ICO Decision on Isle of Wight Council Planning Complaints

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) issued a decision regarding Isle of Wight Council's handling of planning complaint information requests. The ICO found the council was entitled to withhold some information but had breached regulations in its initial handling of the request under FOIA.

ICO Decision Notice: Cabinet Office FOI Exemptions for Saudi Visit

The ICO has issued a decision notice regarding the Cabinet Office's use of FOI exemptions for information related to a visit to Saudi Arabia. The ICO found that while some exemptions were valid, others were not, and ordered the disclosure of specified information.

ICO Decision: University entitled to withhold student data

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) issued a decision finding that Ulster University was entitled to withhold student enrolment data under commercial interests provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The complainant's request was not upheld, and no further steps are required.

Ayestas v. Harris County District Attorney's Office - Habeas Corpus

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a discovery order in a habeas corpus case involving a capital murder conviction. The court found that the district court lacked jurisdiction over the selective-prosecution claims, vacating the order that compelled the Harris County District Attorney's Office to produce internal memoranda.

Fifth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Employment Discrimination Case

The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a plaintiff's employment discrimination and retaliation claims with prejudice. The dismissal was based on the plaintiff's counsel's repeated failure to comply with discovery orders and court deadlines over four years of litigation. The court found the dismissal to be a proper exercise of discretion.

Teacher v. Principal - First Amendment Prayer Rights

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a principal's claim of qualified immunity in a lawsuit filed by a teacher who alleges her prayer on school grounds was prohibited. The court will determine if the principal's actions violated the teacher's First Amendment rights.

Trade Court Orders $166 Billion Refund of IEEPA Duties

The U.S. Court of International Trade has ordered U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund approximately $166 billion in duties paid by over 330,000 importers under unlawful tariffs imposed via IEEPA. This follows a Supreme Court ruling invalidating the tariffs.

CIT Ruling on IEEPA Duties Impacts Importer Refunds

The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued an order in Atmus Filtration, Inc. v. United States directing CBP to liquidate entries without regard to IEEPA duties. This ruling impacts importers seeking refunds of tariffs previously imposed under IEEPA, following a Supreme Court decision.

US Directs Dismantling of Criminal Cartels in Western Hemisphere

The US government has issued an executive order directing federal agencies to dismantle criminal cartels and transnational gangs operating in the Western Hemisphere. The order mandates coordination with allied governments, military training for partner nations, and the use of all legal authorities to counter cartel-driven violence and corruption.

US and Mexico Coordinate Sanctions on Cartel Timeshare Fraud

The US Treasury's OFAC and Mexico's SHCP have coordinated sanctions against five individuals and 19 entities involved in timeshare fraud linked to the CJNG cartel. This action builds on previous designations and aims to combat cartel-linked financial crimes.