New Zealand's highest court has determined that Uber drivers qualify as employees rather than independent contractors, entitling them to minimum wage guarantees, leave benefits and union representation. The tribunal found that contractual terminology describing workers as contractors amounted to superficial labeling that obscured genuine employment arrangements.
Justices identified multiple control mechanisms exercised by the platform, including algorithmic pricing systems, location monitoring, disciplinary authority and performance evaluations through passenger ratings. The court concluded that customers enter agreements with Uber for transportation rather than contracting directly with individual operators.
The ruling advances...
Ecuadorian voters decisively blocked a constitutional change that would have permitted international military installations within their borders, with approximately two-thirds opposing the proposal. President Daniel Noboa had championed the referendum as necessary for obtaining allied support against escalating drug violence.
The outcome undermines Noboa's security strategy and signals public resistance to foreign military involvement. Ecuador has emerged as a critical cocaine corridor from Colombia and Peru, with criminal networks increasingly dominating communities through extortion and violent intimidation. Washington had hoped to regain access to Eloy Alfaro airfield, previously utilized for counter-narcotics missions until 2009...
The Supreme Court will review a Trump administration challenge to lower court rulings that blocked border officials from limiting asylum application processing at ports of entry. Federal authorities seek to reinstate metering, a capacity management approach that restricts how many migrants can request protection daily at crossing points.
The Ninth Circuit previously upheld a district court determination that the practice violated statutory requirements mandating screening for anyone presenting asylum claims. Justice Department lawyers contend the appellate ruling eliminates essential authority for managing surges and preventing facility overcrowding along the southern boundary.
Multiple administrations employed metering between 2016...
A magistrate judge has directed federal prosecutors to provide grand jury records to James Comey's legal team after identifying serious concerns about investigative procedures that could have compromised the former FBI director's indictment. William E. Fitzpatrick issued the ruling after determining that defense lawyers had demonstrated adequate grounds for potential government misconduct warranting the uncommon disclosure.
The criminal charges accuse Comey of false statements and obstruction related to Senate Judiciary Committee appearances. Fitzpatrick highlighted troubling issues with how FBI personnel managed evidence, including material confiscated during a separate inquiry, and suggested possible violations of constitutional...
The Department of Homeland Security has launched intensified immigration enforcement operations in Charlotte, targeting individuals with criminal records who officials describe as shielded by local sanctuary policies. Federal authorities report that North Carolina agencies declined approximately 1,400 detainer requests, releasing people from custody without transferring them to immigration control.
ICE agents have expanded enforcement activities across churches, workplaces and residential areas while conducting increased traffic stops and document checks. The action follows longstanding friction between federal immigration officials and local sheriffs in Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas, who have resisted holding detainees...
Eversheds Sutherland has strengthened its Dubai operations by recruiting partner Mike Rainey and newly elevated partner Asal Saghari from King & Spalding. Rainey contributes 20 years of banking and restructuring expertise across the Middle East, while Saghari specializes in conventional and Shari'ah-compliant financing with emphasis on private credit. Their addition brings Eversheds Sutherland International's lateral partner acquisitions to 27 this year, marking an unprecedented level of recruitment.
Rainey spent over two decades at King & Spalding, becoming a partner in 2010 before relocating from London to Dubai. Saghari worked at the same firm for 17 years, achieving counsel status upon her Dubai transfer. Both lawyers bring...
Hogan Lovells and Norton Rose Fulbright secured leading advisory positions for the combination of HICL Infrastructure with The Renewables Infrastructure Group to form Britain's largest publicly traded infrastructure investment entity. The transaction merges HICL's diverse holdings in social projects, utilities, transport and digital infrastructure with TRIG's renewable energy portfolio comprising 2.3 gigawatts of solar, wind and battery storage capacity, creating combined net assets exceeding 5.3 billion pounds.
Hogan Lovells partner Erik Jamieson is directing the advisory work for HICL alongside colleagues specializing in infrastructure, banking, competition and securities matters. Norton Rose Fulbright's engagement is being led by...
A network of female general counsel has issued guidance urging organizations to expand workplace accommodations for employees navigating fertility treatments. The Eagle Club developed recommendations through input from 18 legal leaders with personal or indirect experience of the demanding physical and emotional aspects of assisted reproduction procedures.
The framework advises companies to implement gender-neutral policies covering both individuals undergoing treatment and their partners, who experience parallel emotional challenges. Suggested accommodations include dedicated appointment leave separate from sick time, flexible scheduling to manage medical visits, optional camera-off participation in virtual meetings, restricted travel...
Fitness franchise operator Xponential Fitness appointed Gavin O'Connor as chief legal counsel and administrative officer following the departure of Andrew Hagopian from the company. O'Connor arrives from European Wax Center, where he served as general counsel and chief administrative officer, and will manage all legal and administrative functions for the Irvine, California-based organization that operates Club Pilates, YogaSix, PureBarre and Stretch Lab brands.
Chief executive Mike Nuzzo highlighted O'Connor's franchising expertise and public company advisory background as valuable assets for supporting organizational expansion and governance structure. O'Connor's career includes nearly six years leading legal operations at European...
Trending content
-
-
-
Q
-
