U.S. Supreme Court To Decide Global Reach of American Antitrust Laws

by James M. Lockhart, Esq.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that would allow foreign companies to bring suit in U.S. courts alleging violations of U.S. antitrust laws based on foreign transactions. On December 15, 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the petition for certiori brought by the defendants in the case entitled Empagran, S.A., et al v. F. Hoffman LaRoche, Ltd., et al. The case arises from a worldwide conspiracy to fix the prices of vitamin products. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals held, in reversing a lower court decision dismissing the Empagran lawsuit, that "[t]he same conduct injures both foreign plaintiffs and domestic plaintiffs, and it is clearly the conduct that Congress intends to reach with our antitrust laws." Empagran, S.A. v. F. Hoffman LaRoche, Ltd., 315 F.3d 338,354 (2nd Cir.2003) (Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc Denied). for the complete article click here

CIVIL LIABILITY INSURANCE: THE REFORM LONG AWAITED BY FRENCH INSURERS

by Camille Piot

November 2, 2003 saw the entry into force of the Financial Security Law of 1 August 2003, which put an end to 13 years of precedent that had been continuously criticised by insurers.

French insurers hailed the Financial Security Law of 1 August 2003, which modified the French Insurance Code by limiting civil professional liability cover in time.

In a much-publicised series of rulings beginning on 19 December 1990, the French Supreme Court deemed claims made clauses null and void. Claims made clauses are clauses that stipulate that the insurer will provide cover only if victims file a claim against the insured during the policy period.

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Franchising In China – Status of the Developing New Franchise Law in China

by Janet Yong

The draft Franchise Regulations (“Draft Regulations”) that are to replace the 1997 Measures concerning administrative of commercial franchising (the “1997 version”) were expected to be out by end of this year. However, reliable sources at the China Chain Store Franchise Association revealed that the said draft is pending further amendment at the Ministry of Commerce. To-date, no one knows when the new law will be promulgated.
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TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS
The Benefits of Hiring an Outside Firm

by Ms. Jodee Spencer & Ms. Courtney L. Clarke

You sit down with a cup of coffee, open the morning paper, and see a competitor prominently quoted. You have far more experience and background, but no one interviewed you. Sound familiar?

It’s not always what you know, but who knows what you know. And one of the best ways to ensure that reporters and community leaders understand your knowledge base is to develop a comprehensive public relations strategy for your firm. Public relations focuses on managing the reputation of your firm through regular two-way communication with your publics. Those publics may be specific community leaders, other firms, your peers, reporters, potential clients, or current clients.

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Tax and Social Security Implications of Cross Border Employment Between Belgium and its Neighbouring Countries by Alain Hirsch and Griet Vanden Abeele

1. Introduction

This contribution gives an overview of the social security and tax implications of working in several countries, with an emphasis on the neighbouring countries of Belgium : France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Germany.

We try to offer a decision strategy and practical guidelines in taking decisions when confronted with cross-border employment and self-employment, taken into account the differences in tax-levels and social security levels between Belgium and its neighbouring countries.
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 2004
Asia Pacific Regional Meeting
hosted by ILN Madarin Oriental Hotel London, England
10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday June 2, 2004

2004
16th Annual Meeting
hosted jointly by
Fladgate Fielder & Memery Crystal, Madarin Oriental Hotel
London, England
June 2 - 6, 2004

2004 European Regional Meeting hosted by the ILN Barcelona, Spain September 9 - 11, 2004