UK security agencies unlawfully collected data for 17 years, court rules – The Guardian

‘British security agencies have secretly and unlawfully collected massive volumes of confidential personal data, including financial information, on citizens for more than a decade, senior judges have ruled.’

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The Guardian, 17th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

High Court judge dismisses planning claim as out of time – Local Government Lawyer

Posted October 18th, 2016 in appeals, local government, news, planning, time limits by sally

‘Litigants whose claims are subject to strict time limits “must make arrangements to ensure that they attend the court office in good time so that they are not thwarted by unexpected problems”, a Deputy High Court judge has said in a planning case.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 17th October 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

The Ipswich murders, 10 years on: ‘We owed it to the women that nothing like it would happen again’ – The Guardian

Posted October 18th, 2016 in murder, news, prostitution, recidivists, women by sally

‘A decade since London Road was made notorious by the death of five sex workers, its residents have transformed the community and seen their story on stage and screen. But now, they fear government cuts will undo all the work.’

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The Guardian, 17th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Briggs urges barristers to embrace direct access – Legal Futures

Posted October 18th, 2016 in barristers, courts, dispute resolution, internet, news by sally

‘The Bar has nothing to fear from an online court, but it must take direct access “seriously”, Lord Justice Briggs has said.’

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Legal Futures, 18th October 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Hundreds of UK lawyers register in Ireland in Brexit insurance move – The Guardian

Posted October 18th, 2016 in brexit, courts, EC law, Ireland, legal profession, news, rights of audience, solicitors by sally

‘More than 700 British solicitors have applied to register with the Law Society of Ireland this year as lawyers scramble to secure professional rights of audience in European courts.’

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The Guardian, 17th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Budgeting “does not fetter” costs judge on detailed assessment – Litigation Futures

Posted October 18th, 2016 in budgets, civil procedure rules, costs, judges, news by sally

‘The budgeting regime does not fetter the powers and discretion of the judge at detailed assessment even if the receiving party comes in within the budgeted figures, a regional costs judge has ruled.’

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Litigation Futures, 14th October 2016

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Should Waney Squier have been struck off over shaken baby syndrome? – BBC News

Posted October 18th, 2016 in appeals, disciplinary procedures, doctors, expert witnesses, news by sally

‘A doctor who disputed the existence of shaken baby syndrome has said she was struck off because her views challenged the establishment. Now she is appealing against the decision, as John Sweeney explains.’

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BBC News, 17th October 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Why the Higher Education and Research Bill must be amended – The Guardian

Posted October 18th, 2016 in bills, education, news, universities by sally

‘The Higher Education and Research Bill has to be amended before it undermines the autonomy and vitality of our universities and the UK research base.’

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The Guardian, 18th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Review of 10 killings uncovers failings at NHS mental health trust that ‘severely underestimated’ risk posed by patients – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 18th, 2016 in hospitals, mental health, news, reports by sally

‘A review of 10 killings – including that of a pensioner who was stabbed after a collision between two cars – has uncovered failings at a mental health trust.’

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Daily Telegraph, 18th October 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Cold case officer claims DNA law helps rapists avoid jail – BBC News

Posted October 18th, 2016 in DNA, news, police, rape by sally

‘Murderers and rapists are avoiding detection because police have to dispose of DNA samples, the head of a cold case unit has claimed.’

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BBC News, 18th October 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Five myths about studying law, debunked – The Guardian

Posted October 18th, 2016 in legal education, news, universities by sally

‘Studying law is full of unexpected twists and turns – and in the end, you may not even turn into a lawyer.’

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The Guardian, 17th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

We cannot allow the courts to judge rape by sexual history – The Guardian

Posted October 18th, 2016 in consent, news, rape, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘The Ched Evans case threatens women’s right to fair treatment in the courtroom. Battles won may have to be fought again.’

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The Guardian, 17th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

The Bar leads the way on wellbeing with launch of portal – The Bar Council

Posted October 17th, 2016 in barristers, barristers' clerks, internet, mental health, news by sally

‘The Bar Council has teamed up with the Inns of Court and Institute of Barristers’ Clerks (IBC) to launch the Wellbeing at the Bar Portal www.wellbeingatthebar.co.uk – a website to specifically provide support and best practice to barristers, clerks and chambers on wellbeing and mental health issues.’

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The Bar Council, 15th October 2016

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Bar Conference – embrace digital justice, tribunals president urges – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 17th, 2016 in barristers, dispute resolution, electronic filing, news by sally

‘Online dispute resolution will ’become the norm’ in less complex civil, family and tribunals cases, the annual bar conference heard today.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 15th October 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

British soldiers face Iraq detainee abuse probe – BBC News

Posted October 17th, 2016 in armed forces, detention, Iraq, legal aid, news by sally

‘British soldiers are being investigated over allegations of mistreating two Iraqi detainees in 2003.’

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BBC News, 16th October 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ched Evans: Scrutinising woman’s sexual history in rape trial ‘set us back 30 years’ – The Independent

Posted October 17th, 2016 in evidence, news, rape, retrials by sally

‘A former solicitor general has condemned the way the Ched Evans rape trial was conducted. Vera Baird told the BBC details of the woman’s sexual past should not have been heard in court and the case could discourage people who are sexually assaulted from reporting it to police.’

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The Independent, 16th October 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Shami Chakrabarti facing questions from MPs over her controversial peerage – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 17th, 2016 in news, peerages & dignities, political parties, racism, reports, select committees by sally

‘Shami Chakrabarti will be forced to appear before MPs to answer questions about whether she was offered a peerage before completing a report into Labour anti-Semitism subsequently described as a “whitewash”.’

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Daily Telegraph, 16th October 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Stalking victims backed in challenge to ‘disturbing’ lenient court sentences – The Guardian

Posted October 17th, 2016 in child abuse, news, sentencing, sexual offences, stalking, victims by sally

‘Lenient sentences in cases involving stalking, terrorism and the sexual abuse of children could be challenged by victims under a law reform that is receiving cross-party support following a series of high-profile cases of so-called soft justice.’

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The Guardian, 16th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Burglaries where window left open should not be investigated, police chief suggests – The Guardian

Posted October 17th, 2016 in burglary, crime prevention, news, police by sally

‘A senior police officer has been criticised for suggesting some burglaries should not be investigated if doors and windows have been left open. Phil Kay, assistant chief constable of Leicestershire police, said he would “far rather” officers focus on preventing crime and protecting the public than investigate break-ins where carelessness may have played a role.’

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The Guardian, 17th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

NHS legal bills for catastrophic childbirth blunders triples in a decade – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 17th, 2016 in birth, compensation, hospitals, news, personal injuries by sally

‘Compensation claims against the NHS for catastrophic blunders in childbirth have tripled in a decade, official figures show, as ministers promise “dramatic” changes to improve the safety record of Britain’s maternity units.’

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Daily Telegraph, 17th October 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk