• NATIONAL

Duration of LLM Course to be reduced

The HRD Ministry has decided to cut short the duration of LLM programs by one year. The decision has been taken on the recommendations of 'Round Table on Legal Education', a 12-member committee set by the Ministry to suggest how legal education could not only meet the requirements of the legal system but also the needs of trade, commerce and industry, society and governance as well as in areas of research. The members of the Round Table, are also planning to introduce a new one year course for paralegals.

Kingfisher Airlines challenges jurisdiction of CCI in Bombay High Court

Kingfisher Airlines has moved the Bombay High Court challenging Competition Commission of India (CCI)'s investigation into the code sharing agreement between Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines. The division bench comprising Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice AM Khanwilkar will hear the CCI plea. The CCI had initiated investigation in August 2009 to look into the alliance between Jet Airways and Kingfisher on a complaint by a frequent flier who alleged that the alliance would lead to the formation of a cartel.

Delhi Government for foolproof property titling system

The Government of Delhi is planning to create a foolproof property titling system to prevent fraudulent property transactions. Apparently, well-known law firm Amarchand Mangaldas, Delhi, is advising the Delhi Government and the World Bank on drafting the Delhi Survey, Registration and Recordal of Title of Immovable Properties in Urban Areas Bill, 2009 which aims to set up a Central Title Authority to issue a digitized unique identification number for each property.

Arbitration Centre by Delhi High Court on 25thNovember

An Arbitration Council to provide for cost effective and effective solution for companies, which usually have to go overseas to settle disputes, will be set up under the aegis of the Honourable High Court of Delhi on 25th November and will operate from within the premises of the Delhi High Court. The Centre is along the lines of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and will bring in more transparency and reliability to arbitration.

SEBI show cause notice to RIL

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as part of a continuing probe, has sent a show cause notice to Reliance Industries Ltd, or RIL, to explain why it should not be prohibited from buying and selling listed securities, accessing capital markets, or be asked to cough up profits of Rs513 crore it had made allegedly from insider trading in the shares of Reliance Petroleum Ltd, or RPL, a subsidiary that has been merged into RIL.

Joint Committees at State Level for inputs on GST

The Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers will form joint committees at State Levels for inputs on the proposed goods and services tax (GST) before its implementation next year. The empowered committee recently came out with its first discussion paper on GST, on which stakeholders need to give comments and suggestion within a month. The new tax structure proposes to do away with most of the indirect taxes at the Centre and state levels and is scheduled for implementation from 1 April, 2010.

Fuel-Efficiency Standards for Automobile Industry to be mandatory from 2011

The Government is planning to notify fuel efficiency standards for automobile sector in the country which will be enforced from 2011. At present, the automobile sector is placed at number three after the power and agriculture sector as far as national emissions are concerned. From 2011, it will be mandatory for automobile manufacturers to sell vehicles with energy-efficiency tags which will have to be certified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

• INTERNATIONAL

First Half Yearly revenues fall at Linklaters-Britain's second biggest law firm

First-half yearly revenues at Linklaters, Britain's second-biggest law firm, fell by nearly 10 per cent in the six months to October 31st compared to the income in said period last year. Apparently, this is due to the fall in fee income reflected by the continued slump in global mergers and acquisitions. However, activity had picked up in recent weeks, particularly in emerging markets, such as Brazil, India and China.

Legal Profession in UK set for historic reforms

Legal Profession in UK is set to undergo major reforms with the Bar Standards Board deciding to allow Barristers to set up partnership with solicitors or with each other. The landmark decision was taken at a public meeting of the Board and brings in a series of changes in working practices in the legal profession. The Board, agreed in principle. that barristers could be permitted to join in partnerships with solicitors and others without having to qualify first as solicitors, under the regulation of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Israel Supreme Court bans for-profit prisons

The Israeli Supreme Court banned privately-run prisons ruling that they violate prisoners' fundamental rights by introducing an element of profit into the prison system. The suit also noted that for-profit prisons would be likely reduce costs in manners that would likely violate prisoners' rights, such as underpaying guards and skimping on facilities.

New draft constitution for Kenya unveiled

The Kenyan Committee of Experts on Constitutional Review unveiled the initial Harmonized Draft Constitution. The draft constitution alters the distribution of power between the President and Prime Minister, reducing the power currently in the hands of the President, while putting the Prime Minister in charge of the daily operations of the government.