The American Law Institute
Recent News About The American Law Institute
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ALI approves controversial Restatement of Consumer Contracts at its annual meeting
WASHINGTON – At its annual meeting this week, the Philadelphia-based American Law Institute voted to approve a Restatement intended to give legal clarity to consumer contracts – a project which has been subject to controversy, since its foundation is said to diverge from established contract law in some respects. -
ALI's Consumer Contracts Restatement may come up for approval vote this year, despite increasing concerns
PHILADELPHIA – At a virtual meeting this week, the Philadelphia-based American Law Institute is scheduled to continue work on a Restatement meant to give legal clarity to consumer contracts – a project yielding “significant concerns,” according to a member of the legal scholarship organization, especially since it may come up for a final vote at the group’s annual meeting this spring. -
If American Law Institute can't be impartial, judges shouldn't be members, group argues
WASHINGTON – According to one Washington observer, the Philadelphia-based American Law Institute needs to remain true to its mission of distilling and clarifying law, or else strongly consider whether it is appropriate to have judges as members of its ranks. -
Kentucky governor vetoes bill on ALI's controversial Restatement; Override possible amid coronavirus concerns
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Legislation clarifying that the American Law Institute’s controversial insurance liability Restatement does not constitute law or public policy if it conflicts with established federal, state or case law overwhelmingly passed in Kentucky but was vetoed Tuesday by Gov. Andy Beshear. -
Two more states pass measures targeting controversial Restatement issued by American Law Institute
PHILADELPHIA – Legislation stating the American Law Institute’s Restatement of the Law of Liability Insurance does not constitute law or public policy if it conflicts with established federal, state or case law recently passed in the states of Utah and Kentucky. -
American Law Institute 'at a crossroads' as it works on newest Restatement, member says
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia-based American Law Institute continues its work on a Restatement meant to give legal clarity to the arena of consumer contracts - a project that has been put on the back-burner and serves as a "litmus test" as to how the influential group will be perceived, a member says. -
Lawmakers in Oklahoma, West Virginia the latest to call for rejection of ALI's insurance Restatement
PHILADELPHIA – Oklahoma and West Virginia can be added to the growing list of states seeking to formally reject the American Law Institute’s controversial Restatement of the Law of Liability Insurance - a project that some see as evidence of an ideological shift at the organization that amounts to a power-trip. -
Federalist Society panel contends the ALI, a powerful legal group, has shifted its focus
WASHINGTON – Is the American Law Institute remaining true to its mission of restating law to produce accurate advisory guidelines for courts to decide cases in various aspects of law, or is it straying into territory apart from that mission? -
Consumer advocates, business interests form rare alliance to block American Law Institute project
WASHINGTON - An unusual coalition of consumer advocates and business interests joined to delay and possibly defeat a controversial “restatement” of consumer contract law that critics said presents a misleading picture of how courts are actually deciding cases in the rapidly evolving area of “clickwrap” and “browsewrap” agreements. -
Latest project from American Law Institute 'an abandonment of important principles,' 23 state AGs feel
WASHINGTON – The attorneys general of 23 states, led by the State of New York, have sent a letter to the American Law Institute (ALI) opposing a proposed Restatement of Consumer Contract Law, set to be voted on at the ALI’s annual meeting this week. -
'This doesn't help': Law profs say influential group's take on Internet agreements is based on faulty analysis
PHILADELPHIA - One of the latest projects from a legal group that influences judges relies upon a faulty analysis of case law to support its conclusion that courts have developed new ways to interpret “clickwrap,” “browsewrap” and other standardized consumer agreements, some law professors say in a pair of recent articles. -
Legal observers say ALI's pending Copyright Law Restatement encroaches on federal decision-making territory
PHILADELPHIA – The American Law Institute’s pending Restatement of the Law, Copyright has some law scholars questioning its compilation, merits and intentions as to its given subject, while the ALI stands by the integrity of its Restatement-drafting process. -
Beware of even the fine print, attorneys warn of ALI's insurance law Restatement
Beware of even the fine print, attorneys warn of ALI's insurance law Restatement -
Another state rejects ALI's controversial insurance Restatement; North Dakota joins Ohio as other states mull similar moves
PHILADELPHIA – State opposition to the American Law Institute’s Restatement of the Law of Liability Insurance continues to accumulate, as North Dakota recently passed a law striking down the document and Arkansas introduced similar legislation in its state senate. -
Texas lawmakers say the ALI's insurance law project 'not worthy of recognition by the courts'
AUSTIN, Texas – In response to the controversial passage of the American Law Institute’s Restatement of the Law of Liability Insurance last year, legislation has recently been filed by Texas lawmakers to discourage its being relied upon by courts. -
'That can't be right': Group defending disputed insurance law project gets judges involved
PHILADELPHIA – It's curious that a group of lawyers and scholars that traditionally sought to help judges by restating existing laws - but has since been accused of trying to create its own - is involving federal judges as it explains itself, attorneys feel. -
American Law Institute hits the road to explain controversial Restatement; It has been called 'litigation fuel'
PHILADELPHIA – After passing a controversial Restatement of the Law of Liability Insurance at its annual convention last May, the American Law Institute is convening events across the country discussing the document in further detail. -
Judge rejects ALI's controversial Restatement of the Law of Liability Insurance theory
TOPEKA, Kansas – A recent decision reached in a federal court pertaining to breach of contract and bad faith claims in a fatal auto accident case rejects a theory from the American Law Institute’s Restatement of the Law of Liability Insurance, and its recommendations for insurer liability for defense counsel conduct as “premature.” -
Ohio lawmakers send first-of-its-kind rejection to powerful legal group
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Through a bill signed into law by Gov. John Kasich on Tuesday, the State of Ohio has legislatively opposed the American Law Institute’s long-debated and recently-passed Restatement of the Law of Liability Insurance wholesale, an unprecedented development in the 95-year history of the ALI. -
Even after eight years, criticisms of American Law Institute's insurance project remain
WASHINGTON – Not everyone is as excited as those who drafted new guidance for judges about its passage.