This celebrity injunction will probably rebound – a case of the ‘Streisand effect’ – The Guardian

Posted April 12th, 2016 in freedom of expression, injunctions, internet, media, news, privacy, publishing by sally

‘As a Scottish newspaper publishes details of a sex scandal, when does a legal fight to ensure privacy become a pointless exercise to restrict free speech?’

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The Guardian, 11th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ayeeshia Jane Smith murder: Mother jailed for at least 24 years – BBC News

Posted April 12th, 2016 in child abuse, inquiries, murder, news, sentencing, social services by sally

‘A “devious” and “selfish” mother has been jailed for at least 24 years for stamping her toddler daughter to death.’

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BBC News, 11th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sam Hallam and Victor Nealon denied compensation by Court of Appeal – BBC News

Posted April 12th, 2016 in appeals, compensation, DNA, evidence, miscarriage of justice, news by sally

‘Two men who served long sentences before their convictions were overturned have lost the latest round of their legal fight for compensation.’

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BBC News, 11th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Inheritance tax should be scrapped – it’s unpopular and barely raises any money

Posted April 12th, 2016 in inheritance tax, news, tax avoidance, tax evasion, taxation by sally

‘Inheritance tax is a losing issue for the left and the right, despite raising a mere quarter of 1 per cent of GDP.’

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The Independent, 11th April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Four cleared in Royal Agricultural University rape case – BBC News

Posted April 12th, 2016 in news, prosecutions, rape, universities by sally

‘Four men accused of rape after a university’s summer ball have been cleared after the case against them was dropped.’

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BBC News, 11th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Cosmetic treatment industry given strict rules to protect vulnerable – The Guardian

‘Doctors carrying out cosmetic treatments must avoid two-for-one offers and allow a minimum two-week cooling-off period before surgery or risk being struck off, under long-awaited guidance to protect patients who may be vulnerable.’

Full story

The Guardian, 12th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Susskind: online court is just the beginning – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The proposed online court is a “pragmatic first step” on the road to a fully integrated online and conventional court service, an influential body has predicted. Professor Richard Susskind (pictured), who leads a panel of experts on digital dispute resolution, said proposals by Lord Justice Briggs for an online court for small claims were to be welcomed.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 9th April 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Covert Recording by Parents – Nothing to Fear but the Truth? – Family Law Week

‘Farooq Ahmed, barrister of Westgate Chambers and recorder, addresses the legal issues arising when parents embroiled in children proceedings record conversations or events.’

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Family Law Week, 8th April 2016

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Finance & Divorce Update, April 2016 – Family Law Week

‘Edward Heaton, Principal Associate and Jane Booth, Associate, both of Mills & Reeve LLP analyse the news and case law relating to financial remedies and divorce during March 2016.’

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Family Law Week, 8th April 2016

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Number of dropped Crown Court prosecutions at highest level in five years – BBC News

‘The number and proportion of prosecutions dropped at Crown Courts in England and Wales has risen to its highest level in five years. More than 12,600 cases were discontinued from 2014 to 2015 – one in every eight Crown Court cases. At the same time, the proportion of Crown Court cases resulting in a conviction fell below the 80% mark for the first time since 2010-11.’

Full story

BBC News, 11th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Chilcot Inquiry into Iraq war to be vetted by spies ahead of summer publication – The Independent

‘Britain’s intelligence agencies are preparing to vet the final version of the Chilcot Inquiry’s report into the Iraq war ahead of publication this summer.’

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The Independent, 10th April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Former royal aide cleared of abuse calls for sacking of Met chief – The Guardian

Posted April 11th, 2016 in bail, child abuse, complaints, news, police, prosecutions, sexual offences by sally

‘A former aide to the Duke of Edinburgh who was cleared of historical sex offences says he felt “like a lamb to the slaughter” during the case. Lt Col Benjamin Herman, 81, was acquitted last year of abusing a girl in the early 1970s, when she was aged around 11 or 12 and he was working as equerry to Prince Philip. He said his family went through “absolute hell” after he was arrested in February 2013. He spent 27 months on bail before eventually being cleared by a jury in less than an hour following a trial at Blackfriars crown court in London.’

Full story

The Guardian, 10th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

National Crime Agency demands quicker access to offshore firm records – The Guardian

‘The UK crime agency is demanding quicker access to the corporate records of secretive offshore companies in Britain’s overseas territories including the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.’

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The Guardian, 10th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Revealed: the loophole that lets lobbying companies keep their clients a secret – The Independent

Posted April 11th, 2016 in disclosure, lobbying, news, parliament by sally

‘Lobbying companies working at the heart of Whitehall are exploiting loopholes in transparency legislation that allows them to avoid declaring clients who pay them thousands of pounds to help influence Government policy, The Independent can reveal.’

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The Independent, 10th April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Paedophile jailed for rape of 11-year-old girl – The Guardian

Posted April 8th, 2016 in child abuse, kidnapping, news, rape, sentencing by sally

‘A paedophile who kidnapped and raped an 11-year-old girl after grabbing her off the street as she walked home was branded the “living embodiment of every parent’s worst nightmare”, as he was jailed.’

Full story

The Guardian, 8th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ayeeshia Jane Smith: Mum Kathryn Smith guilty of murder – BBC News

Posted April 8th, 2016 in child abuse, murder, news, social services by sally

‘A mother has been found guilty of murdering her 21-month-old daughter, who died with injuries likened to a car crash victim.’

Full story

BBC News, 8th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rochdale sex abusers jailed for offences against girls – BBC News

Posted April 8th, 2016 in child abuse, conspiracy, news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences by sally

‘Nine men who committed sexual offences against eight girls and women have been jailed for up to 25 years.’

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BBC News, 8th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sorting Out Finances on Divorce – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted April 8th, 2016 in civil partnerships, divorce, financial provision, married persons, news by sally

‘This guide provides information for separating couples who are negotiating their own financial agreements on divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership. It provides a succinct summary of the law to help those who do not have access to legal advice to reach financial agreements without the need to go to court.’

Full guide

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 5th April 2016

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

NHS Christian worker loses appeal after ‘giving book to Muslim colleague’ – BBC News

‘A Christian health worker in the NHS has lost her appeal against a ruling which suspended her for giving a religious book to a Muslim colleague.’

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BBC News, 7th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

A judge’s sentence is not for entertainment – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 8th, 2016 in judiciary, media, news, public interest, reporting restrictions, sentencing by sally

‘Being appointed a judge is like going to school, one of our distinguished judges noted when he was first appointed. You have to sit in one place every day, all day. You have to listen to people addressing you, to take notes, and hand in your homework at the end.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 7th April 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk