Australia to Back War Court
Australia - The Australian government has decided that Australia should
ratify the International Criminal Court ('ICC') on condition that Australians
will not be tried without a warrant from the Australian government. Concerns
that Australian soldiers would be put at risk and that the nation's sovereignty
would be compromised were reasons sited for the delay in ratification. The ICC
began operating on 1 July 2002. (Source: www.smh.com.au.)
Ban on Advertising Junk Food
Australia, Canberra - Due to an alarming increase in obesity, doctors have
called for a voluntary advertising code and a stop to showing advertisements on
foods, such as chips, chocolate and ice cream, during children's viewing hours.
Opponents to this rule, namely food manufacturers and advertisers, have blamed
lifestyle and family structures for the rise in obesity.
(Source: www.smh.com.au.)
A New Franchise Law
China - The next six months will see China's first franchise law. The law hopes
to provide security to foreign brand owners, thus attracting more overseas
franchise brands to China. The legislation ensures franchise store runners carry
out their commitments to franchise brand owners, while providing protection to
store runners in the event of bankruptcy of the brand owner.
(Source: www.isinolaw.com.)
English Language Relief to Foreigners
China, Beijing - With the expectation of an increase in foreigners, Beijing has
opened an English language hotline for foreigners, who may dial 1600148 to
receive legal consultations from 16 experienced lawyers. The hotline provides
legal advice to foreigners wishing to start up businesses, on house purchasing
and on job inquiries, to name but a few. (Source: www.isinolaw.com.)
Shenzhen's Own Legal Aid Service
China, Shenzhen - The Shenzhen Legal Bureau will be setting up its own
Public Service Lawyers Team that will comprise licensed lawyers with
certificates and will provide aid to disadvantaged groups. The move comes in the
face of China's WTO entry and the resulting competition from foreign lawyers.
(Source: www.isinolaw.com.)
No Trademark for Functional Shapes
EU - The European Court of Justice, upon request by the UK Court of Appeal,
has ruled that product shapes which are essential to the way a product works
cannot be trademarked. Hence, finding in favour of Remington in its legal tussle
against Philips over its three-headed rotary razor design. The outcome of the
legal action will depend on the UK court's final decision. (Source:
news.bbc.co.uk.)
Microsoft's E-governance MOU with India
India - A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Madhya Pradesh
government and Microsoft Corporation India for jointly developing and deploying
technology solutions for e-governance. Two centres of excellence for
e-governance, based on Microsoft technologies, will be set up for conducting
technical training sessions for government personnel.
(Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com.)
Fair Treatment for Foreign Investors in Russia?
Russia - A court ruling by a Far East court against Euro Asian Investment
Holding ('EAIH'), a Seattle-based company, has raised fears that foreign
investors will not be given fair treatment in Russia. The court has ruled that
EAIH's business partner, Primorkhleboprodukt, had violated no laws by selling
its main assets without the approval of the minority shareholder. EAIH claims
that the decision 'broke the spirit of the law'.
(Source: www.moscowtimes.ru.)
Foreigners Barred from Buying Farmland
Russia - Last year's Kremlin Land Code permitted the limited sale of land to
foreigners but failed to address farmland in particular. Hence, a draft
amendment that would bar foreigners from buying or selling farmland, but would
allow them to lease the farmland for 49 years, has been given tentative approval
by the government. The amendment has received support from President Putin who
has said that a 'well-balanced, accurate and extremely careful approach' to land
sales should be taken.
(Source: www.moscowtimes.ru.)
A More Effective and Efficient Justice System
UK - In his attempt to inject more public and, in particular, victims' faith
into the justice system, Prime Minister Tony Blair has introduced a white paper
on reforms to the system which includes: (a) scrapping the 'double jeopardy
rule' where significant new evidence is produced; (b) allowing previous
convictions to be disclosed to juries; (c) preventing people from avoiding jury
duty; (d) introducing a formal system of plea bargaining; and (e) allowing
prosecutors to appeal against judges' decisions to halt trials on
technicalities. (Source: news.bbc.co.uk.)
Porn Surfing at Work
US - Courts across the US have consistently shown no mercy to employees who
use the work computer to view pornography websites, saying that employees have
no reasonable expectation of privacy if the employer has an established computer
use policy. However, a proposed Notice of Electronic Monitoring Bill may provide
protection for employees against privacy infringements should employers fail to
give notice of the type, frequency and likelihood of monitoring. (Source:
practice.findlaw.com.)
Best Way to Market your Firm
US - Law firm Strom Law has found that effective use of content is the best
way to market a law firm online. The firm, a leader in class action suits
against pharmaceutical firms, insurance companies and other major corporations,
attracts clients through updating the contents of its website frequently, thus
giving a fresh look and feel to the site, whilst providing up-to-date
information on the firm and news surrounding relevant cases.
(Source: practice.findlaw.com.)