Penal reform in the UK – OUP Blog

Posted January 6th, 2014 in news, probation by sally

‘In this podcast Martin Partington talks to Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League. Does penal policy in the UK operate in a more ‘punitive’ way than other European countries (including the former Eastern-bloc)? Frances makes a passionate defence of the current probation service and deplores the current Government’s approach to reform of the service.’

Podcast

OUP Blog, 1st January 2014

Source: http://blog.oup.com

Unsuccessful challenge to 52 weeks rule in Housing Benefit Regs – NearlyLegal

Posted January 6th, 2014 in appeals, benefits, detention, disability discrimination, housing, mental health, news by sally

‘Obrey v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2013] EWCA Civ 1584 concerns an appeal against an Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) decision which set aside the findings of the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support) that Reg. 7(17), Housing Benefit Regulations 2006, breached Art. 14 ECHR (although not expressly set out in the Judgment, presumably in conjunction with A1P1).’

Full story

NearlyLegal, 6th January 2014

Source: www.nearlylegal.co.uk

Mental health patients being denied human rights in court, warn leading lawyers – The Independent

‘People with mental health problems are being denied justice by some Court of Protection judges who fail to even consider hearing patients’ testimony, leading lawyers have told a House of Lords inquiry.’

Full story

The Independent, 3rd January 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Jimmy Savile victims call for single inquiry – The Guardian

Posted January 6th, 2014 in child abuse, inquiries, news, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘Victims of Jimmy Savile have called for a single judge-led inquiry into how the former DJ was able to evade justice for so long.’

Full story

The Guardian, 6th January 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Security guard jailed after falling asleep and crashing bus full of colleagues – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 6th, 2014 in accidents, dangerous driving, licensing, news, sentencing by sally

‘Mark Nicholson was driving 15 people down to work as security officers at an Olympic sailing event when he dozed off while driving on the busy M40 motorway.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 3rd January 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Kirsty Cox jailed for two years for £450,000 iPad scam – BBC News

Posted January 6th, 2014 in fraud, news, sentencing by sally

‘A woman who defrauded hundreds of customers in an iPad scam worth £450,000 has been jailed.’

Full story

BBC News, 3rd January 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police under fire for handling of Raoul Moat manhunt in 2010 – The Independent

Posted January 6th, 2014 in delay, inquests, news, ombudsmen, police, professional conduct, reports, suicide by sally

‘A bitter row has broken out between one of Britain’s biggest police forces and the Independent Police Complaints Commission over the case of the gunman Raoul Moat.’

Full story

The Independent, 5th January 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Lawyers forced to pay out £1m in no win, no fee disputes – The Guardian

Posted January 6th, 2014 in compensation, complaints, costs, fees, legal aid, legal ombudsman, news, solicitors by sally

‘Lawyers were ordered to pay almost £1m in compensation to disappointed clients last year owing to failures in no win, no fee agreements, according to figures released by the legal ombudsman.’

Full story

The Guardian, 6th January 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Mental health staff to be based in police stations – BBC News

Posted January 6th, 2014 in mental health, news, nurses, pilot schemes, police, recidivists by sally

‘Mental health nurses are to be based in police stations and courts in 10 areas of England as part of a pilot scheme aimed at cutting reoffending.’

Full story

BBC News, 4th January 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Crime and punishment: Why throwing away the key doesn’t work – The Independent

Posted January 6th, 2014 in criminal justice, imprisonment, news, prisons, sentencing by sally

‘It is not liberal weediness to baulk at whole-life sentences. It’s knowing that, without a hairline of hope, those in prison become more dangerous.’

Full story

The Independent, 5th January 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Barristers and solicitors walk out over cuts to legal aid fees – The Guardian

‘Criminal courts across England and Wales will be severely disrupted on Monday morning when barristers and solicitors stage an unprecedented mass walkout in protest at government plans to slash legal aid fees by up to 30%.’

Full story

The Guardian, 5th January 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk