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
Electronic Surveillance Under Scrutiny as Trump Targets Left Wing Groups as “Domestic Terrorists”
Congress is set to vote on renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act, a key authority that permits the NSA and FBI to collect electronic communications without individualized warrants. The renewal comes as President Trump has issued an executive order directing the Justice, Homeland Security, Treasury and IRS departments to investigate left‑wing groups as "domestic terrorists." Historical precedents, from the 1978 FISA reforms to the post‑9/11 Stellar Wind program, highlight the tension between security and civil liberties. Lawmakers now face a contentious debate over extending or curbing these powers.
FWC Distinguishes Between Employment Contract and Relationship
Australia’s Fair Work Commission ruled that a binding employment contract does not automatically create an employment relationship capable of termination. In a case involving Abergeldie Personnel, the Commission found that although a formal offer letter was issued on 29 August...
Cox v Hiscox Elevates Hogan Gawker
One upped by the famous coverage case Cox v Hiscox (real coverage dispute relating to the Hulk Hogan Gawker case).
Airdate: Judgment: Cases That Changed Australia
ABC will launch the four‑part documentary series Judgment: Cases That Changed Australia in April 2026. The series offers unprecedented access to the High Court, dramatizing four pivotal rulings—marriage equality, the Mabo decision, immigration detention, and the right to vote. Produced...
“A Bee in Their Bonnet:” Judge Says Council Has “Lost Perspective” In Its Legal Case Against Wind Project
Chief Justice Brian Preston rebuked Tamworth Regional Council’s legal challenge to the 372‑MW Hills of Gold wind project, labeling the council’s focus a “bee in their bonnet” and saying it had lost perspective. The council continues the case after the...
“The Obscure Judge Presiding Over $166 Billion in Tariff Refunds; Judge Richard Eaton, on a Little-Known Trade Court, Is Pushing...
Judge Richard Eaton, a senior member of the U.S. Court of International Trade, is overseeing a massive $166 billion case to refund tariffs deemed illegally collected during the Trump era. The court has ordered the administration to return the funds quickly,...
“These Voting Rights Groups Say It’s a ‘Critical Moment’ for the South; The Groups Are Working to Educate Voters in...
Voting‑rights advocates in the Deep South are warning that a pending court challenge could overturn a core provision of the Voting Rights Act, potentially reshaping election rules in Alabama and neighboring states. The groups are deploying a coordinated voter‑education campaign...
Case for Review of Reserved Activities Is Growing, Says New LSB Chief
Legal Services Board chief Richard Orpin announced that the LSB will pursue a review of the six reserved legal activities, citing rapid changes driven by AI and new business models. He highlighted the blurring line between regulated and unregulated advice...
Solicitor Who Misappropriated £1m From Firm Is Struck Off
A Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has struck solicitor Jude Sebastian Fletcher off the roll after finding he misappropriated £1 million from his firm Fletcher Day and forged bank documents. Fletcher, who had sole access to Metro Bank accounts, transferred client funds to himself...
Creditors of Closed Birmingham Firm Likely to Receive Nothing
Glaisyers LLP, a Birmingham legal‑aid specialist, entered administration after years of losses despite a £475,000 personal injection from its director. Administrators recovered about £218,000 but incurred nearly £95,000 in fees. Unsecured creditors owed £681,000 are now expected to receive no...
Probate Firm Boss Jailed for Contempt over Missing Estate Money
Stephen Jameson, sole director of unregulated probate specialist Probate Specialist Ltd, was sentenced to one year in prison for contempt of court after refusing to disclose the whereabouts of £432,000 belonging to a 2021 estate. The court had previously issued...
Irwin Mitchell’s Negligent Advice Did Not Cause Loss, Court Rules
The High Court ruled that Irwin Mitchell’s negligent advice did not cause the loss claimed by former client Jeremy Mark Gordeno. Although the firm admitted negligence, the judge found Gordeno would have proceeded with the Glo Homes transaction even if...
NTUC, Employers Split on Retrenchment Notice Lead Time; Workers Say Timely Support Matters More
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower is reviewing the Employment Act amid a clash between the National Trades Union Congress, which wants employers to give advance notice before retrenchments, and the Singapore National Employers Federation, which warns of confidentiality breaches and implementation...
Bill C-22 Expands Surveillance, Threatens Privacy Rights
The new Bill C-22 (Lawful Access) will create new info demands and require "electronic service providers" to create new surveillance capabilities. Part 1 is improved from Bill C-2 but Part 2 is bad creating an expansive surveillance infrastructure. https://youtu.be/tZFbTYttuN8
Swap Powers Boost Flexibility and Tax Efficiency in Irrevocable Trusts
The downside of irrevocable trusts are that they are "irrevocable" and can't easily be undone ➡️ But here's how "swap powers" – the ability to exchange assets in an irrevocable trust with other assets of equivalent value – can be...
Morning Headlines 3/16/26
HIStalk’s March 16 morning roundup highlights mounting pressure on healthcare delivery, noting that medical offices are idle roughly 75% of the time, which erodes patient access. Revenue‑cycle executives are grappling with the need for systematic checks to plug operational gaps. Clinicians...
Witmer V. Armistice Capital, LLC: Part 1
The article traces insider‑trading law from its early roots in state corporate fiduciary duties to today’s dominance by the SEC, while noting that state statutes still matter. Delaware boasts the most sophisticated state‑law framework, and the Delaware Supreme Court is...
Your Legally Registered 'Motorcycle' Might Not Count Under Proposed US Law
A House resolution, H.R. 3385, seeks to narrow the federal definition of a motorcycle to vehicles with handlebars and no more than three wheels, effectively removing three‑wheel autocycles from the category. The bill would leave popular models like the Polaris Slingshot...
Umar Zameer's Lawyer Awaits OPP Report with 'Serious Misgivings'
Lawyer Nader Hasan announced serious misgivings about an upcoming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) report reviewing the conduct of three Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers accused of colluding and committing perjury in the Umar Zameer case. Zameer was acquitted in 2024...
Epic's Lawsuit Becomes Evidence in New Data Breach Cases
Three new data breach class actions against @HeyEpic landed Friday in the Western District of Wisconsin, all claiming data breach against the company and a variety of its health system customers. The twist: the complaints cite Epic's own lawsuit against...
Trump’s AGs Hit With New Complaint Over Dark Money?!
In this Legal AF episode, investigative journalist David Armiak explains the Center for Media and Democracy’s recent IRS complaint against the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) for failing to itemize contributions and expenditures as required by law. He details RAGA’s pay‑to‑play...
The $500 Million Mystery Will, Signed by Ghosts
A seven‑page priority‑mail document arrived at a Reno law firm claiming to be the long‑missing last will of Tony Hsieh, the former Zappos CEO. Hsieh died in 2020 without a known will, meaning his $500 million estate would default to his...
‘Like an Ambulance at the Bottom of a Cliff’: ACCC Cracks Down on Bad Franchises
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is urging the Albanese government to introduce a licensing regime that would allow it to suspend franchisors that breach transparency and disclosure obligations. Deputy chair Mick Keogh highlighted the regulator’s current inability to...
Monday Briefing: Migration Act Changes
The Australian government rushed the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No 1) Bill through parliament, granting the Home Affairs minister authority to suspend groups of temporary visa holders for up to six months. The amendment is framed as a response to the...
Sasha Latypova in Dutch Case: Covid Injections Like “ASSAULT WITH A WEAPON”
Retired pharma R&D executive Sasha Latypova testified in a Dutch lawsuit alleging that COVID‑19 vaccine contracts were engineered by the so‑called “Architects of the Great Reset.” In a press conference she called the vaccines “indistinguishable from bioweapons,” claiming emergency legal...
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How the Pension Protection Act of 2006 Enhances Retirement Security
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 overhauled U.S. retirement law by making key contribution limits permanent and expanding rollover options to Roth IRAs. It introduced stricter funding standards for defined‑benefit plans and raised PBGC premiums for underfunded pensions. The act...
Office for Students Faces Judicial Review over Public Funding for Bible Colleges
The National Secular Society is preparing a judicial review against England’s Office for Students (OfS) for allegedly allowing twelve bible colleges to receive more than £80 million in public student‑loan funding and £1 million in direct grants despite restrictions on academic freedom....
State Department Cuts Price of Renouncing U.S. Citizenship to $450
The U.S. State Department announced a dramatic cut to the fee for renouncing citizenship, lowering it from $2,350 to $450 effective April 13, 2026. The reduction restores the 2010 fee level after a decade of criticism and lawsuits over the...
The HSR Pulse: Navigating the 2026 M&A Data Surge
The February 2026 Hart‑Scott‑Rodino (HSR) filing count rose to 188, modestly above January’s 180 but well below the year‑end peak of 232. Effective February 17, the jurisdictional threshold jumped to $133.9 million, pushing larger, data‑intensive deals into the filing pool. eDiscovery,...
Michigan Rep. Questions Health Department After Kids Told to Pay $57 Lemonade Stand Fee
State Rep. Cam Cavitt criticized District Health Department No. 4 for demanding a $57 temporary food‑service permit every two weeks from children selling lemonade at the Rogers City farmers market. He argued the fee penalizes young entrepreneurs and reflects the department’s...
SiriusXM May Owe You Part of $28 Million For Unwanted Phone Calls But You Have to Hurry
SiriusXM agreed to a $28 million settlement resolving a class‑action lawsuit over unwanted telemarketing calls made between April 2019 and October 2025. The settlement targets consumers who either registered on the National Do Not Call Registry or asked the company to add them...
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: March 9, 2026 to March 13, 2026
The FCC’s chairman warned broadcasters that inaccurate coverage could jeopardize license renewals, heightening political pressure on news accuracy. The Copyright Royalty Board approved settlements setting higher webcasting royalties for commercial, public, educational, and religious broadcasters through 2030. The FCC also...
AI-Related Securities Suit Filed Against Israeli Software Company
Investors have filed a securities class action against Monday.com, alleging the company overstated its AI‑driven growth prospects and misled shareholders about a $1.8 billion 2027 revenue target. In February 2026, Monday.com cut its 2026 outlook and abandoned the long‑term projection, prompting...
Typeless AI Guarantees HIPAA & GDPR Privacy by Design
Typeless is now officially HIPAA and GDPR compliant, and that is a bigger deal than it sounds. Most AI tools can't say that. HIPAA protects your health data in the US. GDPR protects everything in the EU. Passing both means your data...
The Police Can Seize Your Cash During a Traffic Stop and Keep It Without Charging You With Anything – Every...
A Texas sheriff seized $42,300 in cash from truck driver Ameal Woods during a routine traffic stop, invoking civil asset forfeiture despite no drug evidence or criminal charge. The civil case, filed against the money itself, forced Woods to prove...
Dalilah’s Law Is Moving Through Congress – Here Is Everything That Is Actually In It, Everything That Was Promised But...
Dalilah’s Law, introduced in the Senate and House, would tie federal transportation funding to strict CDL eligibility, revoking licenses from non‑citizens, non‑permanent residents, and holders of only three specific work visas. The bill mandates English‑only testing and forces a universal...
STB Won’t Open New Probe of CPKC Rail Service on West Coast-Southeast Intermodal Shortcut
Federal regulators at the Surface Transportation Board (STB) denied Norfolk Southern’s and Union Pacific’s petitions to open a probe into Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) handling of interline intermodal trains on the Meridian Speedway, a 320‑mile West Coast‑Southeast shortcut. The...
