No smoke without fire – The Lawyer
“The smoking ban may stop claims over second-hand smoke, but will the smokers themselves start claiming it’s all too unfair?”
The Lawyer, 21st May 2007
Source: www.legalweek.com
Category: news
Legal ruling fails to end court battles over bank charges – Financial Times
“This morning, Tom Brennan, a recently qualified barrister, will be back in court, fighting the latest round in the increasingly high-profile legal battle between banks and their customers over overdraft charges.”
Financial Times, 21st May 2007
Source: www.ft.com
Lords bid to halt Hips – The Guardian
“A last-ditch attempt to halt the introduction of Home Information Packs (Hips) will take place in the House of Lords tomorrow.”
The Guardian, 21st May 2007
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Plan to identify potential violent offenders condemned – The Guardian
“Council staff, charity workers and doctors will be obliged to tip off police about anyone they believe might commit a violent crime, under a Home Office plan revealed in a leaked document today.”
The Guardian, 21st May 2007
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Lords face full election under Brown plans – The Guardian
“Gordon Brown is to unveil plans for a fully elected second chamber, based on proportional representation, the Guardian has learned. Mr Brown is likely to face strong opposition from members of the current House of Lords. In an effort to neutralise this, he will bring forward his proposals as part of a larger package of wide constitutional reform, based on a national consultation.”
The Guardian, 21st May 2007
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Banker’s inquest to throw spotlight on controversial US extradition deal – The Guardian
“The inquest this week into the death of a NatWest banker found hanged near his home in Woodford Green, north-east London, is likely to refocus attention on the issue of extradition of British citizens to the United States. The dead man was a colleague of the so-called NatWest Three, who were controversially extradited to the US last year to stand trial on fraud charges.”
The Guardian, 21st May 2007
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Freedom of information ‘needs restraints’ – The Times
“A crackdown on those who abuse the Freedom of Information Act will begin this week as the row intensifies over whether MPs should be exempt from the law.”
The Times, 21st May 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
MPs vote themselves exemption from freedom of information law – The Independent
“Britain’s fledgling open government laws were delivered a serious blow yesterday when MPs, backed by government ministers, voted to grant themselves a blanket exemption from the legislation. The move was roundly condemned by freedom of information campaigners and MPs opposed to the measure, who said it represented an attack on democracy.”
The Independent, 19th May 2007
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Cost of prisoners underestimated by third – Reuters
“The financial cost to the country of imprisonment has been underestimated by a third, a report said on Monday.”
Reuters, 21st May 2007
Source: www.reuters.com
Related link: Poverty and disadvantage among prisoners’ families (PDF)
Lords defeat expected over home information packs – The Guardian
“Ministers are facing fresh turmoil over the introduction of home information packs for house sellers, amid indications that Tory and Lib Dem peers will lead a successful revolt against the measure next Tuesday in the Lords.”
The Guardian, 19th May 2007
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Crime boss must pay £4.7m costs – BBC News
“Jailed crime boss Terry Adams has been ordered to pay back nearly £5m in legal aid he was awarded to defend himself.”
BBC News, 18th May 2007
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Toddler goading sentences to stay – BBC News
“The Attorney General has said the sentencing of four women who filmed two toddlers fighting will not be referred to the Court of Appeal.”
BBC News, 18th May 2007
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Lords to shame MPs over secrecy bill – The Observer
“Members of Parliament who voted to remove themselves from anti-secrecy laws are to be ‘put to shame’ by peers gearing up to block a similar move for the House of Lords.”
The Observer, 20th May 2007
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
BA faces prospect of multiple lawsuits – The Times
“British Airways’ admission that there have been ‘breaches of its competition policy’ – a legalistic way of owning up to having cheated on ticket prices – opens the airline up to the potential for multiple lawsuits.”
The Times, 18th May 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
MPs make themselves exempt from FOI – The Times
“A move to exempt Parliament from freedom of information law has been approved by MPs after attempts to block it in the Commons failed.”
The Times, 18th May 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Legal aid reforms will put civil liberty work ‘at risk’ – Law Society’s Gazette
“Proposed reforms to legal aid will destroy specialist civil liberties teams, practitioners have warned.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 17th May 2007
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Commercial bench feels squeeze – Law Society’s Gazette
“The Commercial Court is under pressure because of the number of judges needed to hear criminal cases – and terrorist trials in particular.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 17th May 2007
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Related links: Report of the Commercial Court and Admiralty Court, 2005-2006 (PDF)
Bank charge firms under spotlight – BBC News
“Regulators are investigating the tactics of ‘no win, no fee’ firms that specialise in recovering bank penalty charges, the BBC has learned.”
BBC News, 18th May 2007
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Human-animal embryos get go-ahead – The Guardian
“Plans to outlaw the creation of ‘human-animal’ embryos are set to be scrapped by ministers amid fears that an outright ban would hamper work on incurable diseases and damage British science.”
The Guardian, 18th May 2007
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Court bid to block casino plans – BBC News
“An attempt to block the government’s plans for a new super-casino has been launched at the High Court in London.”
BBC News, 17th May 2007
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
