Religious hatred: a crime from October, but exemptions are wide – OUT-Law.com

Posted September 13th, 2007 in freedom of expression, inciting religious hatred, news by sally

“The Racial and Religious Hatred Act comes into force in October, carrying a threat of prison terms for a person who tries to stir up religious hatred. However, its free speech exemptions are so wide that convictions could be difficult, a lawyer said.”

Full story

OUT-Law.com, 13th September 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

Lord Chief Justice speaks out against US-style selection of judges – The Times

Posted September 13th, 2007 in judiciary, news by sally

“Britain’s most senior judge has strongly opposed any move towards American-style selection of judges involving Parliament. ”

Full story

The Times, 13th September 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

MoJ fast-tracks LSB reforms to usher in non-lawyer partners – Legal Week

Posted September 13th, 2007 in law firms, news, partnerships by sally

“Non-lawyers could become partners in law firms by 2008, it has emerged, after the Government amended the Legal Services Bill to fast-track the early introduction of its controversial plans for alternative business structures (ABSs).”

Full story

Legal Week, 13th September 2007

Source: www.legalweek.com

Perfume giant settles disability discrimination and harassment claim – OUT-LAW.com

Posted September 13th, 2007 in bullying, disability discrimination, news by sally

“An epileptic woman who worked at perfume giant Estée Lauder has settled her case with the firm after winning a tribunal claim for bullying.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 13th September 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted September 13th, 2007 in legislation by sally

The Children and Young People’s Plan (Wales) Regulations 2007

The Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2007

 The Commons Act 2006 (Commencement No. 1, Transitional Provisions and Savings) (Wales) Order 2007

The Disease Control (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2007

The Zoonoses and Animal By-Products (Fees) (Wales) Regulations 2007

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Commencement No. 14) Order 2007

The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (Realistic Imitation Firearms) Regulations 2007

The Public Guardian (Fees, etc) (Amendment) Regulations 2007

The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults and Care Standards Tribunal (Review of Inclusion in the PoCA List and Review of Section 142 Directions) Regulations 2007

The Family Proceedings Courts (Constitution of Committees and Right to Preside) (Amendment) Rules 2007

The Youth Courts (Constitution of Committees and Right to Preside) (Amendment) Rules 2007

The Disease Control (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2007

The Bluetongue (Amendment) Order 2007

The Education (Fees and Awards) (Wales) Regulations 2007

Education Maintenance Allowances (Wales) Regulations 2007

The Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2007

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Judicial independence – Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales

Posted September 13th, 2007 in judiciary, speeches by sally

“Speech by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales at the Commonwealth Law Conference 2007, Nairobi, Kenya.”

Full text of speech (pdf)

Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales , 12th September 2007

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Consultation on complaints handling by Chambers – Bar Standards Board

Posted September 13th, 2007 in barristers, complaints, consultations by sally

“The Bar Standards Board has announced a new consultation on proposals to improve the effectiveness of complaints handling by Chambers.”

Press release

Bar Standards Board, 12th September 2007

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Police sceptical of proposals to ease burden of red tape – The Guardian

Posted September 13th, 2007 in crime, news, police by sally

“Rank and file police leaders yesterday reacted with scepticism to proposals to introduce hand-held computers for patrolling constables and ‘virtual courts’ as part of a drive to cut bureaucracy.”

Full story

The Guardian, 13th September 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Executive’s sacking was unfair but not a racist plot, says German bank – The Times

Posted September 13th, 2007 in news, race discrimination, unfair dismissal by sally

“A City investment bank accused of forcing out a highflying member of staff because he was ‘not German enough’ has admitted that it unfairly sacked the executive.”

Full story

The Times, 13th September 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Crackdown pledge on minimum wage – BBC News

Posted September 13th, 2007 in employment, news by sally

“Firms who pay less than the minimum wage face bigger fines as part of a crackdown on ‘rogue’ employers.”

Full story

BBC News, 12th September 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Britain “failing armed forces” – BBC News

Posted September 13th, 2007 in armed forces, news by sally

“Britain is failing in its duty of care to its armed forces and former servicemen and women, the Royal British Legion has said.”

Full story

BBC News, 13th September 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police chief says officers chasing targets distort picture of crime – The Times

Posted September 13th, 2007 in news, police by sally

“The picture of violent crime in Britain is being distorted by nervous police officers recording minor incidents such as playground squabbles as serious incidents, a report on the state of policing says.”

Full story 

The Times, 13th September 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Watchdog backs trader’s baby bias claim – The Times

Posted September 13th, 2007 in news, sex discrimination by sally

“A City trader has won the backing of the equality watchdog in her £1.35 million claim against a bank that she accuses of discriminating against her when she returned to work after having a baby.”

Full story

The Times, 13th September

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Unlimited fines for employment agencies that exploit workers – The Times

Posted September 13th, 2007 in employment, news by sally

“Employment agencies will face a legal crackdown to stop them exploiting workers after unions exposed a stream of abuses, suffered mainly by migrant workers.”

Full story

The Times, 13th September 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk