English law will remain ‘gold standard’ despite impact on case law caused by confidential arbitrations, says expert – OUT-LAW.com

‘The law in England and Wales will continue to be regarded as “gold standard” internationally despite the fact that the development of case law risks being stifled by the number of confidential arbitrations taking place in London, an expert has said.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 4th April 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Junior doctors’ row: Government hit with second legal challenge over contracts – BBC News

‘A second legal challenge has been made over the government’s decision to impose a new contract on junior doctors in England.’

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BBC News, 4th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police are ignoring law-breaking cyclists says traffic lawyer – The Guardian

Posted April 4th, 2016 in bicycles, fines, news, police, road traffic offences, statistics by sally

‘The police are turning a blind eye to law-breaking cyclists, traffic lawyer Nick Freeman – who calls himself Mr Loophole – has claimed after new statistics showed a sharp fall in the number of police penalties handed to cyclists.’

Full story

The Guardian, 1st April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

British Transport Police ends plan to scrap Tube sex crime unit – BBC News

Posted April 4th, 2016 in complaints, London, news, police, sexual offences, statistics, transport, women by sally

‘A specialist policing unit which investigates sexual offences on the Tube will not be disbanded the British Transport Police (BTP) has confirmed.’

Full story

BBC News, 2nd April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Classifieds

Posted April 4th, 2016 in news by sally

Recently added:

Paralegal to James Arney

Posted April 4th, 2016 in by sally

‘Self-employed role: up to about 40 hours per week
Central London based

I am a busy practitioner (24 years call) at Temple Garden Chambers. My practice is predominantly personal injury (well balanced between Claimant and Defendant instructions), but also includes costs work.

I am looking for a paralegal to assist me in my practice. The role is ideally offered on a full-time basis but with flexible hours (I work both early and late, but can accommodate someone with either preference), although substantial part-time applicants may be considered. Previous personal injury and/or civil law experience is desirable but not a prerequisite. I will consider applicants demonstrating relevant skills and an appetite to learn quickly. The most recent occupier of this role was a recent BPTC graduate.

The role will suit someone with an aspiration to a career at the Bar, who would value the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of life in Chambers, whilst being involved in a busy personal injury practice. The previous occupiers of this role have both secured pupillage after working with me. There may also be opportunities to do work for other members of Chambers on occasion.

Responsibilities will include the following:-
• Drafting advices, pleadings, schedules and quantum analysis.
• Preparing pre- and post-conference attendance notes/agendas.
• Attending conferences, JSMs and trials, including some rail travel to solicitor contacts in Sheffield, Leeds and Birmingham.
• Researching and analysing recent authorities and areas of law relevant to ongoing cases and preparing notes on the same.
• Preparing summary notes on new papers.
• Writing articles and preparing seminar notes.
• Perusing medical, DWP, employment and other source records to identify and catalogue relevant entries.
• Proof-reading and typesetting documents.
• Maintaining files on relevant case law and journal articles.
• Updating website entry and other marketing material.
• Responding to solicitor enquiries in respect of ongoing cases and/or separate queries.
• Some administrative tasks.
• Attending some seminars and marketing/social events.

The successful candidate should have the following skills/attributes:-
• Excellent research skills and attention to detail.
• Strong numeracy skills.
• Self-motivation and initiative, with the ability to work quickly and effectively.
• Good interpersonal skills, with both the confidence and judgment to use them appropriately.
• Ability to absorb and quickly analyse detailed and complex documents.
• A fluent but concise writing style which is capable of adaptation to/integration with my own.
• Well presented, with a consistently profession demeanour.
• The confidence to stand your ground where appropriate, coupled with the ability to accept constructive criticism and a desire to improve.
• A good understanding of the mechanics and subtleties inherent in Ogden table future loss of earnings claims.
• The ability and desire to work hard and learn quickly whilst under pressure, commensurate with life at the modern Bar.
• Good IT skills, including familiarity with Excel and proficient typing.

Terms of Engagement
The position is offered on a self-employed basis, working (under current Chambers provisions) within my room in Chambers (located on Middle Temple Lane). Furniture will be provided, but you should have your own laptop. You will submit monthly invoices for work done and expenses incurred. Self-employed status will give scope for some work to be done elsewhere (particularly for other members of Chambers), subject to discussion/agreement. Flexible hours of work with regards to usual working week (up to an anticipated 40 hours per week), but there may be times when unsociable hours are required due to urgent demand or travel. Hourly/daily rate to be agreed. To start in mid-June.

Applications
Apply to James Arney by email at ja@tgchambers.com (applicants must also copy their email applications to laking.daniel@gmail.com), sending:-
• Your CV (no more than 2 pages);
• A covering letter (no more than 2 pages), explaining how you meet the above criteria, why you want this role, and whether you are available for interview on Saturday 7th May 2016.

Closing Date: 4pm on Friday 29th April 2016.’

Ten new laws that come into force in April 2016 – and how they affect you – The Independent

‘April 2016 is a month of big changes for people living and working in the UK. A number of new laws and policies are coming into force, affecting just about everyone from public sector workers to dog owners. Here’s what the new laws could mean for you.’

Full story

The Independent, 3rd April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Kate Stanton-Davies death: Trust ‘failed to establish facts’ around death – BBC News

Posted April 4th, 2016 in bereavement, children, delay, hospitals, midwives, news, professional conduct by sally

‘A hospital trust “abdicated its responsibility” in finding out why a baby died six hours after her birth, an independent review has found.’

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BBC News, 1st April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Teenager found guilty of stabbing 18-year-old to death with ‘Zombie Killer’ knife – The Independent

Posted April 4th, 2016 in homicide, news, weapons, young offenders by sally

‘A teenage boy has been found guilty of stabbing 18-year-old Stefan Appleton to death with a 2 foot-long ‘Zombie Killer’ machete in a north London park.’

Full story

The Independent, 1st April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Bar’s “tribal culture” a barrier to clients and diversity, says BSB report – Legal Futures

‘Barristers have a vital role in helping clients and witnesses understand the legal system but their own “distinct and tribal culture” is a barrier to doing so, a Bar Standards Board (BSB) report has found.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 4th April 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

New rules for data protection – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 4th, 2016 in compensation, data protection, EC law, news, notification by sally

‘In the UK there is currently no legal obligation under the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) to report personal data breaches to anyone. However, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) guidance recommends that serious breaches should be brought to its attention.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 4th April 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Teaching human rights in schools: ‘Who am I to say that democracy is the right way? – OUP Blog

Posted April 4th, 2016 in bias, education, human rights, media, news, school children, teachers by sally

‘“What could very easily happen with teaching about human rights is indoctrination…so let’s say someone says that racism isn’t wrong. Okay, so what would happen is that ‘racism is wrong. You have to learn it’. That’s the way it would be taught… Actually, I think a debate around that is needed, because I don’t think you can say that intrinsically racism is wrong. You can say that as a society, we’ve formed a set of values that have concluded that racism is wrong.”

When a primary school teacher says something like this to you as a researcher, it makes you sit up and take notice. Whilst it would be comforting to think that this is simply the isolated perspective of one wayward teacher, my research into teachers’ perceptions of educating primary school children about human rights was punctuated by similarly troubling viewpoints. One teacher found it difficult to talk about the atrocities that happened at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp without telling the children in her classroom that “this is the most heinous crime ever imagined”, following this up with “and you can’t do that, so it’s very difficult.” Another was loathe to teach that democracy was “the right way,” because she didn’t want to influence, but rather to simply “open children’s eyes.” Her final comment on this issue being “who am I to say that democracy is the right way?”’

Full story

OUP Blog, 4th April 2016

Source: http://blog.oup.com

Senior judges are hanging up their wigs. Replacing them won’t be cheap – The Guardian

‘The only branch of governance in which the public still has some faith is the judiciary – and it is facing a serious recruitment crisis.’

Full story

The Guardian, 4th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Bamber appeal letters ‘ill-conceived’, say Essex Police – BBC News

Posted April 4th, 2016 in appeals, disclosure, evidence, internet, media, murder, news, police by sally

‘Police have accused a multiple murderer of “circumnavigating the formal process” of appeal by using the media and websites to fight his conviction.’

Full story

BBC News, 2nd April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

de Menezes: No individual prosecutions, but an effective investigation – ECtHR – UK Human Rights Blog

‘This week, the mosaic shrine adorning the wall outside Stockwell underground station once again became the focal point for difficult questions surrounding the police response the terrorist attacks of 2005.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 1st April 2016

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Would-be barrister fails in bid to lift vexatious litigant order – Legal Futures

‘The High Court has rejected a bid by a would-be barrister to lift a decade-old declaration that she was a vexatious litigant, which she said was harming her prospects of becoming a lawyer.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 4th April 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

DWP tribunal criticises Labour MP Jess Phillips for ‘showing too much affection and friendship’ – The Independent

‘A Labour MP has been criticised by a judge at a tribunal for showing too much affection and friendship towards a constituent on disability benefits. ‘

Full story

The Independent, 3rd April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Cannabis arrests down 46% since 2010 – police figures – BBC News

Posted April 4th, 2016 in drug offences, drug trafficking, news, police, statistics by sally

‘Arrests for cannabis possession in England and Wales have dropped by 46% since 2010, figures obtained by BBC Breakfast suggest.’

Full story

BBC News, 4th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Lowell Goddard: my child abuse inquiry is not just targeted on the famous – The Guardian

‘This is the opportunity to get to the heart of one of the biggest challenges for our generation, says inquiry chairman Lowell Goddard.’

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Routine use of council gagging orders ‘leaves Britain open to corruption’ – The Independent

‘The UK has left itself open to corruption at the heart of local government, transparency campaigners warned, after it emerged that council workers have been routinely issued with gagging orders when they left public service.’

Full story

The Independent, 3rd April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk