Maximising Fixed Costs – In the Protocol and out of it – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted January 12th, 2016 in barristers, civil procedure rules, costs, London, news, solicitors by sally

‘With costs for low value PI claims being stripped to bare bones and further cuts on the horizon, maximising fixed costs is essential. In this article, Jasmine Murphy asks the question: Have we all been missing a trick? The trick in this case is another eighth of the costs allowed in fixed costs cases.’

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Hardwicke Chambers, 4th January 2016

Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk

The “Investment Mis-Selling” Controversy – What Should Footballers do Next? – Littleton Chambers

Posted January 12th, 2016 in financial regulation, fraud, negligence, news, sport by sally

‘This article by Daniel Northall was first produced for and published by LawinSport.com . Daniel examines the legal implications of the recent controversy1 concerning the mis-selling of investments2 to high net worth individuals, notably footballers.3 Specifically, it explores the nature of the problem, including the investments made, how they might come to be mis-sold, and the avenues available to a footballer who has sustained substantial losses through mis-sold investments. It will be particularly relevant to footballers and their professional advisors.’

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Littleton Chambers, 12th January 2016

Source: www.littletonchambers.com

A House Reasonably So Called – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted January 12th, 2016 in appeals, enfranchisement, housing, news by sally

‘Andy Creer looks at the decision in Jewelcraft Ltd v Pressland [2015] EWCA Civ 1111.’

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Hardwicke Chambers, 8th January 2016

Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk

David Bedenham Discusses a Recent FTT Decision Relating to Carbon Credit Missing Trader Fraud and Assessment Time Limits – 11 KBW

Posted January 12th, 2016 in emissions trading, fraud, news, time limits, tribunals by sally

‘Missing trader (or ‘MTIC’) fraud has blighted various trade sectors from mobile phones and CPUs to platinum and carbon credits. It is in the latter sector that we have seen some of the largest denials of input tax based on the Kittel principle.’

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11 KBW, 5th January 2016

Source: www.11kbw.com

EVENT: London School of Economics – What Are Prisons For?

Posted January 12th, 2016 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘Speakers
Christopher Bennett, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy (University of Sheffield)
Marija Krlic, Research Associate (University of Sheffield) and ex-prison governor
Kimberley Brownlee, Associate Professor in Legal and Moral Philosophy (University of Warwick)
Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns (Howard League for Penal Reform)

Chair
Peter Dennis, Fellow, Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method (LSE) and Forum for European Philosophy Fellow

In this time of austerity, many of those who want a small state are also committed to a highly expensive criminal justice apparatus that has little demonstrable deterrent effect. But are there other, more direct arguments against the use of imprisonment as a dominant form of punishment? If so, what are they? Why do they so often fall on deaf ears? And does the current economic climate make it more likely that those in power will listen?’

Date: 15th March 2016, 6.30-8.00pm

Location: London School of Economics, Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building

Charge: Free

More information can be found here.

EVENT: The Inner Temple – Lecture: Are Medical Ethics Bad for our Health?

Posted January 12th, 2016 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘This lecture will be given by Professor Christopher Newdick, University of Reading and will be followed by a drinks reception. The lecture is accredited for 1 CPD hour and is open to members of all four Inns. The lecture is also accredited as a qualifying session for Inner Temple students.’

Date: 15 February 2016

Location: Inner Temple, London, EC4Y 7HL

Charge: See website for details

More information can be found here.

EVENT: The Inner Temple – Lecture on Contributory Negligence in Practice

Posted January 12th, 2016 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘This lecture will be given by Dr James Goudkamp and Professor Donal Nolan, University of Oxford and will be followed by a drinks reception. The lecture is accredited for 1 CPD hour and is open to members of all four Inns. The lecture is also accredited as a qualifying session for Inner Temple students.’

Date: 18 January 2016

Location: Inner Temple, London, EC4Y 7HL

Charge: See website for details

More information can be found here.

Privacy watchdog attacks snooper’s charter over encryption – The Guardian

‘The information commissioner’s office has heavily criticised the draft Investigatory Powers bill for attacking individuals’ privacy, particularly in relation to the apparent requirement on communication providers to weaken or break their data encryption at the government’s request.’

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The Guardian, 12th January 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Legal aid billing delay ‘stay of execution’ – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted January 12th, 2016 in computer programs, costs, legal aid, news by sally

‘The government may be underestimating the severity of problems with its new digital legal aid billing system, solicitors have warned.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 12th January 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Sham bride whose crime ‘struck at heart of immigration system’ is jailed – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 12th, 2016 in fraud, immigration, marriage, news, sentencing by sally

‘Babysitter who claimed she was pressured into taking part in sham marriage to man in Blackburn is sentenced to six months in prison.’

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Daily Telegraph, 11th January 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Councils call for online judicial approval of access to communications data – Local Government Lawyer

‘Councils should be able to apply for and be granted magistrates’ approval electronically for access to communications data, the Local Government Association and trading standards organisations have said.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 11th January 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Decision on proposal for new October bill of costs is postponed – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted January 12th, 2016 in bills, civil procedure rules, computer programs, costs, expenses, law firms, news by sally

‘The committee set up to decide the future of legal costs in civil litigation has recommended that a new of bill of costs based on electronic assessment should be in place from October.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 11th January 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Massive increase in family immigration fees for 2016-17 – Free Movement

Posted January 12th, 2016 in families, fees, immigration, news, visas by sally

‘The Home Office is proposing a massive 25% increase in already high immigration application fees for families for the year 2016-17. Family and spouse visas will in future cost £1,195. The maximum chargable for these applications will be increased from £2,141 to £3,250. The fee for a settlement application will increase to £1,875 and to £2,676 for Adult Dependant Relatives.’

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Free Movement, 12th January 2016

Source: www.freemovement.org.uk

Barristers with public law practices strongly represented in 2016 silk round – Local Government Lawyer

Posted January 12th, 2016 in barristers, news, queen's counsel by sally

‘Barristers who act in cases affecting public bodies are well represented among the 107 new Queen’s Counsel announced in this year’s silk round.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 11th January 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Gardener who stabbed 82-year-old to death jailed for life – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2016 in murder, news, sentencing by sally

‘A man who fatally stabbed an 82-year-old client has been jailed for life.’

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The Guardian, 11th January 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Use and value of ‘internet connection records’ will indicate whether their retention is justified, says watchdog – OUT-LAW.com

Posted January 12th, 2016 in bills, internet, news, privacy, telecommunications by sally

‘The use and value of ‘internet connection records’ (ICRs) in helping detect, prevent and investigate serious crime and terrorism should be assessed to help decide whether providers should be forced to collect the data, the UK’s information commissioner has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 11th January 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Tougher sentencing powers needed to deter data thieves, says ICO – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2016 in costs, data protection, fines, news, sentencing, theft by sally

‘The head of the government’s privacy watchdog has called for stronger sentencing powers for people convicted of stealing personal data, after a woman who sold 28,000 pieces of sensitive driver data was fined just £1,000.’

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The Guardian, 11th January 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Sex attacker jailed after being caught by his victim on Facebook – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 12th, 2016 in attempts, news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘James Huggett, 22, is handed seven years behind bars after his victim Chanel Purchase, 21, scoured Facebook for pictures of him.’

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Daily Telegraph, 11th January 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Number of female applicants for QC still stubbornly low, selectors say – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2016 in diversity, equality, news, queen's counsel, women by sally

‘The number of women applying for Queen’s Counsel remains “stubbornly low”, the appointments panel has said, after promoting 25 female barristers and solicitor advocates among a total of 107.’

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The Guardian, 11th January 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Woman in 30-year feud with daughter over dog called Fluffy wins legal fight to force her out of £1m flat – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 12th, 2016 in families, housing, news, repossession by sally

‘Judge condemns Caroline Hermsen as liar after she wrongly accused mother of getting her arrested over dog as he rules she can kick her out of home.’

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Daily Telegraph, 11th January 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk