Will there be reform for cohabiting couples? – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted May 20th, 2014 in cohabitation, financial provision, judges, Law Commission, news by sally

‘The Head of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, recently held a press conference where he addressed the wide ranging reforms of the family justice system that came into force on 22 April 2014. He was also asked to look to the future.’

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 20th May 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Judge calls for action to help soldiers sufering PTSD as he spares veteran – Daily Telegraph

‘Judge warns increasing numbers of soldiers suffering post traumatic stress disorder are coming before the courts as he says “I don’t think we give enough credit to the men who are prepared to lay down their lives on a daily basis for us.”‘

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Daily Telegraph, 19th May 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Here comes the judge – the maverick aiming to tame Britain’s raucous press – The Guardian

Posted May 16th, 2014 in complaints, freedom of expression, judges, media, news by sally

‘Lawyers and fellow judges have queued up to sing the praises of Sir Alan Moses, inaugural chair of the new press regulator.’

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The Guardian, 16th May 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ex-minister Chris Huhne ordered to pay £77,750 in legal costs – BBC News

‘Former cabinet minister Chris Huhne has been ordered to pay £77,750 in legal costs relating to his prosecution for passing speeding points to his ex-wife.’

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BBC News, 9th May 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

What is Crime?: The Limits Of Criminalisation Conference – Speech by Senior Presiding Judge, Lord Justice Gross

Posted April 29th, 2014 in crime, drug abuse, health, judges, news, speeches, terrorism by sally

What is Crime?: The Limits Of Criminalisation Conference (PDF)

Speech by Senior Presiding Judge, Lord Justice Gross

Judiciary of England and Wales, 31st March 2014

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Judge condemns ‘ludicrously low’ sentencing powers as benefits cheat jailed – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 24th, 2014 in benefits, fraud, judges, news, sentencing, social services by tracey

‘A judge condemned her own sentencing powers as “ludicrously low” as she ordered a woman who fraudulently claimed £40,000 in benefits to repay the money at a rate of £10 a week and said it was unlikely the total would ever be recovered.’

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Daily Telegraph, 23rd April 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Judicial dissent wanes under Neuberger regime at UK Supreme Court – The Lawyer

Posted April 23rd, 2014 in judges, judgments, news, Supreme Court by sally

‘Judicial dissent is in decline in the UK’s top court as the Supreme Court moves towards a culture of collegiality on the bench, research by The Lawyer has revealed.’

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The Lawyer, 23rd April 2014

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Lord Chief Justice steps into Strasbourg row – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 17th, 2014 in courts, extradition, human rights, judges, news, terrorism by tracey

‘Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd urges European Court of Human Rights to leave terror extradition decisions to British courts.’

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Daily Telegraph, 16th April 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Impose tougher sentences for knife crimes, says top judge – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 17th, 2014 in judges, magistrates, news, offensive weapons, sentencing, young offenders by tracey

‘The most senior judge in England and Wales has called on magistrates to impose tougher sentences for youths who carry knives.’

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Daily Telegraph, 16th April 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

CoA dismisses silk VAT appeal but criticises judge’s handling of the case – The Lawyer

Posted April 11th, 2014 in appeals, barristers, judges, news, tax evasion, VAT by sally

‘A senior criminal judge has been criticised over his handling of a trial last year, which led to the conviction of former 39 Essex Street barrister Rohan Pershad QC.’

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The Lawyer, 10th April 2014

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Young women lawyers – stop feeling so entitled and get on with it, says top female judge – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 4th, 2014 in judges, legal profession, news, women by sally

‘Dame Anne Rafferty, an Appeal Court judge, has said that girls today have a sense of entitlement that stops them from getting on with their jobs.’

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Daily Telegraph, 4th April 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Judge refuses whiplash damages as he criticises Britain’s ‘compensation culture’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 27th, 2014 in compensation, expert witnesses, judges, news, personal injuries by tracey

‘Britain’s compensation culture is a “national phenomenon,” a High Court judge said as he refused to grant damages to two women to “stem the tide” of fake insurance claims.’

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Daily Telegraph, 26th March 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

An English Judge in Europe – The Rt Hon. Lady Justice Arden

Posted March 26th, 2014 in EC law, judges, judiciary, jurisdiction, news by sally

An English Judge in Europe (PDF)

Speech by The Rt Hon. Lady Justice Arden

Judiciary of England and Wales, 11th March 2014

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Are the judges too powerful? – Speech by The Rt Hon Lord Dyson, Master of the Rolls

Posted March 13th, 2014 in judges, judiciary, speeches by tracey

‘Mr Bentham was no great admirer of the judiciary. He once said “the same fungus, which when green, is made into Bar, is it not, when dry, made into Bench?” He distrusted the judges. When drafting a “New Plan for the organisation of the Judicial Establishment in France” in the 1820s, he was adamant that judges should not be permitted to legislate: “Appointed for the express purpose of enforcing obedience to the laws, their duty is to be foremost in obedience. Any attempt on the part of the judge to frustrate or unnecessarily to retard the efficacy of what he understands to have been the decided meaning of the legislature, shall be punished with forfeiture of his office.” ‘

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Judiciary of England and Wales, 12th March 2014

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Reshaping Justice – Speech by The Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, Lord Chief Justice

Posted March 6th, 2014 in charities, civil justice, Crown Court, fraud, judges, rule of law, speeches by tracey

‘It is a pleasure and a privilege to have been asked to give this short address tonight. It is an important time for both Justice the organisation and for our justice system. With that in mind I want to focus on what I have described in the title as “Reshaping Justice”.’

Full speech

Judiciary of England & Wales, 4th March 2014

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Annual Dinner of the Family Law Bar Association – Speech by Sir James Munby, President of the Family Division

Posted March 6th, 2014 in family courts, judges, legal history, speeches by tracey

‘Since I stood here last year much has happened. I look back on a year when, between us, we have managed to achieve more than most of us had dared to hope. I look forward to a year of what I am sure will be continuing challenges.’

Full speech

Judiciary of England & Wales, 5th March 2014

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Senior judges attack government’s planned court cost rise – BBC News

Posted March 4th, 2014 in civil justice, courts, fees, judges, news by sally

‘Government plans to increase the cost of going to court in England and Wales would undermine the civil and family justice system, top judges have said.’

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BBC News, 4th March 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Inquisitorial system may be better for family and civil cases, says top judge – The Guardian

Posted March 4th, 2014 in civil justice, family courts, judges, legal aid, litigants in person, news by sally

‘A judge-led, inquisitorial system of justice may be a better way of conducting family and civil cases where litigants are unrepresented, the lord chief justice has suggested.’

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The Guardian, 4th March 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Leveson inquiry: The spy, the judge and the ‘cover-up’ – The Independent

Posted March 3rd, 2014 in complaints, corruption, inquiries, interception, judges, media, news, ombudsmen, police, privacy by sally

‘Sir Brian Leveson “pulled his punches” over evidence of “serious police corruption at the very highest level” because it was “too hot to handle”, according to a complaint that has been lodged with the judicial watchdog by a News of the World hacking victim.’

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The Independent, 2nd March 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Mark Duggan’s mother lodges legal challenge against judge – The Guardian

‘The mother of Mark Duggan, whose fatal shooting by police provoked the 2011 riots, has lodged a legal challenge against the judge who presided over the inquest into her son’s death, which ended with a jury making a majority ruling that he was lawfully killed.’

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The Guardian, 26th February 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk