International

Guard Changing at Cozen O’Connor

The guard is about to change Cozen O’Connor, a 546-lawyer Philadelphia-based law firm known as an international insurance coverage powerhouse.The two name partners, although they have signed employment contracts to remain at the helm for another decade, are ceding significant control to the next generation of lawyers and the firm…

Jun 25, 2007 11:37 PM CDT

UK Study: No Law-Abiding Majority

We hear a lot about the law-abiding majority. But, in fact, it doesn’t exist, a recent United Kingdom study found. Neither greed nor need can explain why the middle class–AKA the “fiddle” class–is so unattuned to traditional moral standards. But some two-thirds of those surveyed have cheated businesses, the government…

Jun 25, 2007 8:52 PM CDT

700 Arrests in Global Pedophile Ring

Police have arrested more than 700 suspects in a global pedophile ring and rescued 31 children thought to be victims. About 200 of the suspects are from Britain, the government’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center told Associated Press. The British investigation involved law enforcement agencies from 35 countries. Primary…

Jun 18, 2007 7:51 PM CDT

Judge Delays Trial of CIA Case

An Italian judge has suspended the trial of 26 Americans accused of participating in a CIA kidnapping of an accused terrorist. The judge suspended the case until the highest court in Italy rules on the Italian government’s request for dismissal of the indictments, Associated Press reports. The government contends the…

Jun 18, 2007 3:52 PM CDT

Abbott Sues for Cyber Attack

Abbott Laboratories has sued a French AIDS group for launching a cyber attack on its Web site that overloaded its server and interrupted business. The suit filed in a French criminal court claims Act-Up Paris posted an Abbott link on its own Web site inviting activists to click to protest…

Jun 18, 2007 3:04 PM CDT

Chadbourne, London Firm to Merge?

A New York City-based law firm known for its insurance coverage work is in merger talks with a London counterpart. Chadbourne & Parke’s managing partner says the firm is discussing a possible combination with Watson, Farley & Williams, reports American Lawyer. The two firms have about 400 and 200 attorneys…

Jun 16, 2007 12:51 AM CDT

No Girlfriend Allowed, Defendant Told

A Canadian judge has ordered a 24-year-old man to stay away from intimate relationships for the next three years. Justice Rhys Morgan said he issued the order to protect the public until the defendant gets counseling for a dependent personality disorder, Associated Press reports. Morgan sentenced Cranley to the 146…

Jun 14, 2007 7:35 PM CDT

British Law Firms May Go Public, Too

Seeking to follow in the footsteps of at least one Australian competitor, some British law firms reportedly are interested in potentially going public–and legislation being considered by Parliament would allow them to do just that. The Legal Services Bill expected to pass later this year likely will give United Kingdom…

Jun 13, 2007 2:05 AM CDT

EU Court: This Bud’s for Anheuser

A European court ruled today that Anheuser-Busch may use Budweiser and Bud brand names on merchandise such as T-shirts and barbecue sauce. Reuters reports that Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar lost its bid to prevent its competitor from registering the trademarks for products other than beer before the Court of First…

Jun 12, 2007 2:51 PM CDT

Smoking Ban End of Plush Cigar Bar Era in Posh London Clubs

It’s the end of an era – in fact, the end of a more than 100-year-old tradition – in posh London clubs where members have been free to smoke Cuban cigars in leather chairs in plush surroundings. Due to new no-smoking legislation, clubs are either going to have to ban…

Jun 8, 2007 8:26 PM CDT

Report: CIA Ran Secret Prisons in Europe

The Central Intelligence Agency reportedly ran secret prisons in Poland and Romania from 2003 to 2005, with the collaboration of U.S. allies, in violation of European human rights treaties. However, officials in all of the countries involved said the claim of secret prisons used to interrogate al-Quaida suspects is untrue…

Jun 8, 2007 5:17 PM CDT

More American Officials in Laos Plot?

It isn’t just the California National Guard that may have had at least a peripheral involvement in an alleged California-based plot to overthrow the communist government of Laos.” “Officials said their probe may extend to a former Wisconsin state senator, an unnamed congressman and the California Highway Patrol,” an AP…

Jun 7, 2007 5:37 PM CDT

Judge Tosses Charges Against Gitmo Detainee

A military judge today threw out charges against a Guantanamo detainee who was 15 when he was captured in Afghanistan. However, Army Col. Peter Brownback said the dismissal was without prejudice, which means the government could refile charges against the Canadian man, Associated Press reports. Brownback said the government had…

Jun 4, 2007 7:03 PM CDT

World’s First Publicly Owned Law Firm is Growing

A little more than a week after reportedly becoming the world’s first publicly owned law firm, Australia’s Slater & Gordon is already adding to its attorney roster. The growth move by the Melbourne-based personal injury firm, which is bringing into its fold a Brisbane boutique specializing in military compensation, follows…

May 30, 2007 12:08 PM CDT

Border Courts Swamped With Felonies

Federal courts along the border with Mexico are swamped with immigration-related felony cases, the Associated Press reports. Judges in New Mexico had the heaviest caseload, handling 397 felony cases last year compared to the national average of 84 cases. Chief Judge John M. Roll of the District of Arizona told…

Apr 27, 2007 6:36 PM CDT