The Chilcot Report – an Illegal War? – UK Human Rights Blog

‘More than 7 years after Gordon Brown first announced that a public Inquiry would be conducted to identify lessons that could be learned from the Iraq conflict, the Chilcot report was finally published on7 July 2016. However, it was worth the wait. This post does not seek to summarise the report: there are many other good overviews (such as the BBC’s ). The report’s executive summary, in particular the key findings section, is also well worth a read. The intention is to cover in this and subsequent posts some of the key legal issues raised by the report. This post considers the relevance of the Chilcot report’s findings to the broader issue of whether Britain’s intervention in Iraq was legal – an issue which was not itself within the remit of the inquiry.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 7th July 2016

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Criminals winning ‘cyber arms race’ – National Crime Agency – BBC News

Posted July 7th, 2016 in computer crime, conspiracy, crime, internet, news by sally

‘Businesses and law enforcement agencies are losing the “cyber arms race” with online criminals, the UK’s National Crime Agency has warned.’

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BBC News, 7th July 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Chilcot’s lessons on going to war must be enshrined in law – The Guardian

Posted July 7th, 2016 in constitutional reform, Iraq, news, parliament, reports, war, weapons by sally

‘A robust and agreed framework should be followed by future cabinets before decisions on military action are taken.’

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The Guardian, 6th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New tough charity regulator to name and shame bullying ‘chuggers’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 7th, 2016 in charities, codes of practice, news, regulations, reports by sally

‘Charity fundraisers who harass the elderly and shoppers in street will be “named and shamed” by a tougher new regulator to be launched today.’

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Daily Telegraph, 7th July 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

The British women who couldn’t hire a sofa without their husbands’ signature – BBC News

Posted July 7th, 2016 in consumer credit, married persons, news, sex discrimination, women by sally

‘-When the first British credit card launched 50 years ago it was mostly used by men
-In the 1960s and 1970s, women were viewed as a riskier investment by banks and stores
-Women had to get their father or husband to sign for most loans even if they earned more than them.’

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BBC News, 7th July 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Activists seek judicial review of Yorkshire fracking decision – The Guardian

Posted July 7th, 2016 in energy, environmental protection, fracking, news, planning by sally

‘Anti-fracking campaigners have applied for judicial review of a council’s decision to allow use of the gas extraction technique in North Yorkshire.’

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The Guardian, 7th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Boy left with brain injuries at birth receives £11m compensation – The Guardian

‘The mother of a boy who was born with brain injuries after medical staff failed to notice his slowing heartbeat during labour has said she hopes she can provide a better quality of life for her son after receiving £11m in a high court settlement with the NHS.’

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The Guardian, 6th July 2016

source: www.guardian.co.uk

Another door closes for the Chagossians – UK Human Rights Blog

‘In R (on the application of Bancoult (No 2)) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs [2016] UKSC 35, the Supreme Court last week dismissed the attempt to set aside the House of Lord’s controversial 2008 decision in R (Bancoult) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (No 2) [2008] UKHL 61. The challenge was grounded in the disclosure of documents in the parallel proceedings of Bancoult No 3 relating to the reliability of a feasibility study into the long term viability of settlement in Chagos Islands.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 6th July 2016

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Fletchers claims “major victory” on interim payments of costs – Litigation Futures

‘Southport injury firm Fletchers claims to have secured the first judgment ordering defendants to make an interim costs payment based on the new version of the rules which came into force in April 2013.’

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Litigation Futures, 5th July 2016

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Bar chairman warns on post-Brexit practising rights – Legal Futures

‘The ramifications of leaving the European Union are likely to be wide-ranging and could restrict the ability of barristers to practise outside England and Wales, the chairman of the Bar Council has warned.’

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Legal Futures, 6th July 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

High Court imposes restraint order on “obsessional” litigant who targeted lawyers – Legal Futures

Posted July 6th, 2016 in barristers, complaints, costs, harassment, news, restraining orders by Mark L

‘The High Court has imposed an extended civil restraint order (ECRO) on an “obsessional” libel litigant who sent over 100 text messages to the mobile phone of a partner at Pinsent Masons acting for Google.’

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Legal Futures, 6th July 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Britain will still be bound by international courts under any serious trade deal, MPs warned – The Independent

‘Britain would still be bound by the judgments of international courts under any serious international free trade agreement with other countries, a leading legal academic has warned MPs.’

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The Independent, 5th July 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ofcom faces High Court action by CityFibre over claims it protects BT from broadband competition – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 6th, 2016 in appeals, competition, internet, news, ombudsmen, telecommunications, tribunals by Mark L

‘Ofcom has been accused of making “ridiculous” policy decisions that will cement BT’s position in the broadband market as a “single, unassailable wholesale infrastructure provider” in a High Court challenge by alternative network builder CityFibre.’

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Daily Telegraph, 5th July 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Patient ‘lay dead’ in London A&E for ‘hours’ before being found – BBC News

Posted July 6th, 2016 in doctors, hospitals, news, nurses, quality assurance, standards, statistics by Mark L

‘A patient lay dead for up to four-and-a-half hours before being spotted at one of the busiest A&E departments in the country, inspectors have revealed. A review of North Middlesex University Hospital by the Care Quality Commission also found there were too few competent doctors who were able to assess and treat patients at night.’

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BBC News, 6th July 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Brother and sister in legal battle over interior designer father’s £20m fortune – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 6th, 2016 in families, news, trusts, wills by Mark L

‘The children of a renowned interior designer, who worked on the QE2, Claridge’s and the Savoy Hotel are locked in a £20m court battle over his fortune.’

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Daily Telegraph, 6th July 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

MasterCard faces £19bn lawsuit over claims it ripped off shoppers – The Independent

‘MasterCard is facing a claim of up to £19 billion in damages in a UK collective action over card charges that were passed on to shoppers.’

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The Independent, 6th July 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Breast enlargement ad starring blogger That Pommie Girl banned – The Guardian

Posted July 6th, 2016 in advertising, codes of practice, complaints, cosmetic surgery, news, women by Mark L

‘A TV ad featuring a fashion blogger promoting breast enlargement has been banned for irresponsibly implying to young women that surgery will make them more popular and confident.’

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The Guardian, 6th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Fraud victims outside London have ‘little chance’ of police help – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 6th, 2016 in conveyancing, fraud, internet, London, news, police, solicitors, statistics, victims by Mark L

‘Fraud victims outside London whose cases are reported to the police have “little chance of any kind of investigation”, an authoritative study has found.’

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Daily Telegraph, 6th July 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

High Court overturns trio of cost judge rulings over “failing to advise properly” on CFA switches – Litigation Futures

Posted July 5th, 2016 in appeals, costs, fees, law firms, legal aid, news by sally

‘The High Court has overturned three high-profile costs rulings in which Irwin Mitchell lost the right to recover success fees and insurance premiums from defendants after failing to advise on the 10% uplift in general damages before switching clients from legal aid.’

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Litigation Futures, 4th July 2016

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Sharia review seeks experiences – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 5th, 2016 in consultations, inquiries, islamic law, news, solicitors by sally

‘Solicitors who have experience of sharia law were today urged to take part in an independent review examining whether the religious code is being misused within Britain.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 4th July 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk