Judicial Committee of the Privy Council appeals and average costs: get the data – The Guardian

Posted June 13th, 2011 in appeals, news, Privy Council, statistics by tracey

“As Caribbean countries press for limitations on the judiciary power of the Privy Council, we take a look at appeals figures by oversea countries.”

Full story

The Guardian, 13th June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Four men jailed over global paedophile ring – BBC News

Posted June 13th, 2011 in child abuse, indecent photographs of children, internet, news, sentencing by tracey

“Four men have been jailed for their parts in running a paedophile ring that sent millions of indecent images around the world.”

Full story

BBC News, 13th June 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Barclays makes pledge on PPI compensation – The Independent

Posted June 13th, 2011 in banking, compensation, insurance, news by tracey

“Barclays pledged today to compensate on a no-quibbles basis tens of thousands of its customers who were mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI).  The group is the first bank to make such a move as it confirmed it was contacting customers who made a complaint before April 20 to settle claims in full as a ‘gesture of goodwill’.”

Full story

The Independent, 13th June 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Scottish Parliament financial powers set to be boosted – BBC News

Posted June 13th, 2011 in loans, news, parliament, Scotland by tracey

“The UK government has unveiled plans to give the Scottish Parliament more financial powers. Holyrood will be able to borrow more money, issue bonds to access cash from capital markets and protect itself from sudden changes in spending levels. The powers will be brought forward in an enhanced Scotland Bill, which is already going through Westminster.”

Full story

BBC News, 13th June 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Why is BAILII appealing for funds?

Posted June 13th, 2011 in news by sally

“BAILII’s operating costs have been running at approximately £160,000 per annum, excluding replacement of computer hardware and other items which are not incurred annually. This figure will be reduced following an offer by The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies to reduce the quarterly overhead charge which it makes to BAILII for use of office space at the Institute and other services.

BAILII’s future is uncertain because of the lack of secure funding to meet these costs. The Society for Computers & Law is not currently in a position to provide funding to BAILII, but has stated that it remains supportive of BAILII and will review the situation if circumstances change. The Law Society Charity has provided funding to BAILII for 2011, but has indicated that it may be unable to continue to provide funding to BAILII thereafter; BAILII hopes that the Law Society may be able to continue to provide funding to BAILII in some other manner. The contract with Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service under which BAILII receives payments from Government sources continues until March 2012; BAILII hopes that it will be renewed but there is no guarantee that this will happen.

If BAILII is to survive, it is essential that BAILII should obtain new sources of funding before its funds run out. We need much more support, particularly if major sponsors are not able to continue funding. But in any event BAILII’s expenditure has been exceeding its income from sponsorship in recent years and this needs to be remedied as a matter of urgency.

This appeal is mainly directed towards sets of Chambers and solicitors’ firms. Legal associations, academic institutions and publishers are also invited to contribute. We are confident we can reach our target provided that all those who use BAILII and who want to go on using BAILII respond to this urgent call for help.”

Details of appeal for funding

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted June 13th, 2011 in law reports by tracey

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Alvi, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] EWCA Civ 681 (09 June 2011)

KM, R (on the application of) v Cambridgeshire County Council [2011] EWCA Civ 682 (09 June 2011)

Wright (A Child) v Cambridge Medical Group [2011] EWCA Civ 669 (09 June 2011)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Stringer v R [2011] EWCA Crim 1396 (09 June 2011)

High Court (Administrative Court)

E & Ors, R (on the application of) v The Director of Public Prosecutions [2011] EWHC 1465 (Admin) (10 June 2011)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Grievson v Grievson & Ors [2011] EWHC 1367 (Ch) (09 June 2011)

Langsam v Beachcroft LLP [2011] EWHC 1451 (Ch) (09 June 2011)

High Court (Family Division)

AF (Father) v T (Mother) & Anor [2011] EWHC 1315 (Fam) (31 May 2011)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Whittaker v Kinnear [2011] EWHC 1479 (QB) (10 June 2011)

Naschie v Macmillan Publishers Ltd (t/a Nature Publishing Group) & Anor [2011] EWHC 1468 (QB) (10 June 2011)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

Reliant Building Contractors Ltd v BRB (Residuary) Ltd [2011] EWHC 1439 (TCC) (08 June 2011)

Source: www.bailii.org

Exchange Chambers pioneers litigation funding – The Lawyer

Posted June 13th, 2011 in barristers, fees, news, third parties by tracey

“Northern set Exchange Chambers has become the first barristers’ chambers to move into the litigation funding market through a tie-up with legal insurance broker Maxima – with both clerks and barristers expected to encourage take-up among clients.”

Full story

The Lawyer, 13th June 2011

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Regina (Alvi) v Secretary of State for the Home Department – WLR Daily

Posted June 13th, 2011 in appeals, immigration, judicial review, law reports by tracey

Regina (Alvi) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] EWCA Civ 681;  [2011] WLR (D)  190

“When deciding whether to grant leave to remain in the United Kingdom to a non-EEA economic migrant it was not open to the Secretary of State to treat the certificate of sponsorship issued by the migrant’s employer as invalid in reliance on the fact that the migrant’s job fell below the relevant NVQ/SVQ level specified in a separate document published on the UK Border Agency’s website after the laying before Parliament pursuant to section 3(2) of the Immigration Act 1971 of a Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules; it was the obligation of the Secretary of State to specify the threshold for skilled occupations in the Immigration Rules themselves.”

