Allison Pearson: Police drop investigation into social media post by journalist – The Independent

Posted November 25th, 2024 in freedom of expression, incitement, media, news, police, public order, racism by tracey

‘Essex Police have closed an investigation into columnist Allison Pearson for alleged incitement of racial hatred over a social media post. The force said it would be conducting an independent review will be launched into the force’s handling of the case which centred around a now-deleted X/Twitter post published last year.’

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The Independent, 21st November 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Slapps used to silence whistleblowers should be outlawed, says group of MPs – The Guardian

‘Excessive legal threats used to silence those who tried to expose the Post Office Horizon scandal and allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed should be outlawed, a cross-party group of MPs have said.’

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The Guardian, 21st November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

The strange afterlife of blasphemy – Law & Religion UK

‘The criminal offence of blasphemy is dead. It was unceremoniously abolished by section 79(1) of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008. My colleague Norman Doe and I wrote a piece entitled ‘The Strange Death of Blasphemy’, which looked at events leading up to its abolition. The offence is now long dead.’

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Law & Religion UK, 21st November 2024

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Criminalising thought crime? – Local Government Lawyer

‘Kuljit Bhogal KC and Sarah Salmon explain why a defendant was recently convicted of breaching a PSPO near an abortion clinic.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 15th November 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

UK court sides with Icelandic firm over artist’s spoof corruption apology – The Guardian

‘The property rights of Iceland’s largest fishing company prevail over the right to artistic expression of an artist who spoofed the firm’s website to draw attention to a high-profile corruption scandal, London’s high court has ruled.’

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The Guardian, 14th November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Daily Mail publisher wins ECHR case against ‘success fees’ paid to lawyers – The Guardian

Posted November 13th, 2024 in damages, fees, freedom of expression, human rights, media, news, privacy, solicitors by sally

‘The publisher of the Daily Mail has won a court battle after arguing that its human rights were breached by a requirement for it to pay “success fees” to lawyers representing people it had paid damages to.’

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The Guardian, 12th November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Council worker who objected to pronouns policy ordered to pay £12k in costs after losing employment tribunal – Local Government Lawyer

‘A council worker who protested against his local authority employer’s pronouns policy has been ordered to pay £12,000 in costs after his claim of unfair dismissal was dismissed in the Employment Tribunal.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 8th November 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

EXTRADITION: An Introduction – 5SAH

‘Extradition is a tool that allows countries to stretch law enforcement beyond its borders. It can be used to promote international co-operation and positive relations between states, but it can also give rise to power struggles and be used as an instrument for political gains. As such, extradition occupies a unique space, creating a tension between upholding human rights, resisting political interference and upholding international treaty obligations. In this extradition article, the team at 5SAH looks back at the key moments in extradition law from the last 12 months and looks forward to what might be on the horizon.’

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5SAH , 21st October 2024

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

EXTRADITION: An Introduction – 5SAH

‘5SAH Chambers provides an overview of Extradition & International Law for Chambers & Partners.’

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5SAH, 21st October 2024

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

UN rapporteur challenges LSE over action against pro-Palestine protesters – The Guardian

‘The London School of Economics has been criticised by a UN rapporteur and accused of Islamophobia after reportedly raising an allegation that students behind a pro-Palestine demonstration in July had prompted fears of a repeat of the 7/7 terrorist attacks.’

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The Guardian, 20th October 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Anti-Zionism as a protected belief: final judgment in Miller v University of Bristol – Law & Religion UK

‘In February, we posted Anti-Zionism as a protected belief: Miller, which commented on the case of Dr David Miller v University of Bristol [2024] ET 1400780/2022. Dr Miller had been appointed Professor of Political Sociology at the University from 1 September 2018, but in 2019 there were complaints about his conduct, including what was said to be his use of antisemitic language. The Community Security Trust charity said that a lecture he had given had been a “false, vile, anti-Semitic slur”. The University appointed an independent barrister to investigate this as part of its internal complaints procedure, who concluded on 4 December 2020 that there was no formal case to answer in connection with any of the matters investigated.’

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Law & Religion UK, 16th October 2024

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Protests, human rights and criminal activity – Law Society’s Gazette

‘When are university and other protests impermissible? When ‘a protest turns into a base camp for criminal activity’, said Ritchie J on 19 June 2024, giving judgment in University of Birmingham v Persons Unknown (1) and Mariyah Ali (2) [2024] EWHC 1529 (KB). And while concerning a university, this is also relevant to local government.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 19th September 2024

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Social worker awarded £55k and £8k costs after accusing council employer of discriminating against protected beliefs – Local Government Lawyer

‘A social worker who worked for Cambridgeshire County Council has been awarded more than £55,000 in compensation and £8,000 in costs, after asserting that she was discriminated against for reasons relating to her gender critical beliefs and/or sexual orientation.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 20th September 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Tribunal rejects barrister’s bid to have ‘boys’ club’ disciplinary case thrown out – The Guardian

‘A tribunal has rejected a barrister’s request for it to throw out disciplinary proceedings brought against her for saying a judge had shown a “boys’ club attitude”, but it ruled that she can argue that the regulator discriminated against her because she is a woman.’

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The Guardian, 18th September 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Recent orders for possession in University protest camp claims – implications for academic institutions – Local Government Lawyer

‘Joe Walker and Fred Groves provide an update on unauthorised pro-Palestinian protest encampments on university premises where many have refused to comply with demands to vacate.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 13th September 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Recent orders for possession in University protest camp claims – implications for academic institutions – Local Government Lawyer

‘Joe Walker and Fred Groves provide an update on unauthorised pro-Palestinian protest encampments on university premises where many have refused to comply with demands to vacate.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 13th September 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Pro-Palestine protester stands trial for racial offence over ‘coconut’ placard – The Guardian

Posted September 13th, 2024 in demonstrations, freedom of expression, government departments, Israel, news, racism by tracey

‘A woman who held a poster depicting Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman as coconuts during a London protest against Israel’s war in Gaza has gone on trial accused of a racially aggravated offence.’

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The Guardian, 12th September 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

New BSB duty “would require barristers to become social engineers” – Legal Futures

Posted September 11th, 2024 in barristers, consultations, diversity, equality, freedom of expression, news by tracey

‘More high-profile figures have expressed their concern at the Bar Standards Board’s plan to impose a new positive duty on barristers to act in a way that “advances” equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).’

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Legal Futures, 11th September 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

AI and Online Harms – 39 Essex Chambers

‘In this episode Katherine Apps KC discusses online safety and online harms with Jessica Zucker, Director in the Online Safety Group at OFCOM, the UK’s communications regulator.’

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39 Essex Chambers, 2nd September 2024

Source: www.39essex.com

The recent sentencing of climate protestors – Six Pump Court

‘On 18th July 2024, attentions were drawn to the sentences received by five Just Stop Oil activists, including its co-founder, Roger Hallam, for the offence of conspiracy to intentionally cause a public nuisance, namely by disrupting traffic on the M25.[1] Mr Hallam received a sentence of five years and the others received sentences of four years. Many viewed the sentences as excessive and repressive considering that the protests were peaceful,[2] despite causing large-scale disruption with significant economic consequences.’

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Six Pump Court, 9th August 2024

Source: 6pumpcourt.co.uk