United Kingdom: Draft Legislation to Regulate Cryptocurrency Published
On April 29, 2025, the government of the United Kingdom published draft legislation that would create a regulatory regime for cryptoassets, including stablecoins. The proposal would apply a regulatory framework, similar to the one governing financial services to crypto exchanges, dealers, and agents to “give investors confidence and protect consumers.” The draft regulations would expand … Continue reading “United Kingdom: Draft Legislation to Regulate…
Contributor:
Feikert-Ahalt, Clare
Date:2025-06-18
Article
European Patent Organization: Responses from ChatGPT Do Not Represent the “Understanding of a Skilled Person”
On April 15, 2025, the Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office held in a challenge to a patent that comments generated by ChatGPT do not qualify as the “understanding of a person skilled in the relevant technical field.” It agreed with the appellant that the invention at issue lacked novelty and revoked the … Continue reading “European Patent Organization: Responses from ChatGPT…
Contributor:
Gesley, Jenny
Date:2025-06-17
Article
Cambodia: Mandatory Digital Payroll System Introduced
On May 6, 2025, the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training of Cambodia issued a directive (prakas) requiring all businesses to maintain a digital payroll book with a QR code generated from the ministry’s website. (Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training Prakas No. 111/25 Payroll book (May 6, 2025).)All businesses subject to Cambodia’s Labor Law … Continue reading “Cambodia: Mandatory Digital Payroll System Introduced”
Contributor:
Umeda, Sayuri
Date:2025-06-16
Article
China: Facial Recognition Measures Take Effect
On June 1, 2025, China’s new facial recognition measures took effect, providing that facial recognition technology generally cannot be used as the sole method of identity verification when alternative technology can achieve the same ends. The Measures for the Security Management of Facial Recognition Technology Applications were issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China, with … Continue reading “China: Facial Recognition Measures Take Effect”
Contributor:
Zhang, Laney
Date:2025-06-16
Article
Israel: Supreme Court Rules for Birth Mother and Partner After Embryo Mix-Up During IVF
On May 11, 2025, in a case involving a child born after an embryo was implanted in the wrong woman during in vitro fertilization, the Supreme Court of Israel determined that the child’s birth mother and her partner are the child’s legal parents, even though the child does not carry their genetic material. The court … Continue reading “Israel: Supreme Court Rules for Birth…
Contributor:
Levush, Ruth
Date:2025-06-13
Article
New Zealand: Parliament Partially Strikes Down Regulations Requiring Māori Law and Philosophy to be Taught in Law Schools
On May 21, 2025, the New Zealand Parliament voted in favor of a “motion of disallowance” regarding the Professional Examinations in Law (Tikanga Māori Requirements) Amendment Regulations 2022. The regulations added tikanga Māori (Māori law and philosophy) as a core subject of law degrees. Core subjects are those that must be included in a law … Continue reading “New Zealand: Parliament Partially Strikes Down…
Contributor:
Buchanan, Kelly
Date:2025-06-12
Article
Colombia: Congress Adopts New Code of Labor Procedure
On April 2, 2025, the Colombian Congress enacted Law 2452 of 2025, formally adopting a comprehensive Code of Labor and Social Security Procedure. The legislation reforms the judicial procedures governing labor disputes and addresses the admission of complaints, digital notifications, evidentiary proceedings, hearings, appeals, and other processes. The new code will come into force on … Continue reading “Colombia: Congress Adopts New Code of…
Contributor:
Acosta, Luis
Date:2025-06-11
Article
Saudi Arabia: Updated Investment Law Enters into Force
On February 12, 2025, the updated Investment Law came into force in Saudi Arabia. The new law introduces a unified investment framework applicable to both foreign and domestic investors. It is designed to enhance competitiveness and protect investor rights. Furthermore, it adheres to the Saudi 2030 vision plan, which calls for diversifying the economy and … Continue reading “Saudi Arabia: Updated Investment Law Enters…
Contributor:
Sadek, George
Date:2025-06-11
Article
Albania: Amendments to Electoral Code Extend Voting Rights to Diaspora
On May 11, 2025, Albanian emigrants voted remotely for the first time in Albania’s general parliamentary elections under the terms of a new law. Parliament adopted the law (Law No. 10/2025 on the Amendments to the Electoral Code) on February 17, 2025, establishing the legal framework to extend the right and opportunity to vote from … Continue reading “Albania: Amendments to Electoral Code Extend…
Contributor:
Roudik, Peter
Date:2025-06-10
Article
Sweden: Parliament Criminalizes the Purchase of Online Sexual Acts
On May 20, 2025, the Swedish Parliament voted to criminalize the sale of sexual acts that take place online, making it illegal to pay for sexual acts at a distance using websites like OnlyFans, for example. The changes will enter into force on July 1, 2025. (Justitieutskottets betänkande 2024/25:JuU30 Skärpt syn på sexuella kränkningar, bedrägerier … Continue reading “Sweden: Parliament Criminalizes the Purchase of…
Contributor:
Hofverberg, Elin
Date:2025-06-10
Article
Mexico: New Transparency and Data Protection Laws Enacted
On March 20, 2025, Mexico published a decree enacting three new laws governing access to public information and data protection. They are:the General Law on Transparency and Access to Public Informationthe General Law on the Protection of Personal Data in Possession of Obligated Subjectsthe Federal Law on the Protection of Personal Data in Possession of … Continue reading “Mexico: New Transparency and Data Protection…
Kuwait: Amendment Raises Minimum Age of Marriage to 18
On March 15, 2025, the Amir of Kuwait promulgated an amendment to Kuwait’s Family Code, raising the minimum marriage age to 18 years for both males and females. Previously, the minimum age was 15 for females and 17 for males.On February 13, 2025, the Minister of Justice in Kuwait, Nasser Al-Sumait, announced the Kuwaiti cabinet … Continue reading “Kuwait: Amendment Raises Minimum Age of…
