The government has today published the Protection of Freedoms Bill. The Bill contains many proposals, but those of most significance to employers are those which are the result of an extensive review of the vetting and barring system, and which incl...

The Supreme Court has issued an important decision which considers whether land can be registered as a town or village green where that land has been acquired by a statutory undertaker and is held for purposes that are inconsistent with the use of t...

SARS-CoV-2 ("Corona") The SARS-CoV-2 virus, also referred to as "Corona", has reached Germany with significant effects across all industries. This article aims at answering the specific issues which communities of condominium owners and administrato...

Kavesseri Menon and Beena Menon –v- Nathan Pask and Rosalind Goode (as joint fixed charge Receivers) [2019] EWHC 2611(ch) Summary: The High Court recently provided much needed clarity on the previously unanswered question of whether Receivers ...

Cuadrilla Bowland Ltd & Ors v Persons Unknown & Ors [2020] EWCA Civ 9 Background In Boyd v Ineos Upstream Ltd...

On 10 June 2019, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) gave notice that it had made its Final Order following its market investigation into the investment consulting (IC) and fiduciary management (F...

On 10 June 2019, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) gave notice that it had made its Final Order following its market investigation into the investment consulting (IC) and fiduciary management (F...

This speedbrief outlines the current state of play on some important issues relating to trusteeship, following on from the Pensions Regulator’s Future of trusteeship and governance consultation response this month and recent ind...

The Pensions Regulator has published the first of its long awaited consultations on a new DB Funding Code. This consultation covers the principles underpinning the Regulator’s approach. A second consultation will follow later in the ...

The speed and size of the impact of Covid-19 on the UK is stunning – we now see businesses closing, stock markets falling and much of the population staying at home. There’s so much to take in - this speedbrief will help you understand t...

Litigation can continue during lockdown – subject to certain provisons contained in the directions (“the Directions”) published by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, in Government Gazette – No 11066 on 26 Marc...

It is becoming abundantly clear that the world as we know it will never be the same after the global coronavirus pandemic given the impact it has already had upon our daily lives, families, communities and the global economy. People have been forced...

Businesses seeking exemption to perform essential services have previously had to register on the government’s BizPortal website, but their current certificates are no longer valid as the initial 21-day lockdown period for which they applied, ...

The focus of most organisations during this coronavirus pandemic has rightly been on the health and safety of employees and the general public in tackling the spread of the virus. As the ‘new normal’settles in, and questions are asked a...

On 1 May 2020, the FCA published a statement clarifying its position on complaints handling and offering some relaxation of the rules in light of the practical challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.  The regulator says it will review...

On 23 April 2020, the President announced that from 1 May 2020, lockdown would be extended at level 4 – which provides for reduced restrictions. On 29 April 2020, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, published and is...

Since the outbreak of  the coronavirus pandemic just a few months ago, unfortunately we have seen a continuous rise in coronavirus related frauds targeting individuals, businesses and health authorities. Recent estimates suggest that already ov...

On 17 July 2017, a new Appendix H to the Technology and Construction Court Guide was published which provides guidance on procedures for public procurement cases (the “Guide”). Although this detailed procedural guidance is likely to prove usefu...

On 13 September 2017, EDF and ERDF lost their fight to declare null and void the contracts they entered into further to bids that were rigged by Nexans France (“Nexans”), Prysmian Energies Câbles et Systèmes (“Prysmian...

The EU's ambassador made a 'mistake' in giving the go-ahead for the censorship, officials say.

New law requiring vehicles to have license plates led to traffic fine bonanza.

  Introduction Regulation (EU) 2019/2089, known as the Low Carbon Benchmarks Regulation, (the “Regulation”) was published in the Official Journal on 9 December 2019 and entered into force on 10 December 2019. The Regulation amends ...

On 18 February 2018, the EU added the Cayman Islands to its list of noncooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes (“Annex 1”). This has come as a surprise, but is unlikely to have any immediate impact on Cayman-domiciled funds. In this b...

As the countdown to the end of LIBOR continues, regulators are increasing the pressure on the market to prepare and proactively engage with their clients to ensure a smooth transition to a new risk-free rate. Failure to do so will expose firms to th...

Mining e-Brief Mining operations around the country strive to send home employees safely at the end of each shift, by implementing various stringent health and safety measures in their working places. Despite these measures and various safety drives...

Introduction A circular economy is an economic system characterised by the trading of products and services in closed loops or cycles. The system is designed to be regenerative insofar as it aims to retain as much value as possible from used product...

...

There have been many examples of high profile health and safety incidents in recent years, including major rail disasters, the serious incident at Alton Towers and of course the tragedy at Grenfell Tower. These have rightly received high profile, wi...

A document seen by SaharaReporters has exposed how serving and retired Nigerian judges are illegally preparing ways for their children and relatives to take over the country’s judicial system in future.

According to the document put together by Open Bar Initiative, out of the 33 names recently recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari by the National Judiciary Council for appointment as judges in the Federal Capital Territory High Court, only 11 met the criteria set out in the employment guideline of the council.

The NJC had on April 26, 2020 approved the appointment of 33 judges for the FCT High Court.

SaharaReporters gathered that 22 out of the 33 candidates presented to President Buhari made the list only because they were related to serving senior members of the judiciary or close aides and members of the NJC. 

Also, states that already have judges in the FCT High Court were reconsidered and given slots while no one was considered qualified for appointment in Ebonyi, a state that has no existing judge.

Section 255 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), pegged qualification for becoming a judge in the High Court of the FCT to a minimum of 10 years qualification as a legal practitioner. 

Also Rule 4 of the NJC appointment of judges’ procedure, indicated only four classes of lawyers, who are qualified to apply and be recommended to be appointed as judges of a high court.

These are legal practitioners in private practice, legal practitioners in public service, who are legal officers, chief registrar of a court, and chief magistrates.

Those listed in the document seen by SaharaReporters among the 33 nominees to be considered as judges by President Buhari but, who are not qualified include Njideka K. Nwosu-Iheme, a Grade 1 Magistrate, who is the daughter of Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court and daughter-in-law to Justice Nwosu-Iheme of the Court of Appeal, Agashieze Cyprian Odinaka, a Deputy Director at FCTA whose sister is the Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, Fatima Abubakar Aliyu, a judiciary worker, who is the daughter of immediate-past President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Bulkachuwa, Kanyip Rosemary Indinya, a senior magistrate at FCT and wife of the President of the National Industrial Court and sister of a member of the National Judicial Council.

Others are Mimi Anne Katsina Alu-Apena, a senior magistrate and daughter of late Kastina Alu, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Enenche Eleojo, Assistant Director at FCT High Court and Personal Assistant to the Chief Judge, FCT High Court, Madugu Mohammed Alhaji, Josephine Obanor Enobie, Kayode Agunloye, Nwabulu Ngozika Chineze and Abubakar Babashani, who are senior staff of the FCT High Court but have not attained the rank of chief registrar as stipulated by the constitution.

The list also includes one one Aliyu Halilu Ahmed, a Deputy Chief Registrar from Adamawa State judiciary, who has not attained the rank of a chief registrar.

The rest are Aminu Muhammad Abdullahi, Nwecheonwu Chinyere Elewe, Ibrahim Mohammed, Sadia Mu’azu Mayana, Aliyu Yunusa Shafa, Mohammed Zubairu, Binta Dogonyaro, Christopher Opeyemi Oba and Hafsat Lawan Abba-Aliyu, all magistrates from the FCT judiciary, who are not up to the rank of a chief magistrate as stipulated in Rule 4 of the NJC appointment of judges procedure.

SaharaReporters also gathered that one Olufola Olufolashade Oshin did not participate in the processes leading up to selection, interview or obtaining recommendation from a Chief Judge of a state but her name was inserted into the final list transmitted to President Buhari at the instigation of some senior judicial officers believed to be top members of the Supreme Court.

Reacting to the development, Open Bar Initiative said, “The suggestion that judicial service in Nigeria is an inheritance transmitted from parents to children is not supported by the constitution or any other instrument under Nigerian law. 

“This is an abuse of the constitution by those who must nominate judges for appointment.”

Co-convener of Open Bar Initiative and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, while reacting to the situation, said, “These are not just unqualified nominees, they are bad nominees because only bad people will want to become judges through smuggling. They will make bad judges, we should resist them and their sponsors.”

Voicing his displeasure on Twitter, a user with the handle @AbdulMahmud01, said, “Have you seen the list of newly appointed FCT judges approved by NJC? It is a parade of children of former CJN, retired Supreme Court justices and judges. NJC is simply put: a corrupt council of corrupt interests.”

Another user, @KennyAdazie, while sharing her thoughts on the issue, said, “The only people that can take back Nigeria are the youth. 

“If we don’t come out to stop this madness, the charade will continue. When they strategically place their own, they pave way for #impunities and come 2023, there is nothing you can do! The reason our legal system is in ruins.”

The Rivers State Government has asked it's Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to auction all vehicles that were impounded for violating the state’s lockdown directive.

Paulinus Nsirim, the state's Commissioner for Information and Communications, in a statement on Thursday, said interested Nigerians should check selected Nigerian newspapers in order to place their bids.

The statement reads, “Government will deal decisively with the residents of these areas if they are found to default again. 

“Anyone parading exemption letters except the one issued by the governor is doing so at his or her own risk as such permits are invalid.

“The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice has been directed to auction all vehicles that violated the lockdown order.

“Members of the public who are interested to buy the auctioned vehicles are to watch out for details in The Sun, The Nation and Vanguard Newspapers.”

Eversheds Sutherland has announced 38 partner promotions across its global network. A total of 16 of these promotions are female which is in line with its goal to achieve 30% female representation at partner level by 2021.  In Asia, we are plea...

Eversheds Sutherland advises Glennmont on the sale of a minority stake in 211MW Finnish wind project Eversheds Sutherland has advised Glennmont Partners on its agreed sale of a 15% minority stake in Project Piiparinmäki, a 211.4MW wind farm, to...

Eversheds Sutherland were delighted to partner with Women in ETFs for a one hour webinar 'Navigating Lockdown and Beyond - Practical steps to support ourselves and others through a unique time' on 30 April. The presentation was delivered by Á...

By Fan Lulu and Boy Luethje HONOLULU (July 31, 2019)—With more than 800 million Internet users, China has become the global leader in e-commerce—the buying and selling of products and services online. Taobao (roughly “treasure hunt” in English) is the leading Chinese online shopping and e-commerce website, founded by the Alibaba Group. As of 2018, more than 580 million active users visited Taobao and its sister website Tmall every month.

This is a summary only. Click the title for the full article, or visit www.EastWestCenter.org/Research-Wire for more.

By Marcus Noland HONOLULU (August 23, 2019)—For three generations, the United States championed a rules-based multilateral trading system. That stance was overturned by the election of an avowed protectionist, Donald Trump, as president. It would be understandable for Asians to wonder if this shift amounts to a permanent change in U.S. trade policy, and if so, how to proceed. Trump’s presidential campaign was notable in that it emphasized two issues—immigration and trade—that had seldom been in the forefront of U.S. presidential campaigns. But public opinion polls revealed that these issues were of growing importance to a sizeable number of voters whose preferences mirrored Trump’s protectionist positions.

This is a summary only. Click the title for the full article, or visit www.EastWestCenter.org/Research-Wire for more.

By Charles E. Morrison and Mark Nuttall HONOLULU (September 27, 2019)—In the summer of 2019, Greenland received considerable media attention for two developments: Its large ice sheet saw record rates of surface melt with potentially devastating impacts on the oceans, and Donald Trump suggested that the United States should look into buying the island from Denmark. Both illustrate key features of the changing Arctic—the amplified impact of climate change and concerns over the return of geostrategic competition after a post-Cold War period of international circumpolar cooperation.

This is a summary only. Click the title for the full article, or visit www.EastWestCenter.org/Research-Wire for more.

By East-West Center HONOLULU (March 27, 2020)—Population aging is affecting countries all across Asia. This ongoing demographic transition will leave many of the region’s economies increasingly dependent on an aging, and eventually a shrinking, workforce. Economists disagree, however, on whether population aging will necessarily lead to a slowdown in economic growth.

This is a summary only. Click the title for the full article, or visit www.EastWestCenter.org/Research-Wire for more.