WLR Daily, 9th June 2011

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

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

Wright v Cambridge Medical Group (a partnership) – WLR daily

Posted June 13th, 2011 in causation, delay, doctors, law reports, negligence, personal injuries by tracey

Wright v Cambridge Medical Group (a partnership) [2011] EWCA Civ 669;  [2011] WLR (D)  189

“General practitioners were liable in negligence for the late referral of an infant to hospital where, if she had received effective treatment in time, she would probably have made a full recovery from an infection which in fact caused permanent damage to her hip.”

WLR Daily, 9th June 2011

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

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

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted June 13th, 2011 in legislation by tracey

The Bribery Act 2010 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2011

The Football Spectators (Seating) Order 2011

The Crime and Security Act 2010 (Domestic Violence: Pilot Schemes) Order 2011

The Information as to Provision of Education (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011

The Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) Order 2011

The Magistrates’ Courts (Domestic Violence Protection Order Proceedings) Rules 2011

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Flypast) (Amendment) Regulations 2011

The Rural Development Programme (Transfer and Appeals) (England) Regulations 2011

The Castle College, Nottingham (Dissolution) Order 2011

The Bribery Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2011

The Patents County Court (Financial Limits) Order 2011

The Criminal Defence Service (General) (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2011

The Credit Rating Agencies (Amendment) Regulations 2011

The Corporation Tax (Implementation of the Mergers Directive) Regulations 2011

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Milford Haven) Regulations 2011

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Stokes Bay) (Revocation) Regulations 2011

The Charities (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2011

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Views on settlement for non-EU workers needed – Home Office

Posted June 13th, 2011 in consultations, immigration, migrant workers, news, visas by tracey

“Migrants coming to work on temporary visas will no longer be able to apply for permanent settlement, under proposals announced today. The current system has meant that almost anyone who has been working in the UK for five years is eligible to apply to stay permanently. Launching a public consultation on reforms to the work routes leading to settlement today, the immigration minister also set out plans to re-classify visas as either ‘temporary’ or ‘permanent’ and introduce stricter criteria for those who want to stay.”

Full press release

Home Office, 9th June 2011

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

‘Neighbours from hell’ claim eviction breached their human rights – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 13th, 2011 in housing, human rights, news, noise, threatening behaviour by tracey

“Paul and Amanda Wilkes and their two children were finally thrown out of their home after 57 allegations of anti-social behaviour in just five months. But they have secured legal aid to take Blackpool council to the European Court of Human Rights – despite admitting ‘we’re no angels.’ ”

Full  story

Daily Telegraph, 11th June 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Prison governor Barry Cummings jailed for child sex crimes – BBC News

Posted June 13th, 2011 in child abuse, news, sentencing, sexual offences by tracey

“A prison governor branded as ‘arrogant’ and ‘overbearing’ has been jailed for child sex offences.”

Full story

BBC News, 10th June 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

DPP Starmer backs televised courts idea – BBC News

Posted June 13th, 2011 in courts, media, news by tracey

“The Director of Public Prosecutions of England and Wales, Keir Starmer, has backed calls for some court proceedings to be televised.”

Full story

BBC News, 12th June 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Cuckold’ case will test the limits of the internet – The Observer

Posted June 13th, 2011 in freedom of expression, harassment, internet, news by tracey

“A plumber who used the internet to highlight his wife’s affair with a director of one of the world’s largest financial companies will appear in court on harassment charges. Lawyers believe the case could help define the limits of free expression on the internet.”

Full story

The Observer, 12th June 2011

Source: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/

Inquiry launched into slavery in the UK – The Observer

Posted June 13th, 2011 in inquiries, news, trafficking in human beings by tracey

“A major inquiry into human trafficking will be launched this week amid claims that slavery remains as much of a problem in modern Britain as when it was abolished more than 200 years ago.”

Full story

The Observer, 12th June 2011

Source: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/

West Indian death row prisoners to be defended by British lawyers – The Guardian

Posted June 13th, 2011 in appeals, constitutional law, death penalty, news, Privy Council by tracey

“The fate of six West Indian prisoners on death row will be decided through the adjudication of the privy council this summer amid fresh pressure from the Caribbean to limit the UK’s role in determining capital punishment cases.”

Full story

The Guardian, 12th June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

High cost of compensation culture and ‘human rights’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 13th, 2011 in compensation, human rights, news, tribunals, vexatious litigants by tracey

“Natasha Sivanandan has spent 25 years pursuing tribunal cases and has now secured her biggest victory with a £425,000 payout.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 11th June 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Juror in Facebook contempt prosecution after ‘contacting defendant during trial’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 13th, 2011 in contempt of court, internet, juries, news by tracey

“A female juror will stand trial this week accused of contempt of court after she allegedly sent messages to a defendant through Facebook, causing a multi-million pound drug trial to collapse.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 13th June 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk