In the dying days of the parliament dominated by Malaysia's now disgraced prime minister Najib Razak and those close to him the government passed its Anti-Fake News Act 2018. Its stated aims were sensible but in a country where the government had regularly arrested and held without trial those who expressed opinions contrary to those of or critical of the government and the ruling United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), its true purpose was widely regarded as a tool to further suppress legitimate dissent. Its repeal was an election promise that has been kept.

So, it's simple: you attach an electronic signature to an electronic document and off it wings by e-mail. Job done, right? Apparently "some businesses are still unsure if electronic signatures would satisfy legal requirements," says The Law Commission. But instead of just saying "of course, in the absence of fraud or some other frustrating or negating matter, that's a validly executed document" the Law Commission has produced "proposals." So, not simple at all, then.

Stuart Dickson Produce Pty Ltd is a Sydney fruit and vegetable wholesaler. The company has been issued with an AUD10,500 penalty notice for buying produce from growers without a written "Horticulture Produce Agreement" (inevitably known as an HPA) in place. But, while the notice has been announced, the ACCC which issued and publicised it, doesn't stand behind it with any great force.

When the USA passes laws relating to offshore income and assets, it's big news and around the world US citizens and those providing services to them get into something of a flap. But when the UK introduced, in November last year, a requirement for "anyone who has undeclared UK tax liabilities that involved offshore matters or transfers to disclose the relevant information about this non-compliance" there was barely a ripple. There should have been a storm because penalties are potentially devastating.