Marital coercion defence could be scrapped – The Guardian

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in defences, harassment, married persons, news, repeals by sally

“Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, is considering abolishing the legal defence of ‘marital coercion’ that was unsuccessfully used by Vicky Pryce in her trial for taking speeding points on behalf of her husband.”

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The Guardian, 31st March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Last week not a good one for Theresa May: not just Abu Qatada – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in appeals, asylum, deportation, human rights, immigration, news, terrorism by sally

“Hot on the Home Secretary’s loss of the Abu Qatada appeal, a reverse for her in another deportation case about someone whom the Court of Appeal described as ‘an important and significant member of a group of Islamist extremists in the UK,’ and who was said to have links – direct or indirect – with men involved in the failed July 21 2005 bombing plot.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 31st March 2013

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Dog control powers axed despite fatal attack on teen – The Independent

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in dogs, homicide, news by sally

Plans to merge dog orders with antisocial behaviour powers fail to tackle irresponsible breeders

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The Independent, 31st March 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Victims’ Code criticised by watchdog – BBC News

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in codes of practice, complaints, news, ombudsmen, victims by sally

“Victims of crime are being put under extreme duress, leading to injustices, due to a lack of awareness of the Victims’ Code by those working in the justice system, a watchdog has warned.”

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BBC News, 29th March 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Legal aid cuts: how to represent yourself in court – The Guardian

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in litigants in person, news by sally

“Family law, immigration and employment cases are no longer eligible for legal aid. So how can you take on the system alone?”

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The Guardian, 1st April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Sheep snow deaths: Farmers could get law change – BBC News

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in agriculture, animals, burials and cremation, EC law, news by sally

“Laws that prevent farmers burying dead animals could be relaxed to help those struggling after hundreds of sheep died in the recent snow.”

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BBC News, 2nd April 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ex-councillor fails to suppress story about being drunk in supermarket in charge of daughter – The Independent

“A Labour councillor fined £100 after admitting being drunk in a supermarket while in charge of her two-year-old daughter has lost a High Court anonymity fight.”

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The Independent, 29th March 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Councils to get tougher powers to tackle Traveller sites – The Guardian

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in local government, news, planning, regulations, travellers by sally

“Councils will be given stronger powers to stop illegal Travellers’ sites being set up, communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles has announced.”

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The Guardian, 29th March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

James Best: Jailed in the riots for stealing a gingerbread man… dead in the prison that should have protected him – The Independent

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in death in custody, mental health, news, prisons, public order, theft by sally

“James Best had a history of mental health problems before being jailed after the riots of 2011. Now his brother has warned that the systemic failures which led to his death could happen again.”

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The Independent, 1st April 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

And so it begins – Litigation Futures

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in fees, Law Society, legal profession, news by sally

“So here we are at last, nearly five years since the then Master of the Rolls, Lord Clarke, announced his intention to launch what turned out to be the Jackson review (a story I broke, if I can be allowed the immodesty of mentioning it). It has certainly had its ups and downs since then, the biggest up undoubtedly being the 2010 election result, without which Sir Rupert’s report may well still be lying in the long grass.”

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Litigation Futures, 2nd April 2013

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Legal aid cuts ‘will create advice deserts’ – The Guardian

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in civil justice, law centres, legal aid, news by sally

“Extensive cuts to civil legal aid that come into force this week will result in vulnerable people struggling to find help as ‘advice deserts’ open up in parts of the country, a survey warns.”

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The Guardian, 1st April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Candid camera? Barristers now free to talk to the media about their cases – Legal Futures

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in barristers, codes of practice, media, news, professional conduct by sally

“Barristers can now speak to the press about their cases, after the Bar’s Code of Conduct was changed.”

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Legal Futures, 2nd April 2013

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Conor Gearty: The Important Inconvenience of the Rule of Law – UK Constitutional Law Group

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in appeals, deportation, human rights, immigration, news, rule of law, torture by sally

“Omar Othman is a resident of this country – guilty of no crime and up to now facing no charges – whose home country wants to put him on trial in a case where the key evidence against him will in all likelihood have been procured by torture. The only reason he probably won’t be tortured is because the state concerned has reluctantly promised (as an inducement to get him back) not to follow its usual routine.”

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UK Constitutional Law Group, 30th March 2013

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

Fresh cab-rank rule row as LSB approves public access reforms – Legal Futures

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has criticised the Bar Standards Board’s (BSB) failure to apply the cab-rank rule to public access work and said this omission will reduce the impact of rule changes that widen the scope for barristers dealing directly with clients.”

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Legal Futures, 2nd April 2013

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Bar Council Chairman: “We won’t stand by as vulnerable people suffer”. Barristers launch how-to Guide for DIY litigants – The Bar Council

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in litigants in person, news by sally

“The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has today published A Guide to Representing Yourself in Court.”

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The Bar Council, 1st April 2013

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Unhappy couples rushing to divorce lawyers ahead of legal aid cuts – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in divorce, legal aid, news by sally

“Unhappy couples have been rushing to file for divorce before legal funding is cut next week, law firms claim.”

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Daily Telegraph, 30th March 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Hillsborough families have to wait two more years for investigations to be concluded – The Independent

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in complaints, delay, families, health & safety, inquiries, news, police, sport by sally

“Anger over delays that will see bereaved families have to wait more than two years for investigations into Hillsborough to be concluded have prompted campaigners to abandon a meeting with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) planned this week.”

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The Independent, 31st March 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Our justice system is being turned into Profit & Growth plc – The Guardian

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in criminal justice, legal profession, news, quality assurance, tenders by sally

“Under Chris Grayling’s plans, lawyers will become unit-shifters employed by large corporations.”

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The Guardian, 1st April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

£400,000 for teacher hurt in filing cabinet – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in accidents, compensation, news, personal injuries, teachers by sally

“The payout was the largest given to teachers last year. It was secured by the Nation Union of Teachers after the employee, from the South West, was left with chronic pain and forced to quit his job.”

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Daily Telegraph, 29th March 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

You are not Rumpole of the Bailey: As more people represent themselves in court, the Bar Council has issued some pressing advice – The Independent

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in litigants in person, news by sally

“People who are forced to represent themselves in court as legal aid budgets are cut should not attempt to imitate the fast-talking lawyers they see on television, according to a new ‘idiot’s guide’.”

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The Independent, 1st April 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk