Chilcot, Blair and FOIA – Panopticon

Posted November 16th, 2016 in freedom of information, inquiries, Iraq, news, tribunals by sally

‘FOIA remains a potent tool for enhancing transparency on issues of great public importance. Two recent decisions – concerning the Chilcot Inquiry and the post-prime ministerial activities of Tony Blair – are good current illustrations.’

Full story

Panopticon, 10th November 2016

Source: www.panopticonblog.com

Private hospital surgeon jailed over death of patient has conviction quashed on appeal – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 16th, 2016 in appeals, doctors, negligence, news, sentencing by sally

‘A surgeon who served a jail sentence over the death of a patient at a private hospital has won an appeal against his conviction.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 15th November 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

The UN Just Criticised The UK’s Record On Disability Rights – RightsInfo

‘The UK government’s welfare reform policy has resulted in systematic violations of the human rights of disabled persons, according to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.’

Full story

RightsInfo, 14th November 2016

Source: www.rightsinfo.org

RSPCA should be stripped of powers to prosecute cases of animal cruelty, MPs say – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 16th, 2016 in animal cruelty, news, private prosecutions, reports, select committees by sally

‘The RSPCA is “targeting vulnerable, ill and elderly” people and removing their pets, and should be stripped of its powers to prosecute cases of animal cruelty, an MPs report has found.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 16th November 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Hacking suspect Lauri Love criticises justice system – BBC News

Posted November 16th, 2016 in appeals, autism, computer crime, criminal justice, extradition, news by sally

‘An autistic man facing claims he hacked US government computer systems has criticised a ruling to extradite him.’

Full story

BBC News, 15th November 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Supreme court judge hints at legal hitch that could seriously delay Brexit process – The Guardian

Posted November 16th, 2016 in brexit, EC law, judges, legislation, news, parliament, referendums, speeches, treaties by sally

‘A supreme court judge has raised the prospect that Theresa May would have to comprehensively replace existing EU legislation before the government could even begin Brexit, in a move that could seriously delay the process.’

Full story

The Guardian, 16th November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

How the UK’s drug laws have created an underground medical marijuana scene – The Independent

Posted November 16th, 2016 in crime, drug offences, drug trafficking, health, medicines, news by sally

‘The UK’s underground medical marijuana scene, where dealers give away tens of thousands of pounds worth of cannabis in order to offer relief to those in physical pain, has been exposed in a new documentary.’

Full story

The Independent, 15th November 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ethnic minorities more likely to be jailed for some crimes, report finds – The Guardian

Posted November 16th, 2016 in criminal justice, news, race discrimination, racism, reports, sentencing by sally

‘People from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are more likely to be jailed for some crimes than those who are white, according to a government-commissioned report.’

Full story

The Guardian, 16th November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Conwoman who pretended to be barrister, Wonderbra model, heiress and cancer victim jailed for five years – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 16th, 2016 in documents, fraud, impersonating a barrister, news, sentencing by sally

‘A “ruthless” conwoman who pretended to be a barrister, a Wonderbra model, a wealthy heiress, a dying cancer victim and even Heston Blumenthal’s “design guru” has been jailed for an “extraordinary” catalogue of frauds.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 16th November 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Women in Prison: 5 Key Recommendations – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted November 16th, 2016 in cautions, media, news, police, prisons, rehabilitation, women by sally

‘On Tuesday 8 November 2016, Halsbury’s Law Exchange (HLE) hosted a panel discussion on the urgent topic of: “Women in Prison: is the justice system fit for purpose?” In the lead up to the panel discussion, Felicity Gerry QC and Lyndon Harris co-authored a discussion paper on this vital question.’

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 10th November 2016

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Chagos Islanders denied right to return home – The Guardian

Posted November 16th, 2016 in armed forces, Chagos Islands, compensation, human rights, indigenous peoples, news by sally

‘Thousands of Chagos islanders, deported from their homeland in the Indian Ocean by the UK government to make way for a US military base in 1971, will not be given the right of return to resettle, the Foreign Office will announce on Wednesday.’

Full story

The Guardian, 16th November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘Fake rape’ woman Layla Ibrahim fights to clear name – BBC News

‘A woman sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of faking her own rape says she is now fighting to clear her name.’

Full story

BBC News, 15th November 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ban use of police cells for people in mental health crisis, MPs told – The Guardian

Posted November 16th, 2016 in bills, custody, detention, mental health, news, police by sally

‘People suffering a mental health crisis should never be held in police cells as they find it terrifying and become even more unwell, ministers will be told.’

Full story

The Guardian, 16th November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

CA upholds refusal to grant relief to solicitors who served witness statements late – Litigation Futures

‘Solicitors who served witness statements two months late cannot call any witnesses at trial after the Court of Appeal upheld the first instance judge’s decision to refuse relief from sanctions.’

Full story

Litigation futures, 14th November 2016

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Solicitor who lost his practice cleared to sue CPS and police for malicious prosecution – Legal Futures

‘The High Court has given the green light to a solicitor to pursue claims against the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and South Wales Police (SWP) for malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 15th November 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Parliament notified of Europol opt-in intention – Home Office

Posted November 15th, 2016 in EC law, intelligence services, parliament, police, press releases, regulations, treaties by sally

‘Explanatory memorandum on intention to exercise right to opt into revised Europol framework published.’

Full press release

Home Office, 14th November 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Home Secretary’s speech to the FCA’s Financial Crime Conference – Home Office

‘Home Secretary Amber Rudd gave a speech on economic crime at the Financial Conduct Authority annual crime conference on 10 November 2016.’

Full speech

Home Office, 14th November 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Speech by The Chancellor of the High Court: A Look at the Future for Insolvency and Business Litigation in London – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted November 15th, 2016 in courts, insolvency, judges, judiciary, speeches by sally

‘I am keen to speak tonight about the important work of the Rolls Building and the real value of the international reputation of our law and our judges in the post-Brexit world.’

Full speech

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 10th November 2016

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Bar Council launches vulnerable witness advocacy training – The Bar Council

‘Pro bono training launched for advocates dealing with vulnerable witnesses.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 14th November 2016

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted November 15th, 2016 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Bird v Acorn Group Ltd [2016] EWCA Civ 1096 (11 November 2016)

Cunningham, R (on the application of) v Hertfordshire County Council & Anor [2016] EWCA Civ 1108 (11 November 2016)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Yesafu, R (On the Application Of) v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2016] EWHC 2883 (Admin) (14 November 2016)

Hussain, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Rev 1) [2016] EWHC 2797 (Admin) (11 November 2016)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Wise v Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (UK) Ltd [2016] EWHC 2814 (Ch) (11 November 2016)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Rudall v The Crown Prosecution Service & Anor [2016] EWHC 2884 (QB) (14 November 2016)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

Amey LG Ltd v Cumbria County Council [2016] EWHC 2856 (TCC) (11 November 2016)

WES Futures Ltd v Allen Wilson Construction Ltd [2016] EWHC 2863 (TCC) (10 November 2016)

Source: www.bailii.org