Lack of legal aid derails contact proceedings – The Guardian

‘The President of the Family Division has adjourned contact proceedings by an unrepresented father pending the Ministry of Justice or any other responsible body to come up with the solution to the problem of one parent suffering an injustice due to the withdrawal of legal aid.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 10th June 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Why are special courts that can help drug users at risk of being scrapped? – The Guardian

Posted June 10th, 2014 in courts, crime, drug abuse, magistrates, news by sally

‘Launched as a pilot programme a decade ago, dedicated drug courts were widely promoted as one of the best hopes of halting addiction-fuelled crime. According to supporters, however, specialist courts are now in danger of being disbanded through lack of official support. The West London drugs court, in Hammersmith, sits only half a day a week and is no longer staffed exclusively by specially trained magistrates.’

Full story

The Guardian, 10th June 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted June 10th, 2014 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Razzaq v Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) [2014] EWCA Civ 770 (22 May 2014)

H (Children) [2014] EWCA Civ 733 (05 June 2014)

Top Brands & Anor v Sharma [2014] EWCA Civ 761 (23 May 2014)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Harb v HRH Prince Abdul Aziz [2014] EWHC 1807 (Ch) (09 June 2014)

High Court (Family Division)

X (A Child) [2014] EWHC 1871 (Fam) (09 June 2014)

DH v CL & Ors [2014] EWHC 1836 (Fam) (06 June 2014)

High Court (Administrative Court)

St Matthews (West) Ltd & Ors, R (on the application of) v HM Treasury & Anor [2014] EWHC 1848 (Admin) (06 June 2014)


Giri, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2014] EWHC 1832 (Admin) (09 April 2014)

Family Court Decisions (other Judges)

L (A Child: Rehabilitation to Care of Mother) [2014] EWFC B70 (16 May 2014)

Q v Q [2014] EWFC 7 (21 May 2014)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Standard Bank Plc v EFAD Real Estate Company WLL & Ors [2014] EWHC 1834 (Comm) (06 June 2014)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

Lovell Partnerships Ltd & Anor v Merton Priory Homes [2014] EWHC 1800 (TCC) (06 June 2014)

Source: www.bailii.org

Orchid View care home scandal review ‘not enough’ – BBC News

Posted June 10th, 2014 in care homes, elderly, inquiries, news, reports by sally

‘A man whose mother died at a scandal-hit care home has said a serious case review has not gone far enough and the private care home sector has failed.’

Full story

BBC News, 9th June 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Law Commission: lack of government support led us to drop injury fraud project –

‘The Law Commission has said that lack of support from the Ministry of Justice was behind its decision not to include the law on fraud by personal injury victims in its latest reform programme.’


Full story

Litigation Futures, 10th June 2014

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

State immunity does not avail Saudi Prince – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Rosalind English posted in January 2014 on Jones v. the United Kingdom, in which the Strasbourg Court decided that the inability of four men to bring torture compensation claims against Saudi Arabia in UK courts did not breach Article 6(1) of the Convention (access to court). The Court held that a grant of state immunity reflected generally recognised rules of public international law and so there had been no violation.’


Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 9th June 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Magistrate court fines ‘may rise 300%’ under new plans – BBC News

Posted June 10th, 2014 in fines, magistrates, news, road traffic offences by sally

‘Maximum fines imposed by magistrates are set to rise dramatically under new proposals for England and Wales.’

Full story

BBC News, 10th June 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Saudi prince has no state immunity from £12 million ‘secret wife’ claim, court rules – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 10th, 2014 in financial provision, married persons, news, royal family, state immunity by sally

‘Decision by London court opens the way for a potentially embarrassing court case involving a British woman who claims she was secretly married to the late king of Saudi Arabia.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 9th June 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Cyril Smith CPS files ‘must be revealed’ – BBC News

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has been told it must reveal details about its decision not to prosecute the former Rochdale MP Cyril Smith for alleged offences against children.’

Full story

BBC News, 9th June 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man, 35, jailed after stripping half naked in cathedral and punching OAP in ‘divine urge’ – The Independent

Posted June 10th, 2014 in criminal damage, grievous bodily harm, mental health, news, sentencing by sally

‘He said he had the compulsion to “give everything to God,” but the actions of a 35-year-old man who pulled down his trousers before climbing on top of an altar and punching a grandmother in the face certainly didn’t appease the CPS.’

Full story

The Independent, 9th June 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Top family judge adjourns father’s contact case amid legal aid impasse – The Guardian

‘The most senior family judge in England and Wales has asked the justice secretary, Chris Grayling, to explain how a case involving a father’s contact with his son can proceed without legal aid.’

Full story

The Guardian, 9th June 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk