Legal Aid Agency criticised for trying to prosecute major law firm fraud through local authority rather than CPS – Legal Futures

Posted May 8th, 2017 in fraud, legal aid, local government, news, prosecutions by sally

‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has taken over prosecution of a major legal aid fraud by a law firm after the Court of Appeal criticised the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) for trying to run the case through the fraud department of a local authority instead.’

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Legal Futures, 8th May 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Amanda Telfer death: Construction boss jailed – BBC News

Posted May 8th, 2017 in health & safety, homicide, negligence, news by sally

‘A construction boss has been jailed over the “wholly needless” death of a lawyer who was crushed by falling windows.’

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BBC News, 5th May 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Cambridge University professor who shared child abuse images online avoids jail – Daily Telegraph

‘A Cambridge University poetry expert who shared child rape fantasies and abuse images online has avoided jail.’

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Daily Telegraph, 6th May 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Government set to be taken back to court over air pollution plans – The Guardian

‘Environment lawyers are expected to take the government back to court over its controversial plans to tackle the UK’s air pollution crisis. They say the proposals are so weak they flout ministers’ obligation to protect public health.

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The Guardian, 6th May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Anger at no prosecution over shooting of bird of prey – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 8th, 2017 in birds, environmental protection, news, prosecutions by sally

‘A decision by prosecutors to drop charges against a former gamekeeper accused of illegally shooting a bird of prey has prompted anger among conservationists.’

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Daily Telegraph, 6th May 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Sir Cliff Richard and BBC pause legal fight over report – BBC News

Posted May 8th, 2017 in BBC, defamation, news, sexual offences by sally

‘Sir Cliff Richard and the BBC have agreed to try to reach a settlement over coverage of a police raid on the singer’s home.’

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BBC News, 5th May 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Abuse victims ‘failed by police and courts over online harassment’ – The Guardian

‘Police and court action, including the imposition of restraining orders, is failing to prevent domestic abusers and stalkers from carrying on their campaigns of harassment and abuse against their victims online, a unique survey of victims has revealed.’

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The Guardian, 8th May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

HMRC steps up inquiry into employment status of Hermes couriers – The Guardian

‘HM Revenue & Customs has stepped up its investigation into the delivery company Hermes classifiying its couriers as self-employed, while the business has also been hit with an employment rights lawsuit from the GMB trade union.’

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The Guardian, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Digital Economy Bill made law – Panopticon

Posted May 4th, 2017 in advertising, bills, internet, news, pornography, privacy by sally

‘What with all the kerfuffle over Brexit negotiations and the impending snap general election, you could perhaps be forgiven for failing to notice that the Government had rushed the Digital Economy Bill through Parliament in last week’s “wash up” before the dissolution of Parliament.’

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Panopticon, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.panopticonblog.com

Third Party Litigation Funding Continues to Grow – Litigation Futures

Posted May 4th, 2017 in legal services, news, third parties by sally

‘With court fees rising and litigation becoming increasingly expensive, third party litigation funding continues to grow. There are various reasons clients may want to consider litigation funding, such as the need for a cash injection to enable them to get their case off the ground or the desire to take the litigation risk off their balance sheet and avoid having funds tied up in lengthy legal battles. Litigation funding can also be a useful tool for solicitors as it can provide payment of their fees where a client does not have the funds to continue with the litigation.

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Litigation Futures, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Government rules out appealing air quality plan ruling – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Government has confirmed that it will not appeal last week’s High Court judgment which ordered it to produce its air quality plans by 9 May, it has been reported.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Brexit may cost MPs and peers the power to pass laws, says former judge – The Guardian

‘The “legislative tsunami” unleashed by Brexit will deliver the “greatest challenge” in history to the integrity of parliament’s procedures, a former lord chief justice has said. Lord Judge raised his concerns that by the time Brexit is completed and the “great repeal bill” enacted, MPs and peers will have effectively given away their powers to pass laws.’

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The Guardian, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lord Janner’s family have hearing request rejected – BBC News

‘The family of the late Lord Janner have lost their battle to have a hearing to discuss concerns about the inquiry into allegations against him.’

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BBC News, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Official forensic regulator calls for increase to legal aid funding – The Guardian

Posted May 4th, 2017 in computer crime, DNA, forensic science, legal aid, news by sally

‘Defence lawyers need additional legal aid funding to help them check and challenge the increasing complexity of digital evidence gathered for criminal prosecutions, the official forensic science regulator has warned. Dr Gillian Tully told the Forensics Europe Expo in London that time pressures to meet deadlines for complying with new digital forensics standards could result in “a bit of a car crash” if firms are not ready in time.’

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The Guardian, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Fertility regulator launches inquiry into ‘cash for eggs’ claims – The Guardian

Posted May 2nd, 2017 in assisted reproduction, health, inquiries, news by sally

‘The fertility regulator has launched an investigation into allegations that IVF clinics are inducing women to donate eggs in return for free or discounted treatment.’

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The Guardian, 2nd May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Judge quashes grant of planning permission for residential gypsy site – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 2nd, 2017 in local government, news, planning, travellers, tribunals, Wales by sally

‘A Deputy High Court judge has quashed a Welsh council’s grant of temporary planning permission for the use of land as a residential gypsy site.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 2nd May 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Court of Appeal orders controversial firm to compensate ex-miner for negligence – Legal Futures

Posted May 2nd, 2017 in appeals, compensation, law firms, miners, negligence, news by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has overturned a ruling that Raleys – the controversial but now defunct Barnsley law firm – should not have to compensate a miner who argued that its admitted negligence had caused him to settle a claim at an undervalue.’

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Legal Futures, 2nd May 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

‘Failure to prevent’ offences on course for September as legislation clears parliament – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 2nd, 2017 in company law, crime prevention, legislation, news, tax evasion by sally

‘New corporate criminal offences of failing to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion are on course to be introduced in September as planned following the passage of the underlying legislation through parliament.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 28th April 2017

Source: www.out-law.com

Charlie Gard’s parents launch fresh appeal over ruling doctors can withdraw life support from brain-damaged baby – The Independent

Posted May 2nd, 2017 in appeals, children, medical treatment, news by sally

‘The parents of a baby with a rare genetic condition have launched an appeal after a judge said it was in their son’s “best interests” for life support to be withdrawn.’

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The Independent, 2nd May 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Date set for Supreme Court hearing in minimum alcohol pricing case – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 2nd, 2017 in alcohol abuse, appeals, news, price fixing, Scotland, Supreme Court by sally

‘The Supreme Court will hear the dispute over the planned introduction of alcohol minimum pricing in Scotland in July, it has been confirmed.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 2nd May 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk