The US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals , serving Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi from the John Minor Wisdom Courthouse in New Orleans, is moving to temporary quarters in Houston, according to Chief Judge Carolyn King. King said Friday that although its 70 court staff would have preferred to shift immediately to Baton Rouge Louisiana in [...]

The US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Friday refused a request by Virginia Attorney General Judy Jagdmann to have the full court rehear a June ruling by a three-judge panel striking down Virginia's law against late-term abortions because the law lacked an exception based on the health of the mother. The Court cited the 2000 [...]

JURIST Guest Columnist Craig Bradley, a former law clerk to the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist, says that Rehnquist's thirty-three year legal legacy is complex and must be examined from multiple perspectives… No one person can adequately assess Chief Justice William Rehnquist’s thirty-three year-plus legal legacy. It's necessary to break that down into different areas [...]

Leading Friday's corporations and securities law news, the US Securities and Exchange Commission has announced that it will indefinitely extend filing deadlines for businesses in the areas affected by hurricane Katrina. In a press release, the SEC also said that it will work with banks and companies to ensure that SEC mandates do not interfere [...]

California Attorney General Bill Lockyer Friday opened an investigation into whether gasoline retailers in the state had participated in illegal profiteering in the wake of Hurricane Katrina . Lockyer said his office would subpoena records from refiners and station owners and set up an e-mail address, gaspricinghotline@doj.ca.gov, where people can submit information about pricing practices. [...]

A Connecticut state judge has refused to approve an arrest warrant for former governor John G. Rowland on ethics charges, and the chief state's attorney said the case was now closed. Christopher Morano said he submitted the warrant request this week, but an unidentified judge would not sign it. Rowland is currently serving a one-year [...]

Leading Friday's states brief, a federal judge will hear arguments next week in Missouri's attempt to prevent the closing of the Air National Guard in St. Louis, with the state arguing that the Pentagon must first consult with state governors before closing bases. Attorney General Jay Nixon has filed for a preliminary injunction to stop [...]

A federal bankruptcy judge on Friday approved a settlement agreement between US Airways and the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation over nearly $2.7 billion in claims stemming from the airline's Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Under the approved deal, PBGC receives cash, guarantees and an ownership stake in the restructured airline to cover its claims after the airline [...]

The International Atomic Energy Agency released a report Friday that found Iran had resumed previously suspended nuclear activities, raising the possibility that the issue will be referred to the UN Security Council . The report by IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei was critical of Iran's cooperation and transparency regarding its nuclear program and confirmed that [...]

Kenyan Transport Minister Chris Murungaru has asked the UK High Court to review a July UK government decision to ban him from entering the country. British authorities did not announce the reason for the ban, but it has been widely speculated that it was due to Murungaru's links to corruption . He was involved in [...]