Today's Legal Pulse
Biden sues DOJ to block release of interview audio
President Joe Biden has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent the Department of Justice from publishing an audio recording of his interview. The action, reported by Axios and TIME, aims to keep the interview confidential amid political controversy.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader clear final merger hurdles
EU ‘Meaty’ Names Ban: What It Means for the Future of Plant-Based and Alt-Protein
The European Union has approved a ban on 31 meat‑related terms such as “chicken”, “beef” and “steak” for plant‑based substitutes, while exempting generic descriptors like “burger” and “sausage”. Brands will face short‑term disruption as they lose familiar shorthand for product positioning. However, the impact is limited because the sector is already moving toward non‑mimic products and core consumers remain loyal. The regulation may accelerate the shift to whole‑food alternatives and spark creative re‑branding across Europe.
Spotlight on Sanctions
A wave of sanctions activity is reshaping compliance across the United States, Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom. The U.S. Treasury issued new Venezuela oil licenses, deployed the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act against a Russian cyber‑espionage broker,...
FCA Publishes Good Practice and Areas for Improvement in Relation to Consumer Understanding Under the Consumer Duty
On 13 March 2026 the FCA released a good‑practice review of firms’ consumer‑understanding under the Consumer Duty. It highlights that firms should use diverse data sources, test communications with real customers, and design clear, accessible journeys. The guidance stresses tailored support for...
Arbitrator Orders Reinstatement of 24-Year Employee Fired After Telling Workers to ‘Sign Off’
An Ontario arbitrator ordered Cargill Limited to reinstate Dung Phan, a 24‑year employee, replacing his termination with a six‑month unpaid suspension, back pay and full seniority. The arbitrator found Phan’s urging co‑workers to “sign off” was serious misconduct but deemed...
FCA Made 'Significant Errors' In Seizing Barrister Suspect's Devices
The High Court quashed a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warrant that seized a barrister's electronic devices, finding the regulator had made "significant errors of law" in its application. The warrant was issued under section 8 of the Police and Criminal Evidence...
Zaha Hadid Architects Could Soon Be Renamed—And Everything Else You Need to Know About This Week
A London appeals court ruled that Zaha Hadid Architects can terminate its licensing agreement with the Zaha Hadid Foundation, ending a six‑percent royalty on the brand name. In Manhattan, real‑estate brokers Tal, Oren and Alon Alexander were found guilty of...
Trump’s Temporary 10% Tariff Faces Further Legal Scrutiny
Two small firms, spice maker Burlap and Barrel and toy producer Basic Fun, have filed a lawsuit in the Court of International Trade to overturn President Trump’s temporary 10% global tariff imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act. The companies argue...
Somali MP Sues Government at EACJ over Constitutional Changes
Somali MP Dr Abdillahi Hashi Abib has filed a case at the East African Court of Justice challenging recent constitutional amendments that extend the president’s and parliament’s terms by one year. He argues the changes, which altered 45 articles without broad...
Jordan’s Sanad App Becoming Legal ID, Not Just Digital Convenience
Jordan’s cabinet has approved draft amendments to the Civil Status Law that would grant the Sanad mobile identity app the same legal standing as a physical national ID card. The changes, now awaiting parliamentary approval, would require banks, businesses and...
CVSA to Enforce New ELD‑Tampering Out‑of‑Service Rule April 1
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will enforce a new out‑of‑service (OOS) condition on April 1, imposing a mandatory 10‑hour OOS order for any driver or carrier caught tampering with electronic logging devices (ELDs). The rule follows CVSA’s 2026‑02 inspection bulletin,...
The Impact of U.S.-Venezuela Relations on Ocean Shipping
U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector are intensifying, combining aggressive enforcement such as tanker seizures with narrowly‑tailored licenses for limited oil and diluent exports. The heightened scrutiny is affecting ocean transportation, with regulators, insurers, and lenders examining vessel movements, charter...
Mazda Files Trademark That Could Block Ferrari From Using 'Luce' Name for Maranello's 1st EV
Ferrari announced its first battery‑electric model will be called Luce, but Mazda has filed a Japanese trademark for the same name, potentially blocking Ferrari’s use in Japan. Mazda’s claim stems from decades‑old use of the Luce badge on its 929...
Anthropic's Top Lawyer Says AI Will Kill the Legal Profession's Dreaded Billable Hour
Jeff Bleich, Anthropic’s general counsel, told an ABA panel that artificial‑intelligence tools will render the traditional billable‑hour model obsolete. He argued that AI eliminates the tedious, time‑intensive work that fuels hourly fees, creating a misalignment between firm incentives and client...
Adobe Faces $150M Settlement, Subscription Transparency Risks
Regulatory pressure on subscription transparency; Adobe pays $75M + $75M in services ⚖️ Risk: reputational hit, subscriber churn, AI uncertainty. Trim ADBE; watch guidance. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA. More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
Parliamentary Panel Calls For MDR On UPI To Ensure Sustainability
A parliamentary standing committee on finance has recommended re‑introducing a merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions, arguing that the zero‑MDR regime strains government finances and limits fintechs’ ability to fund long‑term infrastructure. The committee notes that current government incentives...
Federal Appeals Court Denies Deportation Relief for Injured Missouri Worker
A federal appeals court in the Eighth Circuit upheld the Board of Immigration Appeals’ denial of cancellation of removal for Mexican national Eugenio Alonso‑Juarez, a Missouri worker injured in a roof‑fall accident. The court rejected his claim that the injuries...
In Bid for Voter Data, Trump’s DOJ Lays Groundwork to Undermine Confidence in Midterms
The Justice Department has sued 29 states and Washington, D.C. for unredacted voter rolls that include driver’s license and partial Social Security numbers, losing three cases so far in 2026. It is now filing emergency motions in California, Michigan and...
Federal Reserve Board Issues Enforcement Actions with Former Employee of Equity Bank and Former Employee of First State Bank of...
The Federal Reserve Board issued two consent prohibition orders on March 13, 2026, targeting former employees of regional banks. Cassandra Grayson, ex‑employee of Equity Bank in Andover, Kansas, was barred for embezzling bank funds. Sandra Adams, former staff at First...
The Scoop: Grammarly Apologizes for AI Tool that Mimics Writers Amid Legal Dispute
Grammarly announced it is shutting down the “Expert Review” AI feature after backlash and a class‑action lawsuit. The tool generated editing suggestions styled after real journalists, including Julia Angwin, who claims her name and reputation were used without permission. CEO...
Biden’s SAVE Plan for Student Loans Is Officially Dead. Here’s What Experts Suggest Now
A federal district court has struck down the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) income‑driven repayment plan, effectively ending the program that offered low monthly payments for millions of student‑loan borrowers. The rule was challenged by Republican attorneys general, and...
China Passes Law Accelerating Environmental Ambitions, Defying Expectations
Meanwhile, shockingly, the other major global power is doing the very opposite within its own borders... https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-13/china-s-new-law-signals-xi-won-t-curb-environmental-ambitions
Compliance Jobs Report: March 13
The weekly Compliance Jobs Report highlights a surge of senior appointments, including Chipotle’s new chief compliance officer Sunayna Ramdeo and the University of Pennsylvania’s vice president of audit, compliance and privacy Timothy Susanin. KPMG bolstered its ethics and compliance function...
Federal Court of Appeal Affirms Denial of Insurance Benefits to Worker Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine
The Federal Court of Appeal affirmed the denial of Employment Insurance benefits to a British Columbia health worker who refused a COVID‑19 vaccine. The court held that the employee’s refusal constituted misconduct under the Employment Insurance Act, and it rejected...
Ex-Justice Minister Alan Shatter Sues TD Paul Murphy over Epstein Claims
Former Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter has launched a High Court defamation lawsuit against People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy over an X post that falsely claimed Shatter met convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The allegation originated from a misread...
American Securities Association Urges Tweaks to FINRA Elder‑fraud Proposal
The American Securities Association (ASA) has sent an open letter to FINRA urging refinements to its proposed elder‑fraud rules, which would amend Rule 4512, revise Rule 2165, and add Rule 2166. ASA supports short transaction delays and an emergency‑contact option but warns against...
Colorado Considers Legislation to Tax Phantom Income
Colorado’s HB 1221 would overhaul the state’s alternative minimum tax and net operating loss rules, effectively taxing income that has not yet been realized. The bill proposes repealing the AMT credit, creating double taxation on accelerated depreciation and incentive‑stock‑option gains. It...
AI Hiring Is Now a Legal Risk. Are You up to Speed?
A proposed class‑action lawsuit in California accuses Eightfold AI of using hidden candidate scores that violate consumer‑protection and fair‑employment laws. The complaint alleges the algorithm relied on sensitive data—social media, location, device activity—without informing or allowing candidates to contest the...
EU Cybersecurity Proposals Pose Significant Risks for Ireland and Irish Businesses – Digital Business Ireland
Digital Business Ireland (DBI) warns that the EU’s proposed Cybersecurity Act revision, known as CSA2, could expose Ireland and its businesses to broad, undefined compliance obligations. The draft grants the European Commission power to label entire third‑country suppliers as "high‑risk"...
Thune: Clarity Act Won’t Clear Banking Committee by April
LATEST: Senate Majority Leader John Thune says the Clarity Act is unlikely to pass the Senate Banking Committee before April Source: Eleanor Terrett https://t.co/qRnhzlHGan
Settlement Conference Poised To Resolve Adell/IRS Spat
Nearly three years after the U.S. Department of Justice sued Adell Broadcasting founder Kevin Adell over a multimillion‑dollar claim of unpaid gift taxes, a settlement conference is now slated to resolve the dispute. The DOJ alleges that Adell failed to...
Italian Watchdog Orders Blocking of Access to 11 Unauthorized Investment Websites
CONSOB ordered the blocking of eleven investment websites on March 13, 2026, bringing the total number of takedowns to 1,599 since the 2019 Growth Decree, including 136 crypto‑related sites. The regulator cited deceptive practices such as cloned emails, fake political or celebrity...
Is Justice Alito Jumping the Gun on Voting Rights?
Justice Samuel Alito’s solo concurrence in Malliotakis v. Williams signals that the Supreme Court may soon limit or strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in the pending Louisiana v. Callais case. The opinion frames the New York redistricting order...
Hong Kong to Expand 'Name and Shame' List to IPO Lawyers and Auditors
Hong Kong will broaden its name‑and‑shame regime to include IPO lawyers, auditors, consultants and SPAC promoters. Under the new Enhanced Return Mechanism, any professional party linked to a filing deemed “not substantially complete” will be publicly identified. The change comes...
‘Philomena’s Law’ Backed by UK, Irish Governments to Protect Mother and Baby Home Survivors
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced support for Philomena’s Law, a bilateral agreement that will prevent Irish mother‑and‑baby home survivors living in Britain from having their state benefits reduced because of compensation received from Ireland’s redress scheme. The joint communique at...
Morning Docket: 03.13.26
Regulators and agencies are under scrutiny across multiple fronts. The CFTC signaled potential regulation of prediction markets, while the U.S. Customs Agency reported its tariff refund system is only 40‑80% complete, highlighting operational uncertainty. Live Nation employees were caught on...
Why RegTech AI Is Reshaping Privacy Compliance Teams
Privacy compliance has become a top operational challenge in 2026 as regulators such as the EU AI Act, DORA and California’s Automated Decision‑Making Technology rules move into active enforcement. 4CRisk.ai argues that artificial intelligence can dramatically accelerate compliance, especially as...
Client Matter Risk Assessments: Think First, Tick Second
Client matter risk assessments (CMRAs) have moved from back‑office paperwork to a regulatory focal point for conveyancers, with the SRA now examining their substance and usage. The SRA’s 2023 template demands early, iterative completion, clear narratives, and versioned audit trails...
Sebi Imposes Rs 10 Lakh Fine on Anand Rathi for Violation of Stock Brokers' Norms
India’s securities regulator SEBI imposed a ₹10 lakh fine on Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers Ltd for multiple breaches of stock‑broker norms. The investigation covering April 2023 to August 2024 found the firm failed to promptly report a May 2024 technical glitch and delayed...
Managing Duplicate Motor Finance Claims: What Firms Need to Know
Regulators including the FCA and SRA have warned that duplicate representation in motor‑finance commission claims creates confusion, delays and potential unfair termination fees. Firms must ensure consumers understand which agreement governs their claim and that any supersession clause is clearly...
Qualified Electronic Signatures in Conveyancing: Why QES Matters Now
HM Land Registry has officially embraced eIDAS Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), enabling fully digital conveyancing in the UK. Traditional wet‑ink signing can add 3‑7 days to completion, risking chain breaks and financial loss, whereas QES provides cryptographic identity verification and...
Legalweek 2026: HYCU Showcases Legal 360, the First Matter-Centric Resilience Solution for Law Firms
HYCU unveiled Legal 360 at Legalweek 2026, a matter‑centric resilience platform built for law firms and legal departments. The solution unifies protection for iManage Cloud, Microsoft 365, Entra ID, DocuSign and hybrid infrastructure, delivering automated backups, granular recovery, and immutable copies. A previewed...
Better Lead Capture Paves the Way for Smoother Client Onboarding
Effective lead capture is becoming a strategic priority for law firms, as it sets the tone for client relationships and accelerates onboarding. Structured enquiry forms enable firms to gather essential data early, reducing repetitive follow‑ups and compliance bottlenecks. By presenting...
Court Upholds Noordin Haji Appointment as NIS Boss
The Kenyan High Court dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of Noordin Haji as Director‑General of the National Intelligence Service, ruling that President William Ruto’s nomination complied with the Constitution and the National Intelligence Service Act. The court found no...
Tribunal Claims up 12% as Pressure Grows on System
Open employment tribunals rose 12% in the October‑December 2025 quarter, reaching 523,000 live cases and adding 23,500 new filings. Single‑claim submissions surged 53.9% year‑on‑year, while whistleblowing claims more than doubled, posting the fastest growth at 104%. Unfair dismissal now accounts...
Sebi Sets New Conditions for Intraday Borrowing by Mutual Funds From April 1
India's securities regulator SEBI introduced new rules governing intraday borrowing by mutual funds, effective April 1. The framework lifts the 20% net‑asset borrowing cap for intraday loans that are secured against same‑day receivables from the government, RBI, and clearing corporation, and...
Five Things Law Firms Should Consider Before Applying for CQS Accreditation
Law firms eyeing CQS accreditation must adapt to five critical developments: mandatory new TA6 (6th edition) and TA7 (5th edition) conveyancing forms, stricter audit‑trail requirements for SDLT and LTT, obligations to advise on climate‑related transition risks, rapid digital shifts such...
Former TV Executive Picked to Chair LSB
Monisha Shah has been selected as the preferred candidate to chair the Legal Services Board (LSB) following a rigorous assessment process. Her most recent executive role was more than 15 years ago at BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the...
Why Every Expat in Dubai Should Have a Will
Many expatriates in Dubai own valuable assets but lack a registered will. Without a will, UAE law defaults to Sharia‑based intestate succession, which can divert assets away from intended heirs and freeze bank accounts, property, and businesses. Law No. 2 of...
Competition Bureau Orders Sale of Waterloo Retirement Home in Deal with Chartwell
The Competition Bureau reached a consent agreement with Chartwell Master Care to address competition concerns surrounding Chartwell’s planned acquisition of six Sifton retirement homes in the Kitchener‑Waterloo region. The regulator determined the deal would substantially lessen competition in senior‑care housing,...
Digital Assets Firm Circle Achieves Key Compliance Milestone
Circle announced that its Circle Mint platform received a SOC 1 Type 2 examination report, confirming the design and operating effectiveness of its internal controls. The audit, conducted by Deloitte for the fiscal year October 2024‑September 2025, covered transaction processing, system reliability, security, change...