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The <i>Chandler</i> Decision: What It Means
In March, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in a False Claims Act case that has been closely watched by public and private entities alike. See Cook County v. United States ex rel. Chandler, 123 S. Ct. 1239 (2003). This article is intended to put that decision in perspective, to help readers understand what Chandler actually holds, and to reflect upon the future of False Claims Act litigation in the wake of Chandler and other recent Supreme Court decisions on punitive damages.
Are Municipalities Subject to 'Punitive' FCA Liability?
The Supreme Court was confronted with two fundamental questions in the Chandler case: 1) whether Congress intended the FCA to apply municipalities when the law was originally enacted in 1863, and 2) whether Congress intended the Act to apply to municipalities when it increased FCA damages and penalties in 1986. Although courts were split on the issue, a majority had held that local governments are not subject to qui tam liability under the “essentially punitive” provisions of the civil False Claims Act. Other courts held that even when local governments were sued under the FCA by the Justice Department, the punitive nature of FCA damages precluded municipal liability. See John T. Boese, Civil False Claims and Qui Tam Actions, ' 2.07[D] (Aspen Pub. 2d ed. Supp. 2003-1).
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws
This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.
The Article 8 Opt In
The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin
With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.
Legal Possession: What Does It Mean?
Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.
The Stranger to the Deed Rule
In 1987, a unanimous Court of Appeals reaffirmed the vitality of the "stranger to the deed" rule, which holds that if a grantor executes a deed to a grantee purporting to create an easement in a third party, the easement is invalid. Daniello v. Wagner, decided by the Second Department on November 29th, makes it clear that not all grantors (or their lawyers) have received the Court of Appeals' message, suggesting that the rule needs re-examination.