Prosecute professionals who stay silent on child abuse claims – Keir Starmer – The Guardian

Posted November 4th, 2013 in child abuse, news, prosecutions, small claims, social services, teachers, witnesses by sally

“Teachers and health workers should be prosecuted for failing to alert the police to allegations of child abuse, according to the former director of public prosecutions, who is calling for an overhaul of the law to prevent more victims from slipping through the net.”

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The Guardian, 4th November 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

EVENT: UK Constitutional Law Group – The Future of Judicial Review: Report Launch

Posted November 4th, 2013 in Forthcoming events by sally

“Judicial review faces an uncertain future. The government’s proposed reforms in this area – not least, restricting who may bring a claim – are attracting controversy. Our new report takes a step back from the heat of that debate to illuminate the broader picture from a constitutional perspective. What are the constitutional implications of attempts by the executive to limit the ability of individuals or organisations to challenge its decisions – and the power of the courts to rule on the lawfulness of its actions? What is the impact on the rule of law and the relationship between institutions of state? What are the potential consequences of altering the constitutional balance between our judges and Parliament? And why is this issue so important to the government, to Parliament and to lawyers?”

Date: Tuesday 19th November 2013, 6.15pm

Location: The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH

Charge: See website for details

More information can be found here.

Legal aid cuts criticised by Treasury Counsel and Bar Council – BBC News

Posted November 4th, 2013 in barristers, budgets, legal aid, news by sally

“Government plans to cut legal aid in criminal cases have been criticised by an elite group of barristers used by it to prosecute the most serious crimes.”

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BBC News, 2nd November 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

I swear that the current procedure for taking oaths in court needs reform – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted November 4th, 2013 in Christianity, criminal procedure, Islam, magistrates, news, oaths, trials, witnesses by sally

“Do you object to swearing an oath on the Bible? Sorry, I hope that question didn’t put you off your stride when settling down to read this article. It’s the same question witnesses are asked when they’re about to give evidence in criminal trials.”

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 1st November 2013

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Holmanleaze mosque graffiti artist spared jail – BBC News

“A man who spray painted offensive graffiti on a mosque has been ordered to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work.”

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BBC News, 1st November 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Al Quaida list and the use of prerogative powers – UK Human Rights Blog

“There was nothing unlawful in the Foreign Secretary’s decision to allow a UK resident to be added to the UN’s Consolidated List of members of Al-Quaida and its associates.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 1st November 2013

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

MoD lawyers soar as Armed Forces’ budgets cut – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 4th, 2013 in armed forces, budgets, human rights, legal profession, news by sally

“Number of military lawyers employed by the Ministry of Defence has risen by nearly half in recent years.”

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Daily Telegraph, 1st November 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Man wrongly charged in Crown Prosecution Service’s ‘homophobic witch-hunt’ – The Independent

“A man whose life was ruined when he was charged with child sex offences after looking at legal gay pornography in a hotel room has accused the police and Crown Prosecution Service of a ‘homophobic witch-hunt’ after his case was finally thrown out. The defendant endured a ‘two-year nightmare’ after being arrested in front of his family, charged with 10 offences almost a year later and repeatedly bailed, before every charge was dropped. If convicted he would have faced jail and been forced to sign the sex offenders’ register. His father died while he was awaiting trial.”

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The Independent, 1st November 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk