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
FCA Chief Nikhil Rathi Confirms Regulatory Shift Away From New Rules in Candid Podcast Interview
FCA chief Nikhil Rathi told the inaugural Fairer Finance podcast that the regulator is moving away from drafting new rules, opting instead to lean on the existing Consumer Duty and supervisory tools. He framed the shift as an outcomes‑based approach, noting that big interventions, bans or guidance will be used sparingly. Rathi also disclosed Treasury pressure on the FCA’s use of Voluntary Requirements and clarified that distributional fairness questions fall outside the regulator’s remit. The interview highlighted rising enforcement activity, changes to the motor‑finance redress scheme, and a new pensions‑investment initiative slated for 2026.
‘Buy American’ Shifts to ‘Don’t Buy Chinese’ for Government Solar Projects
The federal government’s solar procurement is pivoting from a broad "Buy American" stance to a targeted "Don’t Buy Chinese" approach. The 2021 Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act still requires 55% domestic content, but agencies frequently seek waivers when U.S.-made...
REGENXBIO Secures Legal Win in Gene Therapy Patent Battle Vs. Sarepta
An appellate court reversed a lower‑court ruling, siding with REGENXBIO in its patent dispute against Sarepta Therapeutics over an adeno‑associated virus (AAV) vector used in Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy. The judge held that the patented composition, as a whole,...
Interior Revokes Dalton Corridor Withdrawals
The U.S. Interior Department issued Public Land Order 7966, revoking two federal withdrawals that covered roughly 2.1 million acres along the Dalton Highway corridor. The revocation removes the long‑standing restrictions, allowing Alaska to select the lands under its remaining statehood entitlement....
Advice on Index-Linked Contracts in Ocean Container Shipping and Why You Need Xeneta – Geography and Data Granularity
The blog explains that successful ocean container index‑linked contracts require an index that mirrors the specific trade lanes and geographic scope of a shipper’s routes. Using a mismatched index, such as a Shanghai export benchmark for India‑to‑Europe shipments, can lead...
Diversity (the Civil Procedure Kind) and Self-Identification
Judge Gerald McHugh held that a remote nonprofit’s public online identity determines its citizenship for diversity jurisdiction, rejecting the defendant’s claim of a separate private identity. The case, Sherman v. American Ass'n of Suicidology, hinged on a change in the...
LDC / Green Label Merger Inquiry
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened Phase 1 of its review into the proposed merger between LDC and Green Label, issuing an invitation to comment that runs from 23 February to 9 March 2026. An initial enforcement order was served on...
The Fix for Compliance: Culture, Tech and Accountability
A new HR Executive report highlights that U.S. compliance programs are lagging in data‑analytics adoption, limiting their ability to build resilient, future‑proof processes. The study points to a three‑pillar solution—culture, technology, and accountability—to navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. Researchers...
The Fix for Compliance: Culture, Tech and Accountability
LRN’s new report finds only 34% of U.S. organizations use data analytics to assess compliance effectiveness, despite rising AI investments. Most compliance programs still focus on basic activity metrics like training completion, offering limited insight into underlying risk or cultural...
DOJ Increasingly Wielding False Claims Act to Target Cybersecurity Misrepresentations | Law.com
The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying its use of the False Claims Act to pursue cybersecurity misrepresentations, noting a “significant upward trajectory” in such cases. In the past year, the DOJ secured $52 million through nine FCA settlements involving cyber‑related...
Comment Letter on Nasdaq’s Proposed Additional Initial Listing Criteria for Companies Primarily Operating in China
The Council of Institutional Investors (CII) submitted a comment letter backing Nasdaq’s proposed rule that adds initial listing criteria for Chinese micro‑cap companies, including a $25 million minimum proceeds requirement. CII applauds the effort to curb abnormal trading in the smallest...
Comment Letter on Nasdaq’s Proposed Additional Initial Listing Criteria for Companies Primarily Operating in China
The Council of Institutional Investors (CII) submitted a comment letter supporting Nasdaq’s proposed rule that adds an initial listing requirement of at least $25 million in proceeds for companies primarily operating in China. While endorsing the rule’s aim to curb abnormal...
Reliance, Misplaced: Restoring the Text of the Antifraud Provisions of the Federal Securities Laws in SEC Enforcement Actions
The SEC enforces the broad antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws as powerful tools, often proceeding without showing that investors relied on deceptive statements. Historically, the Commission has treated reliance as irrelevant, a stance rooted in a 1949 dicta...
UK Drone Rules Risk Splintering Sector and Stalling Innovation
The UK Civil Aviation Authority plans to enforce new drone rules from January 2026, requiring a UKCA conformity mark and conspicuity devices on drones as light as 100 g. Industry leaders warn that the lack of a transition period and the...
The State Shows Its Hand
Texas has filed its Required Initial Disclosures in the antitrust lawsuit against Epic Systems, revealing a 12‑category disclosure regime that exceeds the federal FRCP 26 standard. The State’s witness list includes senior Epic executives, technical leaders, recruiting staff, several Epic‑using health...
We Can Build Cities on the Moon�but Who Will Govern Them?
SpaceX has shifted its lunar strategy, announcing plans to build a self‑sustaining city and orbital AI data centers on the Moon within a decade. The move intensifies competition with China, which targets a crewed landing by 2030, prompting the United...
SEC Quietly Eases Capital Rules for Stablecoins
The SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets issued guidance allowing broker‑dealers to apply a 2% haircut to proprietary holdings of payment stablecoins when calculating net capital. Previously many firms used a 100% haircut, effectively excluding stablecoins from regulatory capital. By...
Clifford Chance Retains 76% of Spring Qualifying Trainees
Clifford Chance announced that 38 of its 50 spring‑seat trainees have accepted newly qualified positions, delivering a 76% retention rate. The firm received 47 applications for NQ roles, extended 39 offers and saw 38 accepted. Clifford Chance recruits up to...
Andes Iron’s $2.5B Dominga Project in Chile Hits Fresh Snag
Chile’s Antofagasta Court of Appeals overturned a favorable ruling for Andes Iron’s $2.5 billion Dominga iron‑ore and copper project, sending the case back to the special Committee of Ministers. The appeals panel deemed the earlier enforcement vote procedurally flawed and did...
IEEPA Refunds Require Complex Paperwork, Not Automatic
On the IEEPA ruling and refunds. As we see many posts saying that it will be the importer who gets the money back, it’s good to remember that this will not be an easy process. Just like in the UK,...
NotebookLM for Lawyers: A Small Hammer for Big Document Problems
Google’s NotebookLM, an AI‑powered private notebook, lets lawyers upload up to 300 documents per notebook and query them with citation‑backed answers. The tool excels at digesting litigation files, clustering discovery material, and generating timelines, briefs, and cross‑examination outlines without pulling...
How FDA's Action Against Non-FDA-Approved GLP-1 Products Affects the Competitive Landscape
Jay Bregman, CEO of Andel, says the FDA’s pending crackdown on non‑FDA‑approved GLP‑1 compounds is long overdue and will target the burgeoning market of compounded semaglutide. He estimates roughly 1.5 million patients currently rely on these unapproved products, a figure he...
SQE Students Must Apply for Reasonable Adjustments Earlier Under New Rules
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has revised its reasonable adjustments policy for SQE candidates, requiring applicants to submit adjustment requests and finalize plans before the seat reservation deadline. The change, first applied to October SQE2 bookings, aims to align the process...
Banker Who Gave False Evidence Under Oath Has Sentence Reduced
A senior banker was convicted of providing false evidence under oath in a federal fraud case and subsequently had his prison term reduced on appeal. The original sentence, imposed for perjury and involvement in a $200 million loan scheme, was cut...
Pharma Pulse: MRNA Legal Wars and the Community Pharmacy Shield
BioNTech has filed a Delaware patent‑infringement lawsuit against Moderna, accusing the latter’s next‑generation COVID vaccine mNEXSPIKE of using BioNTech’s streamlined mRNA design. The disputed shot is projected to generate about 55 % of Moderna’s COVID revenue this season, making the case...
Ari10 Parent Morphic Financial Group Secures Dutch MiCA License for EU Expansion
Morphic Financial Group, the London‑based parent of digital payments platform Ari10, has obtained a Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) licence through its Dutch subsidiary WEB3 Holding B.V. The Dutch regulator’s approval makes Morphic one of the first Central and Eastern European...
January-February Issue of Deal Lawyers Newsletter
The Deal Lawyers newsletter’s January‑February 2026 issue has just gone to print and is available online for subscribers. Targeted at M&A attorneys, private equity professionals, and corporate counsel, the publication curates rapid‑fire developments that shape dealmaking across jurisdictions. Its reputation...
What California’s Streaming Loudness Regulation Means For Broadcasters And Ad Tech
California’s SB 576, effective soon, mandates that ads in streaming content be loudness‑matched to the surrounding program, extending the CALM Act principles to digital platforms. The law places compliance responsibility on the entity delivering the ad to California viewers, exposing the...
US Supreme Court Voids Trump Tariffs as Ports Warn of Uncertainty
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6‑3 that President Trump exceeded his authority by imposing global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, effectively nullifying those duties. Trump immediately announced a new 10% worldwide tariff using a different statutory basis,...
BBC – Police to Scan Football Fans’ Faces in Liverpool Using Live Facial Recognition
Police in Liverpool will employ live facial‑recognition technology during the Everton versus Manchester United Premier League match. The deployment is presented as a tool to manage crowds while respecting attendees' rights. Advocacy group Big Brother Watch criticised the move, urging...
Solicitor Struck Off over Indecent Image Conviction
A solicitor has been struck off the roll after being convicted of possessing indecent images. The disciplinary tribunal ordered the removal of his practising certificate, citing breach of professional standards. The case was processed swiftly by the Solicitors Regulation Authority...
U.S. Forest Service Stops Issuing Firefighter Pants That Contain PFAS, Following ProPublica’s Reporting
The U.S. Forest Service has stopped issuing wildland firefighter pants treated with PFAS after ProPublica exposed the agency’s long‑standing use of the chemicals. Supplier TenCate had been applying PFAS‑based finishes to Kevlar‑blend fabrics to repel gasoline and water, despite internal...
Ghost Project Exposes Governance as C‑Suite Hedge
The RM400 million "ghost" project has finally caught up to the boardroom. For C-suite leaders, this isn't just news—it’s a masterclass in why governance is your only real hedge. Here’s the breakdown of the high-stakes charges against a former Telco MD. 🧵👇
Bridge Cuts Support for High‑risk Jurisdictions, Including Russia
Stripe's stablecoin subsidiary Bridge has dropped support for ultra high-risk jurisdictions it supported as recently as Dec 2025, including Russia, Lebanon, Libya, Gaza, and South Sudan, new analysis of the company's documentation shows: https://t.co/zRVzXKZPsu
Business Rates Multipliers: Qualifying Retail, Hospitality or Leisure
From April 2026 the UK government will introduce two permanent business‑rates multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values under £500,000, set 5 p lower than the national multipliers. The small‑business multiplier covers properties below £51,000 RV, while...
Nonbank Expansion Fuels Money Laundering, Breaches, Weak Oversight
As we see nonbanks getting more and more involved in lending, payments, holding funds, etc. you’re going to see a lot more money laundering, breaches, and data selling with very little regulatory authority to fine or discipline.
The Post-Truth Purgatory
By 2026, up to 90 % of online content is expected to be synthetically generated, thrusting the legal profession into a crisis of evidentiary authenticity. Courts are grappling with deepfakes and AI‑hallucinated citations, forcing lawyers to prove not just that an...
What Does a Corporate Lawyer Actually Do?
The Legal Cheek podcast delves into the day‑to‑day reality of corporate lawyers, highlighting their role in negotiating deal terms, drafting agreements, and conducting due‑diligence. Hosts Julia Szaniszlo and Ryan Scott discuss the massive document reviews trainees face under tight deadlines....
EscalaX Reinforces Its Privacy & Compliance With BidSafe One
EscalaX announced a strategic partnership with privacy‑focused consultancy BidSafe One to strengthen its data‑protection and regulatory compliance posture. The collaboration will help EscalaX optimise consent management and align its operations with GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, IAB TCF and GPP standards. By integrating...
FERC Approves Blackstone’s Acquisition of TXNM Energy
Blackstone Infrastructure’s $11.5 billion acquisition of TXNM Energy has received FERC approval, clearing a major regulatory hurdle. The commission concluded the deal serves the public interest and will not harm rates, competition, or oversight, while noting existing ring‑fencing protections for Blackstone’s...
ICASA Urges Telcos to Act Early on Licence Renewals
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has issued a reminder that all telecom licence holders must verify expiry dates and file renewal applications between 12 and six months before a licence lapses. The directive covers both Individual Electronic...
Monday Morning Round-Up
Legal Cheek’s Monday round‑up highlights a flurry of UK and international legal headlines, from Prime Minister Rishi Starmer’s push to fast‑track judge‑only trials ahead of a potential leadership challenge, to US law firms being accused of overwhelming British courts. The briefing also...
AI Is an Amplifier, Not an Autopilot: What Today’s General Counsel Should Double Down On
General Counsel roles have expanded from pure legal advisers to strategic partners overseeing talent, data, spend, and broader governance, especially in volatile African markets. While AI promises efficiency, the article warns that it merely amplifies existing operating models—good or bad—so...
High Court Dismisses Contempt Applications Against Lawyers
The High Court dismissed all contempt applications filed by self‑represented litigant Martina Yvonne Shand against six defendants, including five lawyers, deeming them totally without merit. Justice Cotter also struck out Shand's £500,000 claim against Mishcon de Reya and DWF, labeling...
Barrister Accused of Inflating Claimant’s Losses Reported to BSB by Judge
A judge has reported a barrister to the Bar Standards Board (BSB) for allegedly inflating a claimant’s loss figures in a recent case. The allegation suggests the barrister exaggerated damages to secure a higher settlement. The BSB now faces a...
New Platform Launched with Claims It Can Reduce the Need for Agents to Chase Sales
LMS has introduced the National Property Transaction Network (NPTN), a data‑sharing platform that lets estate agents assemble a Fast Track Sale pack at the listing stage. The pack aggregates ID checks, title details, searches and other key information, which conveyancers...
WARNING: Manual ID Checks Leave Agents ‘Vulnerable to Scams’
Property agents are being warned that manual identity checks expose them to sophisticated scams. SmartSearch reports that 54% of verification checks remain manual, leaving gaps for AI‑generated IDs and deepfake documents. A recent survey of 1,000 decision‑makers shows fraud incidents...
In Fighting a Whistleblower Suit, WPP Put Its Own Account of Media Agency Trading on the Public Record
The $100 million whistleblower lawsuit filed by former GroupM CEO Richard Foster has resurfaced as WPP filed a motion to dismiss, attaching internal documents that reveal the scale of GroupM’s proprietary media deals. Foster’s 36‑page “Project Claridges” report shows that only...
Weekly Legal Roundup: SCOTUS Destroys Trump Tariffs, Alito Rumors
In the latest Judicial Notice, my weekly legal news roundup: - the #SCOTUS smackdown of the Trump tariffs - Justice Alito retirement rumors - more Kathy Ruemmler revelations - partner departures from Kirkland and Wachtell LINK: https://t.co/PMYKci9GmX https://t.co/TQDUHtbqOq
Harvey Norman to Defend Class Action over Discredited Latitude Payment Plans
Harvey Norman has been named the second defendant in a newly filed class action alleging that its promotion of Latitude Finance Australia’s interest‑free, 60‑month payment plans misled consumers. The lawsuit seeks restitution, damages, and a declaration that the agreements are...