Article 6 breaches prove no magic bullet for convictions on appeal (R v Abdurahman) – 5 SAH

‘Rebecca Hill provides her Corporate Crime analysis for Lexis Nexis PSL: The Court of Appeal considered the safety of the conviction of Abdurahman who had assisted one of the 21/7 London bombers after the event. It reaffirmed that its purpose is to objectively appraise the safety of a conviction looking to all the circumstances, notwithstanding in this case a finding by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) that Mr Abdurahman’s rights under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) (right to a fair trial) had been breached.’

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5 SAH, 3rd February 2020

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

Vulnerable witness, domestic abuse and special measures- the importance of ensuring a fair trial – Becket Chambers

‘This article explores the approach a court should take in relation to vulnerable witnesses, in particular those that have experienced domestic abuse. The recent case of H v F [2020] EWHC 86 (Fam) demonstrates that a case will be successful on appeal if the correct procedures are not complied with.’

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Becket Chambers, 3rd February 2020

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

Basfar v Wong – Diplomatic Immunity, Human Trafficking and “Commercial Activities” Revisited – Littleton Chambers

‘The EAT has handed down its judgment in Basfar v Wong UKEAT/0223/19/BA, holding that the defence of diplomatic immunity applied in circumstances where the Claimant alleged she had been trafficked by her diplomat employer. However, it also granted the Claimant the first ever ‘leapfrog’ certificate direct from the EAT to the Supreme Court, and the matter looks set to continue.’

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Littleton Chambers, 4th February 2020

Source: www.littletonchambers.com

Criminal record checks system still broken, say campaigners – The Guardian

Posted February 4th, 2020 in criminal records, delay, news, vetting by sally

‘Legal rights campaign groups have described as a “disgrace” the government’s delay in reforming the criminal record checks system.’

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The Guardian, 30th January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Important New Court of Appeal Decision on Legal Advice Privilege – Littleton Chambers

Posted February 4th, 2020 in disclosure, electronic mail, legal services, news, privilege by sally

‘The Court of Appeal decision on 28 January 2020 on legal advice privilege will be of significant interest to litigators and non-litigators alike. It will be particularly important for those responsible for disclosure reviews within litigation, and to organisations with in-house lawyers. Such was the significance of the issues at play that the Law Society sought, and was granted, leave to intervene in the appeal.’

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Littleton Chambers, 29th January 2020

Source: www.littletonchambers.com

Number of self-harm incidents in prisons reaches record high – The Guardian

Posted February 4th, 2020 in news, prisons, self-harm, statistics by sally

‘Levels of self-harm in prisons have hit a new high, with more than 60,000 incidents in a year, official figures show.’

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The Guardian, 30th January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Landlord Advice Companies in Litigation – Help or Hindrance? – Pallant Chambers

Posted February 4th, 2020 in landlord & tenant, legal services, news, third parties by sally

‘For individual landlords unfamiliar with the courts, recovering possession from tenants must often seem like a daunting proposition. It is therefore unsurprising that many such landlords turn to the wide variety of landlord advice companies that advertise support and assistance. These advice companies often offer different ‘packages’, ranging from simply drafting letters before action to pursuing possession orders right through to judgment.’

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Pallant Chambers, 30th January 2020

Source: www.pallantchambers.co.uk

Flight Risk: Cybersecurity in Aviation – The 36 Group

Posted February 4th, 2020 in airports, computer crime, data protection, encryption, news by sally

‘Cybersecurity is considered one of the top global risks to the world in the next decade. The problem is particularly acute for airports as they play an essential role in the economy and infrastructure of every country. Any incident involving airports would have widespread consequences to the industry, economy and society. The aviation industry finds itself at the heart of a number of regulations on data protection, network and information systems and security and safety.’

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The 36 Group, 3rd February 2020

Source: 36group.co.uk

Unlawful detention deemed even less graceful – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted February 4th, 2020 in deportation, detention, immigration, news, time limits by sally

‘In AC (Algeria) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2020] EWCA Civ 36, the Court of Appeal gave a trenchant warning that once it ceases to be lawful to detain an individual, the ‘grace period’ allowed within which to make arrangements for release can only be a short period. Moreover, the reasons for which any such grace period is required will be be closely scrutinised by the courts.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 4th February 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

MI5 May Be Forced To Destroy ‘Unlawfully’ Handled Personal Data – Each Other

Posted February 4th, 2020 in data protection, intelligence services, news, privacy by sally

‘Privacy groups have launched fresh legal challenge to pressure MI5 into destroying personal data which it has handled “unlawfully”.’

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Each Other, 3rd February 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

Lucy Sessions death: Mum criticises police punishment – BBC News

‘A mother has criticised the punishments given to two officers found guilty of misconduct after her daughter’s death.’

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BBC News, 4th February 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

President in call for evidence as part of Transparency Review in Family Court – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 4th, 2020 in anonymity, confidentiality, family courts, news, practice directions by sally

‘The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has issued a call for evidence as part of the Family Court’s ‘Transparency Review’.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 4th February 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

John Mehrzad and Lydia Banerjee Discuss 2020 Sports Law issues to look out for – Littleton Chambers

Posted February 4th, 2020 in news, podcasts, sport by sally

‘Sports Law disputes in 2020 from Littleton Chambers.’

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Littleton Chambers, 31st January 2020

Source: www.littletonchambers.com

Emily Maitlis stalker jailed for 12th breach of restraining order – The Guardian

Posted February 4th, 2020 in news, restraining orders, sentencing, stalking by sally

‘A man who has stalked the Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis for more than 25 years has been jailed for three years after breaching a restraining order for the 12th time.’

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The Guardian, 3rd February 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jessica Breeze cleared of father’s murder after ‘years of violence’ – BBC News

Posted February 4th, 2020 in coercive & controlling behaviour, domestic violence, homicide, news by sally

‘A woman who stabbed her “controlling” father after suffering years of abuse has been found not guilty of his murder and manslaughter.’

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BBC News, 3rd February 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Teacher who raped 14-year-old boy blames ‘heavy workload’ – The Independent

Posted February 4th, 2020 in indecent photographs of children, news, rape, sexual grooming, teachers by sally

‘A deputy headteacher who raped a 14-year-old boy and kept indecent images of children on his phone has blamed his heavy workload for turning him into a sexual predator.’

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The Independent, 4th February 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

EP 102: BBC Pay Discrimination – Shaheen Rahman QC – Law Pod UK

Posted February 4th, 2020 in BBC, employment tribunals, equal pay, news, women by sally

‘In Episode 102 Emma-Louise Fenelon talks to Shaheen Rahman QC about Samira Ahmed’s decisive Employment Tribunal victory against the BBC.’

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Law Pod UK, 3rd February 2020

Source: audioboom.com

Guildford cell death: Police ‘thought woman was asleep’ – BBC News

Posted February 4th, 2020 in death in custody, drug abuse, inquests, news, prisons by sally

‘A woman who was found dead in a police cell appeared to have stopped breathing the night before her body was found, an inquest jury has heard.’

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BBC News, 3rd February 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

FCA: credit card firms must stop suspending all users in debt spiral – The Guardian

Posted February 4th, 2020 in consumer credit, debts, financial regulation, interest, news by sally

‘Britain’s financial watchdog has warned credit card firms against the blanket suspension of cards of consumers who are stuck in a debt spiral, telling them to reduce or waive interest and other charges instead.’

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The Guardian, 3rd February 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Pupils must have written agreements from May – Legal Futures

Posted February 4th, 2020 in continuing professional development, diversity, news, pupillage by sally

‘Written pupillage agreements will become compulsory from 1 May 2020, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has said.’

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Legal Futures, 4th February 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk