New laws help diverse judiciary – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 14th, 2012 in bills, diversity, judiciary, news by sally

“More women and people from minority backgrounds will be encouraged to become judges under plans announced today by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 11th May 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Association of Costs Lawyers’ Annual Conference 2012 – Speech by Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Master of the Rolls

Posted May 14th, 2012 in costs, fees, judges, solicitors, speeches by sally

Association of Costs Lawyers’ Annual Conference 2012 (PDF)

Speech by Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Master of the Rolls

Judiciary of England and Wales, 11th May 2012

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Removing full right of appeal for family visitors – UK Border Agency

“A clause in the Crime and Courts Bill, published today, will remove the full right of appeal for those applying to enter the UK as a family visitor. Subject to Parliamentary approval and Royal Assent, this change is expected to come into force by 2014. Refused applicants will still be able to appeal on limited grounds of human rights or race discrimination.”

Full story

UK Border Agency, 10th May 2012

Source: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

Enforcing regulatory standards in a liberalised market – Legal Services Board

Posted May 14th, 2012 in legal services, news by sally

“David Edmonds, Chairman of the Legal Services Board, which oversees the regulation of legal services in England and Wales, tonight (10th May) addresses an invited audience at the Russell Cooke forum on ‘Quality and standards in a liberalised market’.”

Full story (PDF)

Legal Services Board, 10th May 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Related link: Quality and Standards in a Liberalised Market (PDF)

Court of Protection Update – Family Law Week

Posted May 14th, 2012 in consent, Court of Protection, DNA, mental health, news, sexual offences, wills by sally

“Sally Bradley, Barrister, of 4 Paper Buildings analyses recent decisions in the Court of Protection relating to capacity to consent to sexual relations, DNA testing and statutory wills.”

Full story

Family Law Week, 11th May 2012

Source: www.familylawweek.com

Sullivan (aka Soloman) v Bristol Film Studios Ltd – WLR Daily

Sullivan (aka Soloman) v Bristol Film Studios Ltd [2012] EWCA Civ 570; [2012] WLR (D) 145

“In deciding whether a small claim ought to be struck out as an abuse of process it was relevant to consider whether there was a proportionate procedure available by which the claim could be adjudicated.”

WLR Daily, 3rd May 2012

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Neilly v The Queen – WLR Daily

Neilly v The Queen [2012] UKPC 12; [2012] WLR (D) 144

“When a defendant in a criminal trial had not been put on an identification parade, the decision as to whether to allow a dock identification was a matter for the trial judge in the light of all the relevant circumstances. However where a dock identification was admitted in evidence the trial judge was required to give the jury careful directions as to the dangers of relying on that evidence, and to warn the jury of the disadvantages to the defendant of having been denied the opportunity of participating in an identification parade.”

WLR Daily, 10th May 2012

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Balgobin v South West Regional Health Authority – WLR Daily

Posted May 14th, 2012 in appeals, default judgments, law reports, personal injuries by sally

Balgobin v South West Regional Health Authority [2012] UKPC 11; [2012] WLR (D) 143

“The entry of a default judgment against one of two defendants to a personal injury claim did not operate as a bar to a subsequent finding of liability against the other defendant when the claimant had not made an unequivocal election to only pursue her claim against one defendant.”

WLR Daily, 10th May 2012

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Hourly billing for lawyers should end, says top judge – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 14th, 2012 in costs, fees, judges, news, solicitors by sally

“The practice of huge hourly rates charged by solicitors should end because they reward inefficiency, the country’s second most senior judge said.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 12th May 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Taxpayers can rely on concession unless it is publicly withdrawn, rules court – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 14th, 2012 in judicial review, news, taxation by sally

“Taxpayers are entitled to rely on a concession made by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in a formal publication unless and until the concession is publicly withdrawn, according to the High Court.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 11th May 2012

Source: www.out-law.com

Top QC says human rights laws need “serious change” – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 14th, 2012 in human rights, judges, news, terrorism, victims by sally

“Next month Ben Emmerson QC, who is short-listed as a candidate to represent the UK at the ECHR, will address the UN to argue that more attention should be paid to the human rights of victims of terrorism. Peter Stanford meets him.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 12th May 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Warning over prison release delay – BBC News

Posted May 14th, 2012 in budgets, compensation, delay, news, parole, prisons, recidivists by sally

“There is a risk of jail disturbances and compensation claims due to delays in assessing inmates for release in England and Wales, an ex-official says.”

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BBC News, 14th May 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Treasury failed to test fairness of spending cuts, equality watchdog finds – The Guardian

“The Treasury failed to consider how crucial policies would affect women, disabled people and ethnic minorities before the 2010 spending review, according to a report by the equality watchdog.”

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The Guardian, 14th May 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Court of Appeal allows demolition of “derelict” building – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 14th, 2012 in appeals, local government, news, planning, public interest by sally

“The Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of Stockton Council to allow it to proceed with the demolition of Billington House, the former headquarters of chemical company ICI, and now a derelict office block.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 11th May 2012

Source: www.out-law.com

Woman launches legal action to identify Facebook trolls – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 14th, 2012 in bullying, defamation, harassment, internet, news by sally

“A woman abused on the internet so badly that she was falsely portrayed as a paedophile has launched a landmark legal action to bring her tormentors to justice.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 13th May 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted May 14th, 2012 in law reports by sally

High Court (Chancery Division)

Price & Anor v Nunn [2012] EWHC 1251 (Ch) (11 May 2012)

Paton & Anor v Todd [2012] EWHC 1248 (Ch) (11 May 2012)

Hughmans Solicitors v Central Stream Services Ltd & Anor [2012] EWHC 1222 (Ch) (11 May 2012)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Deutsche Bank Ag v Total Global Steel Ltd [2012] EWHC 1201 (Comm) (11 May 2012)

European Group Ltd & Ors v Chartis Insurance UK Ltd. [2012] EWHC 1245 (Comm) (11 May 2012)

Source: www.bailii.org

UK Border Agency ‘detaining children in degrading conditions’ at Heathrow – The Guardian

Posted May 14th, 2012 in airports, children, detention, immigration, news, ombudsmen by sally

“The UK Border Agency is detaining children in ‘degrading and disgraceful’ conditions at Heathrow, according to an official watchdog.”

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The Guardian, 14th May 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Christopher Hunnisett guilty of murdering Peter Bick – BBC News

Posted May 11th, 2012 in murder, news by tracey

“A man who was acquitted of murdering a vicar who he claimed abused him has been found guilty of killing a supermarket worker who he had sex with.”

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BBC News, 11th May 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Stephen Lawrence murder: Police corruption inquiry – BBC News

Posted May 11th, 2012 in bribery, corruption, inquiries, murder, news, police by tracey

“Scotland Yard has called in the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to review fresh allegations of corruption in the Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry.”

Full story

BBC News, 11th May 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Difference between an excellent pupillage interview and a good one – The Guardian

Posted May 11th, 2012 in legal education, news, pupillage by tracey

“Stay focused, appear reasonable and craft an anecdote. And try to be likable.”

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The Guardian, 8th May 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk