AGP Executive Report

Election Oversight: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to identify states it contacted over its effort to check voters’ citizenship, and is weighing a bid to block the campaign before Election Day. Another judge rejected a request to set aside California ballots flagged as potentially cast by noncitizens. Free Speech: A federal judge temporarily blocked West Virginia’s attorney general from enforcing broad subpoenas against two environmental groups, finding the investigation could punish protected advocacy. Medicaid: Federal judges blocked the administration’s restrictive definition of “medical frailty,” preserving exemptions from new work requirements for vulnerable recipients. Privacy: General Motors will pay $220 million to settle a 35-state lawsuit over sharing drivers’ data with insurance-related brokers; the deal requires express consent. Kenya’s Cabinet: The Court of Appeal declined to suspend a ruling requiring President William Ruto to reconstitute his Cabinet under gender-balance rules, leaving the government’s bid for more time unresolved.

Election Law: A federal judge rejected the Trump administration’s bid to set aside up to 20,000 California ballots, warning it could disrupt the count and disenfranchise eligible voters. Judicial Independence: India’s Supreme Court criticized the corporate affairs ministry’s control of tribunal staffing and said appointment powers should rest with the NCLT and NCLAT presidents. Constitutional Dispute: Malaysia’s Court of Appeal will set a date on Nov. 12 for its ruling on the federal government’s challenge to findings in Sabah’s 40% revenue-entitlement case. Refugee Rights: Malaysia says it will continue plans to repatriate Myanmar refugees after a court declined to pause the process; the Malaysian Bar’s judicial review is scheduled for Dec. 8. International Justice: Lawyers for victims of Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war have asked the ICC to admit prior witness testimony in the crimes-against-humanity case. Police Powers: South Carolina counties are restricting license-plate cameras, while the state attorney general says local rules may exceed their authority.

Corporate Accountability: Malaysia’s High Court upheld former Axis adviser Lee Koon Huat’s conviction for abetting false financial statements, ordering him to pay RM800,000; his prison sentence is stayed for now. Press Freedom: An Egyptian court ordered independent outlet Mada Masr closed and fined editor Lina Attalah three million pounds, drawing condemnation from rights groups. In the Philippines, veteran journalist Philip Lustre Jr. was arrested on a cyberlibel complaint linked to reporting about Vice-President Sara Duterte’s family. Election Law: US civil rights groups sued the Trump administration, alleging its voter investigations and demands on states risk intimidating naturalized citizens and wrongly blocking ballots. Separately, Washington state’s campaign-finance commission suspended enforcement of contribution caps before next week’s election over doubts the law can withstand a legal challenge. Election Challenges: The Justice Department is asking a court to block Alaska from certifying its Senate result if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, a move critics say could cast doubt on the election.

Judicial Independence: Lahore High Court Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani resigned, citing health concerns and saying recent constitutional amendments had weakened judicial independence and increased executive control. International Justice: Lawyers for victims of the Philippines’ drug war backed prosecutors’ request to use three witness testimonies in the ICC crimes-against-humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte. Immigration Courts: The US Supreme Court barred judges from pausing deportation proceedings while appeals are decided. Rights and Legislation: India’s Supreme Court sought the government’s response to a petition challenging the impact of the transgender rights law on protections reserved for women. Labour Law: Germany pledged support for Bangladesh as it works to implement amendments to its labour law and strengthen workers’ rights. Access to Justice: Ireland’s justice minister is meeting solicitors amid a legal-aid payment dispute that has disrupted criminal cases.

Executive Power: A federal judge halted tree removal at Washington’s East Potomac Golf Course and ordered advance notice of major changes, citing President Trump’s repeated statements about an overhaul. Immigration: The Supreme Court curtailed judges’ power to pause Trump deportations, a significant shift in challenges to the administration’s policies. Antitrust: PlayPower dropped its acquisition of playground-equipment rival BCI Burke days after the FTC and 12 states sued, arguing the deal would raise prices and reduce competition. Corporate Transparency: New York and 20 other attorneys general sued to block a Treasury rule exempting most U.S. companies from reporting their owners under the Corporate Transparency Act. Free Speech: The Fourth Circuit upheld a ruling striking down West Virginia’s restrictions on publishing officials’ home addresses and phone numbers, finding them unconstitutional under the First Amendment. Protest Rights: France’s proposed law would make rioters pay up to €10,000 for damage; rights groups warn its wording could expose peaceful demonstrators to liability. International Law: The EU’s top court invalidated flights and trade agreements with Morocco covering occupied Western Sahara.

South Korea: The Supreme Court issued an additional arrest warrant for former first lady Kim Keon-hee, citing concerns she could flee or destroy evidence. Press Freedom: India’s Supreme Court sought the government’s response to publishers’ challenge to the data-protection law, which they say could expose sources and hinder investigations. Executive Power: A US judge ruled the Trump administration illegally fired Justice Department prosecutor Maurene Comey, rejecting its claim that it could dismiss her without legal limits. Election Law: A federal appeals court declined to block California from counting about 20,000 ballots the Justice Department claims may be linked to noncitizens, leaving the dispute for further court action. Ukraine: Parliament again postponed debate on an anti-corruption strategy, putting hundreds of millions of euros in EU support at risk amid disputes over prosecutorial independence. Brazil: Defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro says the Supreme Court barred him from leaving the country; he vows to challenge the order.

Executive Accountability: A federal judge ruled Trump’s Justice Department unlawfully fired prosecutor Maurene Comey, ordering her reinstatement with back pay and finding violations of due process and separation-of-powers protections. DOJ plans to appeal. Election Law: A federal appeals court questioned the Trump administration’s lawsuit over alleged noncitizen ballots in Alaska’s Senate race, as a separate California ballot challenge also faces scrutiny. Surveillance Oversight: Senators Ron Wyden and Adam Schiff accuse the administration of illegally withholding a secret court ruling criticizing searches of Americans’ communications under Section 702. Privacy Rights: Nepal’s Supreme Court struck down a rule requiring national ID details to open or renew bank accounts and directed the government to pass a separate law protecting biometric data. Climate Litigation: A landmark youth-led trial opened in Vancouver, with 15 plaintiffs arguing Canada’s emissions policies violate their constitutional rights. Consumer Protection: The FTC and 20 states sued Dollar General, alleging stores repeatedly charged shoppers more than advertised prices. Western Sahara: The Polisario Front launched legal proceedings in Spain to revoke Ryanair’s authorization for flights to Dakhla, arguing the routes violate the Sahrawi people’s rights.

Election Law: The Trump administration is defending a lawsuit over Alaska’s Senate race that could block certification if the Republican loses, as more than 23 million Americans have voted early. Voting Rights: India’s Supreme Court sought the Election Commission’s response to claims that Maharashtra’s voter-roll revision removed millions of names, but declined to extend the deadline for objections. Sri Lanka: The Supreme Court imposed a travel ban on former health minister Keheliya Rambukwella and four others over alleged failure to make court-ordered payments; four respondents were granted bail. Political Cases: A Sultanpur court acquitted Rahul Gandhi in a 2018 defamation case over remarks about Amit Shah, ending the proceedings. Legal Reform: Malaysia is assessing models for a proposed independent law reform commission to review outdated and inconsistent laws. Protest Rights: France’s government is fast-tracking a bill that could make protesters pay for vandalism damage even if they did not cause it. Local Powers: A New Jersey developer is suing a township for more than $300 million, challenging zoning changes that blocked AI data centres.

Election Challenges: The U.S. Justice Department is defending its lawsuit to block certification of Alaska’s Senate result if the Republican loses, drawing bipartisan criticism. A federal appeals court also appeared skeptical of the administration’s bid to set aside California mail ballots allegedly sent to noncitizens. Brazil’s Runoff: Brazil’s Supreme Court extended voting by two hours after transport problems disrupted access to polling stations, following requests from both presidential candidates. Limits on Punishment: Kenya’s High Court struck down a mandatory death sentence for violent robbery, ruling that judges must be able to weigh each case’s circumstances. Government Accountability: A U.S. judge found that DOGE’s access to federal personnel data violated privacy law. In Mexico, a former state attorney general was ordered to face trial on a treason charge over a CIA-linked operation allegedly conducted without federal approval. International Law: Tensions are rising over U.S. sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court and a proposed U.N. resolution on Western Sahara that critics say would undermine the right to self-determination.

Access to Justice: The Philippines Supreme Court has set rules to accredit and support public-interest legal groups, aiming to strengthen grassroots lawyering and legal aid for underserved communities. Family Property: Kuwait amended its civil law to let courts delay dividing a jointly owned home when a co-owner has no affordable alternative, while allowing compensation for other owners. Death Penalty Accountability: Bangladesh is seeking details from Saudi Arabia about the executions of two citizens, including their trial records, legal representation and how the sentences were carried out. Judicial Independence: India’s Congress cited former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul’s forthcoming memoir to raise concerns about government influence in judicial appointments; the claims have fueled political debate. Due Process: India’s Supreme Court overturned a pharmaceutical supplier’s blacklisting, finding authorities failed to provide the required medicine retesting. Extradition Dispute: A lawyer for US activist James Chambers says US authorities took his phone from Spanish court custody despite treaty protections; his legal team has challenged the transfer.

Election Dispute: Mary Peltola and the Democratic Senate campaign committee want to join a federal case challenging the DOJ’s bid to block Alaska from certifying its Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses. President Trump says he ordered the suit, which alleges voters could confuse Sullivan with another candidate of the same name. International Justice: A Turkish court has ordered prosecutors to consider a separate indictment over alleged crimes against Gaza civilians, beyond charges tied to an aid flotilla. Environmental Oversight: India’s Supreme Court gave states four months to verify and demarcate wetlands. Voting Rules: Arkansas has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive a requirement for handwritten signatures on voter registrations, which a lower court blocked. Access to Justice: The Philippines’ Supreme Court has adopted rules to support lawyers representing marginalized communities. New Legislation: Kuwait’s commercial concealment law, set to take effect in February 2027, targets businesses operating through aliases and will depend on regulators’ ability to enforce it.

Access to Justice: The Philippine Supreme Court has adopted rules giving institutional support to lawyers representing marginalized communities, including farmers, Indigenous groups and workers. Voting Rights: Spain’s consulates are racing to identify 163,020 naturalized citizens potentially affected by a court-ordered suspension of voting rights ahead of November’s election. In the U.S., President Trump said he ordered a DOJ lawsuit to block certification of Alaska’s Senate result if the Republican incumbent loses; the administration is also pressing to stop California from counting ballots cast by people it says may be noncitizens. Environmental Protection: India’s Supreme Court ordered states to physically verify and demarcate wetlands, saying unprotected water bodies threaten the constitutional right to life. Asylum Policy: Villagers in England are taking the government to the High Court over plans to house 1,256 asylum seekers at a former military site, arguing officials failed to assess environmental impacts. War Crimes Court: The EU warned Kosovo that proposed changes could breach international obligations and weaken the independence of the Hague-based court investigating crimes from the 1998–99 war.

Executive Power: The Ninth Circuit ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority by federalizing and deploying California’s National Guard, finding a separation-of-powers violation. Election Dispute: The Justice Department is suing to delay certification of Alaska’s Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses by fewer votes than a namesake candidate receives; critics say the case threatens voters’ choice. Immigration: The Fifth Circuit upheld mandatory detention without bond hearings for immigrants, including people with no criminal records who have lived in the U.S. for years. Privacy: A federal judge found the Office of Personnel Management violated the Privacy Act by granting DOGE staff broad access to federal workers’ sensitive records. State Dispute: Odisha has asked India’s Supreme Court to act against Andhra Pradesh over plans for local elections in a disputed border region, alleging they breach a court-ordered status quo.

Prisoners’ Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s emergency bid to end gender-affirming care for federal prisoners, leaving a lower-court block in place. Children Online: Greece passed a law banning social media for under-15s from January 1, requiring age checks and penalizing noncompliant platforms. Election Oversight: Federal judges blocked Trump administration investigations into alleged noncitizen voting in nine states, citing concerns over the data and voter intimidation. Presidential Lawsuit: A judge ordered Trump to testify under oath by Dec. 11 in his $10 billion BBC defamation case, warning the suit could be dismissed if he refuses. South Korea: An appeals court acquitted Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in a campaign-finance case; prosecutors plan to appeal, and a reversal could cost him office and future eligibility. Climate Justice: A UN expert urged governments to protect judges and lawyers facing threats for enforcing climate obligations. Protest Rights: India’s Madras High Court quashed criminal proceedings against demonstrators who called for Tamil to become an official court language.

Election Battles: A federal judge restricted DHS voter-fraud field operations in nine states, finding they risk intimidating citizens and voting-rights groups. Attorney General Todd Blanche, meanwhile, would not rule out DOJ action affecting state election certification. Anti-Corruption: The Philippines’ ombudsman urged the Supreme Court to revisit a ruling he says makes plunder convictions harder by requiring prosecutors to identify a mastermind and prove direct personal gain. Press Freedom: A US judge ordered Donald Trump to answer BBC lawyers’ questions under oath by Dec. 11 in his $10 billion defamation suit, or face possible sanctions, including dismissal. Election Oversight: Israel’s High Court barred party representatives from digitally tracking voter turnout and sending totals to their parties in real time. Iran Sanctions: The US sanctioned a Greece- and Panama-based law firm over allegations it used shell companies to conceal ownership of vessels carrying Iranian oil and other goods.

Judicial Reform: Philippine Supreme Court Justice Marvic Leonen says he would prioritize clearing court backlogs and investigating corruption if chosen as chief justice. Political Rights: Georgia’s top court heard a case seeking to ban major opposition parties, raising fresh concerns about a crackdown on dissent. Big Tech Liability: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $25 billion over Facebook privacy violations; the company plans to appeal, while separate legal charges weighed heavily on its quarterly profit. Prisoner Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court left in place a block on Trump administration restrictions on medical care for transgender inmates. Church Autonomy: An Armenian court rejected a defrocked cleric’s bid for reinstatement, ruling that church appointments fall under religious authority, not civil courts. Competition Law: An Australian court ordered Apple to restore Fortnite to its app store and permit alternative app distribution, though Apple intends to challenge the ruling.