Gamblers need more protection, says culture secretary – BBC News

Posted March 3rd, 2014 in codes of practice, gambling, news, statistics by sally

‘A voluntary code of conduct for the gambling industry will be compulsory but needs toughening up, Culture Secretary Maria Miller has said.’

Full story

BBC News, 2nd March 2014

Source: < href="http://www.bbc.co.uk">www.bbc.co.uk

Sentencing Council launches new definitive guideline for environmental offences – Sentencing Council

Posted February 26th, 2014 in codes of practice, environmental protection, press releases, sentencing by tracey

‘The Sentencing Council is publishing a new guideline for judges and magistrates on the sentencing of environmental offences.’

Full press release

Sentencing Council, 26th February 2014

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

Most train users unaware of rights, says rail regulator – BBC News

Posted February 21st, 2014 in codes of practice, compensation, consumer protection, news, railways by sally

‘Most train passengers are unaware of their rights to compensation after cancellations or delays, the rail regulator has said.’

Full story

BBC News, 21st February 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Keir Starmer’s call for a “Victims’ Law” – all heart and no substance – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted February 4th, 2014 in codes of practice, legislation, news, victims by sally

‘“From a victim’s point of view, our justice system is hardly fit for purpose.. “What is needed is a fundamental rethink, leading to a specific and legally enforceable Victims’ Law, alongside a real and radical shift in attitude and approach.”

So wrote former DPP Sir Kier Starmer QC in an article for the Guardian yesterday in which he proposed a “Victims’ Law”.’

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 4th February 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexhange.co.uk

HSE guidance on working at height simplified, but underlying regulations remain unchanged, says expert – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 3rd, 2014 in codes of practice, EC law, employment, health & safety, interpretation, news, standards by tracey

‘The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance on what the law requires of both employers and employees when people are working at height.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com. 31st January 2014

Source: www.out-law.com

New sentencing guideline for corporate fraud – Sentencing Council

Posted February 3rd, 2014 in bribery, codes of practice, fraud, money laundering, news, sentencing by tracey

‘Following consultation the Sentencing Council is publishing a new definitive guideline on fraud, bribery and money laundering offences committed by corporate offenders which will come into force on 1 October 2014.’

Full guidelines

Sentencing Council, 31st January 2014

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

Launch of Child Sexual Exploitation Operating Protocol – CrimeLine

‘The Metropolitan Police Service is hosting a multi-agency launch at City Hall today, Monday 3 February, to set a benchmark for the investigation of child sexual exploitation in the capital. Designed to enhance victim care through improved referral pathways the MPS has drawn up robust processes to identify children at risk of abuse and sexual exploitation. The London Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Operating Protocol – which has been agreed across all 32 London boroughs – sets out the standards expected of all those agencies involved in dealing with the identification and protection of vulnerable children who are targeted for sexual abuse.’

Full story

CrimeLine, 31st February 2014

Source: www.crimeline.info

Ian Brady – the Mental Health Tribunal’s decision commented upon by Denise Marson – Sovereign Chambers

‘On the 24th January 2014 the First-Tier Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care)(Mental Health) published its reasons for the Tribunal’s decision regarding Mr Brady’s application for discharge which had received wide-ranging media attention at the latter end of 2013. Mr Brady’s application was to be discharged from Ashworth High Secure Hospital and be returned to prison. There was no possibility of him being discharged directly into the community by the Tribunal. He is now 75 years old.’

Full story

Sovereign Chambers, 29th January 2014

Source: www.sovereignchambers.co.uk

Way cleared for family’s challenge over ‘do not resuscitate’ orders – The Guardian

‘Appeal court judges have cleared the way for a family to continue their legal challenge over the way decisions are made not to attempt resuscitation of critically ill patients in England.’

Full story

The Guardian, 24th January 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Media can refuse subject access requests if complying could jeopardise stories, says ICO – OUT-LAW.com

‘Newspapers and other media groups can refuse individuals’ requests for access to the personal data those organisations hold about them where the disclosure of that information could jeopardise future stories, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has said.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 27th January 2014

Source: www.out-law.com

High Court stiffens penalties against solicitors over “opaque” conveyancing quotes – Legal Futures

‘A law firm whose clients were unaware of the true cost of their conveyancing after being reeled in with low quotes did not take unfair advantage of them, the High Court has ruled.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 20th January 2014

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Teachers downloading indecent images of children to be banned from classroom – Daily Telegraph

‘The Government is updating rules on downloading indecent images of children which will mean teachers found cautioned or convicted will be banned from the profession.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 17th January 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

City solicitors struck off after private prosecution win High Court appeal – Legal Futures

‘Two City solicitors struck off following a rare private prosecution before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) have won a High Court battle that gives them a second chance to fight the allegations against them.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 15th January 2014

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Disclosure costs force CPS to drop drugs case – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence in a case of alleged conspiracy to supply class A drugs after the judge refused a prosecution application to adduce new evidence on the second day of the trial.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette. 14th January 2014

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

BSB considers conduct of litigation “high risk” for barristers – Legal Futures

Posted January 7th, 2014 in advocacy, barristers, codes of practice, fees, news by sally

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) considers barristers conducting litigation a high-risk activity that could result in significant supervision costs and require a hike in practising certificate fees, it has emerged.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 7th January 2013

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Mental health patients being denied human rights in court, warn leading lawyers – The Independent

‘People with mental health problems are being denied justice by some Court of Protection judges who fail to even consider hearing patients’ testimony, leading lawyers have told a House of Lords inquiry.’

Full story

The Independent, 3rd January 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Theresa Villiers did not break ministerial code report finds – BBC News

Posted December 19th, 2013 in codes of practice, lobbying, ministers' powers and duties, news, reports, transport by tracey

‘Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers did not breach the ministerial code over a meeting with a lobbyist, an internal No 10 report has found. She had faced allegations that, as a transport minister, she failed to declare a meeting with a representative of a firm seeking to build a railway depot in the Hertfordshire green belt. But a report by the Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heyward has cleared her.’

Full story

BBC News, 18th December 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

BSB publishes guidance on deliberately failing to attend court – Bar Standards Board

‘The Bar Standards Board has today published guidance on deliberately failing to attend court.’

Full story

Bar Standards Board, 18th December 2013

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Victims put first in the criminal justice system – Ministry of Justice

Posted December 10th, 2013 in codes of practice, criminal justice, press releases, victims by tracey

‘People who fall prey to criminals will now receive more support than ever before to help bring offenders to justice and move on with their lives, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has announced.’

Full press release

Victims’ Code

Ministry of Justice, 10th December 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

How to tweet without ending up in prison – The Guardian

‘An ill-judged tweet can land you in a whole lot of legal bother, as Peaches Geldof and Sally Bercow know only too well. So the attorney general’s new guidelines are essential reading.’

Full story

The Guardian, 4th December 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk