Lim and others v Ong – Wilberforce Chambers

Posted March 6th, 2024 in chambers articles, contempt of court, disclosure, enforcement, fraud, news by sally

‘The Defendant was sentenced yesterday to 22 months immediate imprisonment in respect of a vast array of contempts of court, including dealing and dissipating assets in breach of a worldwide freezing order, providing inaccurate ancillary asset disclosure inflating his true asset position, providing false affidavit evidence seeking to justify dissipation, and 59 breaches of the standard form weekly living allowance.’

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Wilberforce Chambers, 21st February 2024

Source: www.wilberforce.co.uk

Man jailed for taking brother’s picture in Newcastle court – BBC News

Posted February 29th, 2024 in contempt of court, courts, guilty pleas, news, photography, sentencing by sally

‘A man who took a “light-hearted” picture of his brother in a court dock has been jailed for six months.’

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BBC News, 28th February 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judge criticises Home Office errors in Palestinian refugee’s visa case – The Guardian

‘The home secretary has given an “unreserved and unqualified apology” to a Palestinian refugee for “serious errors” made in relation to her student visa application.’

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The Guardian, 13th February 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

High Court finds father in contempt of court over covert recording of adoption proceedings relating to his child – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 1st, 2023 in adoption, audio recordings, contempt of court, family courts, internet, news by sally

‘The High Court has found that a father made a covert audio-recording of a substantive court hearing in adoption proceedings, and within a few days, disposed of the recording and associated documents to another “with a view to their publication on YouTube”.’

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Local Government Lawyer, October 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Bristol grandma among Just Stop Oil M25 activists spared jail – BBC News

‘A 76-year-old grandmother is among 12 activists spared jail for causing “massive disruption” on the M25.’

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BBC News, 31st October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Contemnor required to attend an in person hearing for cross examination (Deutsche Bank AG v Sebastian Holdings Inc and another) – Gatehouse Chambers

‘Dispute Resolution analysis: An admitted contemnor subject to a suspended warrant for committal has been ordered to attend in person for cross examination in relation to the assets of a company he controlled. His request to attend the hearing remotely by video link from Connecticut was refused.’

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Gatehouse Chambers, 15th September 2023

Source: gatehouselaw.co.uk

Animal Rising activist given suspended sentence for Derby course invasion – The Guardian

‘Ben Newman, a member of the activist group Animal Rising who ran on to the course at Epsom shortly after the start of the Derby, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, for contempt of court on Wednesday after he admitted breaching an injunction granted to the Jockey Club in May to prevent disruption at the Derby meeting.;

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The Guardian, 11th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Fears over right to protest after woman with sign at climate trial prosecuted – The Guardian

‘Civil liberty campaigners have warned that the prosecution of a woman for holding up a placard about the rights of jurors outside a court is part of the government’s increasing attacks on the right to protest.’

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The Guardian, 19th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Families welcome plan to force offenders into dock after Lucy Letby case – BBC News

Posted August 31st, 2023 in contempt of court, families, judiciary, news, punishment, sentencing, victims by tracey

‘Families of victims of serious offenders say plans to give judges more powers to make criminals attend sentencing hearings will ensure loved ones are “put first”.’

Full press release

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BBC News, 31st August 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Litigant in person made ‘unacceptable’ threats to judge – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The solution for a dissatisfied litigant is not to threaten the judge, an Insolvency and Company Courts judge has noted, revealing ”deep concern’’ at threats made as he delivered judgment.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 11th August 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Contempt of court – yet more confusion and inconsistency over naming of guilty party – Transparency Project

‘This case has also revealed inconsistencies within and between a key practice direction and recently updated rules of court, and differences of approach between senior High Court judges. In these circumstances, it seems difficult to expect ordinary mortals to follow and understand the law, the key purpose of which is to prevent criminal penalties (including imprisonment) being imposed against someone in secret. It is particularly difficult because, as we discovered, the relevant rules and practice directions are not at all easy to find.’

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Transparency Project, 1st August 2023

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Contempt threat against climate activist may undermine trial by jury, lawyers say – The Guardian

‘Leading lawyers have accused the government of undermining trial by jury after a climate activist was told she faces contempt proceedings over holding a sign outside court.’

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The Guardian, 26th July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

No anonymity for contempt against family court – Transparency Project

‘The decision in EBK v DLO [2023] EWHC 1074 (Fam) was reported in the local press as “Royal marine fails in contempt proceedings against ex-partner”. The case involved a lengthy history of disputes over contact, allegations of domestic abuse, employment sanctions, and defamation actions taken against the police and Cafcass. Here, we look at important points on transparency that emerged.’

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Transparency Project, 6th June 2023

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Climate activist who allegedly held sign directed at jurors may be charged – The Guardian

‘A climate activist who allegedly held a sign outside court telling jurors they were entitled to find protesters not guilty based on their conscience may still face a criminal charge.’

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The Guardian, 4th April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Why are there so many cases against lawyers for contempt of court? – 4 New Square

Posted March 31st, 2023 in chambers articles, contempt of court, news, solicitors by sally

‘There has been a spate of cases in the past couple of years where contempt of court proceedings have been brought against lawyers. Prompted by the recent decision by Leech J to imprison struck off solicitor Soophia Khan for a further period of 12 months for failing to deliver up her firm’s files to SRA intervention agents, Helen Evans KC examines what is going on. When can contempt proceedings be brought against lawyers, and are they becoming more frequent?’

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4 New Square, 20th March 2023

Source: www.4newsquare.com

Court restrictions on climate protesters ‘deeply concerning’, say leading lawyers – The Guardian

‘Restrictions placed on non-violent climate protesters who have been tried in criminal courts were part of a “deeply concerning” “pincer movement” narrowing their rights to free expression, leading lawyers have told the Guardian.’

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The Guardian, 8th March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Four Insulate Britain members convicted after London street blockade – The Guardian

‘Four climate activists who blockaded a street in London in a campaign to press the government to insulate homes have been found guilty of public nuisance.’

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The Guardian, 6th March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Child Abductors, Contempt and Successive Prison Sentences – Family Law Week

Posted March 2nd, 2023 in child abduction, contempt of court, news, sentencing, wardship by tracey

‘Pam Sanghera, of Charles Strachan Solicitors, and Clare Renton, of 29 Bedford Row Chambers, explain the Court of Appeal’s message that those who have abducted children and are in breach of court orders to procure their return will not get away with the argument that they have already served a number of prison sentences.’

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Family Law Week, 1st March 2023

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Millionaire loses sentence appeal over leisure complex – BBC News

Posted March 2nd, 2023 in appeals, contempt of court, news, planning, sentencing by tracey

‘A man jailed for refusing to demolish a leisure complex built in his garden without planning permission has lost his appeal against his sentence.’

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BBC News, 1st March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

News focus: Are lawyers still breaching judgment embargoes? – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted February 20th, 2023 in appeals, barristers, contempt of court, disclosure, judgments, law firms, news, solicitors by tracey

‘Despite the master of the rolls’ clarion call for lawyers to respect judgment embargoes and a warning about possible contempt proceedings, high-profile breaches continue to happen.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 17th February 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk