wealth management

Inheritance and succession – Global Legal Monitor

United Kingdom: Supreme Court Rules on Heterosexual Civil Partnerships September 14, 2018

(Sept. 14, 2018) On June 27, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom issued a declaration that “sections 1 and 3 of [the Civil Partnership Act 2004, (CPA)], to the extent that they preclude a different sex couple from entering into a civil partnership, are incompatible with article 14 of [the European Convention for […]

Barry Lerner

Germany: Federal Court of Justice Rules Digital Social Media Accounts Inheritable September 7, 2018

(Sept. 7, 2018) On July 12, 2018, the German Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof, BGH) held that user agreements for digital social media accounts are inheritable. Upon the death of the account holder, the user agreement passes to the heirs by operation of law, and the heirs are subrogated to the rights of the deceased, […]

Barry Lerner

Japan: Civil Code Amended to Enable Elderly Widows and Widowers to Continue Living in Deceased Spouse’s Residence September 6, 2018

(Sept. 6, 2018) The inheritance chapter of Japan’s Civil Code was amended in July 2018. (Act to Amend Civil Code and Domestic Relations Case Procedure Act, Act No. 72 of 2018, KANPOU [OFFICIAL GAZETTE] Extra Ed., No. 154, at 4 (July 13, 2018), National Printing Bureau website (in Japanese).) The amendment will become effective by July […]

Barry Lerner

International affairs – Global Legal Monitor

Estonia: Government Boosts Defense Spending in 2019 Budget Bill November 14, 2018

(Nov. 14, 2018) The government of Estonia approved the 2019 Budget Bill on September 26, 2018. (Press Release, Government of Estonia, Government Approves Budget for 2019 (Sept. 26, 2018), Government of Estonia website (in Russian).) The 2019 Budget Bill envisages total expenditures of 11.31 billion euros (€) (about US$12.8 billion). Owing to a positive economic […]

Barry Lerner

Iran: Space Agency Aims to Train Specialists in Space Law November 7, 2018

(Nov. 7, 2018) The Iranian Space Agency (ISA) and the University of Tehran’s Institute for Studies in Public Law signed a memorandum of understanding in late-August 2018 providing for the University to train specialists in space law “to increase Iran’s role in international assemblies and secure national interests.” (Iran Expanding Space Law Studies, EGHTESAD ONLINE […]

Barry Lerner

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Party Names Ex-warlord for Presidential Election Following ICC Acquittal August 29, 2018

(Aug. 29, 2018) On June 8, 2018, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber acquitted Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, former vice president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), of the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. (Press Release, ICC, ICC Appeals Chamber Acquits Mr. Bemba from [sic] Charges of War Crimes and […]

Barry Lerner

Egypt: Bill to Provide Judicial Immunity to Military Commanders July 23, 2018

(July 23, 2018) On July 3, 2018, the Egyptian Parliament approved a bill granting judicial immunity to officers of the highest rank in the Egyptian armed forces for military acts committed during the two-and-a-half-year period beginning with the military coup of July 2013. The bill, which will now be sent to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi […]

Barry Lerner