Benefits system “too complicated” – BBC News

Posted July 12th, 2007 in news, social security by sally

“The benefits system is too complicated and there are too many incentives for claimants to stay on benefits long term, a think-tank has said.”

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BBC News, 11th July 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

We cannot just build our way out of prison crowding, says Straw – The Times

Posted July 12th, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“The Government will not be able to build its way out of the prison crisis, Jack Straw suggested yesterday. He indicated that the only way the pressure could be relieved was by sending fewer people to jail and using more noncustodial sentences.”

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The Times, 12th July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

We must debate end-of-life issues, says doctor cleared of misconduct – The Times

Posted July 12th, 2007 in euthanasia, news by sally

“The doctor cleared of misconduct in hastening the deaths of two terminally ill babies called yesterday for more debate on end-of-life decisions.”

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The Times, 12th July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Tintin book is crude, racist and must be banned, says watchdog – The Times

Posted July 12th, 2007 in media, news, racism by sally

“A cartoon adventure featuring Tintin, the heroic Belgian journalist, should not be sold in Britain, the Commission for Racial Equality said yesterday. The racism watchdog said that it was unacceptable for any shop to sell or display Tintin in the Congo, a comic book written in 1930 that features crude racial stereotypes.”

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The Times, 12th July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

UK challenges Strasbourg ban – The Guardian

Posted July 12th, 2007 in deportation, news, terrorism by sally

“Britain launched an attempt at the European Court of Human Rights yesterday to overturn an 11-year old judgment by the Court which bans the deportation of terrorists where they face a risk of torture or degrading treatment.”

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The Guardian, 12th July 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

R (Abdi) v Lambeth London Borough Council – Times Law Reports

Posted July 11th, 2007 in housing, law reports by sally

Official can decide twice

R (Abdi) v. Lambeth London Borough Council

Queen’s Bench Division

“A local authority housing officer who had refused a homeless person’s application for housing could also decide her application for temporary accommodation pending appeal.”

The Times, 11th July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from date of publication

Beckett Investment Management Group Ltd v Hall – Times Law Reports

Posted July 11th, 2007 in law reports, restraint of trade by sally

Court takes realist view of corporate personality

Beckett Investment Management Group Ltd v Hall

Court of Appeal

“In construing a covenant in restraint of trade between a holding company and its employees, who provided services through subsidiary companies within a corporate group, the Court of Appeal rejected a purist approach to corporate personality in favour of one which had regard to the realities of big business, taking the group as being one concern under one supreme control.”

The Times, 11th July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

 Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication

Watchdog seeks an end to “horror” of personal data security leaks – The Guardian

Posted July 11th, 2007 in data protection, news by sally

“Britain’s data watchdog sparked a row with business leaders yesterday when he called for more powers to confront companies that fail to protect personal information held on computers. He wants a new rule that would allow investigators to look at files without the permission of company directors.”

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The Guardian, 11th July 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Prison watchdog’s open jail fears – BBC News

Posted July 11th, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“The prisons watchdog is questioning the policy of placing high-risk criminals, including sex offenders, in open jails.”

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BBC News, 10th July 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Kate Middleton “hounded” say MPs – BBC News

Posted July 11th, 2007 in media, news, privacy by sally

“Prince William’s ex-girlfriend was ‘hounded’ by the paparazzi and the press watchdog took too long to protect her, MPs have said.”

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BBC News, 11th July 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sellafield body parts inquiry grows, says QC – The Guardian

Posted July 11th, 2007 in human tissue, news, nuclear waste by sally

“The barrister investigating the removal of body parts from Sellafield workers and those at other nuclear plants over 30 years said yesterday that he expected the number of cases would rise beyond the 65 already disclosed by BNFL.”

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The Guardian, 11th July 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Met’s unique £20,000 reward to stop mutilation of women – The Guardian

Posted July 11th, 2007 in female genital mutilation, news by sally

“An estimated 66,000 women and girls in England and Wales have had their genitals forcibly mutilated, according to Department of Health figures due out this autumn. The practice is so serious among immigrant communities in London that the Metropolitan police yesterday offered £20,000 to anyone giving information which leads to successful prosecution, the first reward for a general crime rather than a specific case. No one has yet been prosecuted under the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act in 1985 and the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003.”

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The Guardian, 11th July 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

MPs back press self-regulation – The Guardian

Posted July 11th, 2007 in media, news, privacy by sally

“MPs have rejected calls for statutory regulation of the press following the News of the World phone tapping affair but have accused some editors of becoming ‘complacent’ about the excesses of their staff.”

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The Guardian, 11th July 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

MPs renew 28-day pre-charge detention rule – Reuters

Posted July 11th, 2007 in detention, news, terrorism by sally

“MPs on Tuesday renewed a law allowing police to detain terrorism suspects for 28 days without charge as the government argued recent suspected plots demonstrated the need for the measure.”

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Reuters, 10th July 2007

Source: www.reuters.co.uk

Deal struck on the phone is binding, rules High Court – OUT-LAW.com

Posted July 11th, 2007 in contracts, news by sally

“An oral contract over the phone is binding, the High Court has ruled in a multi-million pound case which threatened to undermine the way the world of high finance operates. The verbal agreement did not have to be in writing, the court found.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 10th July 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

Lawyer for defence faces investigation over bribery claims – The Times

Posted July 11th, 2007 in corruption, news, solicitors by sally

“A solicitor who has built up a lucrative practice specialising in terrorist cases could face a police investigation after the 21/7 trial. Mudassar Arani, who defended three of the failed suicide bombers convicted on Monday, was accused in open court of attempting to bribe another solicitor’s client.”

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The Times, 11th July 2007

Source: www. timesonline.co.uk

Freshfields accused of “emotional blackmail” to make partner retire – The Times

Posted July 11th, 2007 in law firms, news, pensions by sally

“A top legal firm was accused yesterday of using emotional blackmail to influence a lawyer’s career choices during a landmark £4.5 million legal claim.”

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The Times, 11th July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Doctor is cleared of hastening deaths of babies – The Times

Posted July 11th, 2007 in doctors, euthanasia, news by sally

“A doctor accused of wrongly administering a massive dose of a paralysing drug to two dying babies, hastening their deaths, was cleared by the General Medical Council yesterday.”

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The Times, 11th July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Lonsdale (t/a Londsdale Agencies) v Howard and Hallam Ltd – Times Law Reports

Posted July 10th, 2007 in agency, law reports by sally

Decline in shoe business justifies agent’s award

Lonsdale (t/a Lonsdale Agencies) v. Howard and Hallam Ltd

House of Lords

“Where a principal’s business had been in decline, the judge’s statutory award of £5,000 rather than commission for two years sought by the agent had been adequate.”

The Times, 10th July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication   

Queen spared grilling over Diana’s death – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 10th, 2007 in inquests, news by sally

“The Queen and Prince Philip will not have to answer questions from Mohamed Fayed about Diana, Princess of Wales, ‘at this stage’, a coroner decided yesterday.”

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The Daily Telegraph, 10th July 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk