Privatising the courts: if anyone needs advice, it’s the judiciary – The Guardian
“The judges have nothing to gain and everything to lose by negotiating with Chris Grayling in private.”
The Guardian, 25th June 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Category: news
When Laws Become Too Complex: ill-timed and badly thought out – Halsbury’s Law Exchange
“As the dust from the Civil Justice reforms begins to settle, it appears that Parliamentary counsel have slipped another consultation through in the background. Published in March this year, it appears innocuous enough, but on further consideration raises a number of significant concerns. I also question why this report was even necessary. Parliamentary austerity and wholesale changes to the legal profession should have lent caution to the writers of the report, given that this can be construed as a real attack upon the legal profession. Ill-timed and badly thought out, the principle will be applauded by businesses that will look at the superficial benefits but not appreciate the issues, and is therefore convenient politically.”
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 25th June 2013
Source: www.halsburyslawexhange.co.uk
New copyright laws give researchers right to conduct ‘electronic analysis’ of copied content – OUT-LAW.com
“Researchers that wish to conduct “electronic analysis” of copyrighted content for non-commercial purposes will have a right to copy that information under proposed new copyright laws.”
OUT-LAW.com, 25th June 2013
Source: www.out-law.com
Whistleblowing: is new ‘public interest’ test a good thing? – The Guardian
“In the wake of the Edward Snowden disclosures, some fear that changes to UK whistleblowing laws could discourage those here wanting to spill the beans.”
The Guardian, 25th June 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
New allegations of police misconduct in Stephen Lawrence case to be investigated – Ministry of Justice
“Allegations that undercover officers were used to smear reputations of Stephen Lawrence’s family will be investigated, says Home Secretary.”
Ministry of Justice, 24th June 2013
Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
UNISON applies for judicial review of employment tribunal fees – OUT-LAW.com
“UNISON has applied to the High Court for a judicial review of the Ministry of Justice’s decision to introduce employment tribunal fees from the end of next month, it has announced.”
OUT-LAW.com, 25th June 2013
Source: www.out-law.com
CPS under fire for failures in two serious cases – Law Society’s Gazette
The Crown Prosecution Service has been criticised by two separate Crown court judges after sending an ‘incompetent’ advocate to prosecute a murder trial and for ‘lamentable failures’ that delayed a rape trial.
Law Society’s Gazette, 25th June 2013
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Ballet dancer Jack Widdowson’s attacker jailed for 13 years – BBC News
“A man who attacked a ballet dancer, broke his neck and left him lying in the street has been jailed for 13 years.”
BBC News, 24th June 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Watchdog wants new code of conduct for UK bankers – Daily Telegraph
“Bankers should be subject to a new code of conduct overseen by a body similar to the General Medical Council, a consumer watchdog has claimed.”
Daily Telegraph, 25th June 2013
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Lord chief justice warns Chris Grayling on courts privatisation plans – The Guardian
“The justice secretary, Chris Grayling, has been warned by the lord chief justice, Lord Judge, not to undermine the independence of the judiciary through plans to privatise parts of the court service or make it self-financing.”
The Guardian, 24th June 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Jake Davis: Freed hacker faces strict tech rules – BBC News
“A convicted hacker who was detained in a young offender institution has been released – but will now face strict limitations on his technology use.”
BBC News, 24th June 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Spinster sisters could win legal right to be treated as married couples, Peers told – Daily Telegraph
“The introduction of same-sex marriage could finally open the way for carers and relatives such as unmarried sisters who live together to be given the same legal status as married couples, the House of Lords has been told.”
Daily Telegraph, 24th June 2013
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Jeremy Forrest: child protection experts warn against romanticising case – The Guardian
“To glance at some headlines, a reader might think this was a conventional love story: ‘I still love him’; ‘He’s wonderful, I’ll fight for him’. But this was, child protection professionals agree, a relationship built around abuse.”
The Guardian, 24th June 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Military judge raises court martial concerns – BBC News
“The UK’s senior military judge has expressed concern about the way in which members of the armed forces can be convicted of serious offences by a majority of just one member of a military jury.”
BBC News, 25th June 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Official: 13,000 more criminals to be jailed every year from Chris Grayling reforms – Daily Telegraph
“Thousands of criminals who re-offend after serving only a few months in prison will be locked up again under a new Ministry of Justice crackdown, the department’s own estimates show.”
Daily Telegraph, 24th June 2013
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Privatising probation service will put public at risk, officials tell Grayling – The Guardian
“The justice secretary, Chris Grayling, has been warned by his most senior officials that plans to privatise 70% of the probation service lack support, are being pushed through on an aggressive timetable and potentially endanger public safety, leaked documents show.”
The Guardian, 24th June 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
