Father who killed baby in fit of temper jailed for at least 21 years – The Guardian

Posted May 5th, 2017 in child abuse, grievous bodily harm, murder, news, sentencing by sally

‘A father has been jailed for a minimum of 21 years for murdering his three-month-old son by hurling the infant “vigorously” against a hard surface in a fit of temper.’

Full story

The Guardian, 4th April 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

BBC attacks Sir Cliff Richard’s ‘grossly unreasonable’ spending on lawyers in his fight for damages against them – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 5th, 2017 in BBC, costs, damages, defamation, news, proportionality by sally

‘BBC bosses say Sir Cliff Richard has spent “grossly unreasonable” amounts on lawyers after complaining about reports naming him as a suspected sex offender and taking legal action.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 4th May 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Teenagers who murdered mother and daughter challenge sentences – The Guardian

Posted May 5th, 2017 in appeals, murder, news, sentencing, young offenders by sally

‘A teenage couple detained for life for the killings of a mother and her daughter have challenged their “manifestly excessive” minimum terms.’

Full story

The Guardian, 4th May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Baby deaths cluster: Trust paid out millions in compensation – BBC News

Posted May 5th, 2017 in birth, compensation, hospitals, news by sally

‘An NHS trust facing a review into maternity errors has paid out millions in compensation after similar mistakes led to babies born with brain injuries.’

Full story

BBC News, 4th May 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

No ‘judicial consent’ needed for MI5 to quiz ‘ward of court’ teens, judge rules – Daily Telegraph

‘MI5 agents and anti-terror police have been given the go-ahead to question teenagers placed under the control of family court judges as a result of radicalisation fears.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 5th May 2017

Source; www.telegraph.co.uk

HMRC steps up inquiry into employment status of Hermes couriers – The Guardian

‘HM Revenue & Customs has stepped up its investigation into the delivery company Hermes classifiying its couriers as self-employed, while the business has also been hit with an employment rights lawsuit from the GMB trade union.’

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Digital Economy Bill made law – Panopticon

Posted May 4th, 2017 in advertising, bills, internet, news, pornography, privacy by sally

‘What with all the kerfuffle over Brexit negotiations and the impending snap general election, you could perhaps be forgiven for failing to notice that the Government had rushed the Digital Economy Bill through Parliament in last week’s “wash up” before the dissolution of Parliament.’

Full story

Panopticon, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.panopticonblog.com

Third Party Litigation Funding Continues to Grow – Litigation Futures

Posted May 4th, 2017 in legal services, news, third parties by sally

‘With court fees rising and litigation becoming increasingly expensive, third party litigation funding continues to grow. There are various reasons clients may want to consider litigation funding, such as the need for a cash injection to enable them to get their case off the ground or the desire to take the litigation risk off their balance sheet and avoid having funds tied up in lengthy legal battles. Litigation funding can also be a useful tool for solicitors as it can provide payment of their fees where a client does not have the funds to continue with the litigation.

Full story

Litigation Futures, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Government rules out appealing air quality plan ruling – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Government has confirmed that it will not appeal last week’s High Court judgment which ordered it to produce its air quality plans by 9 May, it has been reported.’

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Brexit may cost MPs and peers the power to pass laws, says former judge – The Guardian

‘The “legislative tsunami” unleashed by Brexit will deliver the “greatest challenge” in history to the integrity of parliament’s procedures, a former lord chief justice has said. Lord Judge raised his concerns that by the time Brexit is completed and the “great repeal bill” enacted, MPs and peers will have effectively given away their powers to pass laws.’

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lord Janner’s family have hearing request rejected – BBC News

‘The family of the late Lord Janner have lost their battle to have a hearing to discuss concerns about the inquiry into allegations against him.’

Full story

BBC News, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Official forensic regulator calls for increase to legal aid funding – The Guardian

Posted May 4th, 2017 in computer crime, DNA, forensic science, legal aid, news by sally

‘Defence lawyers need additional legal aid funding to help them check and challenge the increasing complexity of digital evidence gathered for criminal prosecutions, the official forensic science regulator has warned. Dr Gillian Tully told the Forensics Europe Expo in London that time pressures to meet deadlines for complying with new digital forensics standards could result in “a bit of a car crash” if firms are not ready in time.’

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Test purchase sees taxi driver convicted over refusal to allow guide dog in car – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 3rd, 2017 in disabled persons, dogs, equality, news, prosecutions, taxis by sally

‘A North East council has successfully prosecuted a taxi driver who refused to let a passenger with an assistance dog into his vehicle.’

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 3rd May 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

APIL pushes for “predictable claim process” for fixed cost clinical negligence cases – Litigation Futures

Posted May 3rd, 2017 in costs, government departments, negligence, news, personal injuries by sally

‘The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has called for a “predictable claim process” for clinical negligence actions if the government goes ahead with its plan to impose fixed costs for cases worth up to £25,000.’

Full story

Litigation futures, 2nd May 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Former football coach jailed for child sex offences – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A former PE teacher and football coach has today (May 2) been sentenced to 24 years in prison for sexual offences against a young boy.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 2nd May 2017

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

President’s guidance: Judicial Cooperation with Serious Case Reviews – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted May 3rd, 2017 in family courts, judiciary, press releases by sally

‘Guidance issued by Sir James Munby, President of the Family Division on 2 May 2017.’

Full press release

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 2nd May 2017

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

BSB consults on changing the standard of proof used in professional misconduct proceedings for barristers – Bar Standards Board

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today launched a new consultation about the standard of proof applied when barristers and others regulated by the BSB face disciplinary proceedings for professional misconduct.’

Full story

Bar Standards Board, 2nd May 2017

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted May 3rd, 2017 in legislation by sally

The Electoral Registration Pilot Scheme (England and Wales) Order 2017

The Electoral Registration Pilot Scheme (England) (Amendment) Order 2017

The Immigration Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments) (Biometrics and Legal Aid) Regulations 2017

The Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) Order 2017

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Ministers ‘should have legal duty to combat rise in prison suicides’ – The Guardian

Posted May 3rd, 2017 in ministers' powers and duties, news, prisons, suicide by sally

‘The next government should introduce legislation to “end the shocking rise in self-harm and suicides in prisons”, a cross-party group of MPs and peers has reported.’

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Obsessive gambler gets life for killing friend, dumping headless corpse in a suitcase, and stealing victim’s identity – The Independent

Posted May 3rd, 2017 in gambling, murder, news, sentencing by sally

‘A “cruel and ruthless” killer may spend the rest of his life behind bars after murdering his friend, cutting up his body, stuffing it in a suitcase, and then adopting the richer man’s identity to fund a life as a high-rolling gambler.’

Full story

The Independent, 2nd May 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk