New REACH Law Takes Effect in the EU

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In June 2007, the controversial new REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) law came into effect in the European Union. Taking seven years and 1,000 pages to pass, REACH is the most complex law in EU history.

Aiming to protect consumers and the environment from harmful and unsafe chemicals, the law requires manufacturers to ensure that over 30,000 chemicals have been tested and reviewed by the newly created European Chemicals Agency (EChA). For 1,500 high risk substances, manufacturers will have to prove “adequate control.” The EChA will ban ingredients posing a significant threat and ensure that cosmetic and other companies use alternatives.

The law also advocates using alternatives to animal testing, so that data on toxicity to humans is obtained using means other than experiments on vertebrate animals. Since the passage of REACH, L’Oreal has announced that it will conduct safety tests on human skin cells and tissue from animals slaughtered for food, rather than live animals, to collect the new information required by the law.

REACH replaces 40 separate chemicals laws in the EU. It also extends prior cosmetics laws that were based upon risk assessment and responds to ongoing calls from the scientific community for bans on confirmed and likely carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances in cosmetic products.

Although there was little existing safety information on 99% of the man thousands of chemicals developed in the EU before 1981, the EU had banned several dangerous chemicals that remain legal in the United States, including phthalates in cosmetics.

REACH is expected to put more pressure on law makers in the United States to impose tougher controls on the usage of toxic chemicals, since under the countrys Toxic Substances Control Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has little legal authority to ban or restrict chemicals in use before 1976 because it must first prove they pose “an unreasonable risk.” It should be noted, however, that there are several shortcomings to the new European law. First, manufacturers have 11 years to register product ingredients, leaving more than a decade until all the ingredients in cosmetics products will be fully disclosed. Also, if a product was manufactured outside the EU and imported, it is not regulated under REACH.

Law in UK, its evolution and study.

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A combination of rules and regulations that creates an ambience of safety security, justice and equality in a civilized world is called a Law. Law brings about a transformation in the society and a change in people.

The process of teaching and training young learning minds the basics and intricacies of law and order and enabling them to practice it is called Legal Education. To learn Law and legal systems, people apply for admission to law colleges and law universities, study in-depth about the subject and then practice in real life.

These days many students go to study Law in UK. There are many Law colleges in UK which provide studies in UK and International Law. The reason why many prefer to study Law in UK is because of their similarity with Indian Law. This way one who studies law from a good Law College in UK can understand Indian Law also very well. Law Universities in U.K teach prospective lawyers the basics of law at the undergraduate level. After they graduate from the college, they are made to achieve distinction in a bar exam. Once that is done, they are given a certificate and then become eligible for practice.

There is an examination called the Common Professional examination that students must pass with good marks in order to set the ball rolling to practice Law in UK. Law practice tests are a good source to hone your skills before appearing in the exam. Like mentioned earlier, they can finish the process of learning law in the undergraduate level itself. It also possible to study Legal Education by earning a diploma in a Law college in the UK or a Law University in the UK. After the degree is earned, vocational courses is completed by students to finally finish their process.

“Education of Lawyers” is the top most body and the governing council for legal education in the U.S. “Juris Doctor” or “Doctor of jurisprudence” is the official law enabling practice degree that is given by law colleges and law universities to students. After this, he has to do a variety of law practice tests to attend a bar exam and pass in it effectively. After a prospective lawyer passes the bar exam, he is given an official license and officially becomes an Attorney of Law. Now he has the option to practice independently or join a law firm.

Starting a bankruptcy law firm

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For the last five years, the story of filing bankruptcy proceedings in the US has drastically increased. For instance, in May 2009, there was a 41.4% year-over-year increase in the daily bankruptcy filing rate. Each year, thousands of individuals and businesses file bankruptcy due to their inability to pay their creditors. However, as the US bankruptcy code is complicated enough, anyone who wishes to file for bankruptcy needs legal guidance in order to guide them throughout the filing process. Today, there are thousands of law firms across the US, but firms that specifically deal with bankruptcy cases are much better equipped and efficient to represent their clients interests before the bankruptcy court. So keeping in mind the circumstances and data, its evident that you may be beneficial if you start a bankruptcy law firm within your state. But before that you need to have the required legal expertise and know the steps that involve the formation of a bankruptcy law firm.

Instructions

1) First, you need to set up an office for your bankruptcy law firm. Whether its a law firm or a small business corporation, you need to set up an office in order to deal with your clients. It can be located anywhere in a commercial office park, in a virtual location or in your home. Even if you think to continue your business from your home, you still need a place where you can meet confidentially with your clients. Nowadays, many lawyers are making use of “Virtual office” for this purpose. Virtual offices are typically established in commercial office part. However, there is an advantage in using virtual office for your firm. You just need to pay for the time you spend in office, which is completely in contrast to paying a flat monthly payment for renting a space. Again, there are some other equipment that you need for your office like a computer, printer, scanner, copier, fax machine, telephone and other furniture.
2) Make sure you, your partners or other associates are sworn into the federal court of in district or region. As federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases, a bankruptcy case cannot be filed in a state court. Therefore, if you or your associates have only been sworn in the state court, you wont be able to file or argue bankruptcy cases in the federal court.
3) Purchase some malpractice insurance, as these will cover bankruptcy proceedings for your firm. These days, most states require law firms to maintain a minimum amount of legal malpractice insurance. Here you should know one thing. Regarding insurance premium, even if you have opted for minimum coverage, the laws that your firm handle on a regular basis will assert the same. Therefore, you need to inform your insurance service provider that your firm is going to practice bankruptcy law. Otherwise, your insurance policy will be of no use.
4) Keep yourself and your associates informed about the latest bankruptcy laws, regulations and procedures. In order to do this, you can attend Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses on bankruptcy topics or purchase bankruptcy practice guides and books from Westlaw or Lexis Nexis. You can also search the internet to learn about practical bankruptcy case studies and improve your skills.

Operate Your Tree Truck In Accordance with the Law!

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It is vital to know and understand the laws and regulations that exist to ensure the safe transportation of logs on the road. Every logging truck operator must be familiar with the laws by which every heavy-duty truck driver must abide that cover the hauling of heavy loads. Driving commercial vehicles that carry loads weighing thousands of pounds is a powerful force that can put the operator and others at risk.

This is the reason why heavy-duty hauling rules and regulations were created: to maintain safety and a proper flow of traffic on crowded streets and busy highways. Those people who own and operate any tree truck must be familiar with and abide by pertinent local, state and federal rules and regulations regarding the hauling and the transportation of logs on public highways.

Right-of-Way

By most traffic rules and regulations, those operating a tree truck are entitled to the right-of-way depending on the rules governing each individual highway; however, this is not an absolute right. Therefore, it should be exercised in a rational manner giving full consideration to the safety of other drivers who could be directly involved. Failure to yield the right-of-way to other vehicles may result in an accident due to the actions of the truck driver which could involve liability issues relating to property damage and injury which could ultimately result in fines.

Truck Maximum Length

The U.S. Department of Transportation regulation states that the logging industry must use crib tree trucks to transport lumber; the maximum allowable length of the cut trees can be 70 to 75 feet if there are additional safety devices added to both ends. Additionally, the regulation stipulates that trailer combination should not exceed 65 feet, except when the transporting device is designed to transport lumber.

In addition, tree truck operators are not allowed to drive transport trucks unless the logs they are transporting are secured with chains, sideboards, stakes, front and rear head boards, front gates and end gates that are powerful enough to hold the load in place and prevent it from shifting or falling from the truck. The side of the hauling truck should have a minimum of two stakes on both sides.

Weight Limit

There are certain weight limits when lumber is being transported on federal highways. Check with the Department of Transportation for the allowable weight limits regarding the transportation of logs on public roads. If necessary, hauling permits should be obtained before transporting logs to the processing plant.

The government regulates heavy hauling on public roads to decrease the damage to the entire roadway system. The House of Representatives boosted the trucking industry by passing the United States Code called Safe and Efficient Transport Act of 2011 (HR-763) which allows the weight of the truck on public roads to be from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds.

Speed Limit

The U.S. Department of Transportation states that truck drivers are expected to abide by the speed limits posted by the local, state or federal government. Drivers are encouraged to remain within the stated highway speed limits to maintain safety at all times and to be in compliance with the speed limit.

Equipment Inspection

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) 392.7.a.b states that all drivers must inspect the truck before operation and ensure that the vehicle is in good working condition. The driver must not operate the vehicle unless the service and parking brakes, steering wheel, lighting devices, tires, horn, windshield wipers and mirrors are in good working condition. Failure to conform to these provisions may result in punishment by law.

Employers and employees of trucking services must abide by certain laws and regulations for the safe transportation of logs on the road. Tree truck operators must be aware of the heavy hauling regulations in the area where their trucks will be driven since laws may vary from state to state. Above all, to avoid unwanted fines and criminal charges, drivers must operate their tree trucks in accordance with the law!

Types of Law Firms in Denver

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Denver is a city well equipped with attorneys from all sectors of law. In the Mile High City, you won’t run out of options when it comes to finding a lawyer who specializes in the area of law you need council in. Here are the most common law practices in Denver, Colorado:

1. Family Law. Divorces, child abuse cases, and other cases involving families and children. This is probably the most commonly sought out type of legal assistance and that is precisely why family law firms make up a good number of the law practices in Denver. Experience is key in family law cases as these can be very delicate situations that affect children. You need a Denver family law attorney who can get the job done without letting you down.
2. Personal Injury Law. This sector of law covers a wide range of cases including car accidents, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and more. There is a great selection of Denver injury law firm offices to choose from based on the circumstances of your case. Always select a Denver personal injury law firm that has successfully handled your type of case before and has a good reputation in the Denver area. If it is a Denver accident law firm approved by Tom Martino, you can be certain it is a quality Denver personal injury law firm.
3. Criminal Law. Criminal cases can be tricky, but Denver is sure to provide you with a criminal lawyer who can best represent you regardless of which side of the case you are on. Look for one who has a decade or more of experience with criminal law as they probably would have encountered most of the common predicaments within that time and will be able to handle your case with a top level of skill.
4. Bankruptcy Law. This type of lawyer obviously assists in bankruptcy cases and helps you file the proper BK paperwork.
5. Bad Faith Insurance Law. Insurance companies are the leading cause of misconduct in relationships between policyholders and the insurance company. These lawyers help policyholders gain the leverage they need and deserve when trying to battle insurance companies in cases of wrongdoing and bad faith.

The legal world can be a whirlwind of confusion and intimidation. This guide to the types of lawyers in Denver is a place to start in your research of which type of law firm can best represent you. Sometimes, sectors of law can overlap such as the case with a Denver injury law firm and a Denver bad faith insurance lawyer.