Global Scans · Legal · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Substantive regulatory change is likely to happen in the next decade as a result of the recent U.S. Presidential election, Brexit and efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change, increase trade and reduce bureaucracy while legislating for new forms of technological advancement such as robots, driverless cars and drones.

• [New] The House of Representatives voted 360 to 58 on the updated divest-or-ban bill that could lead to the first time ever that the US government has passed a law to shut down an entire social media platform. The Guardian
• [New] Maine has determined that PFAS substances will be listed as Hazardous Substances under state law when PFAS substances are designated as Hazardous Substances pursuant to CERCLA. Toxic-Free Future
• [New] Influential industry groups are urging governments to push adoption of the legal entity identifier (LEI) system, arguing wider uptake could cut trade costs by US$100bn and widen access to financing for smaller companies. Global Trade Review (GTR)
• [New] Ministers have missed eight of the last 12 legally-binding goals to reduce emissions and last month the independent Climate Change Committee said Scotland's 2030 target was no longer credible. Scotland Matters
• [New] The EU has since introduced its AI Act into law the world's first legislation designed specifically to address the risk of artificial intelligence, including biometric categorization and manipulation of human behaviour, as well as stricter rules for the introduction of generative AI. The Register
• [New] The Court of Appeal has allowed 134 claimants to start an action against a law firm with a single claim form, which their solicitor said will strengthen the trend for class actions in the UK. Legal Futures
• [New] The Constitutional Court's ruling in the case of Capitec Bank versus the South African Revenue Service will have implications for tax law in South Africa. IOL
• [New] Following the explosive popularity of minute-long short dramas made for phones, China's culture regulator will soon announce new regulations that tighten its control of them. MIT Technology Review
• [New] In 2024, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally secure a global, legally binding target to radically reduce plastic production, but it will only deliver the kind of progressive action needed if countries like the UK push for plastic production to be reduced by at least 75% by 2040. Greenpeace UK
• [New] Greenpeace and Everyday Plastic are calling on the UK government and supermarkets to advocate for a legally binding target in the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, and reduce plastic production by at least 75% by 2040. Greenpeace UK
• [New] The Government of Canada has a legal duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate Indigenous groups when its conduct might adversely impact potential or established Aboriginal or Treaty rights. Transport Canada
• [New] Despite growing demand for EVs and government regulation both in the US and across European markets to push electrification as part of the climate change agenda, consumer appetite for EVs is less robust than perhaps many would hope for. Automotive World
• [New] Lawyers could harness existing generative AI technology to save at least half the time on more than 80% of their core tasks, including conducting legal research, preparing briefs and opinions, and reviewing legal documents. Brookings
• [New] The current US Administration is solidly in support of the proposed new health regulations and a pandemic treaty that will hand over pandemic public health policymaking to officials at the World Health Organization. National Vaccine Information Center
• Transport Canada will continue to engage national stakeholders on key issues related to automated vehicles and connected vehicles, with a view to supporting the development of new regulations that accommodate automated vehicles and connected vehicles. Transport Canada
• In Germany, individuals will have the power to change their legal name and gender designation through a simple registration process with the tax authorities. Gay Nation
• Ukraine's Parliament passed a law today on military mobilization that will boost the number of its troops. CNBC
• The European Parliament voted in favour of a draft law that will reduce average carbon emissions of new heavy-duty vehicles by 45% as of 2030, 65% as of 2035 and 90% as of 2040. www.euractiv.com
• Kentucky's governor signed a law last week that could require porn sites to ask for users' government IDs before allowing access to adult material. Reason.com

Last updated: 23 April 2024