Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Tuesday condemned a ruling by the UAE Federal Supreme Court affirming a “husband right to discipline his wife” as a violation of UAE treaty obligations. The ruling upheld a man’s right to discipline his children and wife as long as he leaves no physical marks. The case involved a man [...]

The UK Supreme Court set new precedent Wednesday by ruling in favor of recognizing a pre-nuptial agreement during divorce proceedings. The decision affirmed an appellate court decision that honored a pre-nuptial agreement between German heiress Katrin Radmacher and her ex-husband, which was intended to shield her assets. The Supreme Court made no distinction between the [...]

The Indian government introduced a new court system Tuesday that will handle only environmental litigation. The National Green Tribunal, which was established by the Indian Parliament in June under the National Green Tribunal Act , will consist of a chairperson, and a maximum of 20 judicial officers, as well as 20 environmental experts. Environmental Minister [...]

Judge Virginia Phillips of the US District Court of the Central District of California on Tuesday denied the Obama administration’s request to stay her order requiring the US military to end enforcement of its controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy. Two days after Phillips issued the permanent injunction , the federal government filled an [...]

A judge for the US District Court for the District of Columbia on Tuesday denied the habeas corpus petition of Afghan Guantanamo Bay detainee Obaidullah . While Obaidullah has denied the charges against him, Judge Richard Leon noted that he has changed his story several times. The court cited evidence presented by the US government [...]

The French Court of Cassation ruled Tuesday that all persons in custody of French law enforcement, including terrorism suspects, are entitled to consult with lawyers from the outset of criminal proceedings. Sitting en banc, the court ruled that France’s current rules regarding custody contravene the Article 6 right to a fair trial of the European [...]

The US Department of Defense (DOD) announced Tuesday that openly gay men and women are now allowed to sign up to serve in the in US armed forces, following a recent court order striking down the controversial “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy . The DOD issued a directive on Friday to all recruiting stations [...]

The Quebec National Assembly on Tuesday adopted Bill 115 , a controversial measure modifying English-language speakers’ access to English public schools in the province. The new provisions, which are expected to gain royal assent next week, will establish a vesting system whereby children of English-speaking citizens can accrue points toward legal entitlement to access to [...]

Canadian Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart announced Tuesday that Google was in violation of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) when it unintentionally captured personal information while taking pictures for its Google Street View feature . A preliminary letter of findings explained that Google specifically violated principles 4.1 – 4.4 of PIPEDA, which [...]

A group of Kyrgyz lawyers is refusing to proceed with defending of ethnic Uzbeks in connection with eruptions of ethnic violence in June unless the government provides increased protections for them and their families. Group representatives cite multiple instances of violence against defenders of those accused of stoking ethnic violence surrounding the overthrow of president [...]