David Guy dismemberment: David Hilder guilty of manslaughter – BBC News
“A man who killed and dismembered his friend has received a life sentence for his manslaughter.”
BBC News, 30th July 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: news
Christopher Forsyth: Principle or Pragmatism: Closed Material Procedure in the Supreme Court
“In Al Rawi & Ors v The Security Service & Ors [2011] UKSC 34; [2012] 1 AC 531 the claimants (respondents in the Supreme Court) were bringing civil claims for damages against the defendants (appellants in the Supreme Court) alleging complicity by the defendants in their mistreatment by foreign powers (including detention at Guantanamo Bay). The defendants as part of their defence wished to place before the court ‘security sensitive material’ – presumably the evidence of intelligence agents, or similar, denying the complicity – which for security reasons could not be disclosed to the claimants. Thus the defendants submitted that the court hold a “closed material procedure”. They envisaged that the evidence would be placed before the courts in closed session, i.e. a session from which the claimants and their representatives (and the public) were excluded. In the closed session the claimants would be represented by “special advocates” appointed by the court who would have access to the evidence but would not be able to take instructions from the claimants. Such procedures are controversial since they threaten the fundamental principles of open justice and natural justice. On the other hand, the national interest would doubtless be impaired, in some cases, if intelligence agents gave evidence and their methods and secrets were exposed in open court.”
UK Constitutional Law Group, 29th July 2013
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
Couple’s stolen caravan cannot be returned as could breach traveller family’s ‘human rights’ – Daily Telegraph
“A couple who spent their retirement savings on a caravan only to see it stolen were astounded when police said the travellers who are living in it could not be removed as it would breach their ‘human rights’.”
Daily Telegraph, 30th July 2013
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Media influence on law reform – Halsbury’s Law Exchange
“It is clear that public opinion affects law reform. MPs are democratically elected and thus to become elected MPs are naturally influenced by the will of the public. As legislation is put forward and created by those influenced by public opinion, there is no doubt that this has a significant influence on the development of legislation.”
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 30th July 2013
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk
Lawyers of refugees who were wrongly jailed criticised by Appeal Court – The Independent
“The Appeal Court has criticised the lawyers of five refugees who were wrongly jailed for carrying false documents after fleeing their countries under the threat of persecution.”
The Independent, 30th July 2013
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Not equal everywhere: legal problems for gay couples who emigrate – Daily Telegraph
“Same-sex couples face continued uncertainty over their legal rights abroad that could leave them vulnerable. Family lawyer Fiona Wood explains more.”
Daily Telegraph, 30th July 2013
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Ten things I wish I’d known before becoming a law student – The Guardian
“When choosing my degree, I was young, naive and full of false expectations. Here’s what I’ve learnt.”
The Guardian, 25th July 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Right-to-die campaigners lose battle – BBC News
“The family of late locked-in syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson and paralysed road accident victim Paul Lamb have lost their right-to-die challenges.”
BBC News, 31st July 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Roll out new guidelines on juror contempt of court, says Attorney General – Daily Telegraph
“Jurors should be given clearer instructions on the dangers of using the internet during trials, Dominic Grieve, the Attorney General, has said after two jury members were jailed for contempt of court.”
Daily Telegraph, 30th July 2013
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Thousands of abusive electronic message cases reach court – BBC News
“More than 1,700 cases involving abusive messages sent online or via text message reached English and Welsh courts in 2012, the BBC has learned after a Freedom of Information request.”
BBC News, 30th July 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Campaigners vow to fight on after challenge to ‘bedroom tax’ is thrown out by High Court – The Independent
“Campaigners have vowed to fight on after a legal attempt to block the Government’s so-called ‘bedroom tax’ was thrown out by the High Court.”
The Independent, 30th July 2013
Source: www.independent.co.uk
BBC welfare reform show breached impartiality guidelines – BBC News
“A BBC documentary on the welfare state breached impartiality and accuracy guidelines, the BBC Trust has found.”
BBC News, 30th July 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Woman jailed for child cruelty overturns deportation bid – Daily Telegraph
“A German woman who was jailed for locking up her three children in squalid conditions has won a legal challenge against the Home Office’s bid to deport her, The Telegraph can disclose.”
Daily Telegraph, 30th July 2013
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Devon and Cornwall custody death rates highest, says IPCC – BBC News
“More people died in or following custody with Devon and Cornwall police than any other force in the country, new figures have revealed.”
BBC News, 31st July 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Rape victims let down by CPS, says watchdog – Daily Telegraph
“Rape victims’ human rights are being infringed by the Crown Prosecution Service handing defence lawyers too much information about their injuries and treatment, a watchdog has said.”
Daily Telegraph, 31st July 2013
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Men guilty of Staffordshire nail bombing plot – BBC News
“Four men have been found guilty of causing a series of nail bomb explosions at houses in Staffordshire.”
BBC News, 30th July 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
OFT forces payday lenders out of market – The Guardian
“Almost a third of the payday lenders ordered to clean up their practices have opted to withdraw from the industry, the Office of Fair Trading has revealed, as the deadline for firms to respond passed.”
The Guardian, 30th July 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Right-to-die man awaits court ruling – BBC News
“The Court of Appeal is due to rule on the case of a paralysed man who wants to be helped to die.”
BBC News, 31st July 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
John Stanton: The General Power of Competence and Reshaping Local Public Service Provision – UK Constitutional Law Group
“I wrote back in March about the way in which, despite efforts to decentralise autonomy to the local level and to inspire and empower citizens to get involved in local politics, Central Government seems reluctant to ‘let go’ and to give local authorities a free rein in relation to the exercise of local powers. New neighbourhood planning measures provided suitable example.”
UK Constitutional Law Group, 27th July 2013
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
