Worldwide: Civil Law

In 1980, the Department of Justice pursued a civil action against William “Billy” Carter, brother of then-President Jimmy Carter, who had allegedly received payments from the Libyan government without registering under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”). The matter soon raised questions about possible White House involvement, prompting a Senate investigation into Mr. Carter and his relations with Libya.

The Eleventh Circuit's September 2026 ruling in U.S. ex rel. Zafirov v. Florida Medical Associates LLC upholds the constitutionality of False Claims Act qui tam provisions under the Appointments Clause, aligning with multiple circuit courts but leaving critical constitutional questions unresolved. With the case remanded for further evaluation of Take Care and Vesting Clause arguments and similar challenges pending in other circuits, the future of qui tam enforcement remains uncertain as multiple Supreme Cou

A federal court has ruled that New York's Climate Change Superfund Act is preempted by federal law, blocking the state's attempt to collect $75 billion from fossil fuel companies for climate-related infrastructure costs. The decision, which relies heavily on Clean Air Act preemption and foreign affairs doctrine, now awaits appeal while the Supreme Court prepares to hear a related case that could reshape the legal landscape for state climate liability programs nationwide.

A federal district court in North Carolina has ruled that SMS text messages are not subject to the TCPA's Do Not Call protections, marking a significant shift in telecommunications law.

Texas lawyers using lead generators face massive penalties under new barratry litigation, with violations triggering up to $50,000 in civil penalties per person.

The Department of Justice has revised its Justice Manual to strengthen False Claims Act enforcement through clearer standards on sub-regulatory guidance and dismissal authority. These changes may provide defendants with new opportunities to challenge qui tam litigation by contesting the use of agency guidance as a basis for liability and by advocating for early case dismissal under federal law.

When legal issues arise, many New Jersey businesses default to a "no comment" stance, believing silence protects them from liability. However, this approach can allow allegations to go unanswered, critical deadlines to pass, and manageable disputes to escalate into costly litigation. Understanding when silence serves your interests versus when it creates unnecessary risk is essential for protecting your business.

A federal court applies the century-old Robins Dry Dock rule to dismiss and narrow claims arising from the Baltimore bridge collapse, reinforcing limitations on recovering purely economic losses in maritime law. The decision examines which parties can seek damages when infrastructure failures disrupt commerce and cause financial harm without direct physical injury to property.

Federal ADA Title III lawsuit filings have reached 5,006 cases at mid-year 2026, marking the highest level since 2021 and suggesting a potential record-breaking year ahead. California continues to dominate with 2,426 cases, while new plaintiffs' firms enter the market and filing patterns shift across states. Will 2026 surpass the all-time high of 11,452 lawsuits set in 2021?