Slough firm Duco International fined over worker death – BBC News

Posted September 9th, 2011 in fines, health & safety, news by sally

“A firm which admitted safety failures over the death of a worker at its Slough factory has been fined £200,000.”

Full story

BBC News, 9th September 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Shooting company fined over damage to Farndale – BBC News

“A field sports company has been fined £40,000 after damaging part of the North York Moors National Park.”

Full story

BBC News, 9th September 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Pensioner jailed for recording court proceedings is released – The Guardian

Posted September 9th, 2011 in contempt of court, news, sentencing by sally

“An 85-year-old man who was jailed for six months for recording court proceedings was freed by the court of appeal on Friday. Three judges in London quashed the sentence imposed on Norman Scarth in July for contempt of court and substituted one of 12 weeks, resulting in his immediate release from Armley prison in Leeds.”

Full story

The Guardian, 9th September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Munir Farooqi given four life sentences for terror charges – BBC News

Posted September 9th, 2011 in news, sentencing, soliciting to murder, terrorism by sally

“A former Taliban fighter has been given four life sentences after being found guilty of trying to recruit undercover officers to fight in Afghanistan.”

Full story

BBC News, 9th September 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Courtroom drama – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted September 9th, 2011 in barristers, courts, media, news by sally

“So, David Cameron and Ken Clark want televised court cases to give greater transparency and enable the public to understand the process. The suggestion has received some support from the Bar Council. Whilst bowing to the inevitable, I have only three words in response: Mock the Week. I can see that my whole world is about to change and it is hard to see that it will be for the better. Will TV in court teach the brilliance of our advocates? Will it expose shortcomings in a prosecution or reveal unmeritorious defendants? Will it bore everyone to death and leave us to the mercy of commentators anyway, handing them along the way a great deal more material at our expense? Rumpole was really only a star because he was fictional. If Hilda had been a barrister she would have gone shopping.”

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 8th September 2011

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Bill of Rights Commission publishes advice (and squabbles) on European Court of Human Rights reform – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted September 9th, 2011 in constitutional law, constitutional reform, human rights, news by sally

“The Commission on a Bill of Rights has published its interim advice to Government on reform of the European Court of Human Rights. It has also published a letter to ministers on reform of the Court.”

Full story

Interim advice

UK Human Rights Blog, 9th September 2011

Source: http://ukhumanrightsblog.com

Government to ban referral fees in personal injury cases – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted September 9th, 2011 in fees, news, personal injuries by sally

“The government has today announced that it will ban the payment of referral fees in personal injury cases. The Ministry of Justice said the current arrangements have led to high costs, encouraged a ‘compensation culture’ and led to the growth of an industry which pursues claimants for profit.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 9th September 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Compensation claimants say changes to court costs law will add insult to injury – The Guardian

Posted September 9th, 2011 in bills, costs, legal aid, news by sally

“Victims and their families voice alarm over the ‘ill-considered’ legal aid bill now before parliament.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Streamlined use of forensic evidence eases burden on courts – The Guardian

Posted September 9th, 2011 in forensic science, news by sally

“The demise of the Forensic Science Service comes as police forces shift towards a more streamlined approach to the use of forensics in criminal cases. Instead of courts being presented with extensive forensic reports that cover all the evidence recovered in police investigations, only short reports with the initial and key findings will be submitted. Prior to the trial, prosecutors will present the defence with evidence incrementally and order additional forensic tests only when the case requires them.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Foreign criminals still released without being considered for removal – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 9th, 2011 in deportation, news, prisons by sally

“Almost 100 foreign prisoners have been released in the last two years when they should have first being assessed for removal, Theresa May, the Home Secretary, revealed.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th September 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Cambridge footballer Jordan Patrick fined for racist abuse – BBC News

Posted September 9th, 2011 in fines, news, racism, threatening behaviour by sally

“Cambridge United player Jordan Patrick has been fined £750 for racially abusing a taxi driver and threatening a policeman in a drunken outburst.”

Full story

BBC News, 8th September 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man who threatened to kill gay rights campaigner gets suspended sentence – The Guardian

Posted September 9th, 2011 in homosexuality, news, sentencing, threatening behaviour by sally

“A man who threatened to ‘put a bullet in the head’ of the gay rights campaigner Ben Summerskill and a gay couple illegally barred from a hotel has been given a suspended prison sentence.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Baby P effect puts record number of ‘at risk’ children in care – The Guardian

Posted September 9th, 2011 in care orders, child abuse, news, social services by sally

“Record numbers of ‘at risk’ children are being taken from their families and placed into care, official figures show, as social workers respond to what they regard as increasing neglect and emotional abuse of vulnerable youngsters.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Teacher banned from classroom after ‘biting a police officer’ conviction emerges – Daily Telegraph

“A teacher has been banned from the classroom after hiding a string of convictions – including biting a police officer.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th September 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

OFT investigates hidden airline charges – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 9th, 2011 in airlines, consumer protection, electronic commerce, news by sally

“The Office of Fair Trading has launched an investigation into whether airlines are hitting customers with hidden card surcharges when they book flights online.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th September 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

 

David Kelly inquest ruling to be challenged – BBC News

Posted September 9th, 2011 in inquests, judicial review, news by sally

“A group of doctors is seeking a judicial review of the decision not to hold an inquest into the death of government scientist Dr David Kelly.”

Full story

BBC News, 8th September 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Minister announces referral fee ban – Ministry of Justice

Posted September 9th, 2011 in fees, insurance, news, personal injuries by sally

“Referral fees for personal injury cases will be banned to help tackle rising insurance costs, as part of the Government’s commitment to curb compensation culture.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 9th September 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Injury claim referral fees to be banned – BBC News

Posted September 9th, 2011 in fees, insurance, news, personal injuries by sally

“The government is to ban referral fees in personal injury claims in an attempt to curb the ‘compensation culture’. It says the current system in which personal injury details are sold on by insurance companies to lawyers has led to rising insurance costs.”

Full story

BBC News, 9th September 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Why wearing a helmet could affect your legal status – The Guardian

Posted September 9th, 2011 in bicycles, news, personal injuries by sally

“The decision not to wear a helmet can have legal consequences for cyclists who suffer head injuries and sue for compensation.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

 

Ministers ‘could get powers to overrule European Court of Human Rights’ – The Guardian

Posted September 9th, 2011 in human rights, ministers' powers and duties, news by sally

“The European Court of Human Rights could have its powers downgraded by handing ministers across the continent the right to strike down rulings under plans being examined by the British government. A commission set up by the government to examine reforms to the Strasbourg-based ECHR has floated the idea of handing ministers and parliamentarians on the Council of Europe the right to override rulings of the court.”

Full story

The Guardian, 9th September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk