SAPIENS LAW Trademark Application Published for Opposition

The USPTO published SAPIENS LAW trademark application (TM99245562) for legal and investigative services on March 31, 2026. The application was filed on June 20, 2025, and is now in the opposition period where third parties may challenge registration.

Met Detective Sacked for Off-Duty Drug Use and Misconduct

Detective Constable Pervaz Malik, based in the Met Police Central West Command Unit, was dismissed without notice following an IOPC-directed investigation and one-day disciplinary hearing. The panel found his conduct between 2016 and 2023—including purchasing, using, and facilitating Class A drugs while overseas, and organising sex workers for himself and others—breached police standards for discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity, and fitness for duty. He will be placed on the police barred list. The Crown Prosecution Service took no further action after a referral in December 2024.

Six Met Officers Investigated Over Stop and Search of Black Child

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has announced it is investigating six Metropolitan Police officers in connection with the stop and search of a Black 16-year-old boy in Tottenham on 26 April 2025. The boy sustained a fractured knee requiring hospital treatment. Three officers are under criminal investigation for assault and offences under section 44 of the Serious Crime Act 2007, while three additional officers face potential misconduct proceedings. The IOPC will determine whether to refer any officers to the Crown Prosecution Service at the conclusion of its investigation.

Spongetrac surgical sponge monitor trademark application

The USPTO received trademark application TM99278631 for "SPONGETRAC" filed by an undisclosed applicant on July 11, 2025. The mark covers an electronic surgical sponge monitor system and disposable container for medical waste used in operating rooms. This is an Intent-to-Use application with no current use in commerce.

ZETATOR trademark application for space exploration technology services

The USPTO received trademark application TM98711963 for 'ZETATOR' filed by an intent-to-use applicant on August 22, 2024. The application covers scientific research services in energy, renewable energy, and biology relating to space exploration technologies, as well as technical consulting in aerospace engineering for space exploration. The intent-to-use statement has a deadline of March 31, 2026.

Intent-to-Use Trademark Application for Energy Services

USPTO received Intent-to-Use trademark application TM98716822 filed March 31, 2026, covering energy-related services including financial and insurance consultancy, education and training, energy generation from wind/solar/nuclear/hydrogen/fusion sources, waste treatment and recycling, and custom manufacturing/construction of power generation equipment.

Lyme Disease Treatment Centers of America Trademark Application - Intent to Use

USPTO received an Intent to Use trademark application (TM99200378) for 'LYME DISEASE TREATMENT CENTERS OF AMERICA' covering medical services including Lyme disease treatment, treatment protocol design, and medical analysis services. The application was filed on May 23, 2025, with a stated intent to use date of March 31, 2026. This is an informational filing announcing a trademark registration proceeding rather than an enforcement action or regulatory requirement.

A.B v Chief International Protection Officer - Judicial Review Availability in Asylum Cases

The Supreme Court of Ireland held on 25 March 2026 that an applicant for international protection may seek judicial review of an International Protection Officer's decision despite having a statutory appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal available, where the gravity of breaches of fair procedures warrants such intervention. The Court addressed the long-established discretion of courts to decline judicial review where alternative remedies exist, finding that exceptionally poor-quality decisions with significant procedural failures may justify court intervention. The Georgian national appellant had claimed persecution for reporting electoral fraud and alleged the IPO failed to assess relevant documentation despite a Tribunal directive to re-evaluate certain evidence.

Lacramioara Amariei v Chief Appeals Officer - Social Welfare Judicial Review

The Supreme Court of Ireland delivered judgment on 25 March 2026 clarifying when social welfare claimants may bypass administrative appeals processes and proceed directly to judicial review of Appeals Officer decisions. The Court examined sections 317, 318, and 327 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, which establish the Chief Appeals Officer's power to revise decisions for mistake and a further statutory appeal mechanism. The core issue addressed was whether the availability of a s. 318 application to the Chief Appeals Officer or a s. 327 statutory appeal precludes recourse to judicial review. The Court held that s. 317 revision (limited to new evidence or change of circumstances) differs materially from s. 301 revision (which includes mistake), and that s. 318 correctly assigns mistake-based revision to the Chief Appeals Officer rather than an appeals officer.

O'Callaghan v Pepper Finance - Mortgage Dispute Interlocutory Ruling

The High Court of Ireland denied Pauline O'Callaghan's application for an interlocutory injunction to prevent Pepper Finance from selling two mortgaged properties. The court found the plaintiff failed to establish a fair case for trial, noting that BoS transferred legal title to Pepper via a Global Deed of Assignment while beneficial ownership passed separately to entities including Erimon Home Loans Limited. The court held that damages would be an adequate remedy and that the plaintiff's delay and acquiescence weighed against granting the relief sought.

People v James Flynn - Appeal on Court of Appeal Retrial Powers

The Supreme Court of Ireland determined the proper interpretation of s. 3 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1993 concerning the Court of Appeal's power to order a retrial. James Flynn's conviction for conspiracy to burgle was quashed because the Special Criminal Court breached his right to constitutional and natural justice by amending the indictment during its reasoned verdict without advance notice or opportunity for submissions. The Court of Appeal subsequently ordered a retrial on the charge as originally preferred. The question before the Supreme Court was whether a retrial can be ordered in respect of an offence of which the accused was not convicted.

PT (A Minor) v Health Service Executive - Costs Ruling

On 22 December 2025, the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by PT (a minor) from Reynolds J.'s High Court order of 18 March 2025 directing that two central questions of fact be tried by modular trial before any other issues. The court indicated provisionally that the defendant Health Service Executive, having been entirely successful, was entitled to costs of the appeal. Written submissions on costs were received from the appellant on 29 January 2026 and the respondent's reply on 20 February 2026. The matter was heard before Whelan J., Binchy J., and Hyland J. with Binchy J. delivering the costs ruling on 25 March 2026.

Minister for Justice v Puk - Immigration Appeal

The Irish Court of Appeal issued a judgment in case [2026] IECA 45 on 25 March 2026 in an immigration appeal brought by the Minister for Justice against Puk. The Court upheld or modified the lower tribunal's decision in this approved judgment. This ruling represents binding precedent for immigration proceedings before Irish courts and tribunals.

DPP v Campbell, Court of Appeal, 9th Mar

DPP v Campbell, Court of Appeal, 9th Mar

T.G.O'R and A.B. v NCSE - Judicial Review of AON Nomination Policy

Two minors with disabilities brought judicial review proceedings challenging the National Council for Special Education's alleged fixed policy of automatically nominating school principals or teachers for Assessment of Need assessments. The High Court identified that this approach may unlawfully fetter the NCSE's statutory discretion under s. 8(3) of the Disability Act 2005 and affects a significant number of other cases. The HSE confirmed that regardless of the outcome, the Applicants are entitled to obtain a new Assessment Report upon request.

Riordan v Judicial Council - Judicial Review

The High Court of Ireland delivered judgment in Riordan v Complaints Review Committee of the Judicial Council on 27 March 2026, determining an opposed application for leave to proceed by judicial review. The applicant Denis Riordan challenged three determinations of the CRC that his complaints against three Supreme Court judges were inadmissible. The underlying dispute arose from Riordan's application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court in a case concerning a EUR5,000 appeal fee charged by the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal, which lower courts had previously found to be lawfully imposed. The court assessed whether the applicant established an arguable case that the CRC acted unlawfully or irrationally in finding his complaints inadmissible. The applicant appeared without legal representation, while the respondent was represented by solicitor and counsel.

ByteDance Ltd v Coimisiún na Meán - DSA Investigation Challenge

ByteDance Ltd filed judicial review proceedings on 22 December 2025 challenging the Digital Services Coordinator for Ireland's (Coimisiún na Meán) investigation decisions dated 29 October 2025 and 2 December 2025 relating to the TikTok online platform. The investigation examines suspected contraventions of Article 16 (illegal content reporting mechanisms) and Article 25 (non-deceptive design) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act). The High Court delivered judgment on 26 March 2026 on an interlocutory application for a stay in proceedings Record No. 2025/1939 JR.

Guerin v O'Doherty - Defamation Appeal

James Guerin brought defamation proceedings against Gemma O'Doherty regarding publications made in July 2019. Following a jury trial that ended in a hung jury on 28 November 2023, O'Doherty applied to strike out the proceedings on 6 December 2024, claiming they were malicious, vexatious, frivolous, and an attack on press freedom. The motion was dismissed and she appealed. The Court of Appeal heard the appeal on 16 February 2026 and dismissed it, upholding the High Court's refusal to strike out the defamation proceedings.

Podcast Explores Strengthened Public Engagement for Major Electric Transmission Lines

The MPSC released an episode of its Behind the Meter podcast discussing new voluntary filing guidelines for transmission line developers, approved in 2025 following landowner concerns about lack of meaningful public engagement in prior siting cases. The guidelines establish the Commission's expectations for improved public participation and routing flexibility for future high-voltage transmission projects. Valerie Wohlscheid-Brennan, a landowner whose centennial farm was along the Nelson to Oneida transmission route, appears as a guest alongside MPSC commissioners to discuss the improvements.

Information Collection Pending OMB Review

The FCC submitted information collection OMB 3060-1149 for 30-day review to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice invites public comments on the proposed information collection requirements, with comments due by May 1, 2026. This is a standard administrative PRA notice with no new substantive obligations.

Class B AIS Equipment Information Collection Review Under PRA

The FCC has published a notice under the Paperwork Reduction Act requesting public comments on the extension of OMB Control No. 3060-1124, which covers technical requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment under Section 80.231. The collection affects approximately 20 respondents with a total annual burden of 50,020 hours and $25,000 in annual costs. Comments must be submitted by June 1, 2026.

FCC Information Collection Review Under PRA - Local Franchising Authority Certification

The FCC invites public comments on OMB Control No. 3060-0550 (FCC Form 328), regarding Local Franchising Authority Certification under Section 76.910 of the Communications Act. This is a routine Paperwork Reduction Act review to extend an existing information collection. The collection involves 7 respondents, 13 responses, and 26 hours of annual burden. Comments are due June 1, 2026.

Renewable Fuel Standard Program Standards for 2026 and 2027

The EPA issued a final rule establishing renewable fuel volume requirements and percentage standards for 2026 and 2027 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The rule also partially waives the 2025 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement due to production shortfalls and removes renewable electricity (eRINs) as a qualifying renewable fuel. The rule takes effect June 15, 2026.

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources Technology Review

The EPA finalized amendments to NESHAP for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources under CAA section 112(d)(6) technology review. The rule adds new LDAR requirements for equipment leaks and heat exchange systems, standards for pressure relief devices and pressure vessels, mandates electronic reporting for compliance notifications and periodic reports, and requires continuous performance testing of non-flare air pollution control devices.

HKIRC and PCPD Co-organise AI Security Summit for Enterprises, Over 620 Attend

The Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC) and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) co-organised the 'AI Security and Cybersecurity Summit for Enterprises' on 31 March 2026, with the Digital Policy Office as strategic partner. The Summit covered two thematic areas—Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Security—and attracted over 620 corporate representatives from diverse sectors, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to enhance organisational awareness of cybersecurity and AI security risks. The PCPD announced it would launch a 'Data Security' Package in Q2 2026 with free quotas for professional workshops.

PCPD Publishes eHealth Privacy Guidance for Healthcare Professionals

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) published an information leaflet titled 'Points to Note for Healthcare Providers and Healthcare Professionals' on 31 March 2026, providing practical guidance on compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO) when handling patient data through Hong Kong's Electronic Health System (eHealth System). The leaflet covers requirements for data collection and use, data accuracy, data security, direct marketing restrictions, transparency obligations, and data access/correction request handling. It includes an action list to assist healthcare providers in reviewing whether adequate measures have been adopted to safeguard personal data privacy.

New Outcomes-Driven Certifications in Perinatal and Cardiac Care

Joint Commission announced the launch of new outcomes-driven certifications for hospitals and healthcare organizations, assessed based on measurable clinical outcomes rather than primarily on compliance with processes. The first two certifications focus on perinatal care and cardiac surgeries and procedures, representing a strategic shift toward data-driven, outcomes-based quality assessment. The certifications are voluntary and available exclusively to Joint Commission-accredited hospitals; existing certifications are not affected and will continue to be available.

HMRC Updates Creative Industry Tax Reliefs Admin

HMRC has made administrative changes to all creative industry tax reliefs, including Film Tax Relief, High End Television, Animation, Children's TV, Video Games Tax Relief, Theatre Tax Relief, Orchestra Tax Relief, and Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief. Customers must now submit claims on CT600 and CT600P alongside a mandatory online Creatives Form with supporting evidence—all three elements required for a valid claim. New productions must adopt the new model from April 2025, while productions already underway by that date may continue under the current model until 31 March 2027.

Tax Relief Updates for Creative and Audio-Visual Sectors

HMRC has published administrative changes to all creative industries tax reliefs, effective 1 April 2026. The updates include corrections to anomalies and measures to prevent abuse of the relief schemes. An accompanying Equality Impact Assessment document is available, confirming that equality considerations were integrated into the decision-making process for these relief modifications.

Gilt Repo Market Resilience Feedback Statement

The Bank of England published a feedback statement on 1 April 2026 summarising responses to its September 2025 discussion paper on enhancing gilt repo market resilience. Respondents broadly supported the Bank's objective of strengthening resilience but raised concerns about proportionality and potential negative spillovers of market-wide measures such as mandatory central clearing or non-risk-sensitive minimum haircuts. Most respondents favoured incentives to encourage voluntary adoption of central clearing over mandates, citing access barriers, operational constraints, and cost considerations. The Bank will continue exploring policy options including clearing access innovations, cross-product margining, and collateral pool expansion in collaboration with the FCA, HM Treasury, and the DMO.

Sandhu v. BlackBerry Corporation - Employment Civil Rights

Neelam Sandhu filed an employment civil rights civil case against BlackBerry Corporation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on April 2, 2024 (Case No. 3:24-cv-02002-SK, Judge Sallie Kim). The court docket was updated with pre-trial filings submitted between March 25 and April 1, 2026, including witness and exhibit lists, proposed voir dire questions, a proposed form of verdict, a trial brief, and a joint stipulation regarding sealing procedures. These filings indicate the case is advancing toward trial.

David Tai Leung - Probation Modification Granted

The United States District Court for the Northern District of California granted a motion to modify probation conditions for David Tai Leung in case number 3:22-cr-00329-CRB-1. The modification, filed on April 1, 2026, was signed by Judge Charles R. Breyer. This ruling represents a routine judicial adjustment to supervised release terms following a formal request with the consent of the person under supervision.

Harris v. WebBank - Consumer Banking Dispute

Rene S. Harris filed a civil complaint against WebBank in the Northern District of California on April 1, 2026. The filing fee was $405 with receipt number ACANDC-21820452. The case is filed as a Federal Question civil action under Other Statutory Actions and includes both a complaint and civil cover sheet.

Malta Recalls Sterimar Dolphin Plush Toy Over Choking Hazard

The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) has issued a recall for the Sterimar Dolphin Plush Toy distributed through pharmacies in Malta and Gozo. Testing identified that the toy's eye components may detach, posing a choking hazard for infants and young children. Distribution has been halted and pharmacies have been notified. Consumers who received the toy are instructed to immediately stop use and safely dispose of it. No standard recall remedy applies, as the toy was supplied as a free promotional item.

Brooks v Rex - Rape Conviction Appeal

The England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) dismissed Shane Ryan Brooks's appeal against two rape convictions from Reading Crown Court. Brooks was convicted on 2 April 2025 and sentenced on 17 April 2025 to a total of 12 years' imprisonment (nine years on count 1 and three years consecutive on count 2). The appeal challenged both conviction (with leave from the single judge) and sentence (referred to the full court). The convictions arose from offences against two complainants in January 2021 in Maidenhead.

R v Minter [2026] EWCA Crim 359 judgment 3rd Mar

R v Minter [2026] EWCA Crim 359 judgment 3rd Mar

R v Pottinger - Wounding with Intent and Firearms Offences Appeal

Marcus Pottinger appeals his conviction on Count 2 (wounding with intent contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861) following a trial at the Central Criminal Court before His Honour Judge Simon Mayo KC. The jury convicted Pottinger on counts 2 and 4 but acquitted him on counts 1 (attempted murder) and 3 (possession of firearm with intent to endanger life). The shooting victim was Brandon Malutshi, shot on 30 August 2022 at Oval Space nightclub in Hackney by Chris Kaba during a gang-related incident. Pottinger, who had no gang affiliation, received a bag containing a gun from co-defendant Shemiah Bell outside the club and succeeded in bypassing security to bring the weapon inside.

Van Buuren v Cambridgeshire Constabulary - Civil Appeal

The England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division) issued judgment [2026] EWCA Civ 391 on 31 March 2026 in Van Buuren v Cambridgeshire Constabulary, involving a cyclist seriously injured on 28 August 2013 who alleged police falsified collision records and concealed witness evidence. Appeal Nos CA-2025-000399 and CA-2025-000458 were heard on 25 March 2026 before Sir Geoffrey Vos MR, Lady Justice Asplin, and Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing, with the court addressing claims against three constabularies and the IOPC.

Metcalf v R - Appeal Against Rape and False Imprisonment Convictions

The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) dismissed Lee Metcalf's appeal against convictions for rape and false imprisonment, rejecting his application for leave to appeal based on fresh psychiatric evidence from Dr KM Santosh Kumar indicating the appellant suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. The court found that even if the expert evidence had been available at trial, it would not have rendered the conviction unsafe given the overwhelming case against the appellant, including the victim's consistent testimony and physical evidence (shoes found outside the bedroom window). The judgment was handed down remotely on 1 April 2026.

R v Ives - Murder and Child Cruelty Sentences

The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) upheld convictions for Michael Ives (murder, life with minimum 21 years) and Kerry Ives (murder, life with minimum 15 years) in connection with the murder of 2-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths in August 2021. Shannon Ives's conviction for causing or allowing a child's death (12 years) was also upheld. The court considered sentences referred by the Solicitor General as potentially unduly lenient under s.36 Criminal Justice Act 1988.

R v Johnston - Sentencing Appeal on Indecent Photographs Classification

The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) has granted leave to appeal against sentence in R v Alexander Johnston, a 78-year-old former teacher at Bishop Stortford College. The appeal concerns whether the sentencing judge was correct to treat the taking of Polaroid photographs (63 category C indecent images of a child) as "production" rather than "possession" under the applicable sentencing guidelines. Production carries a starting point of 18 months' custody versus a starting point of a high-level community order for possession. The judge imposed 51 weeks' custody (after credit for plea). The Full Court will determine whether the conversion of Polaroid photographs to digital format onto a USB stick (done in 2016) constitutes production for sentencing purposes, or whether the underlying possession offence should have been treated as simple possession.

R v Mallinson - Sentencing Appeal

The Court of Appeal Criminal Division dismissed appeals by Daniel Mallinson and Andrew Brown against their concurrent sentences of 2 years' imprisonment each, imposed on 14 November 2025 by HHJ Khokhar at Leeds Crown Court for two conspiracies to steal asphalt from Hanson Aggregates Ltd (loss exceeding £100,000) and related money-laundering offences under POCA 2002. Both appellants argued their sentences were excessive; Mallinson submitted a suspended sentence was appropriate, relying on a pre-sentence report suggesting a community-based alternative. The Court upheld the original sentences as proportionate, finding no error in the sentencing judge's approach.

CWM Intent-to-Use Trademark for Cookbooks

USPTO received intent-to-use trademark application TM97765845 for 'CWM' covering printed cookbooks and downloadable electronic cookbooks. The application establishes a priority filing date of January 24, 2023. The 'intent to use' basis indicates the applicant plans to use the mark in commerce but has not yet done so.

VOIX Voice Technology Software Trademark Application

USPTO published Notice of trademark application TM97567185 for VOIX (intent-to-use basis), covering voice technology software and associated hardware including smartphones, tablets, IoT devices, smartwatches, and computer equipment. The application was filed August 26, 2022, by an unnamed applicant. No regulatory compliance obligations or deadlines arise from this trademark filing notice.

ELU Intent-to-Use Trademark Application

USPTO received trademark application TM97413732 for 'ELU' under Intent-to-Use basis, filed 2022-05-17. The application covers downloadable and non-downloadable software for asset optimization, industrial automation, machine diagnostics, and infrastructure management processes across industrial, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.

PLYR Trademark Application - Digital Sports Software

USPTO received Intent to Use trademark application TM97892003 for PLYR covering downloadable software for sports fan engagement, social networking, betting, ticketing, and merchandise retail. The application was filed March 31, 2026 (USPTO filing date April 17, 2023).

JVU25 v Operator - Personal Costs Order Against Legal Representative

The Federal Court of Australia ordered Mr Christopher Chidiac personally to pay the respondent's legal costs of a case management hearing on 20 November 2025, after the hearing had to be adjourned due to issues with the applicant's statement of claim and questions of jurisdiction. The court exercised its power under s 43(3)(f) of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), applying principles from Harvey v Dioceses of Sale Catholic Education Ltd (No 3) [2021] FCA 1420 and Mitry Lawyers v Barnden [2014] FCA 918. Justice Vandongen delivered the judgment on 2 December 2025 in the Western Australia Registry (WAD 97 of 2025).

Coast to Coast Trading - Leave to Serve Production Orders on Hong Kong Company

The Federal Court of Australia granted liquidator Shumit Banerjee leave to serve an order for production on Barkley Trading (HK) Limited in Hong Kong under r 10.44 of the Federal Court Rules 2011. The Court held that the Hague Convention on Service Abroad (1965) and s 827 of the Companies Ordinance (HK) permit service by international registered post to the company's registered office, and that the principle of comity does not preclude service of Australian corporate insolvency orders extraterritorially.

True EV Distribution v Xiaopeng Motors - Interlocutory Injunction Refused

True EV Distribution Pty Ltd and two related entities (applicants) sought an interlocutory injunction to restrain Shenzhen Xiaopeng Motors and affiliated entities (respondents) from appointing additional distributors of XPeng vehicles in Australia, following XPeng's January 1, 2026 notice terminating True EV's exclusivity under a distributor agreement dated May 14, 2024. Justice Jackman dismissed the application, finding the undertaking as to damages was given without sufficient security and that assessment of damages would not be unduly difficult. The applicants were ordered to pay the respondents' costs, with the main proceeding fixed for a three-week hearing commencing October 6, 2026.