As recently reported, with the reopening of the New York Stock Exchanges, persons on the floor are required to sign what is called a COVID-19 waiver. The text of such a waiver is unclear but its effect pernicious. For a person who has a contract already, the waiver amounts to a modification of the contract.  [...]

The plight of Indian journalists is not in hiding anymore as it has been ranked 142 on the World Press Freedom Index 2020. The government has time and again introduced new laws to curb freedom and violate the rights of the citizens.  The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (UAPA) was developed as an anti-terrorism law [...]

“ shot from the back through the chest and into the eye” was how one commentator described it. On May 2, 2020, Germany’s highest constitutional court, the Bundesverfassungsgericht, delivered a judgment that sent shivers through the political and legal institutions of Europe. It had been asked to rule on the lawfulness of the participation of [...]

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear ordered an investigation Monday into the fatal police shooting of David McAtee. Beshear called for the release of body camera footage. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced that officers on the scene did not activate their body cameras. Fischer subsequently fired Louisville Police Chief Steve Conrad. The investigation will be a joint [...]

One of the focal points of the government health response to COVID-19 in India has been the extensive use of mobile phone applications such as the Aarogya Setu for contact tracing and quarantine. The applications have already been subject to widespread criticism for insufficient protection of user data. Notwithstanding the role of mobile phone applications, [...]

The US Supreme Court ruled Monday that the New York convention does not conflict with state law doctrines of equitable estoppel which allow non-signatories to an arbitration agreement to compel arbitration. The case involves an American company (ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA) and a French company (F.L. Industries Inc.), which entered into three contacts, all of which [...]

US President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Sunday that the US government will designate Antifa as a terrorist organization. “It’s ANTIFA and the Radical Left,” Trump tweeted. “Don’t lay the blame on others.” According to Merriam-Webster, “ANTIFA” or “Antifa” is short for the German “antifaschistisch” (“anti-facist” in English), and is often used to [...]

The US Supreme Court held Monday in Banister v. Davis that Rule 59(e) of federal civil procedure does not change a habeas court’s judgment, and it thus is not considered a “second or successive habeas petition,” expanding the scope of federal post-conviction review. The petitioner in this case is Gregory Banister, who was convicted for [...]

The US Supreme Court held Monday in Thole v. US Bank that plaintiffs who have not experienced an actual financial injury cannot sue pension fund managers. In this case, plaintiffs James Thole and Sherry Smith sued US Bank under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allege that the defendants violated the [...]

The US Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday in Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico v. Aurelius Investment, LLC that the president did not require the Senate’s advice and consent before making appointments to the Financial Oversight and Management Board in Puerto Rico based on the Appointments Clause of the Constitution. The Oversight Board [...]