Legal news
Native American Tribe Suing Major Brewing Companies
A Native American tribe is suing five major brewing companies in the District Court of Nebraska. Although alcohol is illegal on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation, one in four children born to the resident Oglala Sioux tribe suffers from alcohol … Continue reading
McKenzie V Minister for Lands, Kimberly, Australia
The Supreme Court of Western Australia has held that three notices issued by the Minister for Lands for the purpose of acquiring interest of an area known as James Price point are invalid. This was determined on the basis of … Continue reading
Civil Society Group Pursues Freedom of Information Request to Nigerian Federal High Court
The Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in Nigeria has filed a suit against the federal government concerning expenditure of recovered stolen funds. A freedom of information request was filed on 26th September in order to gain access to … Continue reading
Chevron Continues Legal Challenges against Ecuadorians Seeking Compensation
Oil giant Chevron has asked federal judges to seize the assets of Ecuadorian groups involved in a legal battle over compensation for environmental damages in sections of the Amazon rainforest. A court in Ecuador originally ruled that Chevron had to … Continue reading
Court Rules Consent Not Required for Belo Monte Dam Construction
On the 9th November, a federal court in Brasilia ruled that construction on the Belo Monte dam could continue without the need for free, prior and informed consent from indigenous groups that will be adversely affected by the project. The … Continue reading
Act Questions Sovereignty of Australian Government
According to Article 7 of the 1875 Pacific Islander’s Act, Australian Governments have no sovereignty over the country. The act, drawn up under the authority of Queen Victoria, has been used by Aboriginal activist and lawyer-in-training Michael Anderson, as well … Continue reading
Construction of Belo Monte Dam declared illegal
Federal Brazilian Judge, Selene Maria de Almeida, has ruled that the 2005 decree that authorised the building of the Belo Monte Dam in Brazil is illegal. The decision was taken on the basis of an alleged lack of consultation between … Continue reading
French Government Seize Supercar Assets
Eleven supercars belonging to the President of Equatorial Guinea were seized by the French Government following a 2010 Supreme Court ruling allowing investigations into the acquisition of luxury assets by three African heads of state. Transparency International France and SHERPA … Continue reading
Chevron Loses Appeal Against Ecuador Pollution Fine
An appeal court in New York has lifted an injunction that prevented the implementation of an Ecuadorian court’s $18.2 billion judgment against the U.S. energy company Chevron. The oil giant had secured the injunction from a New York federal judge … Continue reading
Borneo Tribe Loses Land Case
The Federal Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia dismissed an appeal by communities protesting that their constitutional rights had been violated when they were displaced to make way for development of the Bakun hydroelectric dam. Members of the displaced communities received … Continue reading