Our Scans · (ZY.4.15) Law · Weekly Summary

• [New] For US and French companies alike, local corruption risks remain unchanged, as French criminal law and the Sapin II framework continue to apply irrespective of the US pause. Bird & Bird
• [New] China will remain firm in safeguarding the international system with the U.N. at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. Unlimited Hangout
• [New] Multinational groups with multiple China entities should plan centrally: Groups managing several China legal entities through a shared financial or tax function should track the pilot timeline and evaluate any system upgrade needs as a single coordinated exercise, rather than entity by entity. China Briefing News
• [New] The 2025-2026 reforms to criminal law United Arab Emirates represent both a modernization opportunity and a compliance imperative. Global Advisory Experts
• Many hope that the US government can eventually shape up its immigration system, with 76% wanting protections from deportation and detention and 53% expressing hope for a pathway to legal status and US citizenship. The Guardian
• After the US supreme court ruled against many of Trump's tariffs imposed under a different law, Brazil will become the first country targeted under the new strategy, which relies on Section 301 of US trade law, a provision authorising investigations into alleged unfair trade practices. The Guardian
• The U.S. legal system will have its hands full overseeing the distribution of tariff refunds from the defunct IEEPA authority at the same time that it fields challenges to new tariff authorities. Equitable Growth
• Italy's Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to the Free to Choose (Liberi di Scegliere) bill, a landmark law offering children and young adults raised in mafia families the chance to escape the criminal organizations they might otherwise be expected to inherit. Al Jazeera
• Between 330,000 and 350,000 Haitians could lose legal status and work authorization if the Supreme Court ends TPS, putting them at risk of deportation. leadingage
• The federal government will consider stronger legal protections for religious groups, people with a disability and LGBTQ + Australians after new hate speech laws drafted in the wake of the Bondi beach shootings pass parliament. The Guardian
• Australia's approach to prosecution will be informed by its unique domestic legal system. East Asia Forum
• Workplace Safety House Bill 521, which includes provisions from House Bill 306, expands Kentucky's criminal trespassing law to cover individuals who engage in threatening behaviour in a workplace after being given notice against trespass, and increases penalties for repeat offenders. The Bottom Line
• Texas Republicans have established stopping Sharia law as a legislative priority for 2027. Texas Scorecard
• The Ministry of Justice is expected to release additional decrees throughout 2026 and 2027, possibly addressing contentious aspects of French arbitration law that were not addressed in the initial decree. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
• Military sexual abuse survivors still face fear, culture and legal barriers to justice. Military.com
• Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court has dismissed a legal challenge to proposed constitutional amendments that could extend presidential terms from five to seven years. OkayAfrica

Last updated: 21 August 2026