Latest news with #judicialreview
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Shafee claims 7 letters sent to confirm Najib's addendum
Lawyer Shafee Abdullah said if no such addendum existed, there was no harm in replying his letters to that effect. KUALA LUMPUR : Lawyer Shafee Abdullah today claimed he had sent at least seven letters to individuals and institutions seeking to confirm the existence of the addendum in relation to former prime minister Najib Razak. He said none of the parties responded to his letters or acknowledged their receipt. 'We sent letters to former attorney-general Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh, the home minister (Saifuddin Nasution Ismail), the law and institutional reform minister (Azalina Othman Said), the prisons commissioner-general, and the government, and CC'd the prime minister and his deputy,' he said at a press conference today. He said if no such addendum existed, there was no harm in replying his letters to that effect. Najib obtained leave from the Court of Appeal to begin judicial review proceedings to enforce a royal decree so as to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest. However, proceedings have been suspended pending the disposal of the current attorney-general's appeal to the Federal Court. The Federal Territories Pardons Board announced on Feb 2 last year that Najib's prison sentence in his SRC International case had been halved from 12 years to six, and his fine reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million. On May 21, Najib filed an application to initiate contempt proceedings against Terrirudin. He claimed that Terrirudin, while serving as attorney-general, failed to reveal the former king's royal addendum allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest. However, the Attorney-General's Chambers said Najib's action was a direct breach of a court order regarding his judicial review and claims that Terrirudin tried to 'mislead' the court on the addendum had no basis. Shafee said that when a judicial review is filed, it is compulsory for the summoned party to be honest about their explanation and any document they have in hand. 'They cannot play hide-and-seek,' he said.
Fox News
5 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Supreme Court limits judges' authority to block infrastructure projects over environmental concerns
The Supreme Court on Thursday limited the authority of judges to block infrastructure projects due to environmental concerns. The nine justices handed down the lone decision Thursday morning, slightly curbing judicial authority at a time when President Donald Trump's administration is loudly complaining about alleged judicial overreach. The case, Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, relates to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the requirement for environmental impact statements (EIS) in infrastructure projects supported by the federal government. "NEPA does not allow courts, 'under the guise of judicial review' of agency compliance with NEPA, to delay or block agency projects based on the environmental effects of other projects separate from the project at hand," Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the opinion of the court. "Courts should afford substantial deference and should not micromanage those agency choices so long as they fall within a broad zone of reasonableness," the opinion continued. Kavanaugh went on to state that agencies should not be expected to consider the environmental impact of any project aside from the one they are currently working on, "even if" the environmental impacts "might extend outside the geographical territory of the project or materialize later in time." "The fact that the project might foreseeably lead to the construction or increased use of a separate project does not mean the agency must consider that separate project's environmental effects," the court ruled. Thursday's decision was an 8-0 ruling, with Justice Neil Gorsuch taking no part in the consideration of the case. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett joined with Kavanaugh's opinion. Meanwhile, Justice Sonia Sotomayor filed a separate concurring opinion, onto which joined Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Trump, having a history in major construction projects, has repeatedly complained about environmental impact statements and the roadblocks they can cause. Republicans have also widely criticized what they see as judicial overreach in federal judges unilaterally blocking major aspects of Trump's agenda. "Universal injunctions are an unconstitutional abuse of judicial power," Sen. Charles Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told Fox News Digital earlier this month. "Just this past week, a D.C. district judge issued a universal injunction blocking the president's executive order requiring voter ID or proof-of-citizenship prior to voting in national election," he continued. "Judges are not policymakers." The Supreme Court is considering the wide use of universal injunctions in a separate case that will be handed down in the coming weeks.
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Chatham-Kent councillor's pay suspension challenge now before judge
Rhonda Jubenville, New Blue Party of Ontario (Source: New Blue Party of Ontario) A legal challenge launched by Chatham-Kent councillor Rhonda Jubenville is now before a judge, with a virtual hearing underway this morning. The Ward 4 councillor is seeking a judicial review of council's decision to suspend her pay for 90 days — the maximum penalty allowed under Ontario's Municipal Act — after the municipality's integrity commissioner found she violated council's code of conduct. The controversy began in 2023, when Jubenville proposed a motion to limit flag raisings at municipal buildings to only national, provincial and municipal flags. She brought forward the motion after a local anti-abortion group's flag request was denied, while flags supporting Pride and other causes were permitted. Council voted the motion down. In the months that followed, the municipality received multiple complaints about Jubenville's social media activity. A report by Integrity Commissioner Mary Ellen Bench found that Jubenville used her position to bully and intimidate critics, violating rules around improper use of influence and discreditable conduct. Among the posts cited in the report: A Facebook post supporting Norwich Township's ban on Pride flags, with Jubenville writing: 'I wish CK Council felt the same… Good for Norwich! Makes sense to me.' A post alerting families that teachers in the Lambton Kent District School Board would be attending a workshop 'to prepare for Drag Queen Story Time,' which drew sharp criticism and concerns about misinformation. A post alleging a Pride flag was flown incorrectly beneath the Canadian flag at a local high school, calling the move disrespectful and encouraging residents to 'let Blenheim High School know your feelings.' A post referencing another group's 'healing event' related to the flag debate, in which Jubenville wrote: 'FYI… For the trauma I caused them 🙄. The irony is the stress I was caused by vile words and threats... over a motion that had nothing to do with them specifically.' The commissioner's report also noted that several municipal staff and members of the public felt intimidated by Jubenville's rhetoric and the actions of some of her supporters. One complainant cited concerns for personal safety, saying, 'My mental health is suffering worrying about what she is going to do next.' Jubenville's legal team argues that the investigation was procedurally unfair, particularly because the identities of the complainants were not disclosed. Her lawyer, Michael Alexander, maintains that the integrity commissioner's conclusions lack a solid factual basis and infringe on Jubenville's Charter right to free expression. A judge will now decide whether the case will proceed to a full judicial review.
