Three men jailed for running cannabis factory in ex-nuclear bunker – The Guardian

‘Three men have been jailed for their part in running a vast underground cannabis farm in a former nuclear bunker in Wiltshire, staffed by young Vietnamese workers who were held in slave-like conditions.’

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The Guardian, 11th August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Worrying trend’ of freedom of the press in the UK as country ranks 40 in latest Reporters Without Borders index – The Independent

Posted August 15th, 2017 in freedom of expression, media, news, reports by sally

‘A “heavy handed approach” often in the name of national security has seen the UK slip in the rankings of countries with the world’s freest press, according to a new report by Reporters Without Borders.’

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The Independent, 14th August 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Illegal subletting – an ‘elaborate farrago of lies’ – Nearly Legal

Posted August 15th, 2017 in appeals, benefits, housing, landlord & tenant, news, repossession, social security by sally

‘Ms Afsana Begum and Mr Mohammed Rohim were the joint assured tenants of Poplar Housing from October 2014. The property was a two bed flat. The rent was paid in full by housing benefit. In August 2015, Poplar received a tip off that the property was being sub let. On investigation, Ms B had financial links to another flat nearby, her mother’s.’

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Nearly Legal, 13th August 2017

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Woman refused divorce will tell Supreme Court she should not have to prove ‘unreasonable’ behaviour – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 15th, 2017 in appeals, divorce, news, Supreme Court by sally

‘A woman refused a divorce from her millionaire husband will argue that she should not have to prove “unreasonable” behaviour as she takes her fight to the Supreme Court.’

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Daily Telegraph, 14th August 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Ann Maguire’s family lose legal challenge over inquest evidence – BBC News

Posted August 15th, 2017 in evidence, families, inquests, news, school children, witnesses by sally

‘The widower and children of a teacher murdered by a student have lost their legal challenge against a coroner’s decision not to call pupils as witnesses at a forthcoming inquest.’

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BBC News, 14th August 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Tougher laws to protect 10 million Britons who book holidays online – The Guardian

Posted August 15th, 2017 in consultations, consumer protection, holidays, internet, news by sally

‘Travellers booking package holidays online are to receive greater protection if a holiday company goes bust, under government proposals to strengthen rules.’

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The Guardian, 14th August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government to consider laser pen licence after attack rise – BBC News

Posted August 14th, 2017 in aircraft, consultations, government departments, licensing, news, weapons by sally

‘Buying powerful laser pens could require a licence in future, the government has said, amid concerns over the number of attacks on aircraft.’

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BBC News, 12th August 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Publishing salacious material as public interest besmirches press freedom – The Guardian

‘Seedy legal plea to name couple filmed having sex by police officer Adrian Pogmore is anything but a matter of high principle.’

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The Guardian, 13th August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Justice secretary told to ‘get a grip’ on backlog of prisoners held beyond sentence – The Guardian

‘The chair of the Parole Board has expressed his frustration at the government’s failure to “get a grip” on the issue of prisoners serving indeterminate sentences under the discredited imprisonment for public protection (IPP) programme.’

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The Guardian, 14th August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ellie Butler’s parents appear at inquest hearing via video from prisons – The Guardian

‘The parents of murdered six-year-old Ellie Butler have appeared via video link from their respective prisons at an inquest hearing into the death of their daughter, and interrupted the proceedings several times.’

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The Guardian, 11th August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Dwelling in temporary accommodation – Nearly Legal

Posted August 14th, 2017 in housing, local government, news, repossession, statutory interpretation by sally

‘When is temporary accommodation provided under the Housing Act 1996 Section 193(2) duty occupied ‘as a dwelling’ fo the purposes of Section 3 Protection from Eviction Act 1977?’

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Nearly Legal, 13th August 2017

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Nigerian gay rights activist wins UK asylum claim after 13-year battle – The Guardian

Posted August 14th, 2017 in appeals, asylum, homosexuality, human rights, immigration, news, refugees by sally

‘The Home Office has granted refugee status to a prominent Nigerian LGBT activist, ending a 13-year battle over her right to remain in the UK.’

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The Guardian, 14th August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

DIY divorce form could lead to more adultery accusations, lawyers warn – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 14th, 2017 in divorce, documents, family courts, news by sally

‘A new “DIY” divorce form designed to speed up the process could lead to thousands more people being accused of adultery, lawyers warn.’

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Daily Telegraph, 10th August 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Family convicted of keeping at least 18 victims as slaves for up to 26 years – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 14th, 2017 in forced labour, fraud, gangs, news by sally

‘Members of an extended family have been convicted of running a modern slavery ring which kept one of its captives in “truly shocking” conditions for decades.’

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Daily Telegraph, 11th August 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Why a computer could help you get a fair trial – The Guardian

‘Recent research suggests that AI could make a valuable contribution to the judicial process.’

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The Guardian, 13th August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Solicitor General: Asian gangs must be handed longer sentences for targeting white girls – Daily Telegraph

‘Judges must give longer sentences to Asian Muslim grooming gangs who abuse white teenage girls when there is evidence of racism, the Government’s senior legal advisor has said.’

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Daily Telegraph, 11th August 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Richard Susskind on the future of law – OUP Blog

Posted August 14th, 2017 in legal profession, legal services, news by sally

‘In the latest episode of the Oxford Law Vox podcast Richard Susskind talks to George Miller about the gaining momentum of technology and AI in the law profession. They discuss just how vital it is that lawyers learn to reinvent themselves and work alongside technology.’

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OUP Blog, 13th August 2017

Source: blog.oup.com

Prisoner ‘suicidal’ 11 years into 10-month jail term – BBC News

Posted August 14th, 2017 in arson, imprisonment, news, prisons, self-harm, sentencing by sally

‘In 2006, James Ward was given a 10-month minimum jail sentence called an IPP (Imprisonment for Public Protection) for arson.’

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BBC News, 14th August 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New law could criminalise uncovering personal data abuses, advocate warns – The Guardian

Posted August 14th, 2017 in anonymity, bills, data protection, fines, identification, internet, news, privacy by sally

‘A new law proposed to protect the privacy of British internet users could end up criminalising the only people working to uncover abuses of personal data, a leading privacy researcher has warned.’

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The Guardian, 14th August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Reuse of graves – further considerations – Law & Religion UK

Posted August 11th, 2017 in burials and cremation, faculties, news by sally

‘Re St Peter Terwick [2017] ECC Chi 2 is a relatively straightforward case concerning the development of a churchyard through the re-use of land formerly used for burial. However, it is important since in addition to the Chancellor’s summary of the diminishing availability of space for burial, the judgment records “the exemplary manner in which the parish has set about converting its aspiration into reality”.’

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Law & Religion UK, 9th August 2017

Source: www.lawandreligionuk.com