Nigeria: CLE, Panacea for Legal Practice Development - AllAfrica.com

Akinwale AkintundeLagos

The importance of Continuing Legal Education was last hebdomad re-emphasised again by the Chairman, Section on Business Law (SBL) of the Nigerian Barroom Association, Mr. Saint George Etomi.

Declaring unfastened a two-day workshop on Maritime Capacity Building held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, Etomi enjoined lawyers to always do themselves available for seminars and workshops as this volition maintain them abreast of what is happening globally.

"Being called to the Barroom is not enough, beyond what we larn from university and Law School, it is of import that you give yourself to continuing legal education. What you larn from workshops like this maintains you abreast of what is going on globally."

While encouraging participants to fall in any Section of the NBA of their choice, Etomi said the NBA was working seriously on the issue of Continuing Legal Education and was considering awarding annual enfranchisement to lawyers based on the figure of seminars and workshops attended.

Relevant Links

Mr. Chidi Ilogu who is president of the Maritime Law Committee of the SBL which organised the workshop encouraged participants to take seriously the issue of continuing legal education, saying that cognition not shared is cognition wasted.

"You cannot be everything to everybody, you must happen a subdivision of the NBA to suit in. Cognition not shared is cognition wasted."

The workshop had presentations on Introduction to Transportation and Passenger Car by Sea, Bill of Lading, Charter Parties, Introduction to Admiralty Practice, Mortgage and Maritime Liens and Apprehension of Ships, amongst others. Speakers included Mrs. Funke Agbor, Mr. Dolapo Akinrele, SAN, Mr. Microphone Igbokwe, SAN, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, Mr. Jimi Oduba, SAN, Mr. Babajide Koku and Mr. Olumide Sofowora.

The Identity Theft Resource Center Releases Identity Theft: The Aftermath 2006, a paramount report on the impact of identity theft victimization

SAN DIEGO, Nov. Nineteen /PRNewswire/ -- The Identity Larceny Resource
Center(R) released an of import study today discussing the impact of
identity larceny victimization. This study was not based on a nosecount survey
but rather one that invited confirmed victims of personal identity larceny in 2006 to
respond to a series of 44 questions. These ranged from the emotional impact
this law-breaking have had on their lives and their ability to retrieve their good
name to the fiscal loss to the concern community in commodity and services. It also should be noted that reported clip clip periods were given at the
time victims responded to the survey. The Aftermath 2006 makes not
distinguish between those who are still being affected from those who are
not. Thus, certain measurements of victimization stand for conservative
estimates since the appraisal was limited to the termination day of the month of the study. The followers are foregrounds of The Aftermath 2006 study. Tables and
additional information can be establish in the full study on the website: -- Sources of Stolen Information: Between 2004 and 2006, there was a
important addition in larceny via the Internet, lost and/or stolen
wallets, the workplace and home/car robberies. It is of import to note
that a big per centum of respondents reported being victimized by
those who may have got had easy entree to personal identifying information
including friends, household members, ex-spouses/significant others or
those in stopping point contact with the victim, such as as co-workers. -- About the Imposter: Of those respondents who knew something about
their imposter, victims reported their impostors have got got got committed other
crimes, experienced fiscal difficulties, have dependences and may
have committed personal identity larceny against other household members. -- Uses of victim information: Nearly two-thirds of the 2006 sample
reported that their personal information had been used to open up a new
recognition line in their name, 29% reported their information was used for
obtaining new cable/utility, and another 27% reported the impostor made
complaints to the victims' existent recognition card accounts. -- Cost to Business: In 2006, respondents estimated the sum value of
all complaints on deceitful business relationships in their name at $87,303. These
figs ranged from $50 to $500,000. This reflects an addition of 78%
from 2004 to 2006. -- Victim Time Spent: In The Aftermath 2006, victims spent an norm of
97 hours repairing the harm done by personal identity larceny to an existing
business relationship used or taken over by the thief. In lawsuits where a new business relationship was created, respondents in the 2006 study
reported an norm of 231 hours to make clean up the mess. In some cases,
respondents used such as looks "eight old age and still working on
it," "too many to count" or "endless." -- Costs to Victim: Respondents spent an norm of $1,884 dollars in
out-of-pocket disbursals for harm done to an existent business relationship only. These disbursals include: postage, photocopying, childcare, travel,
purchasing police force or tribunal records. In mention to new accounts, respondents spent an norm of $1,342
for out-of-pocket disbursals which included: postage, photocopying,
childcare, travel, purchasing records, legal aid and investigators. -- Inability to Unclutter Negative Records: There were a figure of reasons
provided by respondents which indicated negative information remained
on their reports. Among the replies were: Recognition Coverage Agencies
(CRAs) kept putting inaccurate information back on the study (43%),
recognition federal agencies decline to take it (39%) and fraud alarms were ignored
(30%). It should be noted that there was a crisp addition in victims
(24%) World Health Organization stated that they were not able to acquire a police force report, more
than doubling from 2004's study. -- Moment of discovery: In 2006, 33% responded that they establish out within
3 calendar calendar months of the beginning of the lawsuit and 16% discovered the case
between four to six months. -- Extended involvement: In 2006, the bulk of respondents indicated
that it took up to 12 calendar months to unclutter issues of all misinformation
(59%). A moderate amount of victims (14%) stated one to two years. Unfortunately, another 27% indicated that it took two or more than old age to
decide their case. The illation here looks to be that identity
larceny victims are not resolving lawsuits any faster and may be spending
longer clip periods of time to derive complete clearance. -- Unexpected secondary effects: Victims reported a figure of problems
including troubles in obtaining credit, glade accounts,
obtaining a job, and harmful personal personal effects on coverage or recognition rates, etc. -- Child Identity Theft: Of those respondents who reported kid identity
theft, 69% said the stealer was one or both parents or a measure parent. Sadly, 54% uncover that the law-breaking first began between birth and five
old age of age. -- Victim Response to Family or Child Identity Theft: In these types of
cases, some victims are still torn on how to decide the lawsuit (29%),
indicating that some are unwilling to take part in prosecuting a
household member. In footing of the family's response, victims reported a
concerted sum of 51% inch the followers categories: the household is torn,
the household is in denial or the household will turn against the victim if
action is taken. -- Emotional Impact: Few important positive alterations have got occurred in
the feelings of victims and in footing of reported victim symptomology. Two inquiries were asked: How did you experience at the beginning of the
lawsuit (short term) and were there any symptoms that lasted more than than
three calendar months or were so terrible that you were concerned (long term). More than 45% of 2006 reported stressed household life, 27% felt betrayed
by unsupportive household members and friends and 34% said their family
didn't understand. The strongest feelings expressed were: fury or anger, betrayal,
unprotected by police, personal fiscal fears, sense of powerless,
sense they were grieving, annoyed, frustrated, exhausted, sleep
disturbances, the desire to give up and halt fighting the system and 8%
reported feeling self-destructive with 13% feeling prisoner over a lengthy
clip period of time. Unfortunately, initially 28% felt shame or
embarrassment, 29% felt an inability to swear people and 27% felt an
overpowering sadness. -- Non-financial forms of personal identity theft: The Aftermath 2006 illustrates
that issues in these classes still go on to be a problem. The
classes include: warrants being issued in the victim's name;
employment; medical services; imitation driver's licenses; and that
the victim's existent driver's licence is being used by the thief. These
issues will be studied more than in depth in The Aftermath 2007. The Aftermath series of studies, as conducted by the ITRC, is the sole
source of information of this type. All people invited to participate
in this survey were confirmed victims by the ITRC victim advisory staff. About the ITRC
Established in 1999, the ITRC is a nonprofit, grant and contribution funded
organization that have conducted a similar survey every twelvemonth since 2003,
noting alterations in tendencies and patterns. In 2004, it was presented with the
National Crime Victim's Service Supplier Award by the U.S. Department of
Justice and Lawyer General. It is a well respected voice of identity
theft victims and plant collaboratively with other physical things to conflict this
crime.

Generic cos tie up with innovators to cut legal costs

NEW
DELHI: Out-of-court settlement of patent of invention of invention differences between North American Indian generic
companies and pioneer companies are gaining currency with both political parties anxious
to cut down the hazards associated with patent
challenges. “The climate
has changed inch the last two years,” said Brian Tempest, Ranbaxy
Lab’s head wise man and executive director vice-chairman, in an interview with ET. “This alteration is driven by legal infrastructure... There is more than clarity
today on what is possible and what is not for an out-of-court settlement,”
he added. Last week, the
Delhi-based company settled a difference over prostate gland drug Flomax’s patent
with Astella Drug Company and Boehringer Ingelheim. In July, Ranbaxy Lab had also
reached an understanding with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for a difference over herpes
medicine Valtrex. In these
settlements, the generic company typically holds to detain its entranceway in the
market in exchange for certain benefits, such as as licences to other patents. These understandings may also affect rearward payments, which often remain
confidential, in which the pioneer company pays the generic drug shaper to keep
it off the market. Dr
Reddy’s colony with GSK late last twelvemonth for instance, allowed the
Hyderabad-based company to exclusively administer an authorised generic version
of Imitrex in the US
market. While the Federal Soldier Trade
Commission (FTC), a law enforcement federal agency charged by the United States United States Congress with
protecting the public against anti-competitive behavior, have in the past taken
severe action against certain companies, keeping generic and advanced pharma
companies on their toes, the FTC now supplies more than counsel on the laws on
settlement. As a result, pharma
companies are now less discerning to come in into out-of-court settlement on
drug patent
disputes. “Indian generic
companies are under a batch of pressure level from investors to better earnings
visibility of their United States portfolio. Settling out of tribunal may assist them limit
revenues volatility,” said Surajit Pal, senior analyst with UTI
Securities. While successful
litigation gives the first-to-file company an 180-day marketplace exclusivity for the
generic form, these legal conflicts affect important hazards and costs. According
to analysts, legal be to dispute the patent of invention of a drug with over $1 billion,
will cost $10-15 million. For
innovator companies, settling a difference out of tribunal lets them to protect
their patents. “Better issue a licence to one generic drug maker, rather
than lose its patent of invention and human face competition from 10 generic companies,”
said Mister Pal. Innovator
companies are also under increasing pressure. In a recent opinion inch the case
between information engineering house KSR and Teleflex, where the United States Supreme court
set out certain statuses for proving non-obviousness â€" 1 of the three
conditions to the grant of a patent of invention â€" in an innovation. “More
generic companies could win because of this case,” said Mr
Tempest. After State Of Israel generic
drug giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ranbaxy is the company to have got the
highest figure of patent of invention difference cases, where it is first to file, pending in
the US. “You can’t be a serious planetary participant if you don’t get
into patent of invention challenge,” said Mister Tempest.

Preparing for the Celebration

Don't worry! Be happy! Let's celebrate!

These are definitely welcome words at this clip in our history. How can we not worry? As we look around, it looks that wicked is triumphing over good. It looks as if, in the words of the psalmist, "the wicked shoot and spreading like grass" (Psalm 92:7a, CEV) as warfares and rumours of warfares engulf our world. Yet, the Scriptures promote us to "celebrate and shout," to set away our problems and our fearfulnesses because God, who is always with us, will refresh our life with his love (Zephaniah 3:14-17). And, we who belong to Jesus Of Nazareth Jesus, will be blessed "with peace that no 1 can completely understand" (Philippians 4:7a, CEV).

Peace! What a cheering thought. These Scriptures repeat the angel's dictum in Luke's gospel, "Don't be afraid! I have got good news for you, which will do everyone happy...a Jesus was born for you. He is Jesus the Lord. ...Praise Supreme Being in heaven! Peace on Earth to everyone who delights God" (2:10,11b,14, CEV).

Advent is about waiting to hear that good news again and experience such as peace. But as we wait expectantly for the Savior, there are respective ways we can maintain busy and set up ourselves for his arrival. Like the crowds who thronged Toilet the Baptist we may ask, "What should we do?" (Luke 3:10b, CEV).

John offered respective suggestions as he exhorted the people to turn their Black Maria to the Lord. We might begin by genuinely protective about those around us. Are there anyone who is hungry? Lonely? Anyone who necessitates clothes or shelter or a sympathetic ear? We can make our best to take attention of their needs. We can also take an introspective expression at ourselves. Bash we cheat, take bribes, or throttlehold those who are weak? Bash we handle others unfairly because of their race or their ethnicity or their spiritual beliefs? If we do, we must repent and inquire God's forgiveness of our sins.

We cannot clean up our lives by ourselves. Nor can we be truly happy until we do the necessary preparations. We necessitate God's help. "God planned for us to make good things and to dwell as he have always wanted us to live. That's why he sent Jesus to do us what we are" (Ephesians 2:10, CEV).

The urgency in John's voice still echoes today. He called the people of his twenty-four hours to repentance. Today, that phone call is even more than earnest. We are called to a season of national penitence to set up ourselves for the parousia, the Second Approaching of our Lord.

Let us observe and be glad because "the Godhead will soon be here" (Philippians 4:5). Even so, Godhead Jesus, come! Amen.

EU says Airbus-Boeing legal dispute may drag on another 2 years, possibly longer

: The United States and Europe, embroiled in perhaps the greatest commercial difference ever, may be not able to attain a colony on authorities support for competing airplane shapers Boeing Co. and Airbus for another two years, or even longer, the europium trade head said Tuesday.

Peter Mandelson told the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, that respective "good religion attempts" have got failed to decide the trans-Atlantic impasse over alleged airplane subsidies, which are being investigated by two World Trade Organization legal panels and tested dealings between the two commercial giants.

"The U.S. have denied there are any subsidies provided to Boeing, while at the same clip demanding as a stipulation that the europium set an end to European support to Airbus," Mandelson said. "You will appreciate that on this footing it have got not been possible to set up a just and balanced footing for a negotiated settlement."

The dispute, expected to be the most complicated and dearly-won in the WTO's 12-year-history, rests on the ability of American Capital and Bruxelles to demo that the alleged subsidies have harmed their industries. Both have got presented grounds of lost airplane gross sales or lowered terms to endorse up their claims.

Globally, the marketplace for airplanes is deserving an estimated US$3 trillion over the adjacent two decades. Today in Business

The business office of the U.S. Trade Representative said it was still hoping for a negotiated colony that get rids of all WTO-inconsistent subsidies.

"Meanwhile, we stay confident in a advantageous result through litigation," spokeswoman Gretchen Hamel said.

Mandelson said the differences between the two sides have got been too large to decide and that he was "skeptical whether this difference can be resolved at the negotiating tabular array any clip soon."

The U.S. impeaches Airbus of taking advantage of decennaries of European subsidies worth the equivalent of up to US$205 billion to capture long-standing Boeing clients and go the world's biggest marketer of planes.

The EU, meanwhile, mentions to taxation breaks, development support and straight-out grants to Boeing as illustrations of error by the U.S. authorities and the states of Illinois, Sunflower State and Washington. It also impeaches the U.S. of providing huge amounts of concealed support to Chicago-based Boeing through military contracts, citing a sum subsidy figure through 2024 of US$23.6 billion.

An interim opinion in Washington's World Trade Organization lawsuit against Bruxelles was scheduled for October, but have been delayed probably until early 2008 because of the complexness of the dispute. A determination on the EU's ailment is not expected until the center of adjacent year. Both would be subject to appeals.

"We will go on to support in the World Trade Organization European support for Airbus which have resulted in innovation, increased safety and efficiencies in air transportation," Mandelson said. While the 27-nation europium have always supported a negotiated solution, Mandelson said that World Trade Organization entreaties procedures could drag on until 2009.

"Once the World Trade Organization will have got decided in the two cases, it would do sense to sit down together with the U.S. to pull off the consequent implications," he said. "Whether this mightiness spread out into proper negotiations, we are not sure."

The World Trade Organization determination could have got far-reaching ramifications for Airbus, which still must make up one's mind how it will fund its midsize, long-range A350 XWB. The airplane takes to equal the Boeing 787 Dreamliner but have already been subject to a dearly-won redesign.

The France-based airplane shaper delivered the most airplanes last year, but drop behind Boeing on orders for the first clip in six old age — a turnaround time that europium functionaries have got got pounced on to show that European support programmes have not been unfair.

"Judge for yourselves: Boeing just announced that its new B-787 Dreamliner is the most successful airplane ever launched in history," Mandelson said. "The most successful aircraft it may be, the most subsidised it certainly is."

Mandelson, a former Labor Party politician and stopping point ally of former British Prime Curate Tony Blair, ended his address on a more than optimistic note, telling lawmakers that the europium and U.S. have got avoiding letting their World Trade Organization conflicts harm the bigger trans-Atlantic partnership.

"We mean to maintain it that way," he said, "and we swear the U.S. volition make the same."

Samsung Legal Chief Resigns Over Scandal

The caput of the Samsung Group's legal department, Spike Lee Jong-wang, resigned Saturday amid a growth dirt involving alleged slush finances and graft of public prosecutors by Korea¡¯s greatest conglomerate. The dirt was triggered by disclosures from Kim Yong-chul, A former senior member of the legal team. The sudden surrender sent shockwaves through concern and legal circles. A criminal probe is finally expected to zigzag into gear wheel this week.

When Kim blew the whistle on Samsung¡¯s secret finances and graft of influential figs on Oct. 30, Spike Lee hinted he may vacate once the worst is over, saying he would ¡°take the duty for failing in force management¡± since he himself selected Kim for the legal team. His surrender nonetheless apparently perplexed the Samsung leadership. Asked why he was resigning now, Spike Spike Lee said Lord'S Day the substance had been ¡°resolved to some extent.¡± Type A Samsung staff member speculated Lee wanted to throw himself answerable before public prosecutors launch their probe since the dirt sets a load on both his current and former employers, the Samsung Group and the prosecution.

But inquiries about the timing linger, especially since Samsung could utilize Lee, a senior public prosecutor before he joined the conglomerate, at a clip when a criminal probe looks imminent.

In an e-mail to Samsung staff immediately after he resigned, Spike Lee said he advised the company ¡°not to respond to the blackmail¡± allegedly sent out by Kim¡¯s wife. He said he would take the duty for troubles arising for the company from his ¡°misjudgment.¡± The company tried to deter him from resigning, he said, ¡°but Iodine cannot forgive myself.¡±

But the caput of the legal squad is an adviser to the corporation¡¯s leadership: he may offer advice, but the corporate leading do the decision. In many observers¡¯ heads the inquiry stays why Spike Lee alone took responsibility, and some civic organisations therefore theorize he was pushed.

( )

Indian docs win legal battle in UK

LONDON:
Thousands of North American Indian docs here are celebrating the surprise win of their legal
challenge to the British authorities to coerce it to handle them on a par with
European medics. The British
Association of Physicians of North American Indian Beginning (BAPIO), which was the Pb appellant
in the case, said it was exuberant that the Greater London High Court had upheld its
appeal that the British wellness ministry had unlawfully decreed non-European
Union docs be discriminated against when it come ups to
jobs. Dr Raman Lakshman, BAPIO
policy vice-chair, said, "We are delighted. This is a truly happy Diwali for
thousands of docs who have got been through 18 calendar months of impossible stress. Doctors on the HSMP came to the United Kingdom on the apprehension they are required here
and will be treated fairly. This judgement intends these International Medical
Graduates can anticipate to be treated on virtue for the 2008 enlisting procedure and
onwards." BAPIO president Dr
Ramesh Mehta said his organisation, which claims a 6,000-strong rank and
says it stands for a additional 25,000 Indian docs in the UK, illustrated that
"BAPIO's function (was) one of advocacy for international medical alumni and
ethnic minority doctors". The
appeal was heard by three Godhead Justices, Sedley, Maurice Kay and Rimer, all of
whom were consentaneous in agreeing that the counsel issued by the Department of
Health on treatment of non-European doctors on the Highly-Skilled Migrant
Programmed was not
lawful. BAPIO, which late on
Friday, was celebrating a well-deserved triumph after a arduous and expensive,
£150,000 case, said the judgement meant that Indians and other International
Medical Graduates can henceforth anticipate to be treated on virtue as they compete
for occupations with United Kingdom and europium subjects for graduate student medical jobs. BAPIO said that
the judgement was "historic" and will have got a important impact on the callings of
thousands of International Medical
Graduates". The favourable judgement came after
the Indians' launched a March 1 entreaty against an unfavourable High Court
decision that failing to turn over the British government's punitory new
immigration and work regulations for North American Indian doctors. It changes by reversal BAPIO's sense of
hopelessness after it lost its earlier lawsuit on February 9, despite arguing with
great military unit that it was incorrect for United Kingdom to suddenly without audience or
warning edict that work permit-free visas would no longer be issued to
non-European Federal doctors.