Priest who witnessed Iraqi detention could face prosecution – The Guardian

Posted December 2nd, 2011 in armed forces, clergy, Iraq, misfeasance in public office, news, torture, witnesses by tracey

“The director of public prosecutions has been asked to consider bringing criminal charges against a Roman Catholic priest who was found to have witnessed the shocking condition of a group of prisoners in Iraq, which included Baha Mousa, who was tortured to death, but did nothing to raise the alarm.”

Full story

The Guardian, 1st December 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Bar aiming to bypass ‘superfluous’ solicitors – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted December 2nd, 2011 in barristers, consultations, news, solicitors by tracey

“Solicitors are dismissed as ‘superfluous intermediaries’ in a new bar consultation paper which recommends making it easier for the public to bypass them and instruct barristers directly.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 2nd December 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Government outlines plans for deregulation of consent regimes – OUT-LAW.com

Posted December 2nd, 2011 in news, planning by tracey

“The Government has announced new changes to the application procedure for consent regimes that fall outside the planning system, as suggested in a 2009 review of consents in England and Wales.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 1st December 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

NHS watchdog under fire for ‘putting patient care at risk’ – The Guardian

Posted December 2nd, 2011 in health, hospitals, inquiries, news by tracey

“The watchdog responsible for overseeing the NHS has come under fire on multiple fronts, with counsel for the public inquiry into the Mid Staffs hospital scandal calling into question its leadership and ‘unhealthy organisational culture’ while the National Audit Office said its failures had risked ‘unsafe or poor quality (patient) care.’ ”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd December 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Press has lost self-restraint on criminal cases, says attorney general – The Guardian

Posted December 2nd, 2011 in contempt of court, media, news by tracey

“Newspapers have lost any sense of self-restraint and are ignoring their responsibilities, the attorney general has warned in a speech on the risks of contempt of court.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd December 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

 

‘Concerns’ over Kristiana Logina, killed by scalding shower – BBC News

“Health workers had been concerned about a mother who went on to kill her toddler by holding her under a scalding hot shower during the girl’s early life, a report has said.”

Full story

BBC News, 1st December 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

 

John Dillon jailed for rape of grandmother in 1982 – BBC News

Posted December 2nd, 2011 in double jeopardy, news, rape, sentencing by tracey

“A man has been jailed for life under the double jeopardy law three decades after raping his own grandmother.”

Full story

BBC News, 1st December 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Liam Hogan inquest delivers unlawful killing verdict against father – The Guardian

“A father accused of pushing his son to his death from the balcony of a Greek hotel killed the child unlawfully, a coroner has ruled. The inquest on six-year-old Liam Hogan was told that his father, John, appeared to shove the boy and his two-year-old sister, Mia, before leaping off the balcony himself.”

Full story

The Guardian, 30th November 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

 

Train operators face fines for poor passenger information – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 2nd, 2011 in compensation, complaints, news, railways by tracey

“After a deluge of complaints from commuters who were left stuck on freezing platforms during last winter’s cold snap, the Office of Rail Regulator has taken on new powers to protect train travellers.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 1st December 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Freedom to report on Parliament is not set in stone, warns Attorney General – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 2nd, 2011 in freedom of expression, media, news, parliamentary privilege by tracey

“Journalists could be prosecuted for reporting what is said in parliament, the Government’s top law officer warned on Thursday, putting a 170-year tradition in jeopardy.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 1st December 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

New source added

Posted December 1st, 2011 in news by sally

We have now added Family Law Week to our list of sources monitored. For a full list of sources click here.

Time to speak up for oral advocacy skills – The Guardian

Posted December 1st, 2011 in advocacy, legal education, news by sally

“As the law evolves, every aspect of it is routinely unpicked and analysed in exhaustive depth by academics. Yet the dominant medium through which legal arguments are expressed – oral advocacy – is rarely given formal intellectual attention, in this country at least. Yes, there are a number of British advocacy training programmes, some run in conjunction with leading academic institutions, but they focus on developing presentation skills rather than actually exploring what makes an effective advocate.”

Full story

The Guardian, 1st December 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

UK legal move to stop non-EU nationals getting benefits – BBC News

Posted December 1st, 2011 in benefits, EC law, immigration, news by sally

“The government is taking legal action over rules it says would allow non-EU nationals in the UK to claim benefits without working or paying taxes.”

Full story

BBC News, 1st December 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Largest ever trial of police officers collapses – The Guardian

Posted December 1st, 2011 in conspiracy, evidence, news, perverting the course of justice, police, trials by sally

“The biggest trial of police officers in British legal history has collapsed after it was ruled they could not receive a fair hearing.”

Full story

The Guardian, 1st December 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Rooney lawyers claim legal victory – The Independent

Posted December 1st, 2011 in appeals, contracts, news, sport by sally

“Soccer star Wayne Rooney’s lawyers today claimed victory in the latest round of a multi-million pound legal fight with a sports management firm.”

Full story

The Independent, 1st December 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Should more trials be held in secret? – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted December 1st, 2011 in consultations, evidence, intelligence services, news, private hearings, trials by sally

“There is just over a month left to respond to the Government’s consultation on the Justice and Security Green Paper. Responses have to be be sent via email or post by Friday 6 January 2012.”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 1st December 2011

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Ministers to decide on ‘missing’ people law change – BBC News

Posted December 1st, 2011 in missing persons, mortgages, news, select committees by sally

“Ministers will decide by next April whether to change the law on missing people in England and Wales.”

Full story

BBC News, 30th November 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

University student convicted of murdering fellow student – The Guardian

Posted December 1st, 2011 in murder, news, universities by sally

“A university student is facing life imprisonment after being convicted of killing a fellow student and stuffing him into an airing cupboard.”

Full story

The Guardian, 30th November 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Family judges must take bigger role to curb court battlegrounds – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 1st, 2011 in case management, children, family courts, judges, legal aid, news, speeches by sally

“Judges should take a more active role in family cases to stop them becoming ‘battlegrounds’ for warring parents who use children as ‘ammunition’, one of the country’s most senior judges said.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 1st December 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Council meeting prayers challenged at high court – The Guardian

Posted December 1st, 2011 in Christianity, local government, news, religious discrimination by sally

“The long tradition of prayers being said before local council meetings is to be challenged at the high court on Friday.”

Full story

The Guardian, 30th November 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk