Legal News for Weds 10/23 - Giuliani Hands Over Assets, GA SC Rejects GOP Election Rules, Surge in Law School Apps and Lawyers Donate to Harris

Minimum Competence

This Day in Legal History: UK Parliament First Convenes

On October 23, 1707, the Parliament of the United Kingdom convened for the first time in London, marking a historic moment in British governance. This event followed the formal unification of England and Scotland earlier that year under the Acts of Union 1707, which created the Kingdom of Great Britain. The new Parliament was a merging of the previously separate English and Scottish Parliaments, with representation from both countries. The House of Commons and the House of Lords, which existed as institutions in England, became the legislative bodies for the entire kingdom.

This first session was a significant step in centralizing political authority and creating a unified legislative body for the newly formed nation. The merger aimed to strengthen political and economic ties between England and Scotland, particularly in trade and military matters, and to reduce internal conflicts. However, it also faced opposition, especially from some Scottish factions, who felt that their nation's autonomy had been diminished. The development of the United Kingdom's Parliament from this first meeting laid the groundwork for the modern parliamentary system in the UK, including its traditions of constitutional monarchy and representative government.

This day is a key milestone in the evolution of parliamentary democracy, not only for Britain but as an influence on many other democratic systems worldwide.

Rudy Giuliani has been ordered to place his Manhattan apartment, luxury items, and a claim for $2 million in unpaid legal fees into receivership to satisfy a $146 million defamation judgment. The case stems from a lawsuit by Ruby Freeman and Wandrea’ Moss, whom Giuliani falsely accused of tampering with 2020 election ballots.

Giuliani's financial troubles, including bankruptcy and the loss of his law license, have worsened since he lost the defamation suit. Judge Lewis Liman rejected Giuliani’s request to delay transferring his claim against Trump’s campaign, noting the irony of his concern over media attention given his past false accusations. The case remains ongoing regarding certain assets, including World Series rings, while proceedings continue regarding his Florida property.

Giuliani Loses NYC Apartment, Trump Fees to Poll Workers (1)

Giuliani ordered to surrender apartment, valuables to Georgia election workers | Reuters

The Georgia Supreme Court has denied a GOP request to reinstate a set of election rules blocked by a trial court, meaning these rules likely won’t be in effect on election day. The rules, backed by Republicans, included requirements for county officials to conduct inquiries before certifying results and for poll workers to hand-count ballots. Democrats and groups like the ACLU successfully sued to block the rules, arguing they would cause confusion. The Republican National Committee had filed an emergency motion for the rules to be reinstated during the appeal process, but the court's unanimous ruling declined this request. The case continues as part of broader legal battles over election procedures in Georgia.

Georgia High Court Rejects GOP Bid to Revive New Election Rules

Law school applications are up 26% compared to the same time last year, with total applications increasing by 37%. The surge may be partly driven by the removal of the LSAT's challenging "logic games" section in August, which attracted more test-takers. Other factors contributing to the increase include interest sparked by political events, such as the upcoming election and U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Law school admissions consultant Mike Spivey predicts a final increase of 10-15% in applicants by the end of the cycle, with more high LSAT scores making competition tougher for lower-scoring applicants. While early numbers show strong growth, they may be inflated due to more time for applicants to submit, as last year’s application timeline was delayed. LSAT registration for November has also jumped by 31%, indicating continued interest in law school.

Law school applicant numbers surge, end of LSAT logic games is possible factor | Reuters

In the past two months, lawyers have contributed over $27 million to support Vice President Kamala Harris in her campaign against Donald Trump. Big donors, including top legal professionals like Faiza Saeed and Rodge Cohen, each gave $250,000 to Harris’ PAC, the Harris Victory Fund. Lawyers have consistently favored Harris, who has outpaced Trump in legal sector contributions. Trump's backing from attorneys has declined, with none donating to his campaign during the same period. While Trump receives financial support from other wealthy individuals like Elon Musk, lawyer contributions have overwhelmingly gone to Harris.

Lawyers Ante Up $27 Million for Kamala Harris in Past Two Months

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