This spying bill is against privacy and democracy. And it won’t work – The Observer

“Should the Communications Data Bill become law, it will be an intervention too far from the surveillance state.”

Full story

The Observer, 9th September 2012

Source: http://observer.guardian.co.uk

Bar Council Calls for ‘Snoopers’ Charter’ to Protect Legal Communications – The Bar Council

Posted August 23rd, 2012 in bills, electronic mail, interception, legal profession, news, privacy by sally

“The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has urged the Committee considering the draft Communications Data Bill to recommend protection for legal communications before any new interception powers are granted.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 22nd August 2012

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Inquisitorial judges at heart of family reform proposals – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 31st, 2012 in bills, case management, family courts, news by sally

“Greater case management by judges is at the heart of the judiciary’s proposals for the modernisation of family justice, published today.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 31st July 2012

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Security services to get more access to monitor emails and social media – The Guardian

“Britain has quietly agreed to measures that could increase the ability of the security services to intercept online communications, experts say.”

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The Guardian, 28th July 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Companies face clampdown on contracts with unfair terms – The Guardian

Posted July 26th, 2012 in bills, consultations, news, unfair dismissal by sally

“Law Commission proposes package of measures to help protect customers from hidden charges buried in the small print.”

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The Guardian, 25th July 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Parliamentary bill launched for Alan Turing pardon – The Guardian

Posted July 25th, 2012 in bills, homosexuality, news, pardons by sally

“The campaign to win a pardon for the UK’s computer genius Alan Turing has been stepped up by the introduction today of a Private Members Bill in the House of Lords.”

Full story

The Guardian, 25th July 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

 

Proposed Consumer Bill of Rights will modernise law with clear rights for digital products, Government says – OUT-LAW.com

Posted July 19th, 2012 in bills, consultations, consumer protection, news by sally

“A Consumer Bill of Rights will modernise 30-year old consumer laws to create clear rights for purchasers of digital content, the Government has announced.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 18th July 2012

Source: www.out-law.com

Don’t believe everything you read: there is a case for socio-economic rights – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted July 18th, 2012 in bills, human rights, news, social security, state liability by sally

“Last week, a number of media commentators, politicians and others sought to subvert the second consultation of the Bill of Rights Commission. This consultation invites views on a number of key issues that form part of the Commission’s mandate. In the Daily Mail’s correspondent’s view, the Commission has committed an appalling transgression by asking potential respondents whether the UK Bill of Rights should include additional rights, referring amongst other things to socio-economic rights. This is echoed by the Sun which argues that the Commission has ‘suggested’ (which it clearly has not) that ‘all Brits be given handouts as a birth right’, and the Daily Express which suggests ‘Spongers can Sue to Claim Benefits’.”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 17th July 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Snooping errors twice led to wrongful detention, watchdog reveals – The Guardian

“The police have wrongly accused and detained two people in separate cases as a result of mistakes made in the disclosure of their personal communications data, a watchdog has revealed.”

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The Guardian, 13th July 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lords “Reform”: The Justice and Security Bill – Angela Patrick – UK Human Rights Blog

“Last night saw the latest round of Lords debate on the Justice and Security Bill. It should be required reading for the Secretary of State. Peers from all benches challenged the Government’s case for the breadth of reform proposed in the Bill. A number of amendments have been tabled jointly in the names of members of the Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Lords Constitution Committee, both Committees having already castigated the Government’s proposals as potentially harmful to the common law principles of open, adversarial and equal justice.”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 12th July 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Copyright exception law could be changed without full Parliamentary scrutiny – OUT-LAW.com

Posted July 12th, 2012 in bills, copyright, ministers' powers and duties, news, regulations by sally

“The Business Secretary will have the power to add or remove exceptions to copyright and add or remove exceptions to rights in performances through new laws that would not be subject to the full scrutiny of Parliament, under Government plans.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 12th July 2012

Source: www.out-law.com

Draft legislation reforming the Children’s Commissioner’s role published – Family Law Week

Posted July 12th, 2012 in bills, children, news by sally

“Children’s Minister Sarah Teather has published draft clauses for forthcoming legislation to strengthen the role of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. It follows an independent review of the role, which reported in December 2010.”

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Family Law Week, 11th July 2012

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Views sought on Government’s ‘communications data’ surveillance plans – OUT-LAW.com

“A Parliamentary committee is seeking views on Government plans to expand existing laws on communications surveillance.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 11th July 2012

Source: www.out-law.com

Bar Council Chair Condemns Secret Court Plans – The Bar Council

Posted July 11th, 2012 in bills, closed material, press releases, private hearings by sally

“As the House of Lords prepares for the Report Stage of the Justice and Security Bill, the Chairman of the Bar Council, Michael Todd QC, has condemned the Government’s planned extensions to the use of Closed Material Proceedings (CMPs), endorsing the arguments of Liberty, Reprieve and the Special Advocates who participate in these proceedings.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 9th July 2012

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

House of Lords reform halted after largest Tory rebellion of the parliament – The Guardian

Posted July 11th, 2012 in bills, constitutional reform, news, parliament, peerages & dignities by sally

“Nick Clegg’s hopes of reforming the House of Lords, completing a journey begun a century ago by his Liberal predecessors, ran into severe trouble on Tuesday when 91 Tory MPs defied a three line whip to vote against the measure in the largest rebellion of the parliament.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th July 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘Secret justice’ bill will mean no justice at all – The Guardian

Posted July 10th, 2012 in bills, closed material, intelligence services, news, private hearings by sally

“National security doesn’t mean we should jettison our proud tradition of fair trials – peers must oppose this bill.”

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The Guardian, 9th July 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

The defamation bill will not stop the stifling of scientific free speech – The Guardian

Posted July 10th, 2012 in bills, defamation, freedom of expression, news by sally

“Libel law reformers miss the point when it comes to science: the proposed reforms are unlikely to make a jot of difference.”

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The Guardian, 9th July 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Family visit visa appeals: changes come into effect on 9 July 2012 – UK Border Agency

Posted July 9th, 2012 in appeals, bills, families, human rights, news, race discrimination, visas by sally

“As announced by the government on 18 June 2012, the Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) Regulations 2012 come into force today (9 July 2012). The regulations set out who qualifies for a full right of appeal against a visa refusal to visit family in the UK.”

Full story

UK Border Agency, 9th July 2012

Source: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

Mr Justice Ryder publishes sixth update of the Family Justice Modernisation Programme – Family Law Week

Posted July 9th, 2012 in bills, family courts, news by sally

“Mr Justice Ryder’s Sixth Update of the Family Justice Modernisation Programme has been published.”

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Family Law Week, 6th July 2012

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Joint Committee on the Draft Communications Data Bill call for evidence – Joint Committee on the Draft Communications Data Bill

“The Joint Committee is a committee of both Houses appointed to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Communications Data Bill. Inquiry Status: The Committee has issued a Call for Evidence, which asks for submissions by 23 August 2012.”

Full story

Joint Committee on the Draft Communications Data Bill, 5th July 2012

Source: www.parliament.uk