Assam government introduced a Uniform Civil Code Bill proposing common laws for marriage, divorce, and live-in relationships, aiming for social justice and equality. The bill mandates marriage and divorce registration, sets minimum ages, prohibits polygamy, and regulates live-in relationships, while excluding tribal communities.
Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal has formally recognised harassment as a standalone tort in common law through Sir Elly Kadoorie & Sons Limited v Samantha Jane Bradley [2026] HKCFA 2, concluding a decade of lower court development since the first High Court discussion in 2013. The ruling establishes four elements victims must prove: repetitive, unreasonable and oppressive conduct; conduct amounting to harassment in the ordinary sense; harasser intent with disregard for victim distress; and actual mental distress suffered. The decision clarifies corporate entities cannot be victims but can sue to protect employees, and applies to both online and offline conduct.
The US State Department announced a 4,000-acre hi-tech industrial hub in the Philippines, the first of its kind operating under US common law on foreign soil. Described as a purpose-built platform for allied manufacturing, the zone will combine American expertise in contract law, regulation and dispute resolution with Philippine workforce, mineral endowments, energy resources and strategic Indo-Pacific positioning.