Irish Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Extensions to planning permissions for developments delayed by judicial reviews to be considered
Developers would be able to seek extensions to planning permissions in cases where building work has been delayed by judicial review proceedings under plans for emergency legislation set to be considered by Cabinet. The intention is for the legislation to be completed prior to the Dáil summer recess and there is a hope within Government that it could help to get thousands of units built. The measure is a bid to activate developments such as large-scale apartments which might otherwise go beyond their permission timeline after being held up as a result of judicial reviews sought by opponents of the planned developments. The proposals are being put forward by Minister for Housing James Browne and Minister of State with responsibility for planning John Cummins. READ MORE The plan is for a provision in the new Planning and Development Act 2024 to be brought forward, so that holders of all permissions that have been through a judicial review can apply to the planning authority for a retrospective suspension of the period of time their permission was held up. At present, the clock does not stop when the permission is subject to a judicial review, which in some cases can take years. A second provision is to allow developers with just two years left on their permission to apply for an extension for up to three years. The Irish Times understands this is being proposed in recognition of challenging circumstances impacting some developments in recent years, including high inflation and issues with access to finance. In these circumstances, in order to activate the development, the application for an extension must be made within six months of the legislation commencing and development must commence within 18 months of the commencement of the legislation. The Government has been under pressure to bring forward new initiatives aimed at easing the housing crisis. On Monday, left-wing Opposition parties announced plans for a major 'Raise the Roof' housing protest outside Leinster House to coincide with the tabling of a joint motion on the housing crisis next month. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy called for 'a massive show of people power' saying: 'We need to declare a housing emergency'. Separately, Tánaiste Simon Harris will seek Cabinet approval to draft legislation prohibiting the importation of goods from illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He is expected to outline that there is growing support for Irish positions at an EU level when it comes to economic ties with Israel, and that the Government intends to build support at a European level while advancing domestic legislation as well. Mr Harris will also bring an update to Cabinet on the latest trade developments – warning Ministers there is 'no time to lose' to achieve a new trade deal with the United States that safeguards European and US interests. Now halfway through the original 90-day pause on US tariffs that the White House has said it will impose, Mr Harris will ask for approval to draft legislation approving a trade deal with Canada, telling Cabinet it is an important part of Ireland's strategy to find new markets. He will also seek approval to extend the Defence Forces ' UN mission in Lebanon for another year, in which 345 personnel are now serving. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will update Cabinet on actions she has taken relating to Children's Health Ireland (CHI), as the provider of paediatric hospital services is rocked by multiple controversies. Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler will update colleagues on plans to extend the period during which a person can be involuntarily detained without a court order from 21 days, as was originally envisaged in legislation published last year, to 41 days if they are a risk to themselves or others, or need treatment. This is part of more than 200 amendments to the forthcoming Mental Health Bill. Minister for Children and Disability Norma Foley is to bring a memo on the implementation of the European Accessibility Act from June 28th, 2025 onwards. The Act is designed to ensure that designated products and services - including computers, bank ATMs, and e-ticketing - are accessible for people with disabilities. Compliance will be enforced here by a range of existing State regulators who will be responsible for dealing with any complaints from people who feel their rights to accessible products and services have been breached. Cabinet will be updated on the Department of Agriculture 's plans to treat 'exotic diseases' in animals, such as foot-and-mouth and bluetongue. Minister for Higher and Further Education Patrick O'Donovan will also bring a memo on the formation of a new advisory committee on commemorations. There is also to be an update on the Safe Routes to School Programme. Cabinet will hear that evaluations of the scheme show an increase in walking, cycling and park-and-ride and there has been a particular focus on reducing speed and improving driver behaviour around rural schools in the scheme. Minister for Higher Education James Lawless will also bring plans for the launch of Springboard+ 2025, the latest iteration of the free training scheme for the unemployed which has subsidised courses for people in work who want to reskill.
RNZ News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Greyhound Racing NZ applies for judicial review of ban
Photo: Photosport Greyhound Racing NZ has applied for a judicial review of the government's decision to ban greyhound racing. In December, Racing Minister Winston Peters announced the practice would be banned from 31 July 2026. He said the decision had been made to protect the welfare of racing dogs , and although the industry had made progress injury rates remained persistenty high. Urgent legislation to prevent the destruction of dogs while the industry was wound down passed with the support of all parties in the House. It is estimated around 1000 people will be affected by the ban, with around 3000 dogs expected to need to be rehomed. Greyhound Racing NZ, which had been vocal in opposing the ban, has now applied through its counsel to the High Court to have the ban reviewed. Chief executive Edward Rennell said the review would "expose the government's cavalier attitude to policymaking adversely impacting the livelihoods of thousands". Its application said there was a duty to consult with the industry on the ban, but it had not happened. It said the Cabinet paper produced by the Department of Internal Affairs was selective in its use of reports from the Racing Integrity Board, and included no information from the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, and accused officials of having already made up their minds. It said decision-makers appeared to have acted in a way that made the decision a foregone conclusion, saying the prime minister had also already made up his mind and stated it publicy. "The government took its decision too lightly and too quickly, without due care and due diligence. It was a rushed and inadequate Cabinet paper," Rennell said. It claimed there were only a "few short steps" from Peters seeking a report in June 2024 on banning the sport, and Cabinet deciding to do so in December. Greyhound Racing NZ has also sought a Court order to stop the Crown from working on the ban while the review is carried out. RNZ has approached the Racing Minister for comment.
