British libel laws stifle free speech, claims UN – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 14th, 2008 in news by sally

“Britain’s libel laws are damaging free speech around the world as wealthy businessmen and celebrities increasingly turn to UK courts to sue their critics abroad, the United Nations has warned.”

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Daily Telegraph, 14th August 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Analysis: owning up to the FSA – The Times

Posted August 14th, 2008 in news by sally

“If an investment bank has uncovered evidence that a trader has deliberately mispriced positions it then faces an additional burden: informing the Financial Services Authority (FSA).”

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The Times, 13th August 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Ethnic minority lawyers discriminated against, report finds – The Guardian

Posted August 14th, 2008 in news, race discrimination, solicitors, Solicitors Regulation Authority by sally

“The body that regulates solicitors has been discriminating against ethnic minority lawyers and subjecting them to potentially ruinous investigations, an independent report has concluded.”

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The Guardian, 14th August 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Murder case affair judge resigns – BBC News

Posted August 14th, 2008 in judges, news by sally

“A part-time judge whose affair with a married woman drove her jealous husband to murder their daughter has resigned.”

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BBC News, 13th August 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Convicted rapist declared ‘safe’ months before he murdered teenager

Posted August 13th, 2008 in dangerous offenders, murder, news, rape by sally

“A convicted rapist sexually assaulted and murdered a teenage girl only months after he had been downgraded to the lowest risk level by public protection officials, it has been disclosed.”

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Daily Telegraph, 13th August 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Parents to be charged with murder of seven-year-old girl – The Guardian

Posted August 13th, 2008 in child neglect, murder, news by sally

“The mother and stepfather of a seven-year-old girl who allegedly starved to death are to be charged with her murder, the Crown Prosecution Service announced today.”

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The Guardian, 13th August 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Post union demands dog attack law – BBC News

Posted August 13th, 2008 in news, postal service by sally

“A trade union is pressing for a change in the law to help reduce the number of dog attacks on postal delivery staff.”

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BBC News, 13th August 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Boy suffers ‘blast injury’ from exploding joke pen – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 13th, 2008 in fines, health & safety, news by sally

“A toy company has been fined more than £5,000 after a nine-year-old boy suffered a ‘blast injury’ in his eye from a joke exploding pen.”

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Daily Telegraph, 13th August 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Repeat loo flusher faces eviction – BBC News

Posted August 13th, 2008 in news, noise, nuisance by sally

“A council tenant faces being evicted from her home after repeatedly flushing the toilet during the night.”

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BBC News, 13th August 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Colin Stagg wins £706,000 payout over Rachel Nickell murder charge – The Guardian

Posted August 13th, 2008 in compensation, miscarriage of justice, murder, news by sally

“Colin Stagg, who was cleared 14 years ago of murdering Rachel Nickell, has been awarded £706,000 compensation, his solicitor said today.”

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The Guardian, 13th August 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Privacy awareness not backed up by behaviour, survey finds – OUT-LAW.com

Posted August 13th, 2008 in internet, news, privacy by sally

“Almost 90% of UK internet users are prepared to give away private data despite 84% of the same users claiming to be very guarded about online privacy.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 13th August 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

Justice review backs class actions in English courts – OUT-LAW.com

Posted August 13th, 2008 in class actions, news by sally

“More class actions in English courts would benefit consumers, small businesses and employees, according to a new report by the advisory body charged with overseeing the modernisation of the civil justice system.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 13th August 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

National security: Plans for ‘secret inquests’ face defeat in Lords – The Guardian

Posted August 13th, 2008 in inquests, news by sally

“Ministers’ plans to hold in secret inquests that are deemed to put national security at risk are expected to face defeat when the House of Lords votes on them this autumn. A cross-party committee of peers, including a former lord chief justice and two former attorney-generals, has told the government that any decision to hold an inquest without a jury must be taken by a judge and not a minister.”

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The Guardian, 13th August 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Canoeist wife launches appeal bid – BBC News

Posted August 13th, 2008 in appeals, fraud, money laundering, news by sally

“Anne Darwin, the wife of canoeist John Darwin, has lodged an appeal against her conviction and sentence for fraud and money laundering.”

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BBC News, 12th August 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ex-drugs policy director calls for legalisation – The Guardian

Posted August 13th, 2008 in drug offences, news by sally

“A former senior civil servant who was responsible for coordinating the government’s anti-drugs policy now believes that legalisation would be less harmful than the current strategy. Julian Critchley, the former director of the Cabinet Office’s anti-drugs unit, also said that his views were shared by the ‘overwhelming majority’ of professionals in the field, including police officers, health workers and members of the government.”

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The Guardian, 13th August 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Prisons accused over elderly care – BBC News

Posted August 13th, 2008 in elderly, news, prisons by sally

“Prison bosses in England and Wales have failed to respond to a call to introduce special policies for elderly inmates, the prisons inspector says.”

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BBC News, 12th August 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Northern England has most dangerous – and least dangerous – places to live – The Guardian

Posted August 13th, 2008 in crime, news, statistics by sally

“People have a one in 10 risk of being a victim of crime in the highest crime districts, but only there is a one in 50 risk in the best, figures reveal today.”

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The Guardian, 13th August 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘I felt like I’d been slapped’ – BBC News

Posted August 13th, 2008 in alcohol abuse, criminal injuries compensation, news, rape by sally

“A rape victim who was told her compensation would be cut because she had been drinking before the attack has had the decision overturned.”

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BBC News, 12th August 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Financial firms may pay extra for rudeness, warns Ombudsman – OUT-LAW.com

Posted August 13th, 2008 in compensation, financial regulation, financial services ombudsman, news by sally

“Delays, rudeness and poor claims handling are grounds for ordering financial services firms to compensate customers, the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has said. Payments can be ordered in addition to other remedies.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 12th August 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

‘Snooper’s charter’ to check texts and emails – The Guardian

Posted August 13th, 2008 in data protection, internet, investigatory powers, news by sally

“Local councils, health authorities and hundreds of other public bodies are to be given the power to access details of everyone’s personal text, emails and internet use under Home Office proposals published yesterday.”

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The Guardian, 13th August 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk