Here's a run-down of law-related events, expected developments and live webcasts on JURIST's docket for Tuesday, April 18. The US Supreme Court hears oral arguments in two cases beginning at 10 AM ET today. In the first, Bradshaw v. Stumpf , 04-637, the Court consider whether an explanation by defense counsel of the elements of [...]

Emil Alperin et al. v. Vatican Bank, United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit, April 19, 2005 . Excerpt: A group of twenty-four individuals and four organizations (the "Holocaust Survivors") claim that the Vatican Bank, known by its official title Istituto per le Opere di Religione, the Order of Friars Minor and the [...]

Citing allegedly unfair rulings by a US District Court judge Barbara Jones, former WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers , convicted in March of orchestrating an $11 billion accounting fraud that led to the telecommunications giant's downfall, is seeking a new trial. Attorneys for Ebbers claim that the judge wrongfully refused to grant immunity to three potential [...]

How Good are US Elections? Public hearing by the Carter-Baker Commission for Federal Election Reform, April 18, 2005. Read prepared testimony of witnesses. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

Following heated confirmation hearings last week, a showdown vote by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is set for Tuesday over John Bolton , President Bush's nominee for the UN ambassador. Bolton has been characterized by his critics as hot-tempered and abusive of subordinates, and has been accused of concealing information from superiors in the State [...]

The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that claims against the Vatican Bank made by Eastern European survivors of the Holocaust should be heard in federal court. While Supreme Court decisions restrict the roles federal courts may assume in international matters, the Ninth Circuit ruling upheld the suit in light of the need [...]

Former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James A. Baker III Monday opened the first public hearings of the Commission on Federal Election Reform , set up to continue the election reforms of Help America Vote Act of 2002. Kay Maxwell, president of the US League of Women Voters , testified to the [...]

Texas insurance agent Jerry Gossett has sued the Republican National Committee and one of its suppliers, the Spalding Group , alleging they stole his design for the 'W' bumper stickers used by President George W. Bush in his 2004 re-election campaign. Gossett, a Bush supporter who contributed to both of his presidential campaigns, claims to [...]

In Monday's environmental law news, more than 600 Honduran banana pickers have filed a lawsuit against the Dole , Chiquita , and Fresh Del Monte food companies and the Dow Chemical and Royal Dutch/Shell chemical companies alleging that the pickers were exposed to dibromochloropropane (DBCP), a pesticide, on bananas in Central America after it was [...]

Israel's Supreme Court Monday dismissed an attempt by Jewish settlers to bar legislation enabling the government to accomplish its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The settlers filed eight petitions challenging the Evacuation Compensation bill, ratified in February, which provides government compensation for the 8,500 Israelis who are to be evacuated in an Israeli attempt to [...]