Unlawful restraint widespread in child jails for a decade, says judge – The Guardian

“The unlawful use of restraint was widespread in privately run child jails in Britain for at least a decade, a high court judge has ruled for the first time.”

Full story

The Guardian, 12th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Daily Mail pays Neil Morrissey damages over false binge-drinking story – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2012 in damages, defamation, news by sally

“Men Behaving Badly actor Neil Morrissey has received an apology and ‘substantial’ damages from the Daily Mail over an article that falsely claimed he was banned from a French bar for “rowdy, drunken” behaviour.”

Full story

The Guardian, 12th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Babar Ahmad ruling is a victory for freedom of expression – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2012 in BBC, extradition, freedom of expression, news, public interest by sally

“The justice secretary certainly acted unlawfully in refusing to allow the BBC to interview Babar Ahmad, a British prisoner wanted in the US on terrorism charges, as the high court has found. But once the judgment came out, Ken Clarke showed none of the stubbornness associated with previous prisons ministers, telling the court that he would not be seeking to appeal.”

Full story

The Guardian, 12th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Referral fees in spotlight as MPs slam cost of whiplash claims – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted January 12th, 2012 in fees, insurance, news, personal injuries by sally

“MPs today call for the bar to be raised if claimants are to receive compensation for whiplash injuries following motor accidents.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 12th January 2012

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Do we need the Obscene Publications Acts? – Legal Week

Posted January 12th, 2012 in legislation, news, obscenity, publishing by sally

“The Obscene Publications Act 1959 s.1 commences by defining the test of obscenity:

‘For the purposes of this Act an article shall be deemed to be obscene if its effect or (where the article comprises two or more distinct items) the effect of any one of its items is, if taken as a whole, such as to tend to deprave and corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances, to read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it. ‘Article’ means any description of article containing or embodying matter to be read or looked at or both, any sound record, and any film or other record of a picture or pictures.'”

Full story

Legal Week, 12th January 2012

Source: www.legalweek.com

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted January 12th, 2012 in legislation by sally

Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Denmark on the Reciprocal Holding of Stocks of Crude Oil and/or Petroleum Products, Cm 8259 (PDF)

Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland, Cm 8260 (PDF)

Convention between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital gains, with Protocol, Cm 8261 (PDF)

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, Cm 8262 (PDF)

Exchange of Notes between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the United States of America amending the Agreement of 1 October 2003 concerning the use of Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island by Civil Aircraft not engaged in Scheduled International Air Services, Cm 8263 (PDF)

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted January 12th, 2012 in law reports by sally

High Court (Chancery Division)

Avocet Industrial Estates LLP v Merol Ltd & Anor [2011] EWHC 3422 (Ch) (19 December 2011)

High Court (Administrative Court)

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) & Anor, R (on the application of) v Ahmad [2012] EWHC 13 (Admin) (11 January 2012)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Ener-G Holdings Plc v Hormell [2011] EWHC 3290 (Comm) (14 December 2011)

Source: www.bailii.org

Man who accused neighbour of being James Bulger killer spared jail – The Guardian

“A man who falsely accused his neighbour of being one of James Bulger’s killers has been spared an immediate prison sentence.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th Janaury 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Prosecutors to be able to challenge bail decisions – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 12th, 2012 in appeals, bail, Crown Court, news by sally

“Prosecutors will be able to challenge crown court decisions to release suspected serious offenders out on bail after David Cameron announced a change in the law yesterday.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 11th January 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Interview: Michael Todd QC – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted January 12th, 2012 in barristers, news by sally

“Michael Todd QC, chairman of the Bar Council, answers questions from Catherine Baksi.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 12th January 2012

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Lords inflict triple welfare bill defeat on government – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2012 in benefits, bills, news, parliament by sally

“The government’s plans to reform welfare were badly hit on Wednesday when it suffered three defeats in the House of Lords on proposed benefit cuts.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

ECHR: Britain loses 3 in 4 cases at human rights court – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 12th, 2012 in courts, human rights, news, reports by sally

“Britain has lost three out of four cases taken to the European Court of Human Rights, new figures have shown.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 12th January 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Breast implant scandal: comestic surgery companies face court action – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2012 in cosmetic surgery, medical treatment, news by sally

“Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, intends to pursue through the courts the cosmetic industry companies that are refusing free operations to women wanting substandard breast implants removed.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Decision due on torture charges against MI5 and MI6 – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2012 in inquiries, intelligence services, news, prosecutions, torture by sally

“British spies are expected to find out whether they will face charges over their alleged complicity in the torture of terror suspects.”

Full story

The Guardian, 12th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk