SFO opens criminal inquiry into ‘Beano’ Levene – The Times

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in news by sally

“The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) today announced it was opening a criminal investigation into Nicholas Levene, the bankrupt City trader.”

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The Times, 21st October 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Detections using DNA database fall despite huge rise in profiles – The Guardian

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in crime, DNA, news, police by sally

“Detections using the national DNA database have fallen over the past two years despite the number of profiles increasing by 1m and its running costs doubling to £4.2m a year.”

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The Guardian, 21st October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Protester injunction bid rejected – BBC News

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in demonstrations, injunctions, news by sally

“An energy company has been criticised for taking legal action against a protester under the Terrorism Act.”

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BBC News, 21st October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

The David v Goliath battle on costs – The Times

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in news by sally

“Radical changes to the civil justice system were made just over ten years ago and it is less than a decade since the last big reform to funding, when legal aid was withdrawn for personal injury claims. Now a radical review of costs is being carried out by Lord Justice Jackson.”

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The Times, 22nd October 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Fraudster jailed for crash-for-cash scam – The Independent

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in accidents, dangerous driving, fraud, insurance, news, sentencing by sally

“A fraudster who staged almost 100 car accidents and used the insurance payouts to fund a glamorous lifestyle was jailed yesterday.”

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The Independent, 22nd October 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

The Times wins Reynolds qualified privilege battle – The Times

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in news by sally

“Last week The Times won an important preliminary issue in a long-running libel action with a police officer by establishing that an article it published in 2006 was covered by Reynolds qualified privilege.”

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The Times, 22nd October 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Watchdog gives pub industry the all-clear – The Independent

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in competition, news by sally

“Britain’s pub industry was given the all-clear by competition watchdogs today following a ‘super complaint’ about so-called beer ties.”

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The Independent, 22nd October 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Cases which undermined the Human Rights Act – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in deportation, human rights, news, parental rights by sally

“As Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions, defends the Human Rights Act, here are five of the most controversial cases in which it has been invoked.”

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Daily Telegraph, 22nd October 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Ministers to consider bolstering press freedom after ‘super-injunction’ debate – The Guardian

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in freedom of expression, injunctions, media, news by sally

“The government is concerned that double gagging orders – ‘super-injunctions’ – are being used too readily by libel law firms, and will involve the judiciary in a consultation hoping to bring down their use.”

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The Guardian, 21st October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘We must prosecute people for the crimes they may have committed’ – The Times

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in news by sally

“Lord Judge wants to restore public confidence in the criminal justice system. Every single person was affected by it, ‘as victims, as witnesses, as defendants’. And, he adds, ‘if I read my newspapers correctly, public confidence has been damaged or reduced’.”

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The Times, 22nd October 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Keir Starmer: Profile – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in Crown Prosecution Service, news by sally

“Keir Starmer QC, a former Human Rights Lawyer of the Year, was a surprise appointment for Director of Public Prosecutions in July 2008.”

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Daily Telegraph, 21st October 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Human Rights Act defended by DPP – BBC News

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in Crown Prosecution Service, human rights, news by sally

“The Human Rights Act is not a ‘criminals’ charter’, the Director of Public Prosecutions has said.”

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BBC News, 21st October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Test case rules that firms must pay sets – The Lawyer

Posted October 21st, 2009 in barristers, fees, news, solicitors by sally

“Barristers are expecting a rise in cases against solicitors who have not paid fees to counsel after ­Lincoln’s Inn set Enterprise Chambers successfully sued West End firm Sibley & Co for fees owed.”

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The Lawyer, 19th October 2009

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Family legal aid reforms put vulnerable families and children first – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 21st, 2009 in family courts, legal aid, news by sally

“The Ministry of Justice and the Legal Services Commission have today published new fee structures for family legal aid.”

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Ministry of Justice, 21st October 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Murderer’s appeal ‘unarguable from the start’ – The Independent

Posted October 21st, 2009 in appeals, murder, news by sally

“A teenager who violently beat a hairdresser to death with a heavy duty barbell lost an appeal against his murder conviction today.”

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The Independent, 21st October 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Outrage as ‘secret inquests’ plan revived – The Times

Posted October 21st, 2009 in news by sally

“Civil liberties campaigners today accused the Government of quietly reviving plans to hold investigations into controversial deaths in secret.”

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The Times, 21st October 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association Brief Peers on Provisions Contained with the Coroners and Justice Bill – The Bar Council

Posted October 21st, 2009 in barristers, coroners, inquests, news by sally

“The Bar Council and the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) have sent a briefing paper to members of the House of Lords, bringing to their attention their continued concerns about some aspects of the Coroners and Justice Bill. The Bill, which will enter Report Stage in the House of Lords today, addresses a broad range of provisions within the criminal justice system, including the inquest system; clarifying the law on encouraging and assisting suicide; special measures for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses; the introduction of a Sentencing Council; and an enabling provision to regulate Damages Based Agreements (DBAs) through statutory instrument. The briefing paper, sent to members of the House of Lords as they return for the final few weeks of the 2008-9 parliamentary session, sets out the views of the Bar Council and CBA on these issues, which remain a concern to both organisations.”

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The Bar Council, 21st October 2009

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Lord Chief Justice’s statement on “Super-Injunctions” – Judiciary of England and Wales

Posted October 21st, 2009 in injunctions, news by sally

“In response to a question from a reporter at his media briefing this morning the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, outlined his view on ‘super-injunctions’.”

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Judiciary of England and Wales, 20th October 2009

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill second reading – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 21st, 2009 in constitutional reform, news, parliament by sally

“Government proposals to end the hereditary principle in the House of Lords will be debated today as the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill has its second reading.”

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Ministry of Justice, 20th October 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Freedom of Information – BBC News

Posted October 21st, 2009 in freedom of information, news by sally

“The Freedom of Information Act 2000 finally came into force on 1st January 2005.

Soon to celebrate its fifth birthday the Act is regarded by many as a crucial tool in bringing transparency and accountability to government.”

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BBC News, 20th October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk