Legal news
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
Endorois Community Case
The African Union has approved a decision by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) holding the Kenyan government guilty of violating the rights of the indigenous Endorois community by evicting them from their land to make way … Continue reading
Indian Government’s Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) seeks permanent statutory suspension of Nirma’s cement plant project
A major cement plant proposed for the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat is facing strong resistance from the MOEF, who argue that the proposal is a major threat to the Samadhiyala Bandhara reservoir which is ‘critically important to the local economy’ … Continue reading
African Heads of State in French Corruption Trial
In a corruption case, the criminal chamber of the Supreme Court (Cour de Cassation) called for an investigation into how luxury assets (properties and cars, as well as bank accounts) were acquired in France by three foreign heads of state.
Cherokee Nation prevented from Intervening in Poultry Pollution Case
The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeal has upheld a decision preventing the Cherokee Nation from intervening in a lawsuit over watershed pollution from industrial chicken farms. The state of Oklahoma had sought injunctive relief and damages from Tyson Foods, over … Continue reading
Torture ruling bars ‘Alien Tort’ claims on companies
The Federal Appeals Court in New York has ruled that companies, including Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s Nigerian unit, are not subject to U.S based lawsuits by foreigners seeking damages for human rights violations. A panel of the Court ruled 2-1 … Continue reading
Bribery Act receives Royal Assent
On 8 April the Bribery Act received Royal Assent. When this Act comes into force it will introduce two completely new offences into UK law. Firstly, a new corporate offence, which will make a company liable for any acts of … Continue reading
Innospec Limited judgment given for conspiracy to corrupt
Lord Justice Thomas approved the Serious Fraud Office’s first joint plea bargain in an overseas corruption investigation into the bribing of employees of Pertamina (an Indonesian state owned refinery) and other government officials in Indonesia by the UK based company, … Continue reading