Category: news

Babar Ahmad ruling is a victory for freedom of expression – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2012 in BBC, extradition, freedom of expression, news, public interest by sally

“The justice secretary certainly acted unlawfully in refusing to allow the BBC to interview Babar Ahmad, a British prisoner wanted in the US on terrorism charges, as the high court has found. But once the judgment came out, Ken Clarke showed none of the stubbornness associated with previous prisons ministers, telling the court that he would not be seeking to appeal.”

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The Guardian, 12th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Referral fees in spotlight as MPs slam cost of whiplash claims – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted January 12th, 2012 in fees, insurance, news, personal injuries by sally

“MPs today call for the bar to be raised if claimants are to receive compensation for whiplash injuries following motor accidents.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 12th January 2012

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Do we need the Obscene Publications Acts? – Legal Week

Posted January 12th, 2012 in legislation, news, obscenity, publishing by sally

“The Obscene Publications Act 1959 s.1 commences by defining the test of obscenity:

‘For the purposes of this Act an article shall be deemed to be obscene if its effect or (where the article comprises two or more distinct items) the effect of any one of its items is, if taken as a whole, such as to tend to deprave and corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances, to read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it. ‘Article’ means any description of article containing or embodying matter to be read or looked at or both, any sound record, and any film or other record of a picture or pictures.'”

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Legal Week, 12th January 2012

Source: www.legalweek.com

Man who accused neighbour of being James Bulger killer spared jail – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2012 in community service, defamation, internet, malicious falsehood, news, suspended sentences by sally

“A man who falsely accused his neighbour of being one of James Bulger’s killers has been spared an immediate prison sentence.”

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The Guardian, 11th Janaury 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Prosecutors to be able to challenge bail decisions – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 12th, 2012 in appeals, bail, Crown Court, news by sally

“Prosecutors will be able to challenge crown court decisions to release suspected serious offenders out on bail after David Cameron announced a change in the law yesterday.”

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Daily Telegraph, 11th January 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Interview: Michael Todd QC – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted January 12th, 2012 in barristers, news by sally

“Michael Todd QC, chairman of the Bar Council, answers questions from Catherine Baksi.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 12th January 2012

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Lords inflict triple welfare bill defeat on government – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2012 in benefits, bills, news, parliament by sally

“The government’s plans to reform welfare were badly hit on Wednesday when it suffered three defeats in the House of Lords on proposed benefit cuts.”

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The Guardian, 11th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

ECHR: Britain loses 3 in 4 cases at human rights court – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 12th, 2012 in courts, human rights, news, reports by sally

“Britain has lost three out of four cases taken to the European Court of Human Rights, new figures have shown.”

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Daily Telegraph, 12th January 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Breast implant scandal: comestic surgery companies face court action – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2012 in cosmetic surgery, medical treatment, news by sally

“Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, intends to pursue through the courts the cosmetic industry companies that are refusing free operations to women wanting substandard breast implants removed.”

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The Guardian, 11th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Decision due on torture charges against MI5 and MI6 – The Guardian

Posted January 12th, 2012 in inquiries, intelligence services, news, prosecutions, torture by sally

“British spies are expected to find out whether they will face charges over their alleged complicity in the torture of terror suspects.”

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The Guardian, 12th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

HMRC extends alternative dispute resolution trial for smaller businesses – OUT-LAW.com

Posted January 11th, 2012 in dispute resolution, HM Revenue & Customs, news, pilot schemes, taxation, tribunals by sally

“An alternative dispute resolution (ADR) pilot which allows smaller businesses to resolve tax disputes without having to resort to a tribunal is to be extended, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 11th January 2012

Source: www.out-law.com

BBC wins right to broadcast prisoner interview – BBC News

Posted January 11th, 2012 in detention, freedom of expression, human rights, media, news, public interest, terrorism by sally

“The High Court has ruled that Justice Secretary Ken Clarke was wrong to stop the BBC filming a terrorism suspect held for seven years without trial.”

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BBC News, 11th January 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Is internet access a human right? – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted January 11th, 2012 in freedom of expression, human rights, internet, news by sally

“A recent United Nations Human Rights Council report examined the important question of whether internet access is a human right.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 11th January 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Council tenants who sub-let homes face prison or fine – BBC News

Posted January 11th, 2012 in fraud, housing, landlord & tenant, local government, news by sally

“Council tenants who sub-let their homes will face up to two years in prison under proposals by the government.”

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BBC News, 11th January 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Reported tax avoidance on the increase as accountants track highest ever year for corporate fraud – OUT-LAW.com

Posted January 11th, 2012 in bribery, fraud, news, tax avoidance by sally

“The value of reported fraud cases against UK businesses reached a record £2 billion in 2011, according to a report.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 10th January 2012

Source: www.out-law.com

Asbos ban Trowbridge pensioners from feeding pigeons – BBC News

Posted January 11th, 2012 in ASBOs, birds, environmental health, news, public interest by sally

“Two pensioners have been given anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) stopping them feeding pigeons in Trowbridge for five years.”

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BBC News, 10th January 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Woman wins legal judgement forbidding anyone from sharing her photos online – The Independent

Posted January 11th, 2012 in injunctions, internet, news, photography, privacy by sally

“A woman who had sexually explicit self-portraits uploaded onto the internet after her mobile phone was stolen has won a landmark legal judgement forbidding anyone from sharing the photos online.”

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The Independent, 10th January 2012

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Sumption QC to be formally sworn in as Supreme Court justice – Legal Week

Posted January 11th, 2012 in judges, news, Supreme Court by sally

“Jonathan Sumption QC will be formally sworn in as a Supreme Court justice tomorrow (11 January) following the announcement of his appointment in May last year.”

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Legal Week, 10th January 2012

Source: www.legalweek.com

Legal Services Board and Office for Legal Complaints triennial reviews – Ministry of Justice

Posted January 10th, 2012 in complaints, Legal Services Board, news by sally

“The Government’s response to the Public Administration Select Committee report ‘Smaller Government: Shrinking the Quango state’ sets out the plans for reforming public bodies. It includes new triennial review requirements for non-departmental public bodies (NDPB).”

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Ministry of Justice, 10th January 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

‘Barbaric’ gang jailed for badger baiting – The Guardian

Posted January 10th, 2012 in animal cruelty, news, sentencing, suspended sentences, young offenders by sally

“Four men who formed the core of a ‘barbaric’ gang of badger baiters have each been jailed for 16 weeks and ordered to pay £850 in costs and compensation for killing three animals and a litter of unborn cubs.”

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The Guardian, 10th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk