New Court to Deal with Child Molesters
Australia, NSW — To curb a recent spate of appallingly inadequate sentences for child sex offenders, the NSW government has announced the proposed establishment of a special children’s court specifically designed to deal with
child sexual assault cases, with expert judicial officers, prosecutors and court staff, all specially trained in child sexual assault issues to ensure a conviction is secured. (Source: www.smh.com.au.)
Corporate Accountant Guidelines
China — The Ministry of Finance has published its Corporate Accountant Guidelines which focuses on (a) the criterion of calculation and principle of disclosure; and (b) the termination of business provisions that regulate the
information disclosure of companies terminating their business. (Source: www.isinolaw.com.)
Export Privileges
China, Shanghai — Another 25 export companies, on top of the present 39, have been granted customs clearance privileges. These privileges aid in reducing the time and improve exports out of Shanghai ports. Companies with high
development potential and with more than a US$30m annual export value are eligible for the customs clearance privileges. (Source: www.isinolaw.com.)
Secularism Foremost in Constitution
India, New Delhi — Three Supreme Court judgments have stressed that secularism is the basis of the Constitution, and the state is prohibited from having or promoting any religion. Their judgments affirm the fundamental right
of an individual to freedom of religious choice, and bars the ‘pitching of one religion against the other’, thus paving the way for free and fair elections in which politicians will adhere to the principles of secularism. (Source:
timesofindia.indiatimes.com.)
Test Run of Emissions Trading Market
Japan — Due to its ratification of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on global warming, Japan is set to test its first emissions-trading market next January. The 30 companies involved will buy or sell their emissions rights depending on
whether they have exceeded or fallen below their own maximum emissions limit set by themselves. These companies are allowed to participate only if they are able to reduce global warming gases through energy conservation or the
introduction of new energy sources. (Source: www.japantimes.co.jp.)
Halal Certification
Malaysia, Muar — The government is looking into the feasibility of issuing halal certificates to foodstuffs and premises. If approved by the Islamic Development Council (‘Jakim’) and the state religious departments, manufacturers
may be asked to send samples of their products to Jakim for verification and certification. Imported products from overseas may also be subjected to these tests.
(Source: thestar.com.my.)
Clamp Down on Terrorism
Pakistan — In a move to crack down on extremism, the government has amended its anti-terrorism laws to allow the police to detain suspects for a year without charging, and investigate a suspect’s relative’s assets and back
accounts. If on bail, a suspect will be banned from public places such as hotels and cinemas. The amendment, termed as draconian by human rights campaigners, comes into force with immediate effect. (Source: news.bbc.co.uk.)
To Cure or Kill?
Russia, St Petersburg — Between 1998 to 2000, an emergency services doctor, Maxim Petrov, whilst taking an elderly person’s blood pressure, would inject his victim with sleep-inducing drugs, and then rob the apartment; those
who resisted were killed. He is thus far charged with 11 killings and 50 robberies. Due to the large number of victims and witnesses, the trial is expected to last for months. A psychiatric evaluation before trial has pronounced
Petrov sane. (Source: www.moscowtimes.ru.)
Stricter Rules for Employers on Employee Monitoring
UK — A draft code of practice is being drawn by the Information Commissioner which will protect an employee’s right to privacy in communication. The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act and the Data Protection Act govern the
monitoring of employee communications. At present, the data protection laws are being redrafted in light of recent European court decisions, like the French Supreme Court’s ruling against Nikon when it decided that the company had
no automatic right to search through an employee’s e-mail box. (Source: news.bbc.co.uk.)
Pay Increase for Senior Barristers
UK — Research, done by chartered accountants BDO Stoy Hayward, has shown that the average earnings of a barrister with 10 years’ experience is £88,000, which represents a year-on-year increase of 12%, higher than top executives’
pay rises in the private sector; whilst Queen’s Counsels earn at least £282,000 yearly. On the other hand, junior barristers were struggling financially and had reportedly lower rates of pay. (Source: news.bbc.co.uk.)
Defending Ikea’s Rights
UK — Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has refused to grant planning permission to Ikea, citing the store’s decision to build another out-of-town shop in Cheshire was contrary to the government’s objectives of promoting
social inclusion and ensuring sustainability, as people without cars were being excluded. Ikea, which has decided to take the government to court, has been told by Mr Prescott to take greater effort in finding a smaller
town-centre site. (Source: news.bbc.co.uk.)
Putting a Cap on Liability
US, Nevada — Following the University of Nevada Medical Centre fiasco — in which the Centre had to close its doors after the mass resignation of surgeons who feared bankrupting their families should they be embroiled in
seven-figure lawsuits with ‘increasingly aggressive’ lawyers — the Nevada legislature has passed a new law which places a cap of $350,000 on pain and suffering damages, with the exception of cases of ‘gross malpractice’ and where
there are ‘exceptional circumstances’. (Source: www.washtimes.com.)