Virginia Adopts 12‑week Paid Family Leave Law
VIRGINIA PASSED PAID LEAVE 🎉 An employment lawyer explains how it works: ✅ 12 weeks of paid leave per year ✅ 80% of wages ✅ max $1,444 per week ✅ for birth, bonding, medical recovery, medical caregiving, DV Welcome to the club, Virginia. Some...
ComplexDiscovery OÜ and EDRM Release Complete Analysis of the Winter 2026 eDiscovery Pricing Survey
ComplexDiscovery OÜ and the Electronic Discovery Reference Model released the full analysis of the Winter 2026 eDiscovery Pricing Survey, the fifteenth semi‑annual Pricing Pulse study. The survey gathered 53 practitioner responses between December 2025 and February 2026, covering forensic collection, data processing, hosting,...
Section 8 Court Ruling Muddies NYC Voucher Rules
A New York appellate court declared the state’s source‑of‑income discrimination law unconstitutional when applied to federal Section 8 vouchers, effectively nullifying the requirement that landlords accept those vouchers. The decision has sparked uncertainty in New York City, where officials argue the...
Bill Requiring Immigration Status Checks in Tennessee Public Schools Advances in Legislature
Tennessee lawmakers advanced a bill requiring public schools to collect and report student immigration status data to the state education department. The measure, originally allowing schools to deny enrollment or charge tuition to undocumented students, was stripped of those provisions...
After Mo. Deputies Killed, Friend’s Grief Turns to Action in Push for Bond Reform
In Christian County, Missouri, two deputies were fatally shot after suspect Richard Bird, a repeat violent felon, was released on a $50,000 bond. The tragedy spurred probation officer Patricia “Val” Drinkall to launch a Change.org petition demanding that violent repeat...
Business Bosses Told to Check Details After Companies House Glitch
A technical fault in the UK Companies House web‑filing platform on Friday let users navigate back and edit or view other firms' records, exposing personal details of directors for up to five million companies. The glitch prompted an immediate suspension...
Amendment Bill 3 Leaves Term Limits Unchanged
Hey @adv_fulcrum …. Maybe you are having comprehension issues… The post you are responding to REMAINS FACTUAL… Changing term limits require a referendum… The Amendment Bill No. 3 DOES NOT change term limits, every rational lawyer knows it… The 2...
FCC's Rule Blocks Dead From Receiving Subsidized Internet
"How the @FCC Is Trying to Make It Harder to Get Low-Income Internet" [Correction: How the FCC is trying to make it harder for dead people to get taxpayer money.] https://t.co/VlE3D5DHUc
Risk Lies in Unchanged Workflows, Not AI Contracts
The risk isn’t AI drafting contracts. It’s firms that never redesign their processes and just bolt tech tools onto broken workflows.
Support All 22 Clauses, Reject Single‑Issue Misrepresentation
I SUBMITTED my comments Parliament of Zimbabwe in support of all the 22 Clauses in the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill. Don’t be misled by people like @freemanchari & @mawarirej who are reducing the Bill to a single...
Judge Blocks Trump's DOJ Subpoenas to Fed, Citing Harassment
A US federal judge has blocked subpoenas issued by Trump’s Department of Justice to the Federal Reserve. The judge cited “thin evidence” and the intent to “harass and pressure [Fed Chair] Powell.” TRUMP’S THREATS = BACKFIRE. https://t.co/sPyzhpBuf5
Democratic FCC Member Pushes Back on Carr's Broadcaster Threats
Lone Democrat on the FCC responds to Republican Chairman Brendan Carr’s threats to broadcasters: https://t.co/e9xfRAbUII
Grammarly Sued for Secretly Using Daughter's Name in Suggestions
Our daughter Julia Angwin on how Grammarly has used her name to make suggestions...without her knowing that her name was used, or seeing the suggestions. It is appalling. Why I’m Suing Grammarly https://t.co/eJzSaOrBS3