Legal News

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said Thursday in his remarks to the Security Council that the COVID-19 pandemic threatens global peace. “In some conflict settings, the uncertainty created by the pandemic may create incentives for some actors to promote further division and turmoil,” Guterres stated. “This could lead to an escalation of violence and possibly devastating [...]

Several gun rights groups filed a lawsuit on Thursday in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts that challenges the decision of Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker to close all businesses selling firearms and ammunition to the public. Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 13 on March 23, which closed the physical workplaces of all [...]

The Swiss government announced Thursday that it will look at temporarily amending its bankruptcy laws during the coronavirus crisis to help companies that have encountered cash-flow problems and mounting debt. The government warned on Wednesday that the Swiss economy could shrink as much as 10.4 percent this year. Justice minister Karin Keller-Sutter said that companies [...]

EU finance ministers announced an agreement Thursday to alleviate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan is intended as a safety net for EU member states, companies and citizens. The Ministers of Finance agreed that the impact of COVID-19 has triggered the escape clause in the EU’s fiscal framework. This gives member states [...]

The Supreme Court of India ruled Wednesday that citizens must be given access to free COVID-19 testing, sparking concern from many experts. Many business leaders and health experts state that by placing a high financial burden on private medical firms, India could actually see a reduction in its COVID-19 testing. Small businesses currently do not [...]

Australian police reported Thursday that they have taken the “black box” of a cruise ship as part of a homicide investigation after 15 COVID-19 deaths were reportedly linked to the vessel. The ship, the Ruby Princess, was permitted to disembark 2,700 passengers last month without health checks. As a result, hundreds of passengers have tested [...]

The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal on Thursday partially upheld the special administrative region’s recent ban on face masks during public gatherings. The ruling notes that “the expert evidence shows masks function as a facilitator of anonymity for rioters and those who resort to violence. The PFCR makes it an offence for anyone without [...]

US Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD) wrote to Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf Tuesday urging a reduction of the immigrant detainee population to minimize the spread of COVID-19. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stopped the detention of immigrants who pose no security threats, but that is not enough according [...]

National nonpartisan legal advocacy group Free Speech for People published a guide on Tuesday that outlines four legal and policy changes states should make to ensure a “safe, accessible, and trustworthy election” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some states have already postponed primary elections, Free Speech for People stressed that “elections—the foundation of our democracy—must [...]

The South African National Education Health & Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU), South Africa’s main healthcare workers’ union, filed court papers against the Minister of Health and Department of Health Tuesday over a lack of compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993. NEHAWU claims that the Department of Health is failing to provide [...]