EVENT: IALS – Surveillance and Human Rights

Posted March 2nd, 2016 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘This lecture series highlights common themes facing Commonwealth governments: how to balance civil liberties with the proper scope of government surveillance. With the issue of surveillance and government accountability constantly in the news, the series will look at the interaction of the state’s responsibility for security, with the role of independent actors in a modern democracy. Where are the boundaries between ‘social responsibility’ and unwarranted self –censorship? What are the rights and responsibilities of the pillars of British democracy, and the importance of freedom of speech embedded in the press, or university debate? What are the legitimate activities of governments faced with the challenge of the explosion of social media and the internet as alternative means of information and communication, and the defence of democracy in a digital age? Who should remain exempt from surveillance? Is transparency both feasible and desirable? Is secrecy essential in the State’s requirement to protect the public from terrorist attack? Or is surveillance and the accompanying raft of legislation and intrusion undermining individual human rights and values, to the point of oppression?’

Date: 8th March 2016, 6.00-8.00pm

Location: Room 246 (Senate House)

Charge: Free, registration required

More information can be found here.

Robert Thomas: Local Government Devolution in England – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘At last, devolution is happening in England, but there are some areas of concern especially as regards the lack of public engagement and the legal framework.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 2nd March 2016

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

Part 36 Trumps Fixed Costs (and no Donald in Sight): Broadhurst and Taylor v Tan and Smith [2016] EWCA Civ 94 – Zenith PI Blog

‘In a claim which starts under the Pre-Action Protocol for Low Value Personal Injury Claims (in this case the RTA Protocol), what happens when a Claimant obtains a judgment against a defendant which is at least as advantageous to them as the proposals contained in a Part 36 offer – does the Claimant recover fixed costs only, as per the regime, or does the Claimant recover costs on an indemnity basis?’

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Zenith PI Blog, 1st March 2015

Source: www.zenithpi.wordpress.com

Report urges end to 94 years of BBC self-regulation – The Guardian

Posted March 2nd, 2016 in BBC, complaints, media, news, ombudsmen, statistics by sally

‘An end to 94 years of BBC self-regulation by scrapping the BBC Trust has been proposed by an independent report calling for “fundamental reform” of the way the corporation is governed.’

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The Guardian, 1st March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

UK spying laws: Government introduces law requiring WhatsApp and iMessage to break their own security – The Independent

‘The draft Investigatory Powers Bill, or Snoopers’ Charter, keeps a provision that weakening of security will only happen in cases where it is ‘practicable’, but that could still allow the Government to outlaw many of the most popular chat services as they currently exist.’

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The Independent, 1st March 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Curbs on ‘shameless’ armed forces claims within weeks – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Measures to curb legal claims against members of the armed forces are likely to be introduced this month.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 2nd March 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Sole practitioner who overcharged client by 500% is struck off – Legal Futures

‘A sole practitioner who overcharged by 500% for private client work has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT).’

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Legal Futures, 2nd March 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Watchdog bans Church of Scientology TV ad for misleading viewers – The Guardian

Posted March 2nd, 2016 in advertising, complaints, news, ombudsmen, statistics by sally

‘A TV ad aired by the Church of Scientology has been banned by the advertising watchdog for misleading viewers with a claim it gives aid to tens of millions of people.’

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The Guardian, 2nd March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Statements of Truth, Translation and Witnesses with Poor English – Zenith PI Blog

‘The CPR includes surprisingly demanding requirements, and draconian sanctions, in relation to Statements of Truth from witnesses whose English is so poor that they cannot read documents in English.
Here is a helpful summary of the rules, and what, in practice, you need to do to comply with them.’

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Zenith PI Blog, 1st March 2016

Source: www.zenithpi.wordpress.com

Court of Appeal throws out solar farm challenge brought 14 months after planning permission was granted – OUT-LAW.com

‘A High Court judge should not have overturned planning permission granted to a solar farm in Wiltshire in response to a legal challenge brought 11 months after the three-month limitation period then in force had expired, the Court of Appeal has ruled.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 1st March 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Sean Rigg death: case against five police officers referred to CPS – The Guardian

‘Prosecutors are to consider whether they should bring criminal charges against five police officers over the arrest, restraint and detention of Sean Rigg, a musician who died in Metropolitan police custody.’

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The Guardian, 1st March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Paddy Power case highlights scourge of fixed-odds betting terminals – The Guardian

‘Damning Gambling Commission report reveals how racing risks being caught in the crossfire over the row raging about the high street betting shop machines.’

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The Guardian, 1st March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk