Ukraine prosecutors close criminal investigation acting prime minister
Ukraine prosecutors announced Friday that the criminal investigation into President Viktor Yushchenko's nominee for prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko and her family will be closed. The investigations began in May 2004 following allegations that Tymoshenko attempted to bribe...
Corporations & securities brief ~ Republicans scrutinize Lenovo's purchase of IBM PC unit
In Wednesday's corporations and securities law news, the agreement by Lenovo , China's largest computer supplier, to takeover IBM's PC division for $1.75 billion is in jeopardy of falling apart as congressional Republicans...
Commissioner v. Banks, Supreme Court of the United States, Justice Kennedy, January 24, 2005 [ruling that contingency fees paid to an attorney after a jury award or settlement are taxable as part of the successful plaintiff's gross income, in part...
US Senate Republicans Monday announced that in the new Congressional session they will consider putting limits on awards in class-action lawsuits before taking on President George W. Bush's top domestic goal of Social Security privatization. In an...
Environmental brief ~ British company to ban smoking in 650 eateries
In Monday's environmental law news, British company JD Wetherspoon , owner of 650 restaurants and pubs, announced that it will be banning smoking in its establishments, with all of them becoming smoke-free by May 2006. The company has...
The US Supreme Court Monday issued rulings on the Fourth Amendment in Illinois v. Caballes and on a tax law issue in Commissioner v. Banks. In Caballes, the Court held that a driver stopped for speeding and then subjected...
The European Union announced Friday its unanimous approval of a measure to end penalty sanctions imposed on $4 billion worth of US exports. The European Council recommended the sanctions end on February 1 and approved a program...
US bankruptcy court Judge Letitia Clark ruled late Thursday that Russian oil company Yukos cannot seek information as to whether the Russian state Gazprom monopoly illegally took part in the sale of Yukos' main oil-producing...
Chile high court authorizes international investigation into Pinochet accounts
Chile's Supreme Court said Thursday that a judge who has been investigating allegations of tax fraud against former dictator Augusto Pinochet can begin an international search for secret bank accounts belonging to Pinochet. Judge...
Corporations & securities brief ~ SEC considers combined settlement in bond market probe
Leading Thursday's corporations and securities law news, the SEC is considering a combined settlement with several brokerage firms in its probe of the $204 billion auction-rate bond market. The SEC's investigation has uncovered several potential violations related...
