Gay asylum seekers face ‘intrusive’ sexual questions – The Guardian

Posted October 24th, 2014 in asylum, homosexuality, immigration, news by sally

‘More than a tenth of Home Office interviews of gay and lesbian asylum seekers include “intrusive or unsatisfactory” questions about their sex lives, according to an investigation by the chief inspector of borders and immigration.’

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The Guardian, 23rd October 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Inducements ban extended to third parties – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 24th, 2014 in inducements, law firms, news, personal injuries by sally

‘The government has moved to strengthen the proposed ban on personal injury firms offering inducements for claims.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 23rd October 2014

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Supreme Court: ‘sale and rent back’ firm could not grant tenants proprietary rights over properties before sale completed – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 24th, 2014 in leases, mortgages, news, repossession, sale of land by sally

‘A firm that purchased properties in the north east of England on the condition that the previous owners would be entitled to remain in their homes indefinitely was not in a position to make such a promise, the UK’s highest court has ruled.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 23rd October 2014

Source: www.out-law.com

“UK must not think only of itself”: Massacre families urge UK not to leave ECHR – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted October 24th, 2014 in human rights, news, rule of law by sally

‘The Conservative Party’s proposals to introduce a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities that would weaken the UK’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – and the legal chaos that would ensue if it was ever enacted – have been hotly debated. The proposal makes clear that if the Council of Europe was to reject the UK’s unilateral move, as it would be bound to, the UK ‘would be left with no alternative but to withdraw’ from the Convention.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 24th October 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Men jailed over deaf blind man Chelmsford train track attack – BBC News

Posted October 24th, 2014 in assault, disabled persons, grievous bodily harm, news, sentencing by sally

‘Two men have been sent to prison for throwing a deaf blind man and his brother on to railway tracks.’

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BBC News, 23rd October 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

CPS to launch review after ‘shambolic’ fake marriage case collapses – The Independent

‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is to launch a full review of its procedures after a judge halted a case in which a vicar who was alleged to have operated a “conveyor belt” of sham marriages claimed that immigration officers concealed evidence and lied under oath.’

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The Independent, 23rd October 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Met police to pay more than £400,000 to victim of undercover officer – The Guardian

Posted October 24th, 2014 in compensation, demonstrations, inquiries, news, paternity, police, spying by sally

‘The Metropolitan police are to pay more than £400,000 to a woman who has been profoundly traumatised after discovering by chance that the father of her son was an undercover police officer.’

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The Guardian, 23rd October 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Building your brand – New Law Journal

Posted October 23rd, 2014 in advertising, law firms, legal services, news by sally

‘Lena Ahad explains how to market legal services more effectively in a digital world.’

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New Law Journal, 23rd October 2014

Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk

Insurance surgery: A new regime – New Law Journal

Posted October 23rd, 2014 in bills, contracts, damages, disclosure, fraud, insurance, news, warranties by sally

‘The Insurance Bill may alter centuries old law on disclosure by commercial policyholders, warranties & remedies for fraud & place more emphasis on active underwriting, says James Deacon.’

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New Law Journal, 23rd October 2014

Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk

Relief From Sanctions – Watch it! – Zenith PI Blog

Posted October 23rd, 2014 in civil procedure rules, news, sanctions, time limits by sally

‘After the turbulence of the past year, provoked primarily by the Mitchell case [2014] 1WLR 795, we all surely know about relief from sanctions – but do we?’

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Zenith PI Blog, 22nd October 2014

Source: www.zenithpi.wordpress.com

Retired judge Sir John Royce criticises legal cuts – BBC News

Posted October 23rd, 2014 in courts, criminal justice, judges, legal aid, lord chancellor, news by sally

‘A recently retired High Court judge has said he thinks government cuts to the legal system have gone too far.’

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BBC News, 22nd October 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Will scrapping the CPD requirement reduce the quality of lawyers? – The Futures of Law

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has pledged to scrap its requirement for solicitors to complete 16 hours of continuing professional development (CPD), describing its existing system as little more than a “box ticking” exercise. The SRA believes revoking the current system will provide greater flexibility, but Nicholas Lakeland, partner and head of the employment and pensions team at Silverman Sherliker LLP, fears it may well lead to a real reduction in training.’

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The Future of Law, 22nd October 2014

Source: www.blogs.lexisnexis.co.uk

Companies should not wait to apply to set aside default judgments, says expert, after court makes clear ‘Mitchell’ principles apply – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 23rd, 2014 in appeals, civil procedure rules, default judgments, delay, news, setting aside by sally

‘Companies hoping to have a default judgment against them set aside must be sure to act quickly, an expert has said, after a recent court decision confirmed what courts must consider when considering an application.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 22nd October 2014

Source: www.out-law.com

Anorexia, alcoholism and the right to autonomy – UK Human Rights Blog

‘The issues that arose before the Court of Protection in this case encapsulate the difficulties involved in applying legal tools to the organic swamp of human pathology. Everything that one may envisage, for example, in planning a “living will” (or, more precisely, an Advance Decision under the Mental Capacity Act), may have no application at the critical time because the human body – or rather the way it falls apart – does not fit in to neat legal categories. In such a situation it is often the right to autonomy that is most at risk, since what you plan for your own medical and physiological future may not square with what the authorities you decide you were capable of planning. Cobb J’s sensitive and humane judgement in this sad case is a very encouraging sign that courts are beginning to resist the tyrannous claims of Article 2 and the obligation to preserve life at all costs.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 22nd October 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Lady Gaga the polo pony in High Court libel battle – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 23rd, 2014 in animals, costs, damages, defamation, news by sally

‘A polo pony called Lady Gaga was at the centre of a High Court libel battle after her ‘reputation was slurred’ on YouTube.’

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Daily Telegraph, 22nd October 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

A very unlawful eviction – NearlyLegal

Posted October 23rd, 2014 in damages, housing, local government, news, repossession by sally

‘This High Court judgment is remarkable in many ways, most of them worrying. It was the result of a six day hearing, with Southwark putting Kelvin Rutledge QC up against Mr AA in person and ended with findings against Southwark that were as bad as they could possibly be (and just perhaps even worse than the available evidence would support).’

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NearlyLegal, 22nd October 2014

Source: www.nearlylegal.co.uk

Grayling ‘has no understanding of his role’ – Falconer – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Former lord chancellor Lord Falconer has attacked successor Chris Grayling for failing to view his commitment to the rule of law as different to that of any other government minister.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 22nd October 2014

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Hollie Robinson loses father murder appeal bid – BBC News

Posted October 23rd, 2014 in appeals, joint enterprise, murder, news by sally

‘A Colwyn Bay woman who teamed up with others to kill her own father in a knife attack must accept her murder conviction, top judges have ruled.’

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BBC News, 22nd October 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Supreme Court extends protection for asbestos victims – Litigation Futures

Posted October 23rd, 2014 in appeals, asbestos, news, regulations, Supreme Court, victims by sally

‘The Supreme Court has extended protection for victims of asbestos-related diseases, by ruling that the Asbestos Industry Regulations 1931 applied to all workers in factories where asbestos was being processed.’

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Litigation Futures, 23rd October 2014

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Fake Chelsea footballer Medi Abalimba jailed for posing as Gael Kakuta – The Independent

Posted October 23rd, 2014 in fraud, news, sentencing, sport by sally

‘A failed footballer who enjoyed a champagne lifestyle by pretending to be a Chelsea player has been jailed for four years for a £163,000 fraud.’

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The Independent, 22nd October 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk