Relatives’ champion who took the fight to ministers – The Times
“Rarely a month goes by without a damning inquest verdict from Andrew Walker, highlighting failures by the Ministry of Defence.”
The Times, 12th April 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Category: special report
Street crime special: Trigger-happy tales from Britain’s front line – The Independent
“Knife-wielding, gun-toting, pit-bull-packing hoodies are assailing us from every angle. They’re in the newspapers and on the television; the subject of police crackdowns, Government task forces and dinner-party debates.
But while ministers fear to tread our inner cities by night, the views of those best placed to discuss the issues surrounding street crime rarely see daylight.”
The Independent, 13th April 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Analysis: what next after High Court ruling on BAE? – The Times
“When Tony Blair, as Prime Minister, approached the Attorney-General, Lord Goldsmith, QC, to argue the case for the dropping of the corruption investigation into the BAE arms deal, he insisted that it was a matter ultimately for the Government’s chief law officer. But — justifying his approach — Mr Blair said that this was the ‘clearest case for intervention in the public interest he had seen’.”
The Times, 10th April 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Civil Justice Centre shines in court gloom – Daily Telegraph
“Ever since Labour came to power in 1997, the Government has been spending only about half the money that was needed to keep the courts of law in good working order.”
Daily Telegraph, 9th April 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Kathy Honeywood: ‘Being the only woman is quite tough’ – The Times
“The Clifford Chance partner is on a mission to increase the number of women at the top of the world’s biggest firm.”
The Times, 9th April 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Star Wars stormtroopers invade the High Court – The Times
” The Stormtrooper stood at the side of court 52 against a row of leatherbound legal tomes, facing the judge. At his side was another full-sized model of a fighter pilot from the forces of Emperor Palpatine.”
The Times, 9th April 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Sir Ken Macdonald: ‘We are determined to do more ourselves’ – The Times
“It is a classic case of poacher- turned-gamekeeper — or in the case of Sir Ken Macdonald, perhaps the other way round. The Director of Public Prosecutions has embarked on a programme of taking on Crown Court trials — the stomping ground of his profession, the Bar. Instead of paying millions a year to private practice barristers, he wants more CPS advocates to take their own cases to court.”
The Times,
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Reform in a teacup? – Law Society’s Gazette
“The government’s ‘constitutional renewal’ proposals offer piecemeal reforms of key British institution.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 3rd April 2008
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Terrified, humiliated – and innocent: the evidence against 42-day detention – The Independent
“A young Muslim woman has spoken about the appalling conditions she had to endure when she was held for 12 days without charge by police using existing powers to detain suspects in terrorist cases.”
The Independent, 1st April 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Sick and suicidal: plight of women in UK jails – The Guardian
“Most women prisoners have mental health problems, and nine of out 10 were convicted of non-violent offences. Now a new study shows an alarming rise in suicides and self-harm – and behind the statistics lie ruined lives and shattered relatives. With four inquests about to open, Amelia Hill reports on the growing scandal in Britain’s penal system.”
The Guardian, 30th March 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Freedom Of Information: Should policy discussions be kept under wraps? – The Independent
“The Government argues that policy decision-making requires ‘space to think’ and should remain safe from prying eyes. Is this in the public interest? asks Maurice Frankel.”
The Independent, 28th March 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Important changes under way, but who cares? – The Times
“Step by step, the arguments of the 17th century over parliamentary control of prerogative powers are at last being resolved. The draft Constitutional Renewal Bill is a further big step, by no means the final one, into making the executive more accountable.”
The Times, 26th March 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Cosmetic surgeons fear laser rule change is risk to patients’ health – The Times
“Government plans to drop the regulation of lasers used by beauty salons for cosmetic treatments, such as the removal of wrinkles, hair and tattoos, would pose a serious risk to patients’ health, doctors said yesterday.”
The Times, 26th March 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Family justice system is at risk, warns new chief judge – The Times
“The first woman Attorney-General was enthusing in Law last week about government moves to combat domestic violence. A starkly different message comes this week from the first woman to lead the 455-judge strong Association of District Judges. Edwina Millward believes that recent reforms to curb domestic violence are having the reverse effect — and that cases coming to trial are in decline.”
The Times, 25th March 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Why judges find ways to ignore the law in gun crime sentences – The Times
“Passing sentence in the case of the death of Kamilah Peniston, Mr Justice Holland condemned Britain’s gang-gun culture.
According to the judge, there were ‘exceptional circumstances’ that allowed him to hand down a sentence below the five-year minimum term set down in law.”
The Times, 25th March 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Explainer: The legal position – The Guardian
“The quick capitulation by the Daily Express and Star and their Sunday equivalents to libel threats by Gerry and Kate McCann came from a recognition by the papers that their allegations were baseless and could not be defended in court.”
The Guardian, 20th March 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Legal Opinion: Financial crisis pushes law centres to the brink – The Independent
“Lawyers working in law centres are often the last hope for people in desperate situations. Robert Verkaik, Law Editor, reports on hard times from the legal coal-face.”
The Independent, 19th March 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Publicity made the outcome of McCartney case inevitable – The Times
“The decision to publish the ‘warts and all’ judgment on the financial battle between Heather Mills and Sir Paul McCartney is a sign of the wish among family judges for more openness in their courts. But the flow of media leaks in the case, the high-profile nature of the couple and intense media interest were equally strong factors in the judge’s decision, lawyers said yesterday.”
The Times, 19th March 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Rape and Sexual Offences – BBC Law in Action
“How is the low conviction rate for rape being addressed by the criminal justice system, and what further reforms should be made?”
BBC Law in Action, 18th March 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
