“1st April 2013. LASPO day. The day the new legal aid scheme began. Except, for most, it wasn’t. It was Easter Monday. Today is the real LASPO day, the day the cuts bite in earnest, the day that over 600,000 people will no longer get legal aid, the day some organisations won’t open their doors to greet their clients – and never will again.”
Legal Aid Handbook, 2nd April 2013
Source: www.legalaidhandbook.com
“Disputes lawyers across the market have broadly welcomed the Jackson Reforms, which come into force today, saying they will ease the burden created by disclosure.”
The Lawyer, 1st April 2013
Source: www.thelawyer.com
“On 21st March 2013 the House of Commons Justice Committee published a report about the ICO, recommending, among other matters, that the ICO should be given the power to carry out compulsory data protection audits of NHS Trusts and local authorities. With uncanny speed, on 25th March 2013 the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) published a consultation document on the proposed extension of the ICO’s compulsory audit powers to cover NHS bodies. Despite the coincidence of timing, the MOJ’s proposal is not in fact a response to the Justice Committee’s report, but is prompted by a recommendation from the ICO itself.”
Panopticon, 28th March 2013
Source: www.panopticonblog.com
“The Competition Appeal Tribunal today delivered that rarest of beasts: a judgment awarding damages in a follow-on claim. After its decade-long fight, Albion Water has been awarded around £2 million for Dŵr Cymru’s abuse of dominant position in relation to the price it was prepared to charge Albion for the use of its water pipes.”
Competition Bulletin from Blackstone Chambers, 28th March 2013
Source: www.competitionbulletin.com
“New rules to govern the abuse of sales of ‘packaged accounts’ from banks have come into force.”
BBC News, 31st March 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, is considering abolishing the legal defence of ‘marital coercion’ that was unsuccessfully used by Vicky Pryce in her trial for taking speeding points on behalf of her husband.”
The Guardian, 31st March 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Hot on the Home Secretary’s loss of the Abu Qatada appeal, a reverse for her in another deportation case about someone whom the Court of Appeal described as ‘an important and significant member of a group of Islamist extremists in the UK,’ and who was said to have links – direct or indirect – with men involved in the failed July 21 2005 bombing plot.”
UK Human Rights Blog, 31st March 2013
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
Plans to merge dog orders with antisocial behaviour powers fail to tackle irresponsible breeders
The Independent, 31st March 2013
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“Victims of crime are being put under extreme duress, leading to injustices, due to a lack of awareness of the Victims’ Code by those working in the justice system, a watchdog has warned.”
BBC News, 29th March 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“Family law, immigration and employment cases are no longer eligible for legal aid. So how can you take on the system alone?”
The Guardian, 1st April 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Laws that prevent farmers burying dead animals could be relaxed to help those struggling after hundreds of sheep died in the recent snow.”
BBC News, 2nd April 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“A Labour councillor fined £100 after admitting being drunk in a supermarket while in charge of her two-year-old daughter has lost a High Court anonymity fight.”
The Independent, 29th March 2013
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“Councils will be given stronger powers to stop illegal Travellers’ sites being set up, communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles has announced.”
The Guardian, 29th March 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“James Best had a history of mental health problems before being jailed after the riots of 2011. Now his brother has warned that the systemic failures which led to his death could happen again.”
The Independent, 1st April 2013
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“So here we are at last, nearly five years since the then Master of the Rolls, Lord Clarke, announced his intention to launch what turned out to be the Jackson review (a story I broke, if I can be allowed the immodesty of mentioning it). It has certainly had its ups and downs since then, the biggest up undoubtedly being the 2010 election result, without which Sir Rupert’s report may well still be lying in the long grass.”
Litigation Futures, 2nd April 2013
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
“Extensive cuts to civil legal aid that come into force this week will result in vulnerable people struggling to find help as ‘advice deserts’ open up in parts of the country, a survey warns.”
The Guardian, 1st April 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Omar Othman is a resident of this country – guilty of no crime and up to now facing no charges – whose home country wants to put him on trial in a case where the key evidence against him will in all likelihood have been procured by torture. The only reason he probably won’t be tortured is because the state concerned has reluctantly promised (as an inducement to get him back) not to follow its usual routine.”
UK Constitutional Law Group, 30th March 2013
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
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