Israel’s Judicial Reform Bill: A Threat To Judicial Independence & Democracy?

On February 20, 2023, two bills that aim to "overhaul Israel's judiciary" were approved by a vote of 63 to 47 in the 120-member Parliament of Israel, just barely after midnight. In the middle of continuous demonstrations in which tens of thousands of Israelis assembled on the streets and blocked highways heading towards the capital city of Jerusalem, the far-right government...

Sedition Law Intended To Wreak Revenge On A Political Dissenter; Loyalty To State & Govt Must Be Distinguished: Lahore High Court

Finding SEDITION LAW to be in significant tension with constitutionalism and constitutional democracy, Pakistan's Lahore High Court last week invalidated Section 124A of the Pakistan Penal Code which pertains to the crime of sedition or inciting “disaffection” against the government. While holding so, Justice Shahid Karim underscored that Loyalty to the state has to be distinguished...

Supreme Court Of Pakistan Declares Election Commission’s Decision To Delay Punjab Polls Unconstitutional

Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday declared Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)'s decision to delay the election in Punjab as unconstitutional, without lawful authority or jurisdiction, void ab-initio, of no legal effect and consequently quashed the decision.The bench of Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar said, “Neither the Constitution nor...

Lahore High Court Strikes Down Country's Sedition Law [Section 124A Of Pakistan Penal Code]

The Lahore High Court today invalidated Section 124A of the Pakistan Penal Code [Sedition law] calling it inconsistent with the Country's Consitution, reported Pakistan Daily DawnJustice Shahid Karim of the High Court invalidated Sedition Law while dealing with a batch of petitions seeking to annul Section 124A of the PPC on the ground that the law was being by the Governments in powers...

The Override Clause- Israel’s Quest For Its Kesavananda

It is a turning moment in the constitutional history of Israel, it is a Kesavananda Bharti-like opportunity to protect and preserve the basic tenets of democracy. The city of Tel Aviv is gathered by thousands of people protesting on the streets for what they call ‘standing up for democracy’. Protests have been going on in the national capital for nine weeks, against the action...

Artificial Intelligence Enters Litigation, World's First 'Robot Lawyer' To Advise Defendants In US

Artificial intelligence is set to enter litigation. World's first 'robot lawyer', powered by artificial intelligence, will give legal advice to defendants in the United States of America in two cases related to overspeeding.US-based startup DoNotPay, which bills itself as "the world's first robot lawyer," will instruct the defendants in two speeding ticket cases in court next month. The AI,...

US Federal Court Allows Sikh Recruits to Wear Unshorn Hair and Beards in Marine Corps' Boot Camp

A U.S. court has ordered the Marine Corps to allow Sikh recruits with unshorn hair and beards to begin basic training.

US Court Dismisses Defamation Suit Filed By Hindu American Foundation Against Five Defendants Over Al-Jazeera Article

A US District Judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) alleging defamation by five defendants. The lawsuit was filed in the District Court of Columbia against co-founders of Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) Sunita Vishwanath and Raju Rajagopal, Executive Director of Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) Rasheed Ahmed, Chairman of Federation of Indian...

Shireen Abu Aqla: Al Jazeera Files Case At ICC Over Journalist's Killing

Al Jazeera television network has filed a formal request to the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli forces over the killing of veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Abu Akleh, a television correspondent with Al Jazeera for 25 years, was shot in the head during an Israeli raid in a refugee camp on the outskirts of the occupied West Bank city of Jenin back in May. She was wearing...

Banning Conditional Sentences For Certain Offences Is Constitutional: Canada Supreme Court Holds In 5:4 Majority

The Canada Supreme Court, on Friday, held that banning 'conditional sentences' for serious offences is constitutional. Handing down the judgment in 5:4 majority, the Court held, "While the crisis of Indigenous incarceration is undeniable, Ms. Sharma did not demonstrate that the impugned provisions created or contributed to a disproportionate impact on Indigenous offenders, relative...

Canada Supreme Court Says Mandatory And Lifetime Registration On Sex Offender Registry Unconstitutional

The Supreme Court of Canada has held the country's mandatory and lifetime registration on the sex offender registry unconstitutional.The national sex offender registry was created in the country in 2004 under Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA). While the prosecution had to earlier apply to a judge for including a name in the registry, the law was changed in 2011.Since...

Indian-American Attorney Arun Subramanian Nominated As US District Judge In New York By President Joe Biden

U.S. President Joe Biden has nominated Indian-American attorney Arun Subramanian to be the U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. A communication to this effect was sent to the Senate by the White House on September 6 along with other judicial nominations.According to a statement released by the White House if confirmed, Subramanian will be the first South Asian judge...