Former police chief convicted over child abuse video granted court of appeal hearing – The Guardian

‘A decorated former police chief has won two key battles in her fight to overturn her conviction for possessing a child abuse video and get her job back, the Guardian has learned.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 2nd August 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

One in 70 recorded rapes in England and Wales led to charge last year – The Guardian

‘Fewer than one in 70 recorded rapes resulted in a charge last year, as tens of thousands of victims did not support demands from police and prosecutors and withdrew from the process.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 17th July 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

The 4 Principles Applicable to Telephone Disclosure by Giles Bridge – Broadway House Chambers

‘You are the witness to or the victim of a crime. The police officer says that they need you to hand over your mobile phone. The officer says it will be examined and all of the contents may be downloaded. The officer cannot say when you will get your phone back. There is a long backlog of phones waiting to be downloaded, it could be a couple of months. It’s your phone, you really rely upon it. Like most people, your average screen time has rocketed during lockdown. There is so much detailed and very personal information on that phone. You ask the officer, ‘Do you really need to take my phone?’ You are very reluctant to hand it over. The officer says, if you do not hand it over the case probably will not go any further. Discussions like this take place every day across the United Kingdom.’

Full Story

Broadway House Chambers, 29th June 2020

Source: broadwayhouse.co.uk

Pontypool rape confession after parents see text message – BBC News

Posted June 30th, 2020 in guilty pleas, news, rape, sentencing, telecommunications, young offenders by sally

‘A man has been sentenced for raping a woman after his parents saw an incriminating text message on his phone and made him confess to the police.’

Full Story

BBC News, 29th June 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police in England and Wales taking ‘excessive personal data’ from mobile phones – The Guardian

‘Police are extracting “excessive amounts of personal data” from the mobile phones of victims and witnesses during investigations and are in danger of discouraging the public from reporting crime, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has warned.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 18th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police in England and Wales dropping rape inquiries when victims refuse to hand in phones – The Guardian

‘Rape investigations are being systematically dropped after victims refuse to hand over their mobile phones for analysis, an investigation has found.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 17th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Termination of a Code Agreement by Operators – Falcon Chambers

‘In this article we intend to examine the continuation of a Code agreement falling within the terms of the Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”) and the ability of an operator to terminate it permanently, such that the agreement may be treated as at an ended at the specified break date without any ongoing continuation of the operator’s contractual liability. We shall also consider the issue of renewal following termination.’

Full Story

Falcon Chambers, June 2020

Source: www.falcon-chambers.com

Solicitor and wife witness client’s will via WhatsApp video – Legal Futures

Posted June 3rd, 2020 in coronavirus, executors, news, solicitors, telecommunications, wills by sally

‘A solicitor and his wife have used WhatsApp video to witness a will made by a man who was very ill with Covid-19, it has emerged.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 2nd June 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

EP 113: Tracking Coronavirus Symptoms: an erosion of privacy? – Professor Lilian Edwards – Law Pod UK

Posted May 27th, 2020 in bills, coronavirus, internet, news, podcasts, privacy, telecommunications by sally

‘With the new contact tracing app due to be rolled out in the rest of the UK after the Isle of Wight trial in May, Rosalind English discusses privacy concerns with Professor Lilian Edwards of Newcastle University, whose Bill seeks to address some of these concerns.’

Full Story

Law Pod UK, 26th May 2020

Source: audioboom.com

Ofcom: Christian TV network aired Covid-19 conspiracies – The Guardian

Posted May 19th, 2020 in coronavirus, media, news, telecommunications by sally

‘A Christian television channel founded by a Lagos-based megachurch pastor has been sanctioned by Ofcom for airing “potentially harmful statements” about the Covid-19 pandemic, including a baseless conspiracy that the virus is linked to the rollout of 5G phone networks.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 18th May 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

“Uphill battle” to engage judges in remote JR hearings – Litigation Futures

Posted May 12th, 2020 in judicial review, judiciary, news, remote hearings, telecommunications by sally

‘It is often impossible to sense how a judge is receiving submissions during remote judicial review hearings held during the Covid-19 lockdown, leading to confusion for advocates, a study has found.’

Full Story

Litigation Futures, 11th May 2020

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Can I Trust The NHS’ Covid-19 Contact Tracing App? – Each Other

Posted May 12th, 2020 in computer programs, coronavirus, news, telecommunications by sally

‘Around 60 percent of the UK public will need to use the NHS’ Covid-19 contact tracing app for it to effectively quell the outbreak. But it has been warned that uptake will depend on whether the app “gives reason to be trusted”. EachOther asks experts their views on how trust is being earned and eroded.’

Full Story

Each Other, 7th May 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

Jurisdiction of the court as well as the adjudicator under scrutiny – Hardwicke Chambers

‘Waksman J was asked by a contractor, Flexidig, to enforce an adjudicator’s decision ordering payment against its employer, M&M. Flexidig had been appointed by M&M to carry out civil works associated with the installation of new Virgin Media underground infrastructure in Lough, Lincolnshire.’

Full Story

Hardwicke Chambers, 29th April 2020

Source: hardwicke.co.uk

When Remote Justice Works – Transparency Project

‘During the current public health emergency, remote justice – hearings conducted wholly via audio/visual conferencing platforms – is the default position for all court cases. After early enthusiasm at the fact that the courts were able to acquire the technical skills and software to actually deliver remote hearings at all, there has been increasing concern about their efficacy, fairness and transparency and – in particular – about the loss of human connection and personal engagement they can entail, as described in these accounts from a judge, a journalist, and a lawyer). There has been less feedback from lay participants involved in remote justice, either as parties, or as observing members of the public.’

Full Story

Transparency Project, 4th May 2020

Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk

Coronavirus: Ofcom assesses Eamonn Holmes 5G comments after complaints – BBC News

‘TV regulator Ofcom has said it is assessing comments made by presenter Eamonn Holmes about 5G technology and coronavirus “as a priority”.’

Full Story

BBC News, 14th April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Watchdog approves use of UK phone data if it helps fight coronavirus – The Guardian

‘The UK’s privacy watchdog has said the government can use personal data from people’s mobile phones to track and monitor behaviour if it helps fight the spread of coronavirus.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 27th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Self-isolating litigant in person appears via barrister’s mobile – Litigation Futures

‘A barrister has spoken of how a self-isolating defendant in a fast-track personal injury claim appeared before the court via WhatsApp video.’

Full Story

Litigation Futures, 23rd March 2020

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

CPS failed to tell inspectors of internal review revealing rape case failings – The Guardian

‘The Crown Prosecution Service conducted a secret internal review that exposed its failings in rape cases – but failed to share it with inspectors who were conducting an official inquiry for a major government investigation into rape, the Guardian can reveal.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 15th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mirror’s in-house lawyers under phone-hacking scrutiny – Legal Futures

‘The High Court has rejected a bid to strike out the claim by various public figures that the legal department of MGN Group knew about phone hacking at the Daily Mirror.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 11th March 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Phones that may hold child abuse images returned to suspects – The Guardian

‘Police are giving back to suspected paedophiles phones and computers that possibly hold child abuse images because they do not have the time or technology to search the devices, a report says.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 27th February 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com