Blumenthal has opened a formal Senate inquiry into the SEC after the agency abruptly pulled back from a high‑profile cryptocurrency enforcement case. The move follows the sudden departure of the SEC’s enforcement chief, sparking speculation about internal disagreements...
Sullivan & Cromwell Discusses FDIC Rescission of Policy Statement Limiting Participation of Private Investors in Failed-Bank Acquisitions
On March 19, the FDIC rescinded its 2009 Statement of Policy that limited private‑equity participation in failed‑bank acquisitions, aiming to broaden the pool of bidders and reduce resolution costs. The move follows a pilot program that pre‑qualifies nonbanks for asset...
New Win for WA Renters on Bond Dispute Front
Western Australia has overhauled its rental‑bond rules, allowing tenants to initiate bond releases after the final inspection rather than waiting for landlords. The change routes most disputes to the Commissioner for Consumer Protection, cutting the roughly 4,500 annual tenancy cases...
Japanese Cross‑shareholdings Shield Incumbents, Hurt Shareholders
Shareholders are supreme under Japanese corporate law, but shareholders' economic interests are not. What is the distinction? Japan is (in)famous for its webs of cross-shareholdings. Suppliers, customers, financial institutions own shares in each other, and always support incumbent management with their...
Iran Sets Hormuz Toll, Bans US, Israeli Vessels
Iran’s parliament approved a formal toll and access regime for the Strait of Hormuz but bars vessels linked to the US, Israel and countries that have imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran from passage. https://t.co/c28zaLYYtE
Mecca Fined $600,000 for Alleged Asic Reporting Violations
Mecca Brands Pty Ltd, Mecca Brands NZ Pty Ltd and RTCH Pty Ltd were each hit with a $198,000 AUD (≈$130,000 USD) infringement notice for failing to lodge audited financial reports for the year ending 28 December 2024, totalling $594,000 AUD (≈$392,000 USD). The penalties were...
Due Diligence Essential: Scrutinize Prop Firms' Crypto Compliance
AJ (Lucid Trading) raising serious questions about crypto transactions and legal compliance. This highlights why due diligence on prop firms is crucial - traders need to know who they're working with. Check full firm backgrounds at https://t.co/pKoy2KH6Y5 ⚖️
KYC Approval Doesn't Ensure Payouts: AML Flags Matter
This highlights a key issue many don't realize - passing KYC ≠ guaranteed payouts. Payment processors have separate AML databases that can flag accounts even after firm approval. @AJLucidTrading being transparent about the process. Compare firm policies at https://t.co/1I4O2dByrK ⚠️
Chicago's New Pre‑Rental Inspection Rule Threatens Small Landlords
Chicago has adopted a citywide mandate requiring pre‑rental inspections before a unit can be leased, with the cost placed on property owners. Small, independent landlords warn the rule could add to already‑inflated expenses from rising property taxes, insurance and maintenance,...
Prop Firm Payout Delays Usually Stem From AML Checks
AJ from Lucid Trading highlighting a crucial point - prop firms MUST comply with AML regulations. If your payout is delayed, it's often compliance checks, not the firm being difficult. Always ensure clean trading records and proper documentation. https://t.co/1I4O2dB0Cc for...
Berkeley Lab Identifies Regulatory Hurdles Stalling Microgrids
Berkeley Lab releases series of reports on regulatory barriers affecting microgrids #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/lz32aZ43h9