News of the World faces £800,000 payout in bullying case – The Guardian

Posted November 24th, 2009 in bullying, disability discrimination, news, unfair dismissal by sally

“A News of the World reporter who suffered from a culture of bullying led by former editor Andy Coulson, who is now David Cameron’s head of communications, has been awarded almost £800,000 for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.”

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Simpler, cheaper compensation procedure proposed in new Bill – Ministry of Justice

Posted November 24th, 2009 in compensation, insolvency, news by sally

“Making it easier and less expensive to claim compensation from insolvent defendants is the aim of a new Bill put before Parliament today.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war incapable of deciding on legality – judges – The Guardian

Posted November 24th, 2009 in inquiries, Iraq, news, war by sally

“The Chilcot inquiry is incapable of addressing the key issue of whether the invasion of Iraq was legal, senior judicial figures have said, adding to the controversy surrounding the inquiry’s legitimacy.”

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New safeguards urged over routine police DNA tests – BBC News

Posted November 24th, 2009 in DNA, news, police by sally

“Police should not routinely DNA test everyone they arrest, the government’s genetic advisers have concluded.”

Full story

BBC News, 24th November 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man jailed over Baby P challenging rape conviction – The Independent

Posted November 24th, 2009 in appeals, news, rape by sally

“One of the trio jailed over the death of Baby Peter is challenging his conviction for the rape of a two-year-old girl at the Court of Appeal today.”

Full story

The Independent, 24th November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Paralysed RAF man suing for £6m – BBC News

Posted November 24th, 2009 in armed forces, negligence, news, personal injuries by sally

“A former RAF employee from Cornwall has begun legal action against the Ministry of Defence (MoD), claiming £6m after breaking his neck during a fun day.”

Full story

BBC News, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Policeman jailed for murdering constable fiancee – The Guardian

Posted November 24th, 2009 in domestic violence, murder, news, sentencing by sally

“A policeman has been jailed for at least 18 years for murdering his police constable fiancee and trying to hide the act with a staged car accident.”

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Current Awareness Survey

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in news by sally

We would be grateful if you could spend a few minutes completing a brief user survey, by following the link below. This will enable us to learn more about how the service is being used, with a view to making future improvements.

Survey link

Police pay compensation to De Menezes family – The Guardian

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in compensation, firearms, news, police by sally

“The family of Jean Charles de Menezes have revealed they have agreed a compensation deal with the Metropolitan police.”

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

File-sharer disconnection law published to continuing opposition – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in copyright, internet, news by sally

“The Government has published the legislation which would force internet service providers to disconnect internet connections used by alleged file sharers without a court order. The Digital Economy Bill contains the controversial provisions.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

Birmingham Six: 35 years on from injustice – The Independent

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in miscarriage of justice, news, terrorism by sally

“Thirty five years ago, the IRA murdered 21 in the Birmingham pub bombings. Six men were jailed for crimes they did not commit, and spent 16 years in jail before their convictions were quashed. But how was life on the outside? Jonathan Owen talks to Johnny Walker.”

Full story

The Independent, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

2010 Election Results – The Bar Council

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in barristers, elections, news by sally

“The Bar Council have today released the election results for 2010.”

Results (Word)

The Bar Council, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Bar Council Welcomes BSB’s Decisions on New Practice Structures – The Bar Council

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in alternative business structures, barristers, news by sally

“The Bar Council has today welcomed the decisions taken by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) which will permit members of the Bar to supply legal services within new business structures. The BSB has approved the creation of Legal Disciplinary Practices (LDPs) and Barrister only Partnerships (BoPs). Any wider decision to permit barristers to work in Alternative Business Structures (ABSs) will be deferred until the effects of the transitional LDP regime can be assessed and following further consultation in 2010.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 20th November 2009

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Definitive Sentencing Guidelines on Overarching principles – Sentencing youths – Sentencing Guidelines Council

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in news, sentencing, young offenders by sally

“On 20 November 2009 the Sentencing Guidelines Council published its definitive guideline “Overarching Principles – Sentencing Youths”, which will apply to offenders sentenced on or after 30 November 2009.

This wide-ranging guideline has been developed to deal with changes in legislation relating to youth justice to be implemented on 30 November 2009. It also draws together the principles relating to sentencing young offenders in a single authoritative document.”

Overarching principles – Sentencing youths (PDF)

Press Notice (PDF)

Sentencing Guidelines Council, 20th November 2009

Source: www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk

Army faces new inquiry on Iraq torture deaths – The Independent

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in armed forces, Iraq, news, torture by sally

“An announcement this week of a new public inquiry into fresh allegations of torture against British troops will heap further pressure on the British Army and the Government regarding abuse in Iraq.”

Full story

The Independent, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Secret files show UK courts were misled over 9/11 suspect Lotfi Raissi – The Guardian

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in Crown Prosecution Service, disclosure, news, terrorism by sally

“British prosecutors failed to disclose crucial evidence to the courts in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks in a case that resulted in an innocent pilot being jailed for five months, previously unseen documents reveal.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Peer calls for radical steps to reduce rapes – The Independent

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in news, rape by sally

“Rapists will continue to walk free from British courts in the future, the peer leading a government review of sex crime admitted this weekend.”

Full story

The Independent, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Offenders give flowers to victims in community justice trial scheme – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in community service, news by sally

“Police are imposing informal punishments – such as forcing offenders to give flowers to their victims – in a return to community justice.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Couples don’t need the law to tell them how to live together – The Guardian

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in cohabitation, news by sally

“Extending property rights to those who move in together, but don’t marry, will only lead to heartbreak and pain for the young.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New law saves 86 victims from forced marriages – The Independent

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in forced marriages, news, police by sally

“But experts warn that the impetus behind the new legislation and police training on ‘honour’ killings is in danger of slowing.”

Full story

The Independent, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk