AI revolution could hit access to justice for people on low incomes – Legal Futures

‘Artificial intelligence (AI) could have a knock-on impact on legal services for poorer people, such as weakening pro bono assistance by cutting the number of commercial lawyers, according to a report by Professor Roger Smith.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 2nd February 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Costs judge says no: paparazzi lose bid to recover additional liabilities from TV star Walliams – Litigation Futures

Posted February 6th, 2017 in costs, harassment, judges, news, photography, publishing by sally

‘A picture agency which sent photographers to David Walliams’ house when news of his divorce broke is not a news publisher and so cannot recover additional liabilities following the settlement of an action brought by the entertainer, the Senior Costs Judge has ruled.’

Full story

Litigation Futures, 3rd February 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

One female genital mutilation case reported every hour in the UK – The Independent

Posted February 6th, 2017 in children, female genital mutilation, health, news, statistics, women by sally

‘A case of female genital mutilation (FGM) is either discovered or treated at a medical appointment in England every hour, according to analysis of NHS statistics by a charity.’

Full story

The Independent, 6th February 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Reasonable costs of Improvements – Nearly Legal

‘We saw the Upper Tribunal take a new approach to determining whether the costs of improvement works, passed on through the service charge, were reasonably incurred. The UT held that particular consideration should have been given to the views of the leaseholders, whether they could be done more cheaply and the financial circumstances of the leaseholders.’

Full story

Nearly Legal, 5th February 2017

Source: www.nearlylegal.co.uk

Rape accusers ‘face court ordeal by defence lawyers’ – The Guardian

Posted February 6th, 2017 in bad character, bills, cross-examination, news, rape, sexual offences, trials, victims, witnesses by sally

‘Rape complainants are being routinely questioned in court about their sexual histories and even the way they were dressed on the night they were attacked, according to a damning dossier of case studies to be presented to MPs this week. The findings have triggered calls for the law to be tightened to protect complainants better.’

Full story

The Guardian, 4th February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ex-Sheffield City Council boss Roger Dodds jailed for sex abuse – BBC News

Posted February 6th, 2017 in local government, news, sentencing, sexual offences, young persons by sally

‘An ex-council boss who forced teenagers to engage in sex acts to get grant payments has been jailed for 16 years.’

Full story

BBC News, 3rd February 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK must remain under EU law during Brexit transition, diplomats say – The Guardian

Posted February 6th, 2017 in brexit, courts, diplomats, EC law, markets, news, referendums by sally

‘EU diplomats have warned the Foreign Office that the UK will not be able to leave the jurisdiction of the European court of justice (ECJ) if there is to be a transition period while details of Brexit are negotiated.’

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Criminals fleeing British justice can no longer use Cyprus as a safe haven, judges rule, in landmark decision – Daily Telegraph

‘Fugitives from British justice cannot use Northern Cyprus to dodge punishment for their crimes, High Court judges have ruled in a landmark decision.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 3rd February 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

UK police accused of ignoring claims about abuse by prison staff – The Guardian

‘At least 14 former inmates of a detention centre who made allegations of historical sexual and physical abuse against prison officers claim that their complaints were ignored by police.’

Full story

The Guardian, 5th February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Fixed Costs Apply in PAD Applications for Claims Which Leave The EL/PL Portal: Sharp v Leeds City Council [2017] EWCA Civ 33 – Zenith PI Blog

‘The Court of Appeal considered a “short but important point of interpretation of the Civil Procedure Rules” concerning the costs of pre-action disclosure (“PAD”) applications in cases which started, but no longer continue, under the EL/PL Protocol.’

Full story

Zenith PI Blog, 2nd February 2017

Source: www.zenithpi.wordpress.com

Senior judge slams lawyers for obstructing Rochdale child sex grooming gang deportation case – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 6th, 2017 in child abuse, delay, deportation, immigration, judges, legal aid, news, sexual offences, tribunals by sally

‘Lawyers are helping a child sex grooming gang avoid attempts to deport them by obstructing the courts and “weakening the rule of law”, Britain’s most senior immigration judge has warned.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 4th February 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

‘Neknominate’ goldfish swallow pair avoid prison – BBC News

‘A man who swallowed a live goldfish in a drinking dare has been given a suspended prison sentence.’

Full story

BBC News, 3rd February 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

People caught shining laser pens at pilots face tougher punishments – The Guardian

Posted February 6th, 2017 in bills, endangering safety of aircraft, news, sentencing, transport by sally

‘People caught shining laser pens at pilots, train drivers or motorists will face tougher fines and jail sentences under new laws proposed by the Department for Transport (DfT).’

Full story

The Guardian, 5th February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Fresh Brexit legal challenge blocked by high court – The Guardian

Posted February 3rd, 2017 in brexit, EC law, judicial review, markets, news, parliament, referendums, treaties by sally

‘Two senior judges have blocked a legal challenge to the government’s strategy for leaving the single market and the European Economic Area.’

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

EVENT: National Army Museum – Chilcot: Six Months On

Posted February 3rd, 2017 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘In summer 2016, the Chilcot report was published, examining whether it was right to send British forces into the Iraq War in 2003. The report addressed the decision-making of the UK government, the military leadership, and the reality of the threat posed by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.’

Date: 16th February 2017, 7.00pm

Location: Army & Navy Club, 36-39 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5JN

Charge: £10

More information can be found here.

Transgender teenager sues Hereford school for discrimination – BBC News

Posted February 3rd, 2017 in equality, news, school children, transgender persons by sally

‘A transgender teenager is taking legal action against his former school for discrimination.’

Full story

BBC News, 2nd February 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

EVENT: Gresham College – Justice Online: Just as Good?

Posted February 3rd, 2017 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘Early in 2016, the criminal and civil courts of England and Wales embarked on a modernisation programme aimed at reforming procedures that have survived for centuries. The judges themselves are helping to design the computerised courts of the future. New software will empower litigants to bring and defend cases without the need for lawyers. Judges will be able to decide cases whenever and wherever they choose to open their laptops. But will justice suffer? What if you cannot manage the technology? What if your opponent but not yourself can afford legal advice? Will the courts continue to deliver justice? Might your dispute be decided by a computer? In the first of a series of three annual lectures, the reforms will be monitored as they are planned, tested and launched. Will this project be an IT disaster? Or will it demonstrate that online justice can be just as good as the courts that have served us for hundreds of years.’

Date: 22nd February 2017, 6.00-7.00pm

Location: Museum of London

Charge: Free

More information can be found here.

Councils should be forced to fix potholes immediately, Court of Appeal rules – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 3rd, 2017 in local government, news, repairs, road safety, roads by sally

‘Councils should be forced to fix serious potholes immediately the Court of Appeal has ruled, after judges found in favour of a jogger who hurt his ankle.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 2nd February 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

EVENT: Public Access Bar Association – Developing a Public Access Practice: Online Portals and Marketing

Posted February 3rd, 2017 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘Speakers: Basileios Drolias (MyBarrister)

Daniel ShenSmith (ShenSmith Barristers)

Stephen Ward (Clerksroom)

Danielle Wright (Bar Council Direct Access Portal)’

Date: 8th February 2016, 6.00-7.00pm

Location: 23 Essex Street London WC2R 3AA.

Charge: PABA Members: free, Non-members: £5 (cash only) payable at the venue from 5:30pm.

More information can be found here.

Anti-Semitic hate crime at record high, says UK charity – BBC News

Posted February 3rd, 2017 in hate crime, Judaism, news, statistics by sally

‘Hate crime against Jewish people in the UK increased by more than a third last year, with recorded incidents now at record levels, charity figures suggest.’

Full story

BBC News, 2nd February 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk