Act of Congress Modern Legal Reform Act

[JunoAndrist]

A
BILL
To

Amend the Legal Reform Act to Reform and Modernize the Legal Education System of Redmont​

The people of the Commonwealth of Redmont, through their elected Representatives in the Congress and the force of law ordained to that Congress by the people through the constitution, do hereby enact the following provisions into law:

1 - Short Title and Enactment
(1) This Act may be cited as the 'Modern Legal Reform Act'.
(2) This Act shall be enacted immediately upon its signage.
(3) This Act has been authored by Associate Justice Matthew100x, with contributions from AlexanderLove, juniperfig, TrueDarklander, Gribble19, Dartanboy, and AsexualDinosaur.
(4) This Act has been cosponsored by Sen. Goldendude15.

2 - Reasons
(1) The legal education system requires modernization to ensure proper training of legal professionals.
(2) A structured rank system with clear qualification requirements will enhance the quality of legal services.
(3) The Department of Education requires expanded authority to maintain and update legal examinations.

3 - Definitions

(1) "Law Firm" shall be defined as:
(a) Any legal practice entity consisting of one or more licensed legal practitioners that:
(i) Provides legal services to clients;
(ii) May operate as any kind of business as defined by law; and
(iii) Maintain a business registration with the Department of Commerce.

(2) “Disbarment” shall be defined as:

1. The revocation of one's license to practice law. A person who is disbarred shall lose the power to advise clients, represent a party in court, and file cases on a client’s behalf.
2. Any person who is disbarred and attempts to practice law shall be presumed to have the intent necessary for Legal Fraud.

(3) “Specialization” shall be defined as:

1. A certification granting the Barrister qualification granted upon successful completion of a specialization exam. Passing a specialization exam permits a legal practitioner to provide legal representation, advocacy, and advisory services within the designated field of that specialization before the Federal Court of Redmont. A Barrister may hold as many specializations as they pass the exams for.
2. When a Barrister practices law in the Federal Court, they will be able to work outside of their specialization if the main legal claim of the case they are arguing is within their specialization.
3. Specialization Exception: If an area of law does not have a specialization exam, then any Barrister with any specialization may practice that area of law in the Federal Court.

4 - Legal Ranks and Practice Rights

(1) The legal profession shall be organized into three ranks:
(a) Solicitor
(b) Barrister
(c) Attorney

(2) The Solicitor rank shall:
(a) Be the entry-level legal qualification
(b) Grant the holder the right to practice law in District Courts
(c) Permit the holder to:
(i) Represent clients in any kind of District Court proceedings.
(ii) File any kind of cases on behalf of clients in District Court.
(iii) Provide legal advice within District Court jurisdiction.
(iv) Officiate marriage and divorce proceedings.

(3) The Barrister rank shall:
(a) Be awarded upon passing any one specialization examination, where a barrister may collect as many specializations as they are qualified for to gain the perks of said specialization.
(b) Include all powers and rights granted to Solicitors.
(c) Grant additional rights to practice in Federal Courts within their specialization(s).
(d) Permit the holder to:
(i) Represent clients in Federal Court proceedings within their specialization(s).
(ii) File cases in Federal Court within their specialization(s).
(iii) Provide legal advice for matters within Federal Court jurisdiction.

(4) The Attorney rank shall:
(a) Include all powers and rights granted to Solicitors and Barristers.
(b) Require completion of all current specialization exams.
(i) Lawyers who achieve the Attorney rank will not have to take any novel specialization exam if a new test is added after they attain the Attorney rank.
(c) Grant the right to practice in all courts without any restrictions or exceptions, including the Supreme Court.
(d) Permit the holder to:
(i) Represent clients in any court of the Commonwealth
(ii) File cases in any court of the Commonwealth
(iii) Provide legal advice for all matters within the Commonwealth's jurisdiction

5 - Department of Education Powers

(1) The Department of Education shall have the authority to:
(a) Develop, maintain, and update all legal examinations
(b) Establish examination procedures and requirements
(c) Set reasonable passing criteria for each rank
(d) Create or remove specializations, which are legal exams focusing on a particular topic, within the Barrister rank.

(2) The Department of Education must:
(a) Consult with the Department of Justice before implementing changes to the legal exams.
(b) Provide public notice of any changes to exams or examination requirements
(c) Ensure examination standards remain consistent with legal practice needs.
(d) Maintain records of all qualified legal practitioners.

6 - Examination Administration

(1) All legal examinations shall be conducted through the Minecraft Exam-sign system, unless otherwise specified or directed by the Department of Education.

(2) The Department of Education shall:
(a) Ensure examination security
(b) Maintain examination records
(c) Issue appropriate rank designations upon successful completion
(d) Provide reasonable accommodations for technical issues

7 - Supervised Practice and Government Legal Work

(1) Supervised Private Practice
(a) A licensed legal practitioner of any rank may practice in any court when:
(i) They are employed by or contracted to a law firm;
(ii) They are under the direct supervision of an Attorney-ranked practitioner; and
(iii) The supervising Attorney assumes responsibility for their work.
(b) A licensed legal practitioner of any rank may give legal advice without restriction, and is immune from Legal Fraud or Legal Malpractice when:
(i) They are employed by or contracted to a law firm;
(ii) They are under the direct supervision of an Attorney-ranked practitioner; and
(iii) The supervising Attorney assumes responsibility for their work.
(c) The supervising Attorney must:
(i) Review and approve all court filings
(ii) Be present for in-game court appearances and oversee forums posts
(iii) Maintain ultimate responsibility for the case

(2) Government Legal Practice
(a) Licensed legal practitioners employed by the Department of Justice may practice in any court when they are:
(i) Acting in their official capacity;
(ii) Appointed to the case; and
(iii) Supervised by a Department superior who possesses the Attorney rank.
(b) Licensed legal practitioners serving as Public Defenders may practice in any court when they are:
(i) Acting in their official capacity;
(ii) Appointed to the case; and
(iii) Overseen by a Department superior who possesses the Attorney rank.

8 - Legal Crimes

(1) Legal Fraud
(a) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
(b) Definition: "The intentional misrepresentation of one's legal credentials, qualifications, or rank, engaging in the practice of law without any valid legal qualification,

(2) Legal Malpractice
(a) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
(b) Definition: “Practicing law, representing clients, or filing cases in courts beyond one's qualification rank or specialized jurisdiction."

(3) Conflict of Interest
(a) A conflict of interest arises when an individual or entity is engaged in multiple interests, whether financial or otherwise, and fulfilling one interest could potentially compromise their ability to fulfill another.
(b) In the legal context, a conflict of interest is defined as the situation where the same legal counsel represents both the defense and the plaintiff simultaneously in the same case.
(c) Discovery of a conflict of interest provides valid grounds for a person to appeal the court's decision in the case.
(d) Conflict of Interest
(i) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
(ii) Definition: “The situation where the same legal counsel represents both the defense and the plaintiff simultaneously in the same case.”

(4) Attorney-Client Privilege
(a) Attorney-Client Privilege shall exist as soon as a client or potential client engages in a formal discussion with a lawyer or law firm regarding a case, potential case, or other legal matter.
(b) The lawyer or law firm shall not be permitted to disclose the contents of the discussion except with the voluntary and written permission of the client.
(c) Lawyers and law firms shall not be held liable for conspiracy or acting as an accessory to a crime when it is in connection with matters protected by Attorney-Client Privilege.
(d) Breaking Attorney-Client Privilege
(i) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
(ii) Definition: “Disclosing discussions of a client without their written permission.”
(e) Clients may also sue the lawyer or law firm that broke Attorney-Client Privilege for any losses that can be proven in court.

9 - Transitional Provisions

(1) All existing legal qualifications at the time of this Act’s passage shall be reset to Solicitor.

(2) All legal practitioners shall be given a grace period of two weeks from the signing and passing of this act before the Legal Malpractice comes into effect. Additionally, during the grace period, anyone possessing a legal license can file cases in any court without reprimand, penalty, or exclusion.

(3) No Ex Post Facto applies to all cases in any court at the time of the signing of this bill. No lawyer will be held accountable for Legal Malpractice for any court cases that they were working on prior to the passing of this bill or during the aforementioned grace period.

10 - Amendments

(1) Section 3 - RBA Abolition shall be amended as follows and shall now become section 10:
(3) Legal exams will be controlled exclusively by the Department of Education. The Department of Education must consult the Department of Justice on any changes to legal exams and provide reasonable time for the Department of Justice to comment on the changes before those changes are published.
(3) Holding a solicitor, barrister, or attorney tag in-game constitutes a valid legal license. All crimes pertaining to legal practice shall be indictable and be in the Department of Justice's jurisdiction to prosecute.
(5) Disbarment shall be defined as “the revoking of one's ability to legally practice law which shall include representing a party in Court and filing a case on a client's behalf.”

(2) Section 4 - Attorney-Client Privilege shall be amended as follows: (It is being added under Legal Crimes)
4 - Attorney-Client Privilege
(1) Attorney-Client Privilege shall exist as soon as a client or potential client engages in a formal discussion with a lawyer or law firm regarding a case, potential case, or other legal matter.
(2) The lawyer or law firm shall not be permitted to disclose the contents of the discussion except with the voluntary and written permission of the client.
(3) Lawyers and law firms shall not be held liable for conspiracy or acting as an accessory to a crime when it is in connection with matters protected by Attorney-Client Privilege.
(4) Breaking Attorney-Client Privilege
(a) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
(b) Definition: “Disclosing discussions of a client without their written permission.”
(c) Maximum Punishment:
(i) First Offense: $5,000 Fine + 5 Minutes Jail Time
(ii) Second Offense: $10,000 fine + 15 Minutes Jail Time + Disbarment for a period of one month
(iii) Subsequent Offenses: $20,000 (with $7,500 being the minimum) + 20 Minutes Jail Time + Disbarment for a period of two months (with two weeks being the minimum)
(5) Clients may also sue the lawyer or law firm that broke Attorney-Client Privilege for any losses that can be proven in court.

(3) Section 5 - Legal Fraud shall be amended as follows:
5 - Legal Fraud
(1) Legal Fraud
(a) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
(b) Definition: “The misrepresentation of one’s legal credentials, or lack thereof, or unauthorized practice in any Court of law under this act or future acts governing the legal practice.”
(c) Maximum Punishment:
(i) First Offense: $5,000 Fine + 10 Minutes Jail Time
(ii) Second Offense: $10,000 Fine + 15 Minutes Jail time + Disbarment for a period of four weeks
(iii) Subsequent Offenses: $25,000 Fine (with $10,000 being the minimum) + 30 Minutes Jail Time + Disbarment for a period of three months

(4) Section 6 - Conflict of Interest shall be amended as follows: (It is being added under Legal Crimes)
(1) A conflict of interest arises when an individual or entity is engaged in multiple interests, whether financial or otherwise, and fulfilling one interest could potentially compromise their ability to fulfill another.
(2) In the legal context, a conflict of interest is defined as the situation where the same legal counsel represents both the defense and the plaintiff simultaneously in the same case.
(3) Discovery of a conflict of interest provides valid grounds for a person to appeal the court's decision in the case.
(4) Conflict of Interest
(a) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
(b) Definition: “The situation where the same legal counsel represents both the defense and the plaintiff simultaneously in the same case.”
(c) Maximum Punishment:
(i) First Offense: $20,000 Fine + 20 Minutes Jail Time
(ii) Second Offense: $35,000 Fine + 35 Minutes Jail Time + Disbarment for a period of one month

 

[1950Minecrafter]

Presidential Assent

This bill has been granted assent and is hereby signed into law.

1950minecrafter
20th President of the Commonwealth of Redmont
Member of the WPR​

 

[Kaiserin_]

House Vote: 6-3-0
Senate Vote: 4-0-1

A
BILL
To

Amend the Modern Legal Reform Act
​

The people of the Commonwealth of Redmont, through their elected Representatives in the Congress and the force of law ordained to that Congress by the people through the constitution, do hereby enact the following provisions into law:

1 - Short Title and Enactment
(1) This Act may be cited as the 'Quick Education Act.'
(2) This Act shall be enacted immediately upon its signage.
(3) This Act has been authored by Rep. Kaiserin_.
(4) This Act has been co-sponsored by Rep. MissAndrist.

2 - Reasons
(1) 7 days is unnecessary for public notice for changes to exams, especially small ones.
(2) The Department of Education should have the flexibility to make frequent updates to exams without the unnecessary step of giving a weeks' prior notice.
(3) This amendment has been suggested by Education Secretary AsexualDinosaur.

3 - Amendments

Section 5 of the Modern Legal Reform Act shall be amended as follows:

"5 - Department of Education Powers

(1) The Department of Education shall have the authority to:
(a) Develop, maintain, and update all legal examinations.
(b) Establish examination procedures and requirements.
(c) Set reasonable passing criteria for each rank.
(d) Implement changes to the examination system with at least seven [7] days notice
(d) Create or remove specializations, which are legal exams focusing on a particular topic, within the Barrister rank. with at least seven [7] days notice

(2) The Department of Education must:
(a) Consult with the Department of Justice before implementing changes to the legal exams.
(b) Provide public notice of any changes to exams or examination requirements.
(c) Ensure examination standards remain consistent with legal practice needs.
(d) Maintain records of all qualified legal practitioners."

 

[1950Minecrafter]

Presidential Assent

This bill has been granted assent and is hereby signed into law.

1950minecrafter
20th President of the Commonwealth of Redmont
Member of the WPR​

 

[1950Minecrafter]

Presidential Assent

This bill has been granted assent and is hereby signed into law.

 

[Imza]

House Vote: 8-0-0
Senate Vote: 4-0-0

A
BILL
To

Remove redundant offenses from earlier Acts​

The people of the Commonwealth of Redmont, through their elected Representatives in the Congress and the force of law ordained to that Congress by the people through the constitution, do hereby enact the following provisions into law:

1 - Short Title and Enactment
(1) This Act may be cited as the 'Redundant Offenses Removal Act'
(2) This Act shall be enacted immediately upon its signage.
(3) This Act has been authored by Senator Pepecuu.
(4) This Act has been proposed by Representative RealImza.
(5) This Act has been co-sponsored by Senator Pepecuu.

2 - Reasons

1. There are offences that have been made redundant by the enactment of the Criminal Code Act.
2. This act will remove those offences from the earlier acts to avoid contradictions and confusion by the readers.

3 - Removals

1. §6 - §12 (Both inclusive) of the Commercial Standards Act is to be amended as follows:

6 - Fraud
(1) The following sections outline the definition of Fraud, its differing forms, and different punishments:

(a) A crime classified under any sub-category of Fraud shall not be charged as Fraud for the same offense.

Fraud
An intentional or reckless misrepresentation or omission of an important fact, especially a material one, to a victim who justifiably relies on that misrepresentation; and the victim party or entity suffered actual, quantifiable injury or damages as a result of the misrepresentation or omission.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

Electoral Fraud
Defined in the Electoral Act

Money Laundering
Any act to conceal funds illegally obtained, through commercial transactions, business deals, or any means otherwise.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

Gambling Fraud
The act of fraudulently misrepresenting how a gambling activity is conducted.
Individual Fine: Up to $20,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

New Player Fraud
To take advantage of a new player's wealth and or resources for another's profit or advantage.
Individual Fine: Up to $20,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

False Advertising
(i) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
The act of authorizing a false advertisement for publication. Subsequent publications of the same advertisement count as separate offenses.
Minimum Sentencing: $100 Fine
Maximum Sentencing: $5000 Fine

Misleading Advertising
(i) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
The act of authorizing a misleading advertisement for publication. Subsequent publications of the same advertisement count as separate offenses.
Minimum Sentencing: $100 Fine
Maximum Sentencing: $5000 Fine

7 - Identity Fraud
The act of fraudulently misrepresenting yourself as someone else or fraudulently claiming you have authority where you don't. There are several types of identity fraud:

Government Impersonation
The Act of fraudulently Impersonating a government official or a government employee for financial or another personal gain(s)
Fine: $1000 + Damages

False Credentials
The Act of fraudulently misrepresenting yourself or someone else as having a certification, commendation or another type of credential for personal gain.
Fine: $1000 + Damages

8 - Securities Fraud
(1) The Act of fraudulent security trade practices. There are several types of securities fraud:

Insider Trading
The act of any use of non-public information obtained through privileged access for personal gain in the purchase or sale of a stock. The act of leaking such information is also included. Any individual partaking in insider trading by use of information obtained through a leak is liable. Any owner of a business that sells stocks of his own company has an obligation to make a reasonable attempt to, disclose this information to the shareholders, failure to do so may be considered evidence in an insider trading case.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

Market Manipulation
Any activity, regardless of a direct responsibility for a public company or asset, which is undertaken with the primary intention to artificially influence the price or trading volume of a security for personal gain. Any public company which values its own total market value over $500,000 is expected to have a publicly available, detailed explanation of how they reached that evaluation. Failure to do so may be considered evidence in a market manipulation case.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

Third-Party Misrepresentation
The act of intentionally or recklessly aiding and abetting a party or entity in committing market manipulation. This also applies, to a party or entity which is not aware they might be committing market manipulation such as participants in a pump and dump scheme.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

Embezzlement
The act of withholding assets for the purpose of conversion of such assets, by one or more persons to whom the assets were entrusted, for personal gain.” An example of this law is; spending company funds for personal gain of a company of which you do not own 100%.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

9 - Tax Fraud
(1) The fraudulent non-payment or underpayment of actual tax liabilities due. There are several types of tax evasion:

Personal Tax Evasion
The act of intentionally or maliciously transferring, funds to one or more personal balances or company bank accounts with no legitimate purpose, with the result that less tax is paid.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

Property Tax Evasion
The act of intentionally or maliciously transferring property to one or more persons over which they have no legal ownership without a legitimate purpose, with the result that less tax is paid.” To combat, said behaviour, a merged plot needs to be owned by the same person even after it has been merged.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

Auction Levy Evasion:
(i) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
Taking actions with the sole intent to avoid paying the auction levy while still receiving the plot or the benefit from it.
First offense: Plot eviction + fine of up to $5,000 or 30% of the winning bid, whichever is higher
Subsequent offenses: Plot eviction + fine of up to $5,000 or up to 30% of the winning bid, whichever is higher + auction ban of up to 2 weeks

Auction Levy Neglect:
(i) Classification: Summary Criminal Offense
Failure to pay the required auction levy after winning an auction.
First offense: Fine of $2,000 or 10% of the winning bid, whichever is higher.
Subsequent offenses: Fine of $5,000 or 30% of the winning bid, whichever is higher.

10 - Competition
(1) Antitrust laws are regulations that encourage competition by limiting the market power of any particular firm. There are several types of anti-trust regulations:

Market Allocation
Any sort of deal wherein two or more businesses agree to allocate 'territory' to one another to prevent regional competition.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

Bid Rigging
Any sort of deal wherein two or more businesses and/or persons agree to not bid against one another to minimize their losses.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

Price Fixing
Any sort of deal wherein two or more businesses agree to keep prices at a certain point to avoid price competition.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

Monopolization
Any sort of deal wherein two or more businesses seek to merge into a single entity or owner-subsidiary relationship that controls a disproportionately large amount of market share in any particular market.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail + Divestiture of assets, subsidiaries, or business units to prevent market concentration and promote competition as decided by the courts

Corporate Espionage
Any parties participating in, or accessory to the gathering, infiltration, or compromise of any sensitive company information that has not already been released to the public under the instruction of the company's controlling interest.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail


11 6 - Whistleblowers
(1) A whistleblower is someone with inside knowledge of an organization who reports misconduct or dishonest or illegal activity that may have occurred within that organization. Whistleblower protections are the protections provided to whistleblowers to enable them to come forward to report misconduct without fear of retribution or personal detriment.


Whistleblower Suppression
No employer may discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or in any other manner discriminate against a covered individual in the terms and conditions of employment of the covered individual because of any lawful act done by the covered individual to report information regarding a violation of a corporate crime.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail

12 - Bribery
(1) The act of offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving an item or service of value to influence an individual holding public office or serving in a legal capacity.

Bribery
The act of offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving an item or service of value to influence an individual holding public office or serving in a legal capacity.
Individual Fine: Up to $10,000 + Damages + up to 10 mins Jail + Barred from holding public office for up to 2 months.

1. The remaining sections of the Commercial Standards Act are to be renumbered to ensure the section numbers flow sequentially.

1. §14 of the Commercial Standards Act is to be amended as follows:

14 - Unions
(1) This act defines 'Union' as an organized association of workers formed to protect and advance their rights and interests.
(2) Every employee of the Commonwealth of Redmont has the right to create or apply to register their own union.
(3) Unions do not have to follow a democratic structure, but are encouraged to.
(4) Employers are prohibited from discriminating against an employee for being involved in a union.
(5) Employers are prohibited from involving themselves in the democratic processes of their employee's union.
(6) Employers who take action to disrupt or prevent the formation of a union, and or engage in conduct to dismantle a union, such as, but not limited to, terminating employees who try to start a union, shall be guilty of Union Busting, as defined:


Union Busting
Employers who take action to disrupt or engage in conduct to dismantle a union.
Per Offence: $2000 Fine

1. The remaining sections of the Commercial Standards Act are to be renumbered to ensure the section numbers flow sequentially.

1. §10 of the Electoral Act is to be amended as follows:

10 - Electoral Fraud
Any player caught rigging/meddling with an election through, but not limited to: the use of alternate accounts, bribery, and or threats.
Per Offence: Courts may order up to $25,000 in fines (per alt account if applicable) + issue a temporary or permanent barring from holding public office.

1. The remaining sections of the Electoral Act are to be renumbered to ensure the section numbers flow sequentially.

1. §7 of the Classification Act is to be amended as follows:

7 - Breach of Integrity
(1) Where classified material is breached, the individual whom shared the classified information in the first instance is to be held accountable.
(2) Whistleblowers are exempt where deemed by the court.

(3) A new law is established:
Breach of Integrity
Where an individual shares information of classified nature when unauthorised.
Per Offence: Fine between $5,000 and $20,000 through a lawsuit

1. The remaining sections of the Classification Act are to be renumbered to ensure the section numbers flow sequentially.

1. §8 of the Modern Legal Reform Act is to be amended as follows:

8 - Legal Crimes

(1) Legal Fraud
(a) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
(b) Definition: "The intentional misrepresentation of one's legal credentials, qualifications, or rank, engaging in the practice of law without any valid legal qualification,
(c) Maximum Punishment:
(i) First Offense: $7,500 Fine
(ii) Second Offense: $15,000 Fine + Disbarment for a period of up to six weeks
(iii) Subsequent Offenses: $30,000 Fine (with $15,000 being the minimum) + Disbarment for a period of four months.

(2) Legal Malpractice
(a) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
(b) Definition: “Practicing law, representing clients, or filing cases in courts beyond one's qualification rank or specialized jurisdiction."
(c) Maximum Punishment:
(i) First Offense: $7,500 Fine
(ii) Second Offense: $15,000 Fine + Disbarment for a period of up to six weeks
(iii) Subsequent Offenses: $30,000 Fine (with $15,000 being the minimum) + Disbarment for a period of four months.

(3) Conflict of Interest
(a) A conflict of interest arises when an individual or entity is engaged in multiple interests, whether financial or otherwise, and fulfilling one interest could potentially compromise their ability to fulfill another.
(b) In the legal context, a conflict of interest is defined as the situation where the same legal counsel represents both the defense and the plaintiff simultaneously in the same case.
(c) Discovery of a conflict of interest provides valid grounds for a person to appeal the court's decision in the case.
(d) Conflict of Interest
(i) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
(ii) Definition: “The situation where the same legal counsel represents both the defense and the plaintiff simultaneously in the same case.”
(iii) Maximum Punishment:
(A) First Offense: $20,000 Fine
(B) Second Offense: $35,000 Fine + Disbarment for a period of one month

(4) Attorney-Client Privilege
(a) Attorney-Client Privilege shall exist as soon as a client or potential client engages in a formal discussion with a lawyer or law firm regarding a case, potential case, or other legal matter.
(b) The lawyer or law firm shall not be permitted to disclose the contents of the discussion except with the voluntary and written permission of the client.
(c) Lawyers and law firms shall not be held liable for conspiracy or acting as an accessory to a crime when it is in connection with matters protected by Attorney-Client Privilege.
(d) Breaking Attorney-Client Privilege
(i) Classification: Indictable Criminal Offense
(ii) Definition: “Disclosing discussions of a client without their written permission.”
(iii) Maximum Punishment:
(A) First Offense: $5,000 Fine + 5 Minutes Jail Time
(B) Second Offense: $10,000 fine + 15 Minutes Jail Time + Disbarment for a period of one month
(C) Subsequent Offenses: $20,000 (with $7,500 being the minimum) + 20 Minutes Jail Time + Disbarment for a period of two months (with two weeks being the minimum)
(e) Clients may also sue the lawyer or law firm that broke Attorney-Client Privilege for any losses that can be proven in court.

1. The remaining sections of the Modern Legal Reform Act are to be renumbered to ensure the section numbers flow sequentially.

1. §20 - §21 of the Property Standards Act is to be amended as follows:

20 - Breach of Property Standards
Failing to comply with any part of the Property Standards Act will incur a penalty unless otherwise provided within this Act.
Per Offense: $150

21 - Violating Business District Rules
A player renting a Business District without meeting the set requirements as outlined by the DCT.
First Offence: Normal DCT Eviction
Second Offence: $1000 fine per Business District plot rented in violation
Third Offence and after: $2500 fine per Business District plot rented in violation
Fines are enforced by the DCT

1. The remaining sections of the Property Standards Act are to be renumbered to ensure the section numbers flow sequentially.
2. §6 of the Tenant Rights Act is to be amended as follows:

6 - Legal Addition
(1) Added to “7.0 Landlords”
Wrongful Eviction
Evicting a tenant without reasonable notice or refund
Per Offence: Up to $2000 + Rental Fees Refunded, which may be disputed in court.

Landlord Trespassing
Landlord entering a tenant’s rental region without reasonable prior notice. The rental region containing chestshops, an inactive tenant, or written permission of entry to the landlord by the tenant prevents the enforcement of this law.
Per Offence: $250 + Any changes to the rental region by the landlord are reverted.

1. The remaining sections of the Tenant Rights Act are to be renumbered to ensure the section numbers flow sequentially.

 

[Smami]

Aye, this streamlines our laws both for interested readers and lawyers, as well as makes enforcing the law easier by avoiding stated contradictions and redundancies.

 

[juniperfig]

Presidential Assent

This bill has been granted assent and is hereby signed into law.