• NATIONAL

Status -quo to be maintained in matter of deemed universities

The Apex Court directed the Union government to maintain status quo in the matter of 44 deemed universities, which are facing derecognition, and assured the students that their universities will not be disqualified without a fair hearing and due consideration. The Court also issued notices to all the 44 universities to file their response to the government's decision to derecognize them.

Single Tax Slab under GST

The Union government has decided on a single tax slab under the proposed goods and services tax (GST) regime, as per a paper published on the finance ministry's website. It also wants alcohol, petroleum, natural gas and electricity to be brought into its tax base. The model has been advocated by a task force set up by the 13th Finance Commission (TFC).

Proposal to bring Indian Legal Service at par with Civil Services

The law ministry is preparing a cabinet note so as to bring the Indian Legal Service( ILS) at par with the civil services so that the best students out of law schools join the government. The Ministry has started consultations with the department of personnel and training in this regard. The recruitment will be through an entrance examination followed by an interview. Once selected, the officers will be sent for training to National Judicial Academy, Bhopal.

Labour Mobility Partnership Agreement with Denmark

The Union Government has signed a labour mobility partnership agreement with Denmark, the MoU, the first of its kind signed with any European nation, facilitates legal migration of workers from India to meet the growing demand for skilled and trained workers in the Danish economy.

SEBI moves Supreme Court over jurisdiction of SAT

The Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has moved the Apex Court, seeking adjudication on the matter whether the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) can exercise power vested with SEBI. The tribunal had directed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to grant in-principle approval to the issue, allotment and listing of shares issued by a market participant to its promoters on a preferential basis which was rejected by BSE. SEBI stated that instead of giving direction to BSE for such in-principle approval, the tribunal should have referred the case to the market regulator.

Law Commission recommends setting up of regional branches of Supreme Court

The Law Commission of India has recommended to the Union Government to set up regional branches of the Supreme Court in metropolitan cities on grounds that it will save the time and money of the litigants who have to travel all the way to New Delhi where the Supreme Court is located at present.

• INTERNATIONAL

Legal battle likely for Apple over naming rights for its iPad device

Apple could face legal problems in registering a trademark for its new iPad- computer product as a computing company "Fujitsu" has been attempting to register the "IPAD" mark in the US for a wireless retail computing device. Apple, however recently filed for an extension to allow itself sufficient time to prepare an opposition to Fujitsu's registration of the mark. It may be possible for both companies to register the mark as long as Apple can successfully argue that there would not be any likelihood of confusion between its product and Fujitsu's retail device.

China's Supreme People's Court announces new anti-corruption rules for judges

China's Supreme People's Court announced new anti-corruption rules in an effort to increase public confidence in the rule of law. The new regulations prohibit various activities including accepting bribes, having sex with litigants, intimidation, and intentionally prolonging court proceedings, with punishments ranging from demerits to removal. Chinese courts are under the control of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Zimbabwe high court rejects African tribunal's land reform ruling

The Zimbabwe High Court ruled that it is not bound by the decision of the Southern Africa Development Community Tribunal (SADC Tribunal) that ordered the state to halt its controversial Land Reform Program. The court refused to register a SADC Tribunal ruling that prevents the state from acquiring land for the purpose of resettlement. The court believed that enforcing the ruling, which was in favor of white farmers whose land was taken over in the government's farm redistribution program would violate the Zimbabwean Constitution and would be against public policy.