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Genetic Discrimination Act Restriction Becomes Effective

Client Alert | 1 min read | 05.22.09

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 ("GINA") is a new federal law that protects Americans from discrimination and from being treated unfairly on the basis of differences in their DNA that may affect their health. President George W. Bush signed the Act into law on May 21, 2008, and a key portion pertaining to health insurers goes into effect May 21, 2009. The provision dealing with health insurers prevents those entities from denying coverage, adjusting premiums or otherwise discriminating based on genetic information. Prior to the enactment of this law, many states had adopted similar regulations, and GINA is designed to set the requisite minimum standards against genetic discrimination in the health insurance industry. This new law does not pertain to life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance.

Insights

Client Alert | 8 min read | 06.06.25

Litigation Funding Reforms: Clarity for UK Funders and Litigants Post-PACCAR

On 2 June 2025 the Civil Justice Council (a UK public body that advises on civil justice and civil procedure) (“CJC”) issued its Review of Litigation Funding Final Report (the “Report”). The CJC has provided comprehensive recommendations on the regulation and reform of litigation funding in England and Wales. The highlight recommendation of the Report is for the UK Government to remove third party litigation funding from the regulations and requirements of the Damages-Based Agreements Regulations 2013 (“DBA Regulations”), reversing the judgment of the Supreme Court in PACCAR.[1] Meanwhile, the UK Court of Appeal has recently endorsed a position that the Competition Appeal Tribunal (“CAT”) may order that third party funders of collective proceedings be paid first from litigation proceeds before claimants according to waterfall provisions in their funding agreements....