Independent watchdog should be appointed to clean up Lords, says Whitehall standards regulator – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 6th, 2009 in news, parliament by sally

“An independent watchdog should immediately be appointed to clean up the House of Lords, Sir Christopher Kelly, the official Whitehall standards regulator, says.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 6th February 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Gutted! The fisherman caught faking his death – The Independent

Posted February 6th, 2009 in fisheries, fraud, news by sally

“A trawlerman who faked his own death and sent an obituary to a magazine to avoid paying fines of up to £1m for flouting fishing regulations is facing jail.”

Full story

The Independent, 6th February 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Lords: rise of CCTV is threat to freedom – The Guardian

Posted February 6th, 2009 in closed circuit television, news, privacy by sally

“The steady expansion of the ‘surveillance society’ risks undermining fundamental freedoms including the right to privacy, according to a House of Lords report published today.”

Full story

The Guardian, 6th February 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Road accident victims ‘bullied into settling’ by insurers – The Times

Posted February 5th, 2009 in accidents, compensation, news, personal injuries, road traffic by sally

“Motor accident victims are facing high pressure tactics from insurers to settle for less compensation than they are entitled to receive, a leading accident lawyer said this evening.”

Full story

The Times, 5th February 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted February 5th, 2009 in legislation by sally

The Education (Inspectors of Education and Training in Wales) Order 2008

The Hill Farm Allowance Regulations 2009

The European Parliamentary Elections (Loans and Related Transactions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) Order 2009

The Education (Maintained Special Schools) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2009

The Education and Inspections Act 2006 (Commencement No. 2) (Wales) Order 2009

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted February 5th, 2009 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Lafayette, R. v [2008] EWCA Crim 3238 (18 December 2008)

Pittman, R. v [2009] EWCA Crim 72 (14 January 2009)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

TK (Burundi) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 40 (04 February 2009)

Ratcliffe v Secretary of State for Defence [2009] EWCA Civ 39 (03 February 2009)

A (A Child), Re [2009] EWCA Civ 41 (05 February 2009)

Tabernacle v Secretary of State for Defence [2009] EWCA Civ 23 (05 February 2009)

High Court (Chancery Division)

HM Revenue & Customs v David Baxendale Ltd [2009] EWHC 162 (Ch) (05 February 2009)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Rastrum Ltd & Anor v Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government & Anor [2009] EWHC 160 (Admin) (04 February 2009)

Mauro v Government of the United States of America [2009] EWHC 150 (Admin) (04 February 2009)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

Carillion JM Ltd v Bath & North East Somerset Council & Anor [2009] EWHC 166 (TCC) (05 February 2009)

Source: www.bailii.org

Miliband defends ‘torture’ row documents gag – The Independent

Posted February 5th, 2009 in disclosure, intelligence services, news, torture by sally

“Foreign Secretary David Miliband today defended the non-disclosure of US intelligence after a furious row erupted between the British courts and the American administration over the Binyam Mohamed case.”

Full story

The Independent, 5th February 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

David Miliband to make statement on Binyam Mohamed ‘torture cover up’ – The Times

Posted February 5th, 2009 in disclosure, intelligence services, news, terrorism, torture by sally

“David Miliband will make a statement to the House of Commons today on the alleged cover-up of the torture of Binyam Mohamed, a former British resident being held at Guantanamo Bay.”

Full story

The Times, 5th February 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted February 5th, 2009 in legislation by sally

The Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2009

The Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No.10 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2009

The Family Provision (Intestate Succession) Order 2009

The Contracting Out (Administrative Work of Tribunals) Order 2009

The Local Government (Structural Changes) (Areas and Membership of Public Bodies in Bedfordshire and Cheshire) Order 2009

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted February 5th, 2009 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Mauro v Government of the United States of America [2009] EWCA Civ 150 (04 February 2009)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Golden Key Ltd, Re Insolvency Act 1986 [2009] EWHC 148 (Ch) (04 February 2009)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Rastrum Ltd & Anor v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government & Anor [2009] EWHC B4 (Admin) (temporary reference) (04 February 2009)

Mohamed, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs [2009] EWHC 152 (Admin) (04 February 2009)

Director of Public Prosecutions v Wright [2009] EWHC 105 (Admin) (04 February 2009)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

Able Construction (UK) Ltd v Forest Property Development Ltd [2009] EWHC 159 (TCC) (27 January 2009)

High Court (Patents Court)

Bending Light Ltd, Re [2009] EWHC 59 (Pat) (30 January 2009)

Source: www.bailii.org

Smith launches crackdown on knife sales – The Independent

Posted February 5th, 2009 in children, news, offensive weapons by sally

“The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said there was ‘not one easy quick way’ to tackle knife crime, as she launched a new crackdown on selling knives to youngsters today.”

Full story

The Independent, 5th February 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Marks & Spencer tastes victory in tax tussle over teacake – The Times

Posted February 5th, 2009 in food, news, VAT by sally

“A storm over a teacake is finally over after Marks & Spencer yesterday won a 13-year legal battle about whether its popular chocolate-covered treats should be deemed a cake or a biscuit.”

Full story

The Times, 5th February 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

PCSOs account for more than half of police misconduct – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 5th, 2009 in community support officers, disciplinary procedures, news by sally

“Police community support officers accounted for more than half of all police staff gross misconduct cases during the last financial year despite only making up about a fifth of the workforce, a report shows.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 5th February 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Appeals need ‘bolder’ approach – BBC News

Posted February 5th, 2009 in miscarriage of justice, news by sally

“The head of the organisation which investigates alleged miscarriages of justice has said he wants to be ‘bolder’ about challenging cases.”

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BBC News, 5th February 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

BSB issues warning after student advertises to secure pupillage – Legal Week

Posted February 5th, 2009 in advertising, news, pupillage by sally

“The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has been forced to issue a warning after a student placed an advertisement in specialist Bar magazine Counsel in a bid to obtain a pupillage.”

Full story

Legal Week, 5th February 2009

Source: www.legalweek.com

Victory claimed by both sides after hunting ruling – The Times

Posted February 5th, 2009 in hunting, news by sally

“It set the countryside against the city, Tory against Labour, Commons against Lords, royalty against commoner and neighbour against neighbour. ”

Full story

The Times, 5th February 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Man fails to win compensation for 14 years in prison – The Independent

Posted February 5th, 2009 in compensation, miscarriage of justice, news by sally

“A former aircraft engineer who spent 14 years behind bars for a murder he says he did not commit today failed in his latest bid to win compensation.”

Full story

The Independent, 4th February 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Home Secretary launches new gang Asbo – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 5th, 2009 in ASBOs, gangs, news by sally

“A new Asbo designed to prevent gang violence by preventing youths congregating or wearing certain clothes will be announced by Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 5th February 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Constituent sues MP in ‘legal first’ – The Independent

Posted February 5th, 2009 in news by sally

“A Government minister is set for a court battle with a war veteran constituent who claims she has failed in her duty to represent him properly in a fight for compensation. ”

Full story

The Independent, 4th February 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK judges accuse Obama Administration of suppressing torture claim – The Times

Posted February 5th, 2009 in disclosure, intelligence services, news, torture by sally

“The US has threatened to withhold intelligence from the UK if evidence of the alleged torture of a British resident held at Guantánamo Bay is made public. ”

Full story

The Times, 5th February 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk