Welcome to the July 2025 edition of the Political Law Playbook. Of particular note in this month’s federal coverage is a Supreme Court grant of certiorari to hear a case challenging limits to political parties’ spending in coordination with federal candidates. Plus, staffing shake-ups at the DOJ’s Ethics office and a congressional investigation into a Pennsylvania representative’s spouse’s stock trades. At the state level, newly enacted foreign spending bans in elections were upheld and struck down in different states.

Nigeria: As a major exporter of petroleum out of Africa, Nigeria plays a vital role in the global energy landscape. Nigeria’s economy depends on petroleum export earnings which necessitate a robust regulatory framework to promote transparency and accountability in petroleum exportation.

United States: Terrance Cole Confirmed as New DEA Administrator - The U.S. Senate has confirmed Terrance Cole as the new DEA Administrator, prompting the National Cannabis Industry Association to urge the Administrator to prioritize the stalled federal cannabis rescheduling process.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is a hot bed for “Schedule A” cases, a procedural approach used by brands to combat large-scale online counterfeiting and intellectual property infringement.

United Kingdom: In William Bird v. Iconic Newspapers Limited, the Supreme Court ruled that a media organisation cannot rely on qualified privilege (section 18 of the Defamation Act 2009) in defamation proceedings relating to a publication to the world at large, as this would significantly expand qualified privilege and "swallow up" the defence of fair and reasonable publication (section 26), which the Oireachtas could not have intended.

United Kingdom: The High Court recently refused to strike out a novel claim, in the tort of causing loss by unlawful means, brought by Vanquis Bank Limited (Vanquis) against The Money Solicitor Legal Limited (TMS) for bringing reckless and unmeritorious claims against Vanquis.

In this episode of Sanctions+, Shahrzad Noorbaloochi is back behind the mic after maternity leave and diving straight into the fast-moving world of US economic sanctions with co-host Milana Karayanidi.

Global: In our previous Fit to Franchise articles, we explored how global fitness expansion requires careful legal training – laying down the right foundation before attempting any heavy lifts. In this third installment, we tackle one of the most important strategic decisions for any fitness brand planning to go international: should you bulk up with a full franchise program or keep it lean and license your brand? Both routes can build global reach, but each comes with its own legal “workout plan”.

Canada: Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 81, Heather is joined by Judyanna Yu, Managing Partner of One Six 8 Ventures, a global venture capital (VC) fund with partners in the United States, Singapore and Shanghai. Judyanna discusses how the fund was built in response to a gap in Canada's VC landscape, particularly in life sciences, and how the team is working to fund and scale early-stage medical device companies.

Dentons, the world's largest global law firm, has achieved 23 individual lawyer rankings and 10 practice rankings in the latest edition of Chambers High Net Worth, a leading international legal directory that ranks law firms and lawyers serving High Net Worth clients globally.

United Kingdom: It has been 18 months since our last full round-up on cases coming out of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) and the associated legislation, and there has been a lot of activity from the courts in that period. We have pulled together a high-level summary of the most important cases which, when read alongside our last update (available here), aims to give readers an understanding of the guidance being offered by the courts in the context of building safety.

Indonesia: The new regulation allows oil and gas contractors to enter into strategic cooperation with a range of local partners for the management of working area segments and enables various forms of collaboration.

Australia: In June 2024, we examined significant proposed reforms in various Australian jurisdictions intended to bolster the Build to Rent (BTR) sector, including a concessional Managed Investment Trust (MIT) withholding rate and enhanced capital works deductions. Since then, both Commonwealth and state governments have moved decisively forward, providing further clarity for investors and developers looking to navigate this evolving landscape.

New Zealand: We are delighted to launch, in collaboration with Chapter Zero New Zealand, "Leading the charge: A directors guide to energy transition". A practical resource designed to help directors ask the right questions, understand emerging risks and opportunities and support informed, strategic decision-making as New Zealand moves toward net zero.

Frankfurt/Berlin (DAV). Ein einmal verfasstes Testament kann vom Ersteller gemäß § 2255 S. 1 BGB durch Vernichtung widerrufen werden. Doch wann gilt ein Testament als vernichtet? Kann eine im Bankschließfach hinterlegte, durchgerissene Testamentsurkunde die gesetzliche Erbfolge aushebeln? Die Arbeitsgemeinschaft Erbrecht des Deutschen Anwaltvereins (DAV) berichtet über einen Beschluss des Oberlandesgerichts (OLG) Frankfurt, Beschl. v. 29.4.2025 (21 W 26/25).

Nach dem Tod eines Mannes wird zunächst kein Testament vorgefunden. Das Nachlassgericht stellt einen Erbschein aufgrund gesetzlicher Erfolge zugunsten der Ehefrau und Mutter aus. Später wird im Bankschließfach des Erblassers ein handschriftliches Testament aus dem Jahr 2011 gefunden, in welchem dieser seinen damaligen besten Freund als Alleinerben einsetzt. Das Schriftstück ist längs in der Mitte durchgerissen. Das Nachlassgericht lehnt es ab, den ausgestellten Erbschein einzuziehen.

Zu Recht, wie das OLG nun entscheidet. Der Erbschein sei durch Vorlage des Testaments nicht unrichtig geworden. Das Testament sei durch Zerreißen vernichtet worden und somit nichtig. Das Gericht hatte keine Zweifel daran, dass das Testament durch den Erblasser selbst zerrissen wurde. Dadurch sei es gemäß § 2255 BGB wirksam widerrufen worden. Die erforderliche Absicht, das Testament wird nach § 2255 gesetzlich vermutet. Vorliegend seien keine Indizien erkennbar, die diese Vermutung widerlegen würden. Zwar sei nicht nachvollziehbar, warum der Erblasser die beiden Schrifthälften über einen längeren Zeitraum im Schließfach aufbewahrte. Dieser Umstand genüge aber nicht, um die gesetzliche Vermutung der Widerrufsabsicht zu widerlegen.

Informationen: www.erbrecht-dav.de

Tanzania: On 28 July 2025, the Minister for Industry and Trade issued the long-awaited Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, G.N. No. 487A of 2025 to specify the types of business activities that cannot be conducted by non-citizens in Tanzania. The Order follows the amendments to the Business Licensing Act, Cap 101 R.E. 2023 by the Finance Act, Act No. 11 of 2025, which allowed the Minister to publish an order to specify business activities which shall not be carried out by non-citizens.

Welcome to July edition of the AI & GDPR Monthly update, bringing you the latest insights into artificial intelligence and data protection. We’ll cover new AI regulations, opinions, court and authority decisions across the EU, and the latest use cases in AI implementation.

United Kingdom: Scotland continues to face a demand and supply imbalance in the student accommodation sector. University cities like Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow all face shortfalls, with students forced to take up residence further and further from the hub of their studies.

Indonesia: This regulation outlines the implementation of Indemnity and Managed Care schemes, introduces a co-payment mechanism, and emphasizes risk-sharing and premium adjustments based on participant profiles.

United Kingdom: The Football Governance Act (the Act) was passed into law earlier this week establishing the Independent Football Regulator (the IFR) and the mandatory licensing regime for the top five tiers of men's football in England and Wales.