Cybercrime laws need urgent reform to protect UK, says report – The Guardian

Posted January 22nd, 2020 in computer crime, internet, news, public interest, statute law revision by sally

‘Britain’s cyber-defences are being endangered by the outdated Computer Misuse Act, which prevents investigators from dealing effectively with online threats while over-punishing immature defendants, according to a legal report.’

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The Guardian, 22nd January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exclusive: ‘perverse incentive’ contributed to slump in rape charges – Law Society’s Gazette

‘An undisclosed Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) target may be behind huge declines in numbers of rape suspects charged since 2016, the Gazette can reveal.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 13th November 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Secretary “humiliated” by comments on 50th birthday loses claim against law firm – Legal Futures

‘A legal secretary who claimed she felt humiliated and insulted by a colleague commenting on her 50th birthday has lost her claim for harassment and age discrimination against the law firm.’

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Legal Futures, 8th November 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Bail changes to be reviewed after suspected rapists, murders and paedophiles released without restrictions – The Independent

‘Bail changes made by the Conservative government are being reviewed after the release of thousands of suspected violent criminals, paedophiles and rapists.’

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The Independent, 6th November 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

When to assess the public interest in a FOIA request? Four years ago says Upper Tribunal in Maurizi – Panopticon

Posted October 24th, 2019 in Crown Prosecution Service, freedom of information, news, public interest by sally

‘For four years, Italian journalist Stefania Maurizi has been fighting a FOIA battle for the release of correspondence held by the CPS concerning Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange.’

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Panopticon, 23rd October 2019

Source: panopticonblog.com

Libor rigging inquiry shut down by Serious Fraud Office – BBC News

‘An investigation into the rigging of Libor, the benchmark interest rate that tracks the cost of borrowing cash, has been unexpectedly closed.’

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BBC News, 19th October 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

NDA advice “must be about more than just the law” – Legal Futures

‘Any solicitor who thinks it is only the law that restricts advice on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), ignoring the wider public interest, is “heading for trouble”, experts have warned.’

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Legal Futures, 3rd September 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Alison Berridge, Alexandra Littlewood and Ciar McAndrew: Freedom of Information Journal – Recent decisions of the Commissioner and Tribunal – Monckton Chambers

‘Alison Berridge, Alexandra Littlewood and Ciar McAndrew, public law barristers at Monckton Chambers, highlight the points of interest from April-June decisions of the First-Tier and Upper Tribunals.’

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Monckton Chambers, 20th August 2019

Source: www.monckton.com

Parliamentary group calls for overhaul of whistleblowing legislation – OUT-LAW.com

‘A group of politicians has recommended an extensive overhaul of whistleblowing legislation, including the creation of a legal definition for the term “whistleblower”.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 6th August 2019

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Shamima Begum being investigated by British police despite government vow not to bring her back to UK – The Independent

Posted August 7th, 2019 in appeals, citizenship, Islam, media, news, police, public interest, terrorism by tracey

‘British police are investigating Shamima Begum despite the government’s decision to remove her UK citizenship rather than repatriate her for trial. Scotland Yard is attempting to seize unpublished notes made by journalists who interviewed the former Isis member in Syria.’

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The Independent, 7th August 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

“No revolution” says the Supreme Court as it rules on defamation – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd and another [2019] UKSC 27. The Supreme Court has unanimously held that the Defamation Act 2013 altered the common law presumption of general damage in defamation. It is no longer sufficient for the imposition of liability that a statement is inherently injurious or has a “tendency” to injure a claimant’s reputation. Instead, the language of section 1(1) of the Act requires a statement to produce serious harm to reputation before it can be considered defamatory.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 17th june 2019

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Law Society’s defence of NDA guidance draws heavy fire – Legal Futures

‘The Law Society’s defence of its practice note on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) has not silenced its critics, with the leading academic in the field accusing Chancery Lane of “putting PR before principles”.’

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Legal Futures, 3rd June 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Brexit: Boris Johnson ordered to appear in court over £350m claim – BBC News

‘Boris Johnson has been ordered to appear in court over claims he lied by saying the UK gave the EU £350m a week. The Tory leadership candidate has been accused of misconduct in public office after making the claim during the 2016 EU referendum campaign.’

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BBC News, 29th May 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Broadcasters in legal bind over reporting on Tory crisis during election – The Guardian

‘Strict broadcasting laws place restrictions on coverage of politics during voting periods.’

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The Guardian, 23rd May 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judge “bullied” litigant in person, Court of Appeal rules – Litigation Futures

‘A High Court judge “seriously transgressed” the core principle that he remain neutral during the evidence and used bullying language against a litigant in person, the Court of Appeal has ruled.’

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Litigation Futures, 20th May 2019

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

‘Bullying’ libel judge’s dismissal of claim reversed on appeal – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Appeal judges have strongly criticised the “surprising and troubling” conduct of a High Court judge towards a litigant in person during a defamation hearing, saying he “cast off the mantle of impartiality”. Ruling in Serafin v Malkiewicz and Others, Lord Justice Lewison, Lord Justice McCombe and Lord Justice Haddon-Cave allowed an appeal against Mr Justice Jay’s dismissal of a libel claim against a London Polish-language newspaper.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 20th May 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Tommy Robinson: high court gives go-ahead for new contempt case – The Guardian

‘Two high court judges have said fresh proceedings can be brought against Tommy Robinson for alleged contempt of court over the filming of people involved in a criminal trial.’

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The Guardian, 14th May 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Paying for privacy? – Family Law

‘Stuart Clark, partner at The International Family Law Group LLP examines a recent Court of Appeal decision on privacy in family law cases and asks whether in practice anonymity is the preserve of only the very wealthy.’

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Family Law, 16th April 2019

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Regulator warns policy makers to “think very carefully” before setting up charity for singular public project – Local Government Lawyer

‘The fact that more than £50m of public funds was spent by the Garden Bridge Trust without producing demonstrable public benefit or impact represented “a failure for charity which risks undermining public trust”, the Charity Commission has said.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 11th April 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Prisoners Sentenced Under Now Abolished IPP Law ‘Give Up Hope Of Release’ – Rights Info

Posted April 12th, 2019 in imprisonment, limitations, mental health, news, parole, public interest, statistics by sally

‘Prisoners who were sentenced under the imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence are facing increasing mental health issues and a loss of trust in the justice system as they remain imprisoned without a set release date.’

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Rights Info, 11th April 2019

Source: rightsinfo.org