Libel laws stifle jokes by Alexei Sayle and Ricky Gervais – The Times

Posted December 14th, 2009 in news by sally

“Top comedians and wits, including Alexei Sayle, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Fry, say Britain is being turned into a ‘global laughing stock’ because of its draconian libel laws. They are the latest critics to call for reform of the legislation which is stifling free speech. ”

Full story

The Times, 13th December 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Barratt Homes Ltd v Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig (Welsh Water) – WLR Daily

Posted December 14th, 2009 in law reports, sewerage, water by sally

Barratt Homes Ltd v Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig (Welsh Water) [2009] UKSC 13; [2009] WLR (D) 360

“S 106 of the Water Industry Act 1991 gave a property developer a right to connect its private sewer to the public sewer at a point of its choosing even though such a connection would overload the capacity of the sewer as it currently existed.”

WLR Daily, 11th December 2009

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted December 14th, 2009 in legislation by sally

The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2009

The Food Additives (England) Regulations 2009

The Legal Services Act 2007 (Maximum Penalty for Approved Regulators) Rules 2009

The Legal Services Act 2007 (Commencement No. 6, Transitory, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2009

The Food Supplements (England) and Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and Other Substances (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2009

The Public Lending Right Scheme 1982 (Commencement of Variation) Order 2009

The Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order 2009

The Food Enzymes Regulations 2009

The Food (Jelly Mini-Cups) (Emergency Control) (England) Regulations 2009

The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 5) Regulations 2009

The General Teaching Council (Registration of Temporary Teachers from Relevant European States) (England and Wales) Regulations 2009

The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2009

The European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 (Commencement No.1) Order 2009

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Law Society to launch legal challenge on legal aid – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted December 14th, 2009 in judicial review, Law Society, legal aid, news by sally

“The Law Society is set to launch a judicial review of the government’s move to drastically reduce the legal costs that defendants can reclaim if they are acquitted of a criminal offence.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 14th December 2009

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted December 14th, 2009 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

National Ability SA v Tinna Oils & Chemicals Ltd [2009] EWCA Civ 1330 (11 December 2009)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Cooper v National Westminster Bank Plc [2009] EWHC 3035 (QB) (07 December 2009)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Sutton & Ors v England & Ors [2009] EWHC 3270 (Ch) (11 December 2009)

The Trademark Licensing Company Ltd & Anor v Leofelis SA [2009] EWHC 3285 (Ch) (11 December 2009)

National Westminster Bank v Kotonou [2009] EWHC 3309 (Ch) (11 December 2009)

Wilson & Anor v Grainger [2009] EWHC 3145 (Ch) (04 December 2009)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Jenkins, R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for Portsmouth & South & Ors [2009] EWHC 3229 (Admin) (11 December 2009)

Emmanuel v South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust & Anor [2009] EWHC 3260 (Admin) (11 December 2009)

Garbet, R (on the application of) v Circle 33 Housing Trust [2009] EWHC 3153 (Admin) (07 December 2009)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Africa Express Line Ltd (“Ael”) v Socofi SA (“Socofi”) & Anor [2009] EWHC 3223 (Comm) (11 December 2009)

SC BTA Bank v Ablyazov & Anor [2009] EWHC 3267 (Comm) (11 December 2009)

Source: www.bailii.org

Law Society Gazette Podcast: Robert Heslett, President of The Law Society – Charon QC

Posted December 14th, 2009 in human rights, internet, podcasts, rule of law, solicitors by sally

“Today I am talking To Robert Heslett. We cover a wide range of topics from the rule of law, the opportunities and threats to the solicitors profession, human rights and Twitter and other forms of social media and how they could be of benefit to lawyers.”

Podcast

Charon QC, 14th December 2009

Source: www.charonqc.wordpress.com

“Charon QC” is the blogging pseudonym of Mike Semple Piggot, editor of insitelaw newswire.

Untouchable: Blair to give Iraq War evidence in secret – The Independent

Posted December 14th, 2009 in inquiries, Iraq, news, war by sally

“Key parts of Tony Blair’s evidence to the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq War will be held in secret, sources close to the hearings revealed last night.”

Full story

The Independent, 13th December 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Craig Sweeney victim’s payout ‘significantly increased’ – BBC News

Posted December 14th, 2009 in child abuse, compensation, news, sexual offences, victims by sally

“A young girl abducted and sexually assaulted by paedophile Craig Sweeney on early release from jail has had her compensation ‘significantly increased’.”

Full story

BBC News, 13th December 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Sycophant’ Tony Blair used deceit to justify Iraq war, says former DPP – The Guardian

Posted December 14th, 2009 in Iraq, news, war by sally

“Sir Ken Macdonald, director of public prosecutions between 2003 and 2008, says Blair misled and cajoled the British people into a war they didn’t want.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th December 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Climbdown over plan to vet contact with children – The Independent

Posted December 14th, 2009 in child abuse, criminal records, news, vetting by sally

“Controversial new rules requiring adults who have frequent access to other people’s children to be enrolled on an official register are to be dramatically scaled down, just two months after they were introduced.”

Full story

The Independent, 13th December 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Binyam Mohamed torture collusion case returns to court – BBC News

Posted December 14th, 2009 in disclosure, intelligence services, news, public interest, torture by sally

“Three of England’s most senior judges are to hear an appeal by the government against letting the public know about allegations of torture.”

Full story

BBC News, 14th December 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK ‘failing to protect workers from discrimination’, claims Europe – The Guardian

Posted December 14th, 2009 in employment, equality, news by sally

“The government faces legal action for failing to protect people from discrimination at work, throwing doubt on any proposals for a new law on equality.”

Full story

The Guardian, 13th December 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Team Tiger fights to bar ‘nude photos’ – The Times

Posted December 14th, 2009 in news by sally

“Lawyers acting for Tiger Woods have been accused of using a High Court injunction obtained in London in an attempt to stop possible nude photographs of him being published in America.”

Full story

The Times, 13th December 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk