International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde is facing questions at a special Paris court Thursday over her role in the 400 million euro ($520 million) pay-off to a controversial businessman when she was France's finance minister.
The court hearing threatens to sully the reputations of both Lagarde and France. The payment was made to well-connected entrepreneur Bernard Tapie as part of a private arbitration process to settle a dispute with state-owned bank Credit Lyonnais over the botched sale of Adidas in the 1990s. It is seen by many in France as an example of the cozy relationship between big money and big power in France.
Lagarde has earned praise for her negotiating skills as managing director of the IMF through Europe's debt crisis and is seen as a trailblazer for women leaders. Her decision to let the Adidas dispute go to private arbitration rather than be settled in the courts has drawn criticism, and French lawmakers asked magistrates to investigate.
Lagarde, smiling at reporters, left her Paris apartment Thursday morning and appeared at a special court that handles cases involving government ministers. She has denied wrongdoing.
At the time of the payment, Tapie was close to then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was Lagarde's boss. Critics have said the deal was too generous to Tapie at the expense of the French state, and that the case shouldn't have gone to a private arbitration authority because it involved a state-owned bank.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
US appeals court grants Hobby Lobby full hearing
A federal appeals court has granted Hobby Lobby's request for the entire court to hear its challenge of a federal requirement that it provide insurance coverage for the morning-after pill and similar emergency contraceptives.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals announced its decision Friday. Appeals are usually decided by a three-judge panel, but a total of nine judges will hear the appeal from the Oklahoma City-based arts and crafts chain.
Hobby Lobby is challenging a requirement in the new federal health care law that says the company must provide and pay for emergency contraceptives. The company says the requirement violates the beliefs of its Christian owners.
The Denver-based court also said it would hear Hobby Lobby's appeal on an expedited basis, with oral arguments expected this spring.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals announced its decision Friday. Appeals are usually decided by a three-judge panel, but a total of nine judges will hear the appeal from the Oklahoma City-based arts and crafts chain.
Hobby Lobby is challenging a requirement in the new federal health care law that says the company must provide and pay for emergency contraceptives. The company says the requirement violates the beliefs of its Christian owners.
The Denver-based court also said it would hear Hobby Lobby's appeal on an expedited basis, with oral arguments expected this spring.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
China Trademark & Patent Law Office - Trademark and Patent
The process of registering a trademark in China might be quite like what it is in your own country. To have a registered trademark, you should file the trademark with the Chinese government. When it has passed the examination and publication, it becomes a registered trademark protected by the China Trademark Law. But before applying the trademark, there is some knowledge on the trademark that you would like to know.
A patent is a right granted to the owner of an invention to prevent others from making, using, importing or selling the invention without his permission. A patentable invention can be a product or a process that gives a new technical solution to a problem. It can also be a new method of doing things, the composition of a new product, or a technical improvement on how certain objects work. Once it is granted, its term of a patent is 20 years from the Date of Filing, subject to the payment of annual renewal fees.
http://www.ctplo.com/patent.html
A patent is a right granted to the owner of an invention to prevent others from making, using, importing or selling the invention without his permission. A patentable invention can be a product or a process that gives a new technical solution to a problem. It can also be a new method of doing things, the composition of a new product, or a technical improvement on how certain objects work. Once it is granted, its term of a patent is 20 years from the Date of Filing, subject to the payment of annual renewal fees.
http://www.ctplo.com/patent.html
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Judge: Sexual assault suspect insane, not guilty
A Stamford man whose tongue was partially bitten off as he tried to rape a woman has been found not guilty by a Connecticut judge ruling he was insane at the time of the assault.
The Stamford Advocate reports that Superior Court Judge Richard Comerford said prosecutors proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the 48-year-old Gerard Landon sexually assaulted a woman at a church in June 2011.
He says Landon has psychiatric problems dating to 1988 and has been diagnosed with Schizophreniform disorder.
Landon's lawyer, public defender Howard Ehring, said Comerford made the right decision.
A Stamford psychiatrist testified that Landon had not been taking anti-psychotic medications.
Comerford said Landon, who is jailed, must be confined by the state commissioner of mental health for further evaluation.
The Stamford Advocate reports that Superior Court Judge Richard Comerford said prosecutors proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the 48-year-old Gerard Landon sexually assaulted a woman at a church in June 2011.
He says Landon has psychiatric problems dating to 1988 and has been diagnosed with Schizophreniform disorder.
Landon's lawyer, public defender Howard Ehring, said Comerford made the right decision.
A Stamford psychiatrist testified that Landon had not been taking anti-psychotic medications.
Comerford said Landon, who is jailed, must be confined by the state commissioner of mental health for further evaluation.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Jordan court postpones verdict of ex-spy chief
A Jordanian criminal court says it has postponed a verdict in the case of a powerful former intelligence chief on trial for alleged embezzlement of public funds, money laundering and abuse of office.
Presiding judge Nashaat Akhras told Mohammed al-Dahabi in court Sunday that his verdict will be pronounced Nov. 11, without giving a reason.
Al-Dahabi ran the General Intelligence Department between 2005 and 2008.
He faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.
He was arrested in February, when inspectors from the Central Bank of Jordan suspected transactions worth millions of dollars had gone through his bank account.
The rare case against such a high profile official is meant to show Jordan's seriousness in efforts to tackle graft and corruption — a demand voiced in recent street protests.
Presiding judge Nashaat Akhras told Mohammed al-Dahabi in court Sunday that his verdict will be pronounced Nov. 11, without giving a reason.
Al-Dahabi ran the General Intelligence Department between 2005 and 2008.
He faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.
He was arrested in February, when inspectors from the Central Bank of Jordan suspected transactions worth millions of dollars had gone through his bank account.
The rare case against such a high profile official is meant to show Jordan's seriousness in efforts to tackle graft and corruption — a demand voiced in recent street protests.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Pettler & Miller: Experienced Estate Planning Attorneys
It is never too early to begin your estate planning regardless of your age or the size of your estate. Unexpected events and circumstances happen everyday and it is better to be prepared
Regardless of age or the size of an estate, everyone needs to do an estate plan. We provide tools to enable you to deal with the management and transfer of assets upon your death or incapacity. This can include naming a guardian of your children and managing your estate for their benefit until you think they are old enough to manage assets on their own.
With nearly 40 years of experience in the field, we can and do create estate planning documents that will implement your wishes, minimize taxes and provide effective management tools in the event you become incapacitated or upon your death.
We create documents which are tailored to your desires and your estate. We help you administer them as the need arises. This often can avoid the involvement of expensive court proceedings and expedite the administration process. Our goal is to make management of assets upon incapacity and death of a loved one as efficient, economical and pain-free as possible.
Please contact our Torrance office for consultation with an attorney regarding your legal matter. For more information on estate planning click here http://www.pettlermillerlaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning
Regardless of age or the size of an estate, everyone needs to do an estate plan. We provide tools to enable you to deal with the management and transfer of assets upon your death or incapacity. This can include naming a guardian of your children and managing your estate for their benefit until you think they are old enough to manage assets on their own.
With nearly 40 years of experience in the field, we can and do create estate planning documents that will implement your wishes, minimize taxes and provide effective management tools in the event you become incapacitated or upon your death.
We create documents which are tailored to your desires and your estate. We help you administer them as the need arises. This often can avoid the involvement of expensive court proceedings and expedite the administration process. Our goal is to make management of assets upon incapacity and death of a loved one as efficient, economical and pain-free as possible.
Please contact our Torrance office for consultation with an attorney regarding your legal matter. For more information on estate planning click here http://www.pettlermillerlaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning
Monday, August 6, 2012
MJM Law Office
Mr. Mizejewski of MJM Law Office, P.C. is a Eugene Criminal Lawyer focusing his practice on criminal defense and family law. Representing clients from all over Eugene, he covers all cases involving anything from DUI offenses, assault and battery, drug crimes to custody disputes and child support. Mr. Mizejewski is also known for quality representation in the Juvenile courts cases at the John Serbu Juvenile Justice Center.
Criminal defense is a serious matter and Mr. Mizejewski understands it is not an easy time for those who are charged with a crime. His experience helps him navigate through the legal system effectively during this challenging time and promises to work hand in hand with clients. Each client situation is unique and requires time and having several options is the key in resolving the issues in an efficient manner.
With an office located in the heart of downtown Eugene, Oregon, MJM Law Office, P.C. mainly represents clients from Lane County, Oregon. Frequenting the Lane County Circuit Court has helped us familiarize with the individual judges, district attorneys, and court staff. In addition, our time is spent in Juvenile Court and the other courts surrounding, including Springfield Municipal Court, Eugene Municipal Court, Cottage Grove Municipal Court, and Florence Municipal Court.
When it comes to family, it is important to hire an experience attorney to help deal with your legal concerns. These issues are life-changing and with our close network of relationships in the Lane County district, we have what it takes to serve our clients to the best of abilities. Our Eugene criminal lawyer has proudly represented for clients in the Eugene, Springfield, Coburg, Creswell, Cottage Grove, Junction City and Florence communities.
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