The challenge of expert evidence – Counsel

Posted February 12th, 2018 in cross-examination, evidence, expert witnesses, news by sally

‘Avoid the pitfalls of probabilistic reasoning and examine expert evidence with more confidence: Colin McCaul QC introduces new guidance from the Inns of Court College of Advocacy and the Royal Statistical Society.’

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Counsel, February 2018

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Raising the Young Bar profile – Counsel

Posted February 12th, 2018 in barristers, news, young persons by sally

‘Junior barristers, now more than ever, face a world which looks increasingly uncertain. Rick Hoyle, Chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee, looks at the worrying trend and what is being done about it.’

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Counsel, February 2018

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Nazi obsessive who threatened to bomb mosques after Manchester attack jailed – The Independent

Posted February 12th, 2018 in bomb hoaxing, news, sentencing, weapons by sally

‘A Nazi-sympathiser who threatened to petrol bomb mosques after the Manchester Arena attack and who had an array of medieval weapons at his home has been jailed for eight years.’

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The Independent, 10th February 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Church of England ‘faces two years of abuse revelations’ – BBC News

Posted February 12th, 2018 in child abuse, Church of England, complaints, news, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘The Church of England faces two years of revelations about sexual abuse and cover-ups, a bishop has said. The Church will be the focus of hearings at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse next month.’

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BBC News, 10th February 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police wrongly pursued retired fire chief rather than investigate blackmail claim against fantasist who accused him of rape – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 12th, 2018 in appeals, blackmail, miscarriage of justice, news, police, rape by sally

‘Police wrongly pursued a rape case against a retired fire chief rather than investigate a blackmail claim against the fantasist who made the allegation, the Telegraph can disclose. David Bryant, 67, spent almost three years in jail after being convicted of rape in a miscarriage of justice that further plunges into crisis the police handling of sex abuse cases. Mr Bryant’s conviction was overturned in the Court of Appeal and now a High Court judge has raised serious questions over a police force’s failure to investigate his accuser.’

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Daily Telegraph, 10th February 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Calls grow for Isis ‘Beatles’ to face UK trial – The Guardian

Posted February 12th, 2018 in citizenship, news, terrorism, trials by sally

‘Calls are mounting for the two British fighters captured in Syria to be sent back to the UK to face trial, with a former counter-terrorism regulator describing it as the “proper forum” for justice.’

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The Guardian, 11th February 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Barclays Bank charged by Serious Fraud Office over Qatar loan – The Independent

Posted February 12th, 2018 in banking, loans, news, prosecutions, Serious Fraud Office by sally

‘The UK’s fraud watchdog has charged Barclays Bank over making a loan to Qatar back in 2008.’

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The Independent, 12th February 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Police outsource digital forensic work to unaccredited labs – The Guardian

Posted February 12th, 2018 in contracting out, forensic science, news, police by sally

‘More than a dozen police forces have outsourced digital forensic investigative work to unaccredited private laboratories in the past year, at a time when a series of rape cases have been abandoned because of problems with digital evidence.’

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The Guardian, 12th February 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Planning policy consultation to finally begin a year after Government housing paper was published – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 12th, 2018 in construction industry, consultations, housing, news, planning by sally

‘Changes to England’s planning policy could finally come into effect this summer, more than a year after initial legislation was published, as housebuilders pin difficulties getting more homes built on the complicated system.’

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Daily Telegraph, 12th February 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Ministers to investigate aid sex scandal ‘cover-up’ amid claims officials ‘brushed off’ child abuse allegations – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 12th, 2018 in charities, child abuse, government departments, news, prostitution, sexual offences by sally

‘Ministers have launched an investigation into claims that foreign aid officials brushed off allegations of child abuse committed by aid workers.’

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Daily Telegraph, 11th February 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Number of drivers prosecuted for using a mobile phone at the wheel plummets amid ‘decline in traffic officers’ – The Independent

Posted February 12th, 2018 in news, police, prosecutions, road traffic offences, statistics, telecommunications by sally

‘The number of people found guilty of using a mobile phone at the wheel has plummeted, prompting warnings from the RAC that a drop in traffic officers means fewer offenders are being caught.’

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The Independent, 11th February 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Sweden tried to drop Assange extradition in 2013, CPS emails show – The Guardian

Posted February 12th, 2018 in Crown Prosecution Service, extradition, foreign jurisdictions, news, warrants by sally

‘Swedish prosecutors attempted to drop extradition proceedings against Julian Assange as early as 2013, according to a confidential exchange of emails with the Crown Prosecution Service seen by the Guardian.’

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The Guardian, 11th February 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Curry house chef not guilty of Tonypandy chilli powder attack – BBC News

Posted February 9th, 2018 in assault, news, self-defence by sally

‘A curry house chef who threw chilli powder into a customer’s eyes after he complained about “rubbery” chicken, has been found not guilty of assault.’

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BBC News, 9th February 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Grenfell Tower conman Anh Nhu Nguyen jailed for family deaths lie – BBC News

Posted February 9th, 2018 in fraud, news, sentencing by sally

‘A serial conman has been jailed for 21 months after pretending his family died in the Grenfell Tower fire.’

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BBC News, 9th February 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Supreme Court backs Chevron over use of new evidence in appeal over HSE prohibition notice – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 9th, 2018 in evidence, health & safety, news, offshore installations, Scotland, Supreme Court by sally

‘Tribunals are entitled to take into account additional evidence that was not available to the health and safety inspector when considering an appeal against a prohibition notice, the UK’s highest court has confirmed.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 8th February 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

High Court clarifies ability of local authorities to enter into limited liability partnerships – OUT-LAW.com

‘A local authority acted within its powers when it set up a limited liability partnership (LLP) to deliver a new housing and community scheme, the High Court has ruled.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 9th February 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

The Forum Bar: it does exist — Bruno Min – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted February 9th, 2018 in choice of forum, computer crime, extradition, jurisdiction, news by sally

‘n 5th February 2018 the Divisional Court gave judgment in Love v USA [2018] EWHC 172 (Admin), holding that the forum bar operated against the extradition of Lauri Love to the United States to face charges of making a series of cyber-attacks on the computer networks of private companies and US Government agencies. This is the first reported case in which the ‘forum bar’ has been applied to block an extradition.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 9th February 2018

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted February 9th, 2018 in legislation by sally

The Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) Regulations 2018

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (Commencement and Transitional and Savings Provisions) Regulations 2018

The Novel Foods (England) Regulations 2018

The Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018

The Registered Pension Schemes (Relief at Source) (Amendment) Regulations 2018

The Employment Rights Act 1996 (Itemised Pay Statement) (Amendment) Order 2018

The Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills Order 2018

The Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018

The Transfer of Responsibility for Relevant Children (Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018

The Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018

The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2018

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted February 9th, 2018 in law reports by sally

Supreme Court
Robinson v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police [2018] UKSC 4 (8 February 2018)

The Advocate General for Scotland v Romein (Scotland) [2018] UKSC 6 (8 February 2018)

Bancoult, R (on the application of) (No 3) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Respondent)[2018] UKSC 3 (8 February 2018)

HM Inspector of Health and Safety v Chevron North Sea Ltd (Scotland) [2018] UKSC 7 (8 February 2018)

B (Algeria) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] UKSC 5 (8 February 2018)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Hammonds of Knutsford Plc, R (on the application of) v HM Revenue and Customs [2018] EWCA Civ 135 (08 February 2018)Donelien v Liberata UK Ltd [2018] EWCA Civ 129 (08 February 2018)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Shimbles, R (On the Application Of) v Bradford Metropolitan District Council [2018] EWHC 195 (Admin) (08 February 2018)

Peters v London Borough of Haringey & Anor [2018] EWHC 192 (Admin) (08 February 2018)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Hawkes v Warmex Ltd [2018] EWHC 205 (QB) (08 February 2018)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust & Anor v Lancashire County Council [2018] EWHC 200 (TCC) (08 February 2018)

Equitix ESI CHP (Wrexham) Ltd v Bester Generacion UK Ltd [2018] EWHC 177 (TCC) (08 February 2018)

Triumph Controls UK Ltd & Anor v Primus International Holding Co & Ors [2018] EWHC 176 (TCC) (07 February 2018)

Source: www.bailii.org

Judges reject appeal by planning defendant over ‘impersonation’ in magistrates court – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Court of Appeal has rejected a claim that a fine and a £4m-plus proceeds of crime order made over a planning case in Ealing should be overturned because the defendant was impersonated in the magistrates’ court.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 7th February 2018

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk