Susskind: online court is just the beginning – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The proposed online court is a “pragmatic first step” on the road to a fully integrated online and conventional court service, an influential body has predicted. Professor Richard Susskind (pictured), who leads a panel of experts on digital dispute resolution, said proposals by Lord Justice Briggs for an online court for small claims were to be welcomed.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 9th April 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Covert Recording by Parents – Nothing to Fear but the Truth? – Family Law Week

‘Farooq Ahmed, barrister of Westgate Chambers and recorder, addresses the legal issues arising when parents embroiled in children proceedings record conversations or events.’

Full story

Family Law Week, 8th April 2016

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Finance & Divorce Update, April 2016 – Family Law Week

‘Edward Heaton, Principal Associate and Jane Booth, Associate, both of Mills & Reeve LLP analyse the news and case law relating to financial remedies and divorce during March 2016.’

Full story

Family Law Week, 8th April 2016

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Number of dropped Crown Court prosecutions at highest level in five years – BBC News

‘The number and proportion of prosecutions dropped at Crown Courts in England and Wales has risen to its highest level in five years. More than 12,600 cases were discontinued from 2014 to 2015 – one in every eight Crown Court cases. At the same time, the proportion of Crown Court cases resulting in a conviction fell below the 80% mark for the first time since 2010-11.’

Full story

BBC News, 11th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Chilcot Inquiry into Iraq war to be vetted by spies ahead of summer publication – The Independent

‘Britain’s intelligence agencies are preparing to vet the final version of the Chilcot Inquiry’s report into the Iraq war ahead of publication this summer.’

Full story

The Independent, 10th April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Former royal aide cleared of abuse calls for sacking of Met chief – The Guardian

Posted April 11th, 2016 in bail, child abuse, complaints, news, police, prosecutions, sexual offences by tracey

‘A former aide to the Duke of Edinburgh who was cleared of historical sex offences says he felt “like a lamb to the slaughter” during the case. Lt Col Benjamin Herman, 81, was acquitted last year of abusing a girl in the early 1970s, when she was aged around 11 or 12 and he was working as equerry to Prince Philip. He said his family went through “absolute hell” after he was arrested in February 2013. He spent 27 months on bail before eventually being cleared by a jury in less than an hour following a trial at Blackfriars crown court in London.’

Full story

The Guardian, 10th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

National Crime Agency demands quicker access to offshore firm records – The Guardian

‘The UK crime agency is demanding quicker access to the corporate records of secretive offshore companies in Britain’s overseas territories including the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.’

Full story

The Guardian, 10th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Revealed: the loophole that lets lobbying companies keep their clients a secret – The Independent

Posted April 11th, 2016 in disclosure, lobbying, news, parliament by tracey

‘Lobbying companies working at the heart of Whitehall are exploiting loopholes in transparency legislation that allows them to avoid declaring clients who pay them thousands of pounds to help influence Government policy, The Independent can reveal.’

Full story

The Independent, 10th April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

EVENT: IALS – Judgecraft and the Emotions

Posted April 8th, 2016 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘In this unusual event, two judges – one from the UK, one from Germany – reflect on their professional experiences and, in particular, the emotional dimension to their work. Their informal conversation will consider the emotional and ethical challenges of their role, and their own take on topics such as judicial diversity, court modernisation initiatives and the role of the media in the pursuit of justice.’

Date: 21st April 2016, 6.00-7.30pm

Location: Institute of Advanced Legal Studies – 17 Russell Square Charles Clore House, London WC1B 5DR

Charge: Free, registration required

More information can be found here.

Paedophile jailed for rape of 11-year-old girl – The Guardian

Posted April 8th, 2016 in child abuse, kidnapping, news, rape, sentencing by tracey

‘A paedophile who kidnapped and raped an 11-year-old girl after grabbing her off the street as she walked home was branded the “living embodiment of every parent’s worst nightmare”, as he was jailed.’

Full story

The Guardian, 8th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ayeeshia Jane Smith: Mum Kathryn Smith guilty of murder – BBC News

Posted April 8th, 2016 in child abuse, murder, news, social services by tracey

‘A mother has been found guilty of murdering her 21-month-old daughter, who died with injuries likened to a car crash victim.’

Full story

BBC News, 8th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rochdale sex abusers jailed for offences against girls – BBC News

Posted April 8th, 2016 in child abuse, conspiracy, news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences by tracey

‘Nine men who committed sexual offences against eight girls and women have been jailed for up to 25 years.’

Full story

BBC News, 8th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

EVENT: British Academy – Penal power: Its forms, functions and foundations

Posted April 8th, 2016 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘This lecture will analyze the forms of penal power, the social uses to which they are put, and their connection to political institutions and social processes. Drawing examples from America’s penal system, the sociology of punishment has not adequately understood the relations between penal power and other forms of state power; or the place of criminal punishment in larger systems of social control and social integration. Rather than see the US case as an aberration, this lecture will argue that American penality helps us refine some of our basic assumptions about the place of punishment in modern societies.’

Date: 7th June 2016, 6.00-7.15pm

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

Charge: Free

More information can be found here.

EVENT: LSE – From Oscar Pistorius to Reality TV: the implications of using the courtroom as a television studio

Posted April 8th, 2016 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘The Judicial Images Network Project was established in 2014 to bring together scholars and across disciplines and continents to explore issues surrounding the production, regulation and consumption of judicial images. Directed by Professors Leslie Moran and Linda Mulcahy this lecture is the final event in a series of three. The event will feature two speakers with extensive experience of the issues that arise from televised trials. The Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa Dikgang Moseneke will discuss the experience of, and issues arising from, the televising of the trial of Oscar Pistorious. Ruth Herz will reflect on her experience as a judge who took part in a popular German courtroom based reality TV show. Chaired by the Master of the Rolls this event will examine the ethical implications of allowing cameras into courts and whether and how the presence of cameras impacts on the dynamics of the trial.’

Date: 13th April 2016, 6.30-8.00pm

Location: Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building

Charge: Free

More information can be found here.

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted April 8th, 2016 in law reports by tracey

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

C (Children), Re [2016] EWCA Civ 356 (07 April 2016)

Gurung v The Entry Clearance Officer, New Delhi [2016] EWCA Civ 358 (07 April 2016)

High Court (Administrative Court)

National Crime Agency v Simkus [2016] EWHC 728 (Admin) (08 April 2016)

Al-Saadoon & Ors v Secretary of State for Defence [2016] EWHC 773 (Admin) (07 April 2016)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Ian Gray & Associates Ltd v Investments Ltd [2016] EWHC 724 (Ch) (06 April 2016)

High Court (Family Division)

G, Re (Human Fertilisation And Embryology Act 2008) [2016] EWHC 729 (Fam) (06 April 2016)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Harrath v Stand for Peace Ltd & Anor [2016] EWHC 665 (QB) (06 April 2016)

Sparrow v Andre [2016] EWHC 739 (QB) (06 April 2016)

Gurieva & Anor v Community Safety Development (UK) Ltd [2016] EWHC 643 (QB) (06 April 2016)

Commodities Research Unit International (Holdings) Ltd & Or v King & Wood Mallesons LLP [2016] EWHC 727 (QB) (05 April 2016)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

Newlyn Plc v London Borough of Waltham Forest (Rev 1) [2016] EWHC 771 (TCC) (06 April 2016)

Source: www.bailii.org.uk

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

Posted April 8th, 2016 in legislation by tracey

Riot Compensation Act 2016

Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Act 2016

NHS (Charitable Trusts Etc) Act 2016

Scotland Act 2016

www.legislation.gov.uk

Victim surcharge update – Sentencing Council

Posted April 8th, 2016 in press releases, sentencing, victims by tracey

‘There are increases to the victim surcharge for offences committed on or after 8 April 2016.’

Full press release

Sentencing Council, 4th April 2016

Source: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk

Sorting Out Finances on Divorce – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted April 8th, 2016 in civil partnerships, divorce, financial provision, married persons, news by tracey

‘This guide provides information for separating couples who are negotiating their own financial agreements on divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership. It provides a succinct summary of the law to help those who do not have access to legal advice to reach financial agreements without the need to go to court.’

Full guide

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 5th April 2016

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Guest Blog: Rachel Crasnow QC on the Bar and shared parental leave – The Bar Council

Posted April 8th, 2016 in barristers, maternity leave, paternity leave, press releases by tracey

‘Rachel Crasnow QC, who practises in employment law at Cloisters chambers and is the Chair of the Bar Council Legislation & Guidance Panel, looks at why Shared Parental Leave, which came into force a year ago, could be relevant to barristers and why it shouldn’t be ignored by the Bar.’

Full story

The Bar Council, 7th April 2016

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

NHS Christian worker loses appeal after ‘giving book to Muslim colleague’ – BBC News

‘A Christian health worker in the NHS has lost her appeal against a ruling which suspended her for giving a religious book to a Muslim colleague.’

Full story

BBC News, 7th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk