North America: Criminal Law

On April 18, 2012, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Mohamad v. Palestinian Authority, holding that only natural persons can be held liable under the Torture Victim Protection Act of 1991 (TVPA or Act).

The US Federal Judge filed a controversial default judgment for terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York.

On December 21, 2011, the Canadian federal government released a consultation paper (the Consultation Paper) containing certain proposals to strengthen Canada’s anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-terrorist financing (ATF) legislative framework, which is administered through the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLA) and related regulations (collectively, AML Legislation).

Dozens of college and university campuses experienced protests in April and May of 2024 due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Many were peaceful, but some turned violent...

Ben Cohen charged with "unlawful entry" whilst protesting against the prosecution of Julian Assange.

In Rizzuto v Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board, 2023 ONSC 2011 (CanLii), the plaintiffs brought a mid-trial motion seeking admission of a typewritten police report ("Police Report").

On August 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN") released an advisory (FIN-2025-A003) alongside...

On September 25, 2025, President Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7 or the Presidential Memorandum), "Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence."

In recent remarks, DOJ's Antitrust Division signaled a shift toward more aggressive criminal enforcement when it comes to rooting out collusion with the roll out of its first-ever Whistleblower Rewards Program...

The Department of Justice's Antitrust Division (DOJ) has officially launched its first-ever Whistleblower Rewards Program through a memorandum of understanding with...

On May 12, 2025, the Department of Justice Criminal Division announced significant changes to its corporate white-collar criminal enforcement priorities.

On May 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced revisions to its Criminal Division Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP). (See Part 1 and Part 2 of this series for more information.)