Exempt

Insurer Exempt from Paying Multimillion-Dollar Jury Verdict in Construction Lawsuit

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New York — A New York state appeals court recently ruled in favor of an insurance company, relieving it from covering a multi-million award stemming from a construction dispute associated with a luxury condominium project. This pivotal decision underscores the intricate distinctions often contained within commercial insurance policies regarding what liabilities are effectively covered. The lawsuit originated from project disputes where the contractor, BuildItRight Inc. (fictitious name), faced litigation brought on by the condominium developers, alleging construction deficiencies that led to substantial water damage in the newly built luxury condos. The resulting jury trial led … Read more

Legal Victory for Renewable Energy: Wind Farm Towers Exempt from Property Tax, Rules Viseu Court

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Viseu, Portugal – A significant legal victory was recorded in Viseu for the renewable energy sector as a court ruled that wind turbine towers constitute energy production equipment and should not be classified as buildings or structures for taxation purposes. The ruling was confirmed by the Administrative and Tax Court of Viseu, overturning a previous property tax valuation that could have imposed higher costs on energy producers. The court declared that including wind turbine towers as taxable buildings contradicts both the Municipal Property Tax (IMI) code and fundamental constitutional principles regarding property taxes. The decision … Read more

California Enacts Groundbreaking Safety and Consumer Rights Laws; Restaurants Exempt from Junk Fee Ban

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Sacramento, California – An emergency bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom late Sunday provides a temporary shield for California’s restaurants from a broader legislation targeting “junk fees,” which takes effect Monday. This swift legislative action underscores the balancing act between consumer protection and the operational realities of businesses. The exempted establishments can now breathe a sigh of relief, as they navigate an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. The law initially aimed to eliminate unexpected or excessively high fees across various services. Legislators agreed that immediate enforcement could pose logistical challenges for small-scale eateries already grappling with thin … Read more