The 1996 Hague Convention: The Fourth Dimension – Family Law Week

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in child abduction, EC law, human rights, news, parental responsibility, treaties by sally

“Eleri Jones barrister at 1 Garden Court, and Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE and Richard Kwan both of Dawson Cornwell solicitors consider the impact of the 1996 Hague Convention in England and Wales.”

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Family Law Week, 30th November 2012

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Couple sue for IVF in landmark ‘age discrimination’ case – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in age discrimination, assisted reproduction, health, medical treatment, news by sally

“A childless couple who have been refused NHS fertility treatment are suing Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, for age discrimination in a landmark legal case.”

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Daily Telegraph, 1st December 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

New code of practice for disclosure of datasets under FOI proposed – OUT-LAW.com

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in codes of practice, disclosure, freedom of information, news by sally

“Public authorities required to disclose ‘datasets’ in order to comply with a freedom of information (FOI) request should have to make sure the information is ‘machine readable’ and accompanied by explanatory material, the Government has proposed.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 3rd December 2012

Source: www.out-law.com

Spotlight On Reform – Speech by Mr. Justice Ryder

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in case management, children, delay, family courts, news, speeches by sally

Spotlight On Reform (PDF)

Speech by Mr. Justice Ryder

The Association of Lawyers For Children National Conference, 16th November 2012

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

The press: To legislate or not to legislate? – The Independent

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in media, news by sally

“Any statutory regulation would ignore a fundamental problem with our prurient society.”

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The Independent, 2nd December 2012

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New sentences and criminal offences come into effect – Ministry of Justice

“From 3 December 2012 new offences of aggravated knife possession come into force. Anyone who uses a knife or offensive weapon to threaten and endanger others will face a mandatory custodial sentence, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said today.”

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Ministry of Justice, 2nd December 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

2013/14 Budget Proposals: Consultation with the Profession – The Bar Council

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in barristers, budgets, consultations, news by sally

“The Treasurer is inviting the practising Bar to review the Bar Council’s Budget Proposals for 2013/14 and the associated ramifications for the Practising Certificate Fee (PCF). Individuals, chambers, employers, SBAs, Circuits and Bar Council committees are all urged to take this opportunity to comment on the proposals.”

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The Bar Council, 30th November 2012

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Repeat rapists to face life sentences – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in news, rape, recidivists, sentencing, terrorism by sally

“Criminals who commit a second serious sexual or violent offence will be given automatic life sentences under a new ‘two strikes and you’re out’ law from tomorrow.”

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Daily Telegraph, 2nd December 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Care home regulation criticised by Norman Lamb – BBC News

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in care homes, consultations, news by sally

“Regulation of the care sector is not fit for purpose, care minister Norman Lamb has said as he unveiled proposals on English care homes for consultation.”

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BBC News, 1st December 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Voluntary code for third-party funders is “fit for purpose”, says author – OUT-LAW.com

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in codes of practice, news, third parties by sally

“A code of conduct for third-party litigation funders is “working well” one year on from its adoption and there are no plans to replace it with a system of mandatory regulation, according to one of its authors.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 3rd December 2012

Source: www.out-law.com

Barristers threaten strike action over legal aid reforms – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in barristers, industrial action, legal aid, news by sally

“Barristers will be forced to take strike action for the first time if the Government pushes ahead with its proposed reform of the legal aid system, the new head of the Criminal Bar Association has said.”

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Daily Telegraph, 1st December 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Internet surveillance will save lives, says Theresa May – Daily Telegraph

“Lives will be saved by new internet powers allowing security services and police to snoop on emails, web visits and social networking sites, Home Secretary Theresa May has said.”

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Daily Telegraph, 3rd December 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Criminal records of striking miners ‘should be erased’ – The Guardian

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in criminal records, industrial action, inquiries, miners, news, public order by sally

“Calls to erase the criminal records of the estimated 7,000 men detained and ‘falsely charged’ during the miners’ strike have been made by campaigners demanding a fresh inquiry into the policing of the dispute.”

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The Guardian, 1st December 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Scrap metal cash payments banned – BBC News

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in legislation, news, theft, waste by sally

“Cash payments for metal at recycling yards in England and Wales are no longer legal under new laws aimed at reducing cable theft.”

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BBC News, 3rd December 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Leveson report ignores the impact of the internet – The Guardian

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in internet, media, news, reports by sally

“The judge’s mammoth publication fails to grasp the impact of smartphones, Twitter and even drones on how news is made.”

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The Guardian, 2nd December 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Tougher prison sentences for violent crime in force – BBC News

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in crime, detention, news, offensive weapons, recidivists, sentencing by sally

“A raft of new criminal offences have come into force in England and Wales, as well as tougher prison sentences for violent crimes.”

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BBC News, 3rd December 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Major legal battle to stop HS2 set to commence – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in appeals, consultations, environmental protection, judicial review, news, railways by sally

“A major legal battle to stop the Government’s HS2 rail project is to begin in what campaigners think is their best chance of derailing the £32 billion scheme.”

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Daily Telegraph, 1st December 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Commission to examine effect of legal aid cuts as demand for service surges – The Guardian

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in citizens advice bureaux, civil justice, legal aid, legal services, news by sally

“An independent commission is being launched on Monday to examine how to cope with deep cuts to legal aid at a time of complex benefits reforms. The Low Commission, named after its chairman, Lord Low, will hold its first public meeting this week as law centres and Citizens Advice centres across the UK begin turning away those seeking advice.”

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The Guardian, 3rd December 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Bar Council launches new online pupillage application system – Legal Week

Posted November 30th, 2012 in internet, news, pupillage by sally

“The Bar Council is launching a new online pupillage application system which will allow chambers to tailor applications for the first time.”

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Legal Week, 27th November 2012

Source: www.legalweek.net

 

A restorative justice system – the view from the bench – Ministry of Justice

Posted November 30th, 2012 in criminal justice, news, restorative justice by sally

“Lawrence Kershen QC, a commercial mediator at Tooks Chambers and former Chairman of the Restorative Justice Council, discusses restorative justice in the criminal justice system. Restorative justice allows victims of crime to be given the opportunity to confront their offender and to have a say in the resolution of the offence.”

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Ministry of Justice, 29th November 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk