Chaos in the courts as justice system rushed to restore order – The Guardian

“Prosecutors speak of their pride in the way the CPS and the courts rose to the unprecedented challenge of the English riots, but defence lawyers tell a story of panic and paralysis.”

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The Guardian, 3rd July 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Disaster averted but questions remain over courts’ response to riots – The Guardian

Posted July 4th, 2012 in courts, criminal justice, legal services, news, sentencing, violent disorder by sally

“Was the remand system used appropriately, was due process sufficiently observed and were the stiff sentences justified?”

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The Guardian, 3rd July 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Foreign powers will be allowed to access email and phone records – Daily Telegraph

“Foreign governments could be given details of Britons’ phone calls, emails and internet usage in another ‘deeply troubling’ part of new surveillance plans.”

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Daily Telegraph, 4th July 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Britain must secure release of Bagram detainee, supreme court told – The Guardian

Posted July 4th, 2012 in habeas corpus, news, prisoners of war, rendition, Supreme Court by sally

“Britain must secure the release of a Pakistani man captured by UK special forces and held by the US in Afghanistan’s notorious Bagram jail without trial for more than eight years, his lawyers told the supreme court this week.”

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The Guardian, 3rd July 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

NHS pays out record £1.2bn claims – The Independent

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in compensation, health, negligence, news by sally

“The NHS has paid out a record £1 billion in litigation claims in one year, it has emerged.”

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The Independent, 3rd July 2012

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Closer working on prosecution cases involving undercover police officers as agreement is signed between investigators and prosecutors – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, police by sally

“A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to ensure consistent and thorough handling of cases involving undercover officers where there may be a criminal prosecution has been signed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).”

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Crown Prosecution Office, 3rd July 2012

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Prisoners lose victim support claim – The Independent

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in employment, news, prisons, remuneration, victims by sally

“Prisoners who took jobs outside jail have lost their High Court claim that a levy on their wages which goes to victim support is too high.”

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The Independent, 3rd July 2012

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Teen rapist spared jail after judge rules he was ‘corrupted by internet porn, world and society’ – Daily Telegraph

“A teenager who raped a five-year-old girl while babysittng her was spared a custodial sentence after a judge heard he had been ‘corrupted’ by internet pornography.”

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Daily Telegraph, 3rd July 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

6ft 5in woman pursues £2m damages claim – The Independent

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in damages, medical treatment, negligence, news by sally

“A woman who feels like a freak because of the effect on her growth of an undiagnosed tumour is claiming £2 million damages.”

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The Independent, 3rd July 2012

Source: www.independent.co.uk

DPP invites defence to appeal convictions of Drax Power Station protestors – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in appeals, demonstrations, disclosure, news, police by sally

“The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, has invited 29 individuals convicted following the Drax Power Station protest in 2008 to appeal against their convictions. This protest involved the former undercover officer Mark Kennedy.”

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Crown Prosecution Service, 3rd July 2012

Source: http://blog.cps.gov.uk

Beware Part 36 – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in costs, news, part 36 offers by sally

“Although the heading to this article ought to be unnecessary, it is plain from recent judgments both in the High Court and the Court of Appeal that insufficient attention is being paid to the Part 36 regime by parties wishing to settle their differences.”

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Hardwicke Chambers, 28th June 2012

Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk

Two Articles on Local Government Law – 11 KBW

Local Government Law Update: 27 June (PDF)
Local Government Law Update: 28 June (PDF)

11 KBW, June 2012

Source: www.11kbw.com

Do you have to Mediate a Professional Negligence Claim? – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in arbitration, costs, negligence, news by sally

“Under the still claimant-friendly CFA costs regime, a claimant who has a weak claim against a professional still stands a good chance of recovery if the case is well managed: follow the Protocol; keep costs down; then offer mediation pre-issue with the threat of an ATE if there is no settlement. In this frequent scenario it takes a tough insurer to withstand the pressure to pay some of its notional defence costs to the claimant just to make the case go away.”

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Hardwicke Chambers, 28th June 2012

Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk

Cohabitation and Trusts of Land Update – Zenith Chambers

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in cohabitation, land registration, news, trusts by sally

“The purpose of this article is to consider the law of constructive trusts following Jones v. Kernott [2011] UKSC 53, judgment given on 9th November 2011, insofar as it relates to the purchase of property primarily by cohabitants.”

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Zenith Chambers, 27th June 2012

Source: www.zenithchambers.co.uk

£50 million extra for victims of crime – Ministry of Justice

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in compensation, news, victims by sally

“Offenders will be forced to pay up to £50 million a year to help victims recover from the trauma of serious crime, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke announced today.”

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Ministry of Justice, 2nd July 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

The Family Court: “Be careful what you wish for” – Family Law Week

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in bills, family courts, news by sally

“Michael Horton, barrister, of Coram Chambers examines the proposed creation of a single family court, the reasons for its establishment, how it might work and whether it is necessary at all.”

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Family Law Week, 2nd July

Source: www.familylawweek.com

New Equality and Diversity Rules for barristers approved – Bar Standards Board

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in barristers, codes of practice, diversity, news by sally

“The Bar Standards Board (BSB), the regulator of barristers in England and Wales, has incorporated new equality and diversity rules into its Code of Conduct, which will be effective from 1 September 2012.”

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Bar Standards Board, 2nd July 2012

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in news by sally

The Pension Protection Fund (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2012

The Police (Collaboration: Specified Function) Order 2012

The Immigration (Designation of Travel Bans) (Amendment) Order 2012

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Flat adverts that may be breaking the law – BBC News

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in advertising, housing, news, race discrimination, sex discrimination by sally

“‘To let’ advertisements that specify a particular race or religion are visible in newsagents windows in many areas of London. But are they breaking the law?”

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BBC News, 3rd July 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Nursing and midwives’ regulator ‘failing’ patients – BBC News

Posted July 3rd, 2012 in disciplinary procedures, midwives, news, nurses, professional conduct by sally

“Failings ‘at every level’ of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) mean it is letting down patients in its prime duty to protect them, says a report.”

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BBC News, 3rd July 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk