These plans for secret hearings are unfair and implausible – The Guardian

Posted November 19th, 2012 in bills, civil justice, closed material, news, private hearings by sally

“The government wants to use secret evidence to counter claims against it. This would undermine the rule of law.”

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The Guardian, 18th November 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

“No-one should be under any doubt – prisoners are not getting the vote under this government” – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted November 19th, 2012 in elections, human rights, news, parliament, prisons by sally

“It is being reported that Parliament will, after all, get the opportunity to decide whether the blanket ban on convicted prisoners being able to vote will be lifted. MPs could get three options to choose from, including removing the ban for prisoners serving six months or less and those serving four years or less. A third option will be to maintain the status quo, with no convicted prisoners being able to vote.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 18th November 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Lawyers say Clarke’s justice bill smacks of repressive and undemocratic regimes – The Guardian

Posted November 19th, 2012 in bills, closed material, evidence, legal profession, news, private hearings by sally

“Secret trials and withholding evidence are reminiscent of ‘repressive regimes and undemocratic societies’, the legal profession warns in a letter opposing the government’s justice and security bill.”

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The Guardian, 17th November 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

More criminals to escape courts under new police commissioners, magistrates warn – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 19th, 2012 in budgets, cautions, courts, fines, magistrates, news, police by sally

“More offenders will be ‘let off’ with cautions and fines following the introduction of police and crime commissioners, magistrates fear.”

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Daily Telegraph, 19th November 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

New immigration rules accused of splitting up families – The Independent

Posted November 19th, 2012 in families, immigration, married persons, news, regulations by sally

“Britons on low incomes are being forced to live apart from their families because of new immigration rules that rate their marriages as ‘second class’, campaigners say.”

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The Independent, 17th November 2012

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Why careless Tweeting could cost a fortune – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 19th, 2012 in communicating false information, damages, defamation, internet, news by sally

“Media lawyer Amber Melville-Brown explains why careless Tweeting of Lord McAlpine’s name could prove expensive for those who publish and repeat libellous remarks.”

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Daily Telegraph, 18th November 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Concerns raised over number of children held in police cells under Mental Health Act – The Independent

Posted November 19th, 2012 in children, detention, mental health, news, police by sally

“Police officers often face ‘no realistic option’ other than locking children as young as 11 years old in cells under mental health laws, it has emerged.”

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The Independent, 18th November 2012

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Adoption process is being rushed by councils, say judges – The Guardian

Posted November 19th, 2012 in adoption, children, fostering, local government, news by sally

“Children in care are being threatened with separation from siblings and other family members because local authorities are attempting to rush through inappropriate and premature adoptions, high court judges have told the Guardian.”

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The Guardian, 18th November 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

IPCC report condemns police handling of killer’s gun licence – report – The Guardian

Posted November 19th, 2012 in complaints, domestic violence, firearms, licensing, murder, news, police, suicide by sally

“A man who shot dead three women had been allowed to keep his guns by police despite complaints of domestic violence and then threatening to shoot himself, according to a report seen by the BBC.”

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The Guardian, 19th Npvember 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk