Worldwide: Court Procedure

The U.S. Department of Justice and Consumer Product Safety Commission have filed their first imminent hazard lawsuit in nearly four decades, targeting manufacturers of Lakkzoom immersion water heaters that allegedly catch fire within minutes when used improperly. This aggressive enforcement action signals a renewed willingness to pursue mandatory recalls through federal court, even as questions swirl about the future structure of the CPSC under the Trump administration. The case raises critical questions ab

In September 2025, President Trump issued Presidential Proclamation 10973, imposing a $100,000 supplemental fee on new H-1B visa petitions for beneficiaries outside the United States (i.e., petitions subject to consular processing), with limited exceptions for national interest cases.

When divorced parents face significant financial disparities, Illinois courts may look beyond standard child support formulas to ensure children maintain a lifestyle comparable to what they experienced before the marriage ended. A recent appellate decision examines when guideline amounts fall short and upward deviations become necessary to protect children's interests.

This monthly newsletter examines critical developments in product liability and mass torts, analyzing how bankruptcy proceedings affect liability claims, jurisdictional challenges in California courts...

The Second Circuit's recent decision in Peju Province Winery v. Cesari S.R.L. clarifies when USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board rulings on likelihood of confusion can bind parties in subsequent district court litigation. This case examines the critical distinction between trademark analysis based solely on registration documents versus actual marketplace usage, potentially reshaping how trademark owners approach both TTAB proceedings and infringement litigation strategy.

The recent explosion of AI use has made legal analysis available to everyone. Clients and litigants who formerly had to rely on their attorneys for virtually all their legal analysis now may query an AI platform and obtain some fairly accurate information on their own.

The U.S. Court of International Trade has established a new procedure for importers to obtain refunds on tariffs that were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and later invalidated by the Supreme Court. This development addresses the critical question of how importers with fully liquidated entries can recover duties paid under what the Supreme Court determined were unlawful tariffs.

The International Chamber of Commerce has released its 2026 Arbitration Rules, introducing significant procedural reforms that reshape how ICC arbitrations are conducted. These changes eliminate mandatory Terms of Reference, introduce new efficiency mechanisms including early determination procedures and highly expedited arbitration options, and strengthen disclosure obligations for arbitrators and tribunal secretaries..

Following the US Supreme Court's invalidation of Trump administration IEEPA tariffs, the US Court of International Trade has issued new orders directing Customs and Border Protection to process refunds for finally liquidated entries. As the government appeals the court's authority to order universal refunds, importers face critical decisions about filing complaints to secure their refund claims while class action certification proceedings loom on the horizon.