Abortion provider BPAS fined £200,000 for data breach – BBC News

Posted March 7th, 2014 in abortion, data protection, fines, internet, news, privacy by tracey

‘An abortion provider has been fined £200,000 for a data breach that revealed almost 10,000 people’s details to a hacker.’

Full story

BBC News, 7th March 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Norfolk former headmaster admits sex abuse of eight boys – BBC News

Posted March 7th, 2014 in child abuse, guilty pleas, news, sexual offences, teachers by tracey

‘The headmaster of a former Norfolk boarding school has been warned he could face a life sentence after admitting sex offences.’

Full story

BBC News, 7th March 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Right to conduct litigation spurs barrister’s high street direct access business – Legal Futures

Posted March 7th, 2014 in barristers, fees, legal services, news by tracey

‘One of the first barristers to receive authority from the Bar Standards Board (BSB) to conduct litigation has said her fixed-fee direct access business has been so successful she plans to license the venture to other barristers.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 7th March 2014

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Strasbourg on Mormons and their temples – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted March 7th, 2014 in human rights, news, rates, religious discrimination, taxation by tracey

‘The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints v. the United Kingdom, ECHR, 4 March 2014. An apparently dry dispute about business rates on one of the Mormons’ temples in Preston  has reached Strasbourg and raises interesting issues about indirect discrimination on religious grounds. The underlying question was whether the temple was a place of “public religious worship” and therefore exempt from rates.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 5th March 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Meg Russell: The Byles/Steel bill – unless amended – holds grave dangers for the Lords – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘On Friday 28 February Dan Byles’ Private Member’s Bill on Lords reform completed its Commons passage. It is now in the Lords, and will be sponsored by David Steel. The bill, which allows retirement from the Lords and expulsion of non-attendees and serious criminals, has been presented as a small, uncontroversial “housekeeping” measure. But as already argued in an earlier blog post, as currently drafted it would in fact introduce a very major change that would alter the Lords fundamentally, and in very undesirable ways.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 6th March 2014

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org/blog

Watchdog seeks greater clarity over public sector suppliers’ FOI responsibilities – OUT-LAW.com

‘The contracts agreed between public sector bodies and their suppliers should be “more explicit” about which one of the organisations holds information for the purposes of compliance with freedom of information (FOI) rules, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 6th March 2014

Source: www.out-law.com

Abortion counselling – why statutory regulation is needed – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted March 7th, 2014 in abortion, doctors, news by tracey

‘Abortion is an emotive subject, regardless of political persuasion. It is one of the few issues that genuinely has the ability to polarise opinion, with neither side likely to be persuaded to the other’s point of view.’

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 6th March 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted March 7th, 2014 in legislation by tracey

The Ukraine (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2014

The Scottish Parliament (Constituencies and Regions) Order 2014

The Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (No. 2) Order 2014

The Ukraine (Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) Order 2014

The Taxes (Interest Rate) (Amendment) Regulations 2014

The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (Allocation of Allowances for Payment) (Amendment) Regulations 2014

The Income and Corporation Taxes (Electronic Communications)(Amendment) Regulations 2014

The Inheritance Tax (Delivery of Accounts) (Excepted Estates) (Amendment) Regulations 2014

The National Savings Bank (Investment Deposits) (Limits) (Amendment) Order 2014

The Judicial Pensions (Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations 2014

The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) Rules 2014

The Biofuels and Other Fuel Substitutes (Payment of Excise Duties etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2014

The Other Fuel Substitutes (Rates of Excise Duty etc.) (Amendment) Order 2014

The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts and Personal Medical Services Agreements) Amendment Regulations 2014

The HIV Testing Kits and Services (Revocation) (England) Regulations 2014

The Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (England) (Amendment) Order 2014

The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) (England) Order 2014

The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England) (Amendment) Order 2014

The Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 (Consequential Modifications and Savings) Order 2014

The Seeds and Vegetable Plant Material (Nomenclature Changes) Regulations 2014

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Backaldrin Österreich The Kornspitz Co GmbH v Pfahnl Backmittel GmbH – WLR Daily

Posted March 7th, 2014 in EC law, law reports, trade marks by tracey

Backaldrin Österreich The Kornspitz Co GmbH v Pfahnl Backmittel GmbH(Case C-409/12); [2014] WLR (D) 112

‘Under article 12(2)(a) of Parliament and Council Directive 2008/95/EC a trade mark was liable to revocation in respect of a product for which it was registered if, in consequence of acts or “inactivity” of the proprietor, that trade mark had become the common name for that product from the point of view solely of end users of the product. There was “inactivity” if the proprietor of the trade mark did not encourage sellers to make more use of that mark in marketing a product in respect of which the mark was registered; and the revocation of a trade mark did not presuppose that it had to be ascertained whether there were other names for a product for which that trade mark had become the common name in the trade.’

WLR Daily, 6th March 2014

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Stott v Thomas Cook Tour Operators Ltd (Secretary of State for Transport intervening) – WLR Daily

Posted March 7th, 2014 in aircraft, carriage by air, damages, disabled persons, EC law, law reports by tracey

Stott v Thomas Cook Tour Operators Ltd (Secretary of State for Transport intervening): [2014] UKSC 15; [2014] WLR (D) 111

‘The court could not award damages for distress and injury to feelings caused to a disabled passenger during flight in breach of Council Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 (implemented in domestic law by the Civil Aviation (Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility) Regulations 2007) since such an award was precluded by article 29 of the Montreal Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air 1999 (“the Montreal Convention”), as adopted in the European Union by Council Regulation (EC) No 2027/97, as amended by article 3(1) of Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 889/2002, (“the Montreal Regulation”), and pursuant to the European Communities Act 1972, as amended.’

WLR Daily, 5th March 2014

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Regina v Burinskas; Regina v Phillips (Anthony); Regina v Ahmad (Goram Kamal); Regina v Hanson (John); Regina v Donegan (David); Regina v Smith (Paul Simon); Regina v Mathews (Michael Richard; Regina v Coleman (Barry Tyrone)

Posted March 7th, 2014 in dangerous offenders, sentencing by tracey

Regina v Burinskas; Regina v Phillips (Anthony); Regina v Ahmad (Goram Kamal); Regina v Hanson (John); Regina v Donegan (David); Regina v Smith (Paul Simon); Regina v Mathews (Michael Richard; Regina v Coleman (Barry Tyrone):[2014] EWCA Crim 334; [2014] WLR (D) 110

‘The Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, gave guidance in respect of the effect of changes in the law upon the sentencing of dangerous offenders.’

WLR Daily, 4th March 2014

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted March 7th, 2014 in law reports by tracey

Supreme Court

Stott v Thomas Cook Tour Operators Ltd [2014] UKSC 15 (05 March 2014)

Revenue and Customs v Secret Hotels2 Ltd [2014] UKSC 16 (05 March 2014)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Kairos Shipping Ltd & Anor v Enka & Co LLC & Ors [2014] EWCA Civ 217 (06 March 2014)

AB v CD [2014] EWCA Civ 229 (06 March 2014)

Daws Hill Neighbourhood Forum & Ors v Wycombe District Council [2014] EWCA Civ 228 (06 March 2014)

High Court (Administrative Court)

The Welsh Language Commissioner, R (On the Application Of) v National Savings And Investments [2014] EWHC 488 (Admin) (06 March 2014)

Y Frenhines Ar Gais Comisiynydd Y Gymraeg v Cynilion A Buddsoddiadau Cenedlaethol [2014] EWHC 488W (Admin) (06 March 2014)

Omokayode, R (On the Application Of) v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2014] EWHC 594 (Admin) (06 March 2014)

Savage v Mansfield District Council [2014] EWHC 600 (Admin) (06 March 2014)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Sellers v Buyer [2014] EWHC 596 (Ch) (06 March 2014)

Source: www.bailii.org

Grieve acts on judge’s plea over unrepresented defendants – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 7th, 2014 in amicus curiae, criminal justice, legal representation, news by tracey

‘The attorney general’s office has confirmed that Dominic Grieve QC has appointed an amicus curiae to assist the court on legal argument expected to be made on behalf of defendants facing trial without representation in court.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 7th March 2014

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Asbestos cancer payments of up to £123,000 announced – BBC News

Posted March 7th, 2014 in asbestos, cancer, compensation, news by tracey

‘Victims of mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, are to receive an average of £123,000 compensation from a new fund.’

Full story

BBC News, 6th March 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Unacceptable’ failings and overcrowding found in NHS hospitals – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 7th, 2014 in hospitals, news, quality assurance by tracey

‘Unacceptably poor outpatient care, overcrowding and delays in Accident & Emergency units have been highlighted in the first national report following a new NHS inspection regime. Inspectors who visited a cross-section of 18 hospitals across the country found patients were waiting far too long in casualty units, and for appointments to see consultants and undergo tests.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 6th March 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Anti-fracking campaigners challenge eviction attempt in court – The Guardian

‘Anti-fracking protesters who have been camping by a drill site in Greater Manchester since late October have appeared in court to challenge attempts to evict them.’

Full story

The Guardian, 6th March 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Met Police ‘Taser use on children rises sixfold’ – The Independent

Posted March 7th, 2014 in children, news, police, weapons, young persons by tracey

‘The number of children tasered by the Metropolitan Police has risen almost sixfold over four years, according to campaigners. The Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) said Taser stun guns were used on 53 young people in 2012, signalling a sharp increase from just nine in 2008.’

Full story

The Independent, 6th March 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ministers to axe ‘bureaucratic’ rules on school dinners – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 7th, 2014 in food, health, news, school children by tracey

‘ Strict guidelines regulating the amount of sugar in school dinners have been scrapped just as health experts raise alarm over the deteriorating standard of people’s daily diet. The Government said nutritional guidance – setting out the levels of vitamins and minerals in lunches – would be axed because the rules are too complicated.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 6th March 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Widow wins battle over late husband’s sperm – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 7th, 2014 in assisted reproduction, consent, human tissue, married persons, news by tracey

‘Physiotherapist Beth Warren, 28, from Birmingham, today won a High Court   battle with the UK fertility regulator. A judge ruled in Mrs Warren’s favour after a trial in London. But Mrs Justice Hogg gave the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) the go-ahead to take the case to the appeal court.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 6th March 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Stephen Lawrence case: Theresa May orders inquiry into police spies – The Guardian

Posted March 7th, 2014 in inquiries, murder, news, police, racism, spying by tracey

‘The home secretary has ordered a public inquiry into the undercover infiltration of political groups after an independent inquiry confirmed that Scotland Yard had spied on the family of Stephen Lawrence.’

Full story

The Guardian, 6th May 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk