wealth management

Inheritance and succession – Global Legal Monitor

Malaysia: Federal Court Holds that Illegitimate Muslim Child Cannot Use Father’s Last Name March 6, 2020

(Mar. 6, 2020) On February 13, 2020, Malaysia’s Star news media outlet reported that the Federal Court of Malaysia (Malaysia’s highest court) had held, by a 4-3 majority, that the National Registration Department (NRD) cannot register the father’s last name for a Muslim child who was born or conceived out of wedlock. It also held, however, […]

Kelly Buchanan

Egypt: Court Grants Christian Woman Share of Father’s Estate Equal to Share of Her Two Brothers January 9, 2020

(Jan. 9, 2020) On November 25, 2019, the Cairo Court of Appeal granted a Christian woman a share of her late father’s inheritance equal to that of her two male brothers. The plaintiff had argued that, as a Coptic Christian, she should not be subject to Islamic law in matters related to family law. She […]

Barry Lerner

Syria: Women’s Rights in Light of New Amendments to Syrian Personal Status Law April 8, 2019

(Apr. 8, 2019) On February 5, 2019, the People’s Assembly of Syria approved amendments to more than 60 articles of the Personal Status Law issued by Legislative Decree No. 59 of 1953. (President al-Assad Issues Law Amending Certain Articles of Personal Status Law Issued by Legislative Decree No. 59 of 1953 and Its Amendments, SYRIAN […]

Barry Lerner

International affairs – Global Legal Monitor

European Union: Court of Justice Clarifies Test for Morality as Ground for Rejecting EU Trade Mark March 31, 2020

(Mar. 31, 2020) On February 27, 2020, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that “no concrete evidence has been put forward” that the registration of the word sign “Fack Ju Göhte” as an EU trade mark would be “against the fundamental moral values and standards of society.” (Case C‑240/18 P, para. 69.) The ECJ held […]

Barry Lerner

European Union: New Regulation Amends EU Visa Policy March 17, 2020

(Mar. 17, 2020) On February 2, 2020, Regulation (EU) 2019/1155 (Regulation), which establishes new rules for short-term visas, entered into force. The Regulation amends Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (European Union (EU) Visa Code) and updates the common visa policy to better balance economic growth considerations (tourism and mobility) with concerns for security and migration. (Regulation […]

Barry Lerner

Mexico: OAS International Forum on Prisons Spurs Mexican Reform Bills March 12, 2020

(Mar. 12, 2020) On February 6, 2020, the Organization of American States (OAS) released a statement summarizing the results of a Meeting of Officials Responsible for the Penitentiary and Prison Policies of the Americas, an OAS working group tasked with the formulation of measures aimed at improving prison systems. Mexico attended the meeting, along with […]

Barry Lerner

International: International Finance Corporation Faces Renewed Lawsuits Regarding Financing for Coal-fired Power Plant in India February 27, 2020

(Feb. 27, 2020) Following last year’s landmark win in their case before the U.S. Supreme Court, the plaintiffs in Jam v. International Finance Corporation (IFC) are still searching for remedy—and legal clarity—in their lawsuit regarding environmental damages caused by the construction and functioning of the Tata Mundra Plant in India. The search for remedy has […]

Barry Lerner