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Law News

Council Decision on Request for Moratorium Support or Interim Control By-law

Walker Industries Quarry Application

NIAGARA FALLS, ON – On February 6, 2024, Niagara Falls City Council was asked by an interested resident to write a letter to the Province of Ontario requesting a moratorium on quarries. Council directed Staff to review the request and report back. In addition, on March 5, 2024, as part of the public meeting on the City’s Official Plan, Council received a request for an interim control by-law to halt the quarry application near Fernwood Estates. On March 19, 2024, Staff provided Council with a closed-session report containing legal advice on both requests. Council then resolved in open session to take no position (ie, neither accept nor deny) the request for a moratorium or an interim control by-law at this time. The City has an active Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment application that is to be brought to a future Council Public Meeting.

If Council were to issue a decision at this time to either support a moratorium or issue an interim control by-law, such a decision would conflict with the statutory planning process that the City is to follow in respect of the quarry application that is currently before them. The City is obligated

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Law News

China pushes back on international criticism of restrictive new Hong Kong law

HONG KONG — China hit back Wednesday against international criticism of a new national security law passed in Hong Kong, dismissing concerns that it would further eradicate civil liberties in the Chinese territory.

The United States and other governments have expressed opposition to the legislation, known as Article 23, which Hong Kong lawmakers passed unanimously Tuesday night after deliberating at record speed.

“We strongly deplore and firmly oppose individual countries and organizations’ slandering and smearing against the Safeguarding National Security Bill of Hong Kong,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing in Beijing, referring to the Article 23 legislation.

The local law criminalizes treason, insurrection, theft of state secrets and espionage, sabotage endangering national security, and external interference. It is intended to supplement a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020.

The Hong Kong and Chinese governments say both laws are necessary to restore stability after 2019 pro-democracy protests that sometimes turned violent. But critics say they are driving a broad crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong, a former British colony whose Western-style civil liberties such as freedom of expression were guaranteed for 50 years when it returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.

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Legal Update

Talking Points: Should Minnesota become a sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants?

ST. PAUL — Should the North Star State join 11 other states around the county to provide sanctuary for immigrants lacking legal status? This legislative session, some lawmakers say passing the North Star Act is a top priority.

What would that mean for the estimated 95,000 undocumented people who call Minnesota home? Under the bill, law enforcement and other government agencies such as school districts and public health agencies cannot ask someone about their immigration status or help in civil immigration enforcement.

Read MORE: North Star Act aims to provide protections to immigrants

The furor over immigration has exploded as governors of the border states are sending busloads of migrants to sanctuary states like Colorado, Illinois and New York. In Minnesota, the state is divided.


Talking Points: Should Minnesota become a sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants? (part 1)

07:04

Currently, Hennepin and Ramsey counties are sanctuary communities. This status does not protect the undocumented who are arrested and charged with serious and violent crimes. It does, however, protect someone who is undocumented if they are pulled over for a minor traffic offense like a ticket.

Outside of these two counties, Esteban Rivera, an immigration attorney, says those undocumented people are

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Attorney

Watch Attorney General Garland’s full announcement of a lawsuit against Apple

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Case Lawyer

AI ‘hallucinated’ fake legal cases allegedly filed to BC court in Canadian first

A BC courtroom is believed to be the site of Canada’s first case of artificial intelligence inventing fake legal cases.

Lawyers Lorne and Fraser MacLean told Global News they discovered fake case law submitted by the opposing lawyer in a civil case in BC Supreme Court.

“The impact of the case is chilling for the legal community,” Lorne MacLean, KC, said.

“If we don’t fact check AI materials and they are inaccurate it can lead to an existential threat for the legal system: people waste money, courts waste resources and tax dollars, and there is a risk that the judgments will be erroneous, so it’s a huge deal.”


Click to play video: 'Examining AI in the courtroom'


Examining AI in the courtroom


Sources told Global News the case was a high-net-worth family matter, with the best interests of children at stake.

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Lawyer Chong Ke allegedly used ChatGPT to prepare legal briefs in support of the father’s application to take his children to China for a visit — resulting in one or more cases that did not actually exist being submitted to the court.

Global News has learned Ke told the court she was unaware that AI chatbots like ChatGPT could be unreliable, and did

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Law Firm

ROSEN, A HIGHLY RECOGNIZED LAW FIRM, Encourages Snowflake

NEW YORK, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of Class A common stock of Snowflake Inc. (NYSE: SNOW) between September 16, 2020 and March 2, 2022, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important April 29, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Snowflake Class A common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Snowflake class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22950 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 29, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of

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Law Firm

Mecosta County hires CMDA Law Firm to assist Gotion site review

The Mecosta County planning commission will receive legal counsel from CMDA Law Firm during the Gotion, Inc. site plan review process. (Pioneer file photo).

The Mecosta County planning commission will receive legal counsel from CMDA Law Firm during the Gotion, Inc. site plan review process. (Pioneer file photo).

Pioneer file photo

MECOSTA COUNTY — Mecosta County has solicited the services of CMDA Law Firm (Cummings, McClorey, Davis and Acho, PLC) as counsel to the planning commission.

The board of commissioners approved an agreement with CMDA during its meeting March 21.

“The (finance) committee reviewed the proposed representation agreement with CMDA Law for representation of the planning commission regarding the Gotion site plan review process and recommend the county administrator be authorized to execute the agreement,” commissioner Bill Routley told the board.

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County administrator Paul Bullock said given the nature of the situation it only makes sense to have the planning commission represented at those (site plan review) hearings “so that they make well-informed, well-reasoned decisions that are in accordance with the statute as it is now exists.”

“I feel it is critical that they have representation,” Bullock said. “We need to get that representation set up for the planning commission just to make sure that all the i’s are dotted all the t’s are crossed. They are already reviewing

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Attorney

Prince Harry’s lawyer implicates Rupert Murdoch in cover-up by tabloids

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry’s lawyer leveled explosive new allegations Wednesday that Rupert Murdoch was aware of cover-ups at his British tabloids that used unlawful techniques to spy on the Duke of Sussex and others.

Attorney David Sherborne said Murdoch was among the executives who were aware that public statements made about phone hacking and other unlawful information gathered at News Group Newspapers were untrue.

Harry and other claimants, including actor Hugh Grant, sought during the first of a three-day hearing in the High Court to amend their lawsuit against the publisher to include allegations that executives were part of an effort to conceal and destroy evidence of wrongdoing.

“It is inferred that they would not have carried out this extensive concealment and destruction strategy without the knowledge and approval of Rupert Murdoch,” Sherborne said in a court filing.

Defense lawyer Anthony Hudson said the proposed changes to the case were unnecessary and seemed aimed at “campaigning against the tabloid press” and as a “substitute for a public inquiry.”

“They appear to be designed to grab headlines,” Hudson said.

FILE - Rupert Murdoch talks with the media after he held a meeting with the parents and sister of murdered school girl Milly Dowler in London, Friday, July 15, 2011. Murdoch, whose 93rd birthday is next week, is planning to get married for the fifth time, wedding Elena Zhukova, her representative said Saturday, March 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Harry’s lawsuit against News Group Newspapers is one of three he’s brought against Britain’s biggest tabloids over alleged unlawful activity carried

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Law Firm

Daily Show Correspondent Joins Law Firm Because That’s Obviously The Logical Next Step

handshake-2056023__340What do you do after you finish skewering the powerful as a Daily Show correspondent? Help sue the powerful with a plaintiff-side firm of course. In one of the more unexpected staffing press releases we’ve received, Edelson PC just announced that it’s bringing on actor and comedian Bob Wiltfong to serve as its new Director of Communication & Impact.

Perhaps it’s not that unexpected. Edelson has a rich tradition of embracing its artistic side, having formed Edelson Creative as a showcase for rap videos about non-compliance or Disney spoofs about class actions. The group also put out an award-winning video about its role in the Tom Girardi matter.

As part of his new job, Wiltfong will supply content to the creative wing, as well as directing the firm’s public relations. And what more would a plaintiff’s firm need out of public relations than a relatable voice to help folks understand they’re being screwed over by the powerful? It’s starting to sound a lot like The Daily Show.

He also famously hosted a TED Talk about taking the BS out of business speaking. Not quite sure how “Director of Communication & Impact” fits into the business speak critique…

“I’m used

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P
Legal Update

Protesting new hit-and-run law, truckers dial down after talks with Home Secretary | India News

With the truck drivers’ nationwide protest against a new penal provision in hit-and-run cases triggering panic buying of fuel and essential items in several states, the Center on Tuesday stepped in, assuring transporters that a decision on enforcing the stringent provisions in such cases under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita will be taken only after consultation with the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).

Following the assurance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at a meeting Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla held with the transporters, AIMTC member Amrik Singh said Tuesday evening that no strike call had been given by his union. “The drivers were protesting against the new provisions. After the meeting, the issue has been resolved,” he said.

Transporters’ associations across the country have been protesting for the past two days against provisions under the new code, as per which any driver who causes the death of a person by rash and negligent driving and flees from the spot will be jailed for up to 10 years and/or fined.

Truck drivers protesting at SP Ring Rd near Ahmedabad Baroda express way Truck drivers protesting at SP Ring Road near Ahmedabad Baroda Express Way. (Express Photo)

There was no specific provision for hit-and-run cases in the Indian Penal Code and action

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