The Round-up: 21/7 bombers in Strasbourg and other news – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted June 9th, 2015 in bills, courts, drug offences, freedom of expression, human rights, news by tracey

‘Three high profile cases concerning the UK government have been granted hearings in the European Court of Human Rights grand chamber, putting the relationship between the government and the ECHR “in the spotlight”.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 7th June 0215

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

No call for revolution – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted June 8th, 2015 in courts, human rights, news, treaties by sally

‘Last week the Queen revealed that the newly-elected government had delayed its promised proposals to repeal the Human Rights Act. If this signals a willingness to listen and reflect, rather than an opportunity to bring potential rebels into line, then so much the better. Let us keep talking.
Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 4th June 2015

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

British judges not bound by European court of human rights, says Leveson – The Guardian

Posted May 26th, 2015 in courts, human rights, news, precedent, treaties by sally

‘Sir Brian Leveson, the judge most famous for his report into press ethics, has said he does not consider himself “crushed by the European jackboot” when it comes to applying the European convention of human rights in British courts.’

Full story

The Guardian, 24th May 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lord Chief Justice’s Statutory Delegations – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted May 14th, 2015 in courts, judiciary, news by tracey

‘The Lord Chief Justice has a number of statutory functions, the exercise of which may be delegated to a nominated judicial office holder (as defined by section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (the 2005 Act). This document sets out which judicial office holder has been nominated to exercise specific delegable statutory functions.’

Full text

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 14th May 2015

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

What to do about the new Practice Direction – Pre-Action Conduct – NIPC Law

‘CPR 63.20 (2) requires those bringing claims in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (“IPEC”) including the small claims track to state whether they have complied with paragraph 7.1(1) and Annex A (paragraph 2) of the Practice Direction (Pre-Action Conduct). If they don’t the defendant has an extra 28 days in which to file his or her defence under CPR 63.22 (3). But if you actually turn to the Practice Direction – Pre-Action Conduct you will find that the old paragraph 7 and Annex A aren’t there any more.’

Full story

NIPC Law, 6th May 2015

Source: www.nipclaw.blogspot.co.uk

Reporting Restrictions in the Criminal Courts – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

‘A fourth updated set of guidelines on open justice and reporting restrictions in the criminal courts is published today by the Judicial College, News Media Association (NMA), Society of Editors and the Media Lawyers Association. The new edition covers the new reporting restrictions applying to under 18 year olds, which came into force last month, the Female Genital Mutilation anonymity provisions which came into force this month and other changes relevant to reporting the work of the criminal courts.’

Full story

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 6th May 2015

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Fairness in the courts: the best we can do – Speech by Lord Neuberger

Fairness in the courts: the best we can do (PDF)

Speech by Lord Neuberger

Supreme Court, 10th April 2015

Source: www.supremecourt.uk

News focus: law and justice pledges – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The general election manifestos are in – here’s our quick-fire summary of their headline pledges on law and justice.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 20th April 2015

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Women who wear religious veils in court must be respected, says UK’s most senior judge – The Independent

Posted April 20th, 2015 in court dress, courts, Islam, judges, news, religious discrimination, Supreme Court by sally

‘Women who choose to wear religious veils in court must be shown respect, the country’s most senior judge has said.’

Full story

The Independent, 17th April 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

The Criminal Courts Charge: a “tax on the poor” or making criminals “pay their way”? – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

‘Much has been written about the criminal courts charge – a new mandatory financial charge incurred by convicted defendants (after a trial or entering a guilty plea) and unsuccessful appellants. I wrote a short “explainer” piece setting out the key provisions for UK Criminal Law Blog here. In essence, the charge accounts for a contribution to the costs of running the courts – making criminals “pay their way”, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said.’

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 15th April 2015

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Family Arbitration – The Inner Temple

Posted April 8th, 2015 in arbitration, children, confidentiality, courts, dispute resolution, families, news by sally

Family Arbitration (PDF)

Sir Hugh Bennett

The Inner Temple, 30th March 2015

Source: www.innertemple.org.uk

Society outrage at ‘back door’ criminal court fees – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 31st, 2015 in courts, criminal courts charge, criminal justice, fees, news, trials by sally

‘Suspects pleading not guilty in the Crown court will risk paying a court fee of £1,200 if convicted under guidelines slipped into legislation without debate in the final days of the current parliament.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 27th March 2015

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Court sits at British Museum for first time as judge studies looted Libyan sculpture – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 31st, 2015 in artistic works, courts, customs and excise, news, theft by sally

‘Marble statue worth £2 million looted from a UNESCO world heritage site in war-torn country.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 30th March 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Finance & Divorce Update – Family Law Week

Posted March 24th, 2015 in courts, divorce, family courts, financial provision, internet, news, reports, statistics by sally

‘Jessica Craigs, senior solicitor of Mills & Reeve LLP analyses the financial remedies and divorce news and cases from February 2015.’

Full story

Family Law Week, 22nd March 2014

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

‘Arrange family court open days’ – judiciary – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 24th, 2015 in children, courts, family courts, legal education, news, reports, witnesses by sally

‘Family courts should have annual open days for children, a report from the judiciary recommends.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 23rd March 2015

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

The Costs of Complexity (Revisited): A Practical View From the Bar – Littleton Chambers

Posted March 17th, 2015 in appeals, civil procedure rules, courts, fees, human rights, news, Supreme Court by sally

‘In his monthly column, originally published by PLC, James Bickford Smith considers again the Supreme Court’s judgment in Coventry v Lawrence (No 2) [2014] UKSC 46, the adjourned hearing of which has been listed for 9-11 February 2015. James assesses some of the key issues which have been debated since his initial analysis of the decision in October 2014, including the potential uncertainty for current funding arrangements that are not dependent on the Access to Justice Act 1999.’

Full story

Littleton Chambers, 5th February 2015

Source: www.littletonchambers.com

Speech by Mr Justice Hickinbottom: Administrative Court in Wales – Evolution or Revolution – Judiciary of England and Wales

‘The Hon Mr Justice Hickinbottom gave a speech at The First Administrative Court in Wales Lecture on “Administrative Court in Wales – Evolution or Revolution” on 20 February 2014.’

Full speech

Judiciary of England and Wales, 6th March 2015

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Court fee increase imminent as levy clears parliament – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 5th, 2015 in courts, fees, news, parliament, regulations by tracey

‘Court fees will increase from next week after the House of Lords last night rubber-stamped the planned levy. A 5% charge will be added to all civil claims valued at more than £10,000, with fees capped at £10,000. According to the statutory instrument, the order comes into force on the following Monday after it is made.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 5th March 2015

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Court fee hike set for next week – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 3rd, 2015 in courts, fees, news, parliament, regulations by sally

‘Controversial rises in court fees will come into force next Monday barring a parliamentary upset, the Gazette can reveal.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 2nd March 2015

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Courtroom communications experts to double – Ministry of Justice

Posted February 23rd, 2015 in budgets, courts, evidence, news, victims, witnesses by sally

‘Victims and witnesses will be given more support than ever before with double the number of courtroom experts soon to be available.’

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 23rd February 2015

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