| Volume 103 Number 6 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Most negative information stays on your credit report for seven years, a bankruptcy for ten. The time is not extended, however, when the debt is sold or assigned to a new person such as a debt collector. If a debt collector tries to "re-age" a debt, tell the credit bureau and demand they correct the incorrect information.
For more general information about the law, check out my website.
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Supreme Court Blocks Texas Abortion Law
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of the United States blocked a Texas law containing strict requirements for abortions, allowing many of the state's abortion clinics to reopen. If the Supreme Court had failed to act, only eight clinics would have remained open in the state.
The order contained no explanation or reasoning of the judges. Instead, the order simply allows the clinics to remain open while the appeals process plays out.
The Texas law requires abortions take place in "ambulatory surgical centers" and be performed by doctors with admitting-privileges in nearby hospitals. The Supreme Court blocked the surgical center requirement entirely and the admitting-privileges requirement for McAllen and El Paso.
How long will it take for the appeals process to play out? Is the Texas law unconstitutional?
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Google Set to Battle Amazon Prime
For $99 a year, consumers can get unlimited two-day shipping on purchases at Amazon.com. The service, known as Amazon Prime, has become extremely popular among consumers. Hoping to battle Amazon, and perhaps steal some customers away, Google announced a service with competing unlimited same-day or overnight shipping for $95 a year.
Google's shopping business, known as Google Express, is still relatively new and only services limited areas. On Monday, Google announced expansion to cover Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., Manhattan, Northern California, and West Los Angeles.
Would you be willing to leave Amazon Prime for Google Express?
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Your Money
Planning to purchase a car? Calculate your auto loan payments!
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For the Lawyers
Arbitrator has the power to issue sanctions over $600 Million.
The Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously confirmed an arbitration award of over $600 million in punitive sanctions. Although the appellant argued the arbitrator exceeded his authority by severely sanctioning appellant for fabricating evidence, the court concluded that the parties’ agreement gave the arbitrator power to impose the sanctions. The parties’ arbitration agreement provided that arbitration would proceed “in accordance with the rules then in effect of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute or controversy.” The relevant AAA rules in turn empowered the arbitrator to “grant any remedy or relief that would have been available to the parties had the matter been heard in court.”
The court found that both the language of the agreement and the incorporated rule were broad enough to allow the arbitrator to issue sanctions, even big sanctions, against a party who fabricated evidence.
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