Sri Lankan SC Confirms Death Sentence To Ukrainian National, Cites Indian SC Judgment [Read Judgment]

However, it set aside the death penalty imposed on his girlfriend.The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has upheld the death sentence imposed on a Ukrainian national named Mazur Ivegen for the murder of an 8-year-old child and a housemaid. The death sentence imposed on his girlfriend Iana Bereznah has been set aside.Mazur Ivegen and Iana Bereznah, both Ukrainian nationals, were held guilty for...

Legality of Euthanasia: South African SC Says Lawmakers Should Decide, Not Judges [Read Judgment]

Issues engaging profound moral questions beyond the remit of judges to determine, the court saidStriking a different note from the Supreme Court, which had legalised passive euthanasia in Aruna Shanbaug case, the South African Supreme court has set aside a high court judgment that had observed that the common law crimes of murder and culpable homicide needed to be or should be developed...

Samsung Vs. Apple: SCOTUS Sets Aside $399-Mn Fine On Samsung

In a huge relief to Samsung in its ‘patent’ war against Apple, the Supreme Court of United States (SCOTUS) has set aside $399-million penalty imposed on it for alleged ‘patent infringement’ and has remanded the case back to Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for reconsidering the quantum of damages.Justice Sotomayor, speaking for the bench, which unanimously allowed...

Indian-origin Faiz Siddiqui Sues Oxford University For ‘Boring’ Teaching

An Indian-origin Oxford University former student, Faiz Siddiqui, has sued the University for wrecking his career owing to the ‘boring teaching’ imparted at the institution. He has alleged that if it wasn’t for the ‘negligent’ and ‘boring standards’, he would have earned decent grades and a soaring career as an international commercial lawyer. A judgment is expected end of...

China’s Top Court Acquits Man 21 Years After His Execution

Justice delayed is justice denied and in certain cases, the damage becomes irreversible. A man in China was exonerated 21 years after his execution. China’s Supreme Court on Friday acquitted Nie Shubin from charges of rape and murder, for which he was awarded capital punishment and, thereby, executed in 1995.Convicted for rape and murder of a woman in Shijiazhuang in Hebel province, Nie...

Susan Kiefel To Be Australia’s First Woman Chief Justice

Shattering the glass ceiling after 113 years, Susan Kiefel is set to become Australia’s first female Chief Justice. With accolades pouring in from all quarters, much is being talked about the momentous journey she undertook as a school dropout to being the nation’s topmost judge.She was named for the much-venerated spot on Tuesday morning by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull...

UK HC Judge Backs Terminally-Ill Girl’s Last Wish To Be Cryogenically Frozen

Justice Peter Jackson, of the Family Division of an UK High Court, has allowed an unusual application from a 14-year-old girl, suffering from cancer, who knew she is dying, but believed she could be woken up with the help of ‘cryonic preservation’.The girl, in a letter to the judge, wrote: “I have been asked to explain why I want this unusual thing done. I’m only 14 years old and...

South Africa SC Upholds Non-Disclosure Of Private Deliberations In Judicial Appointments [Read Judgment]

The cloak of confidentiality enhances the judicial appointments process by allowing the members to robustly and candidly state facts and exchange views in discussing the suitability or otherwise of the candidates based on their skills, characters, weaknesses and strengths, the Court observed.The Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa has affirmed a high court order that refused to...

Brexit Can Happen Only After Parliamentary Approval: UK Court [Read Judgment]

In a major setback for the British government, the High Court of Justice of England and Wales has ruled that parliament's approval would be needed in order for the United Kingdom to exit the European Union.The court said that the Secretary of State does not have the power under the crown’s prerogative to give notice pursuant to Article 50 the Treaties of European Union(TEU) for the...

Indian Lawyer Aniruddha Rajput Elected To UN’s International Law Commission

The 33-year-old Indian lawyer, Aniruddha Rajput, has been elected as a member to UN General Assembly’s top body of legal experts, the International Law Commission. Rajput is among 34 individuals elected by UN General Assembly in a voting by way of a secret ballot held on Thursday.The five-year term of the newly elected members will commence from January 2017. The members to the...

India’s Struggles To Remain Afloat In Rule Of Law Index [Read Report]

The propaganda of the government to promote openness has started bearing fruit, as India figures in the top 30 countries in the world for an open government according to a study that ranks countries on the basis of citizen experiences of rule of law. However, while the country featured in the top scorers list of a certain subject, India also figures as the worst performer under parameters...

A Singapore Court Approves Serving Of Civil Suit Papers Via WhatsApp

With technology revolutionising means and manner of communication, a Singapore court has approved serving of intimation to a defendant in a civil suit via WhatsApp messaging service.R&D Pharmaceuticals had sued business associate Tan Chong Min, 53, as he allegedly failed to return a friendly loan of $43,000.Despite petitioner’s lawyer Vijai Parwani making several attempts to contact...