Judges to be asked: Should cameras be allowed in courts? – The Guardian

Posted May 12th, 2011 in courts, judiciary, media, news by sally

“Judges are to be consulted about how cameras could be allowed into courtrooms to televise trials, the Ministry of Justice has revealed. Confirmation that officials have put the issue back on the political agenda comes as the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, calls for greater openness and transparency in the justice system.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Police reform bill defeat for government in Lords – The Guardian

Posted May 12th, 2011 in bills, elections, news, police by sally

“The government suffered a major defeat in the Lords when a rebellion by Liberal Democrat peers helped carry an amendment that could bury the government’s central policy of elected police and crime commissioners.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Punishments for burglars tightened up by sentencing body – The Guardian

Posted May 12th, 2011 in burglary, news, sentencing, victims by sally

“Burglars who target homes will normally be expected to be sent to jail, under new sentencing guidelines for judges and magistrates.”

Full story

The Guardian, 12th May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

ACS:Law fined over data breach – BBC News

Posted May 11th, 2011 in data protection, fines, law firms, news, privacy by sally

“Andrew Crossley, the controversial solicitor who made money by accusing computer users of illegal file sharing, has been fined £1,000.”

Full story

BBC News, 11th May 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Unions attack plans to reform employment laws – The Guardian

“Ministers claim reforms will make it easier for businesses to grow but unions say change will ‘reward bad employers who disadvantage women and ethnic minority workers’.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Meet our Independent Observer – Bar Standards Board

Posted May 11th, 2011 in barristers, complaints, disciplinary procedures, news by sally

“Isobel Leaviss has been appointed to the position of Independent Observer. She will be responsible for providing independent assurance that our complaints and disciplinary system is operating in line with its aims and objectives and best practice in professional regulation.”

Full story

Bar Standards Board, 11th May 2011

Source: www.barstandards.org.uk

Removing libel juries would be dangerous, warns newspaper industry – The Guardian

Posted May 11th, 2011 in defamation, juries, media, news by sally

“Senior figures from the newspaper industry on Wednesday warned politicians against plans to eradicate juries in libel trials as part of sweeping reforms to defamation law in the UK.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Less stressful divorces thanks to mediation – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 11th, 2011 in dispute resolution, divorce, news by sally

“Separating couples in Manchester are resolving their disputes more cheaply, quickly and less stressfully following new rules introduced by Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 11th May 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Supreme court ruling redefines miscarriages of justice – The Guardian

Posted May 11th, 2011 in compensation, miscarriage of justice, murder, news by sally

“Two men from Northern Ireland whose convictions for murder during the Troubles were quashed following the emergence of fresh evidence are entitled to compensation, the supreme court has ruled.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

ICO publishes new code of practice for personal data sharing – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 11th, 2011 in codes of practice, data protection, news by sally

“Organisations must make sure they only share the personal data necessary to achieve their objectives according to guidance published by privacy watchdog the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 11th May 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

Sharing Current Awareness posts

Posted May 11th, 2011 in news by sally

It is now easy to share posts from the Current Awareness blog on Facebook, Twitter or by email. You simply need to click on the title of any post and select one of the icons below “Source”, as in the following example.

Click on the image above for a large view.

Law Commission recommends radical overhaul of adult social care law – Law Commission

Posted May 11th, 2011 in carers, elderly, Law Commission, local government, news, social services by sally

“The Law Commission is recommending the most far-reaching reforms of adult social care law seen for over 60 years, in a report published today.”

Full story

Law Commission, 11th May 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Student Perception of BPTC Survey – Bar Standards Board

Posted May 11th, 2011 in barristers, legal education, news by sally

“The Student Perception of Course Survey has been published and is available for all students completing the BPTC in 2011. Students views are sought on all areas of their BPTC experience which will feed into analysis and review of the course. Any submissions are entirely confidential.”

Full story

Bar Standards Board, 10th May 2011

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Victims’ Commissioner highlights financial costs for bereaved families – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 11th, 2011 in bereavement, debts, murder, news, victims by sally

“Families who have lost loved ones under terrible circumstances are facing costs of £37,000 on average as they struggle to pick up the pieces, according to figures released today.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 11th May 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Network Rail to face Potters Bar crash fine – The Independent

Posted May 11th, 2011 in accidents, fines, health & safety, news, railways by sally

“Rail infrastructure company Network Rail (NR) faces a fine when it is sentenced in court tomorrow for safety failings over the 2002 Potters Bar train crash.”

Full story

The Independent, 11th May 2011

Source: : www.independent.co.uk

Coalition to water down employees’ rights – The Guardian

“The government is to extend its review of employment law to tighten up discrimination compensation and dilute rules protecting employees’ rights when a business is transferred from one owner to another.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Kenneth Clarke’s response to 2011 Reoffending Compendium – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 11th, 2011 in news, recidivists, rehabilitation, sentencing by sally

“Intelligent sentences which target the root causes of crime are the right way to tackle reoffending Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said today following the publication of the 2011 Reoffending Compendium.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 10th May 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Skateboarding dog owner fined £80 – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 11th, 2011 in dogs, fines, news by sally

“The owner of a skateboarding dog has been fined £80 and threatened with legal action for not keeping his Lakeland terrier on a lead.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 10th May 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Twitter revelations spark calls for privacy law – The Guardian

Posted May 11th, 2011 in injunctions, internet, media, news, privacy, public interest by sally

“Goldsmith and Hunt speak out after identities of celebrities alleged to have taken out injunctions are revealed on Twitter.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Law Commission: elderly care must be reformed – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 11th, 2011 in care homes, elderly, Law Commission, local government, news, social services by sally

“Elderly people will be guaranteed a minimum level of council help under plans for the most radical overhaul of social care in 60 years.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 11th May 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk