A Global Judicial News Report: July 2025

Pictured Above: The Supreme Court of Brazil (iStock). The Court issued a landmark ruling last month that will likely reshape how social media companies moderate content. The building itself has also made headlines. As reported in the April 2023 global news report, the Court and its contents, including the sculpture “A Justiça,” pictured above, were vandalized by rioters on January 8, 2023. The court currently has an agreement with UNESCO to build a new museum at the court to preserve the “history of Brazilian constitutionalism.”

In the News

International Courts 🌐 –
ICC Hit by Second Major Cyberattack

The International Criminal Court (ICC) disclosed it successfully contained a “new, sophisticated and targeted” cyberattack, marking the second such incident in recent years. No details were provided about potential data compromise or the identity of the attackers. (ICC statement, 6/30/25) Keep Reading »

ICC Launches Renewed Focus on Victims’ Rights

The International Criminal Court (ICC) hosted a two-day seminar on its revised victims’ strategy, bringing together experts, practitioners, and survivors to enhance the ICC’s approach to victim participation, protection, and reparations. The initiative, funded by the European Union, reflects the ICC’s commitment to placing victims’ voices at the center of international justice efforts and developing more inclusive responses to their diverse experiences. (ICC press release, 07/03/25) Keep Reading »

United States 🇺🇸 –
Supreme Court Narrows Nationwide Injunctions

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a key ruling in June restricting the ability of lower federal courts to impose nationwide injunctions, emphasizing that such broad relief should be rare and pursued through other legal mechanisms. Although the decision in Trump v. CASA, Inc. imposes a near-ban on a tool often used to challenge executive actions, judges and attorneys are already exploring alternative strategies to achieve similar outcomes. (Politico, 07/03/25) Keep Reading »

Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court Dismissal of Tariff Challenge

The Trump administration is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject an early challenge from educational toy manufacturers seeking to bypass normal appellate procedures on tariff legality. Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs — representing the biggest increase in U.S. import taxes since the 1930s — remain in effect despite federal courts ruling many exceed presidential powers, with key appellate arguments scheduled for July 31. (Business Standard, 07/18/25) Keep Reading »

Afghanistan 🇦🇫 –
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani for crimes against humanity, specifically persecution of Afghan women and girls. The warrants mark the first time the ICC has targeted the Taliban’s top leadership for their systematic oppression of women since seizing power in 2021. The Taliban condemned the decision and stated they do not recognize the ICC’s authority. (ICC press release, 07/08/25) Keep Reading »

Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶 –
Equatorial Guinea Seeks Asset Recovery at World Court

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) held hearings on Equatorial Guinea’s request for provisional measures against France to recover property confiscated in criminal proceedings. The case represents the latest effort by the African nation to reclaim assets seized by French authorities in corruption investigations. The ICJ will announce its decision at a future public sitting. (ICJ press release, 07/15/25) Keep Reading »

Brazil 🇧🇷 –
Brazil’s Supreme Court Revolutionizes Social Media Liability

Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled 8-3 that social media companies, including Google, Meta, and TikTok, must actively monitor and remove content involving hate speech, racism, and incitement to violence, marking a significant shift from requiring court orders to holding platforms liable when victims bring illegal content to their attention. The decision, which takes effect within weeks, requires tech giants to implement proactive content moderation mechanisms and publish annual transparency reports, moving Brazil’s approach closer to European Union regulations. (AP News, 06/26/25) Keep Reading »

Germany 🇩🇪 –
German Court Rejects Ramstein Drone Base Liability Case

Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court rejected a decade-long case by Yemeni plaintiffs arguing the German government failed to protect their relatives killed in a 2012 U.S. drone strike coordinated through Ramstein Air Base. While acknowledging Germany could have a duty to protect foreign citizens abroad in some cases, the court found this case didn’t rise to the level of “sufficient connection” to German authority. The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, which argued the case for the Yemeni plaintiffs, criticized the ruling as a missed opportunity to strengthen international law compliance. (AP News, 07/15/25) Keep Reading »

Russia 🇷🇺 and Ukraine 🇺🇦 –
European Court of Human Rights Delivers Historic Ruling Against Russia

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) delivered a landmark judgment in Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia, finding Russia responsible for numerous violations of the European Convention on Human Rights in eastern Ukraine and concerning the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. The ECHR found that Russia exercised effective control over the separatist-held territories in eastern Ukraine and was therefore responsible for the actions of both its own military and the separatist forces. (EUToday, 7/9/2025) Keep Reading »

The July 2025 Global Judicial News Report was written and compiled by Michelle Kaminsky, senior editor and writer at the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School and managing editor of Judicature.