Contributor:
Sadek, George
Date:2025-06-05
Article
New Zealand: Parliament Passes Urgent Change to Wildlife Act Following Court Decision
On May 5, 2025, the New Zealand Parliament passed the Wildlife (Authorisations) Amendment Bill, clarifying the government’s authority to permit incidental harm to wildlife arising from lawful activities. The bill amended the Wildlife Act 1953, which is the principal means by which wildlife is protected in New Zealand. Parliament passed the bill under “urgency,” a … Continue reading “New Zealand: Parliament Passes Urgent Change…
Contributor:
Buchanan, Kelly
Date:2025-06-05
Article
Brazil: Regulations Governing Ownership and Carrying of Firearms Amended
On December 30, 2024, Brazil enacted a decree amending certain regulations on the acquisition, registration, possession, carrying, and marketing of firearms, ammunition and accessories. (Decree No. 12,345 of December 30, 2024, amending Decree No. 11,615 of July 21, 2023.)The decree modifies regulations for Law No. 10,826 of December 22, 2003, which provides for the registration, … Continue reading “Brazil: Regulations Governing Ownership and Carrying…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2025-06-04
Article
South Korea: Constitutional Court Dismisses Prime Minister’s Impeachment
On March 24, 2025, the Constitutional Court of South Korea ruled against the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and reinstated him as acting president. (2024 Hun-na 9.)Han became acting president after the National Assembly passed a motion on December 14, 2024, to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following Yoon’s declaration of martial law. The … Continue reading “South Korea: Constitutional Court Dismisses Prime…
Contributor:
Umeda, Sayuri
Date:2025-06-03
Article
United States: Federal Appeals Court Rejects Claims by Jamal Khashoggi’s Widow Against Surveillance Technology Company
On May 21, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a case filed by the widow of U.S.-based Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi against an Israeli business specializing in surveillance technology. The widow, Hanan Khashoggi, claimed the company’s technology played a role in her husband’s death. The Fourth … Continue reading “United States: Federal Appeals Court Rejects…
Contributor:
Price, Anna
Date:2025-06-03
Article
Israel: High Court Holds Termination of Head of Israel Security Agency Unlawful
On May 21, 2025, Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled that the government’s dismissal of the director of the General Security Agency was unlawful. By a 2-1 majority, the court accepted a petition by several nonprofit organizations and opposition parties that objected to the firing of Ronen Bar, head of the GSA, also known as … Continue reading “Israel: High Court Holds Termination of…
Contributor:
Levush, Ruth
Date:2025-06-02
Article
Dominican Republic: International Child Support Convention Enters into Force
On March 23, 2025, the Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (known as the Child Support Convention) entered into force in the Dominican Republic. As of May 2025, the European Union and 54 countries, including the United States, are contracting parties to this agreement.The convention’s goal is … Continue reading “Dominican Republic: International Child Support Convention…
Contributor:
Guerra, Gustavo
Date:2025-05-30
Article
Sweden: Supreme Court Rules on Deportation of Convicts Who were Born in Sweden or Who Came as Infants
On April 23, 2025, the Swedish Supreme Court announced two decisions clarifying the boundaries of the Swedish deportation legislation. At issue were the conditions for when convicts who were born in Sweden or arrived as infants may be deported. The court’s decisions address when deportation is proportional to the crimes committed, and when it would … Continue reading “Sweden: Supreme Court Rules on Deportation…
Contributor:
Hofverberg, Elin
Date:2025-05-29
Article
United Kingdom: Agreement with Palestinian Authority Commits to Bilateral Cooperation
On April 28, 2025, the government of the United Kingdom and the Palestinian Authority signed a memorandum of understanding supporting an independent Palestinian state and pledging cooperation on a range of issues.The memorandum “establishes a new framework to guide and enhance the bilateral partnership of the [U.K. and the Palestinian Authority] and strengthen their international … Continue reading “United Kingdom: Agreement with Palestinian Authority…
Contributor:
Feikert-Ahalt, Clare
Date:2025-05-28
Article
Indonesia: Parliament Passes Controversial Amendments to Law on the Military
On March 20, 2025, Indonesia’s parliament unanimously passed a bill amending the law governing the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, or TNI). The bill has been the subject of major protests in several cities in Indonesia, and it is being challenged in a number of cases submitted to the Constitutional Court.In a parliamentary … Continue reading “Indonesia: Parliament Passes Controversial Amendments to…
Contributor:
Buchanan, Kelly
Date:2025-05-27
Article
Brazil: Senate Advances Discussions on Bill to Regulate AI Use
On March 17, 2025, the Brazilian Federal Senate forwarded a bill designed to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Brazil to the Chamber of Deputies for review. The Senate approved the bill on December 10, 2024. To become law, the measure must gain the approval of the chamber and the president. (Senado Federal, … Continue reading “Brazil: Senate Advances Discussions on Bill…
China: New Regulations on Public Security Cameras Tackle Privacy and Personal Information Rights
On April 1, 2025, new regulations on the use of public security video systems that aim to “safeguard public security and protect rights to privacy and personal information” took effect in China. (Regulations on the Management of the Public Security Video Imaging Information System, art. 1 (English translation by China Law Translate).)ProvisionsThe regulations, which were … Continue reading “China: New Regulations on Public Security…
