In Custodia Legis
Official blog from the Law Library of Congress
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Parliament Ratifies ASEAN Charter (Dec. 03, 2008) by Lisa White
ASEAN, the Association of South East Asian Nations consisting of ten nation states, has issued a press release stating that Indonesia has ratified the ASEAN Charter. ...
Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: Indonesia
Former Prime Minister Found Guilty (Oct. 28, 2008) by Lisa White
Media sources have reported that Thailand's Supreme Court has found the former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, guilty of abusing his office and sentenced him to two ...
Topic: Government ethics
Jurisdiction: Thailand
Ban on Short Selling Extended (Oct. 27, 2008) by Lisa White
Australia's corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), has extended its ban on covered short selling for financial securities until January 27, 2009, and ...
Topic: Banks and financial institutions
Jurisdiction: Australia
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Oct. 27, 2008) by Lisa White
The Climate Change (Emissions Trading) Amendment Act 2008 recently received royal assent. This legislation introduces a greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme under which participants (large emitters ...
Topic: Environment
Jurisdiction: New Zealand
Challenge to 2006 Coup Dismissed (Oct. 24, 2008) by Lisa White
It was reported on October 9, 2008, that Fiji's High Court dismissed a challenge to the actions of President Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda after the 2006 ...
Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Fiji
Amendments to Stock Market and Banking Regulations in Response to Liquidity Issues (Oct. 15, 2008) by Lisa White
Media sources have reported temporary amendments to Indonesian stock market and banking regulations. These amendments include: permitting companies to buy back 20 percent of their paid-up ...
Topic: Banks and financial institutions
Jurisdiction: Indonesia
New National Transplant Authority (Sep. 29, 2008) by Lisa White
The Australian government has proposed new legislation, the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority Bill 2008, to establish an independent Organ and Tissue Donation ...
Topic: Transplantation of organs and tissues
Jurisdiction: Australia
Amendment to Allow Lesbian Mothers' Names on Birth Certificates (Sep. 29, 2008) by Lisa White
The Parliament of New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, has passed the Miscellaneous Acts Amendment (Same Sex Relationships) Act 2008 (NSW). The Act permits existing ...
Topic: Family
Jurisdiction: Australia
New Foreign Investment Regulations (Sep. 29, 2008) by Lisa White
Fiji has introduced new regulations regarding foreign investment that place restrictions on foreign investors participating in "restricted activities" (that is, investment activities subject to conditions, should ...
Topic: Foreign investment
Jurisdiction: Fiji
Draft Children's Television Standards 2008 (Sep. 08, 2008) by Lisa White
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is undertaking a review of the current Children's Television Standards 2005 and has released a draft set of standards. Australia ...
Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Australia
Mutual Recognition of Securities Regulation Arrangement (Aug. 29, 2008) by Lisa White
Australia and the United States have signed a mutual recognition arrangement regarding recognition of financial services regulation. This arrangement will permit investors and brokers to comply ...
Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: Australia/United States
New Companies Act Introduced (Aug. 29, 2008) by Lisa White
Samoa has introduced a new company law regime via the implementation of the Companies Act 2001. Commencing from July 2008, the new Act is a simplified ...
Topic: Corporations
Jurisdiction: Samoa
Introduction of Seasonal Worker Program (Aug. 29, 2008) by Lisa White
Australia is introducing a three-year Seasonal Worker Pilot Program, under which workers from Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Vanuatumay work for up to seven months ...
Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: Australia
Mutual Recognition of Securities (Jul. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
From July 2008, New Zealand and Australia will implement a Mutual Recognition of Securities Offerings (MRSO) that will permit issuers to use a single prospectus to ...
Topic: Investments
Jurisdiction: Australia / New Zealand
Compulsory Dispute Resolution for All Parenting Orders (Jul. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
From July 1, 2008, all persons in Australia applying for a Parenting Order (Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) Pt VII) must attend family dispute resolution (other ...
Topic: Family
Jurisdiction: Australia
Chiefs Seek to Dissolve Elected Parliament (Jul. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
Media reports stated recently that traditional Chiefs of the Cook Islands (members of the House of Ariki) are meeting in an attempt to resolve questions surrounding ...
Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Cook Islands
Supreme Court Investigated for Corruption (Jul. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
Media reports have indicated that Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission has commenced an investigation into the embezzlement of administrative fees by the Supreme Court. It is reported ...
Topic: Government ethics
Jurisdiction: Indonesia
Carbon Trading Agreement (Jul. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
On June 13, 2008, Australia and Indonesia signed a new Indonesia - Australia Forest Carbon Partnership to support emerging ...
Topic: Environment
Jurisdiction: Australia / Indonesia
Woman May Return to Buddhism (Jun. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
News media agencies have reported that the Sharia court of the Malaysian State of Penang has ruled that a Malaysian woman who converted to Islam may ...
Topic: Religion
Jurisdiction: Malaysia
2008-2009 Budget Passed (Jun. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
The Australian Parliament has passed six appropriations bills to implement the government's 2008-2009 budget. The budget will amend legislation to provide for, among other things:
Topic: Budget
Jurisdiction: Australia
Former Khmer Rouge Minister Charged with Crimes Against Humanity (Jun. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
Ieng Thirith, the former Khmer Rouge Social Affairs Minister, has been charged by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) with crimes against humanity ...
Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: Cambodia
Securities Prosecution to Be Funded (Jun. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
It was announced on May 21, 2008, that the New Zealand government is implementing amendments to permit the use of the Securities Commission's Litigation Fund for ...
Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: New Zealand
Introduction of New Cyber Law (May. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
The People's Representative Council of Indonesia has passed the new Law on Electronic Information and Transaction that bans pornographic Web sites and imposes prison sentences and ...
Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Indonesia
Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement (May. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Republic of Indonesia signed the Agreement Concerning Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (MLA) on April ...
Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: Hong Kong / Indonesia
Free Trade Agreement (May. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
On April 7, 2008, New Zealand and China signed a free trade agreement (FTA). The FTA covers:
Topic: Commerce and industry
Jurisdiction: China / New Zealand
Summit Recommends Republic (May. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
The Governance Session of the 2020 Summit (held April 19-20, 2008, in Canberra Australia) has recommended that Australia become a republic via a two-step process involving ...
Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Australia
Introduction of Freedom of Information Legislation (Mar. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
The Cook Islands has become the first Pacific Island country to enact Freedom of Information legislation. The Cook Islands Official Information Act will come into force ...
Topic: Freedom of information
Jurisdiction: Cook Islands
Foreign Sovereign Funds Subject to Scrutiny (Mar. 02, 2008) by Lisa White
The Australian government has released a set of principles by which it will assess foreign investment in Australia by foreign governments and their agencies. (Press Release, ...
Topic: Foreign investment
Jurisdiction: Australia
Inquest Rules Murder in Balibo Five Case (Dec. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
International media have reported a Sydney coroner court finding that the five Australian-based journalists known as the Balibo Five (two Australians, two Britons, and a New ...
Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Australia
Proposal to Amend Terrorism Suppression Bill (Dec. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
A bill to amend the Terrorism Suppression Amendment Act has been introduced in the New Zealand Parliament. The Terrorism Suppression Amendment Bill 2007 will ensure compliance ...
Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: New Zealand
Charter Signed (Dec. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
During their 13th summit, held from November 18-22, 2007, Members of ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations, consisting of Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, ...
Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: ASEAN
New Building Laws Proposed (Dec. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
The Hong Kong Government has proposed an amendment to the Buildings Ordinance to introduce a system for the approval of minor works. Currently all building works ...
Topic: Commerce and industry
Jurisdiction: Hong Kong
Parliament Scheduled (Dec. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
The SOLOMON TIMES has reported that the Governor-General, Sir Nathanial Waena, issued a proclamation scheduling a parliamentary session. The Solomon Islands is currently at a political ...
Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Solomon Islands
Genocide Tribunal Has First Hearing (Dec. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
International media have reported the first public hearing of the Genocide Tribunal of Cambodia. It was a request for bail by Kang Kek Ieu, the former ...
Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: Cambodia
New Anti-Money Laundering Laws (Dec. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
Samoa has enacted new anti-money laundering legislation. This includes:
Topic: Money laundering
Jurisdiction: Samoa
Ban on Harvesting Sea Cucumbers and Clams (Dec. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
According to a media report of November 12, 2007, Vanuatu's Fisheries Department has issued a maximum five-year ban on sea-cucumber harvesting and a total ban on ...
Topic: Environment
Jurisdiction: Vanuatu
Independence Rejected (Nov. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
Tokelau, a small country consisting of three islands in the Pacific Ocean, has rejected proposed independence in a United Nations-observed referendum. A two-thirds majority of voters ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Tokelau
Environmental Activists Cannot Be Charged Under Anti-Terrorism Laws (Nov. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
In a public statement made on November 8, 2007, New Zealand's solicitor-general Dr. David Collins QC declined to authorize charging recently arrested environmental activists under the ...
Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: New Zealand
Extension of Free Education (Nov. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
The Hong Kong government announced on October 10, 2007, a new policy that will provide twelve years of free school education beginning from the 2008-2009 school ...
Topic: Education
Jurisdiction: Hong Kong
Ruling Permits Publication of Any Government Information (Nov. 02, 2007) by Lisa White
According to a media report of October 19, 2007, a recent Fiji High Court decision permits Fiji media the freedom to publish any government or statutory ...
Topic: Freedom of information
Jurisdiction: Fiji
