Black Lives Matter Heathrow protesters found guilty – BBC News
‘Nine Black Lives Matter protesters who blocked a road to Heathrow Airport have been found guilty of wilful obstruction of the highway.’
BBC News, 19th January 2017
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Simon Renton: Historical Perspectives and the Miller Case – UK Constitutional Law Association
‘Unlike many legal subjects, constitutional law involves an awareness of history. Conversely, a student of British Constitutional History benefits from an understanding of legal concepts. (Though, as a history undergraduate who in 1969 was taught the subject by Jenifer Hart, the wife of HLA Hart, any mention of the “rule of recognition” would have been lost on me.) As we await the decision of the Supreme Court, it is germane to consider the story of the UK’s accession to the EEC and other Communities in 1971-1973. The debates in the House of Commons in 1971-72 provide one with a good understanding of the legal and constitutional issue which were at play; as well, of course of the international, political and economic issues which engaged the attention of Ministers and backbenchers.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 19th January 2017
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
To be able or not to be able : Capacity issues in personal injury litigation part 1 – Zenith PI Blog
‘This article is the first in a series of 2, dealing with the question of capacity in PI litigation particularly, and civil proceedings generally.’
Zenith PI Blog, 18th January 2017
Source: www.zenithpi.wordpress.com
The UK Hindus divided over caste – BBC News
‘India’s caste system is among the world’s oldest surviving forms of social stratification. However, some British Asians say they still experience discrimination due to their caste. So, why are so many Hindu bodies in the UK opposed to this being made illegal?’
BBC News, 18th January 2017
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Rape victims shouldn’t have to pay for their own justice through the civil courts – The Independent
‘The jury in a criminal case must believe the accused is guilty ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, meaning that a victim can be believed and yet a ‘not guilty’ verdict is still returned. This is part of the reason that many cases never reach trial: the police or CPS think the evidence may not fulfil the tough requirements of the criminal courts.’
The Independent, 18th January 2017
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Property developer ordered to pay £55k over listed building offences – Local Government Lawyer
‘A property development business, a director and a site manager have been ordered to pay more than £55,000 between them after removing historic fixtures in every room of a grade-II listed house in Lincoln without consent.’
Local Government Lawyer, 17th January 2017
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
SDT throws out surveillance allegations against News of the World solicitor – Legal Futures
‘The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has thrown out charges against a solicitor for Rupert Murdoch’s News International accused of unreasonably advising and commissioning surveillance of two high-profile lawyers bringing phone hacking cases.’
Legal Futures, 19th January 2017
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Judiciary issues warning to government over impact of PI reform – Legal Futures
‘The judiciary has weighed into the debate about raising the small claims limit for personal injury by expressing “serious dismay” about the lack of consultation with judges and warning the government that any savings are likely to be outweighed by the significant extra burden litigants in person (LiPs) will put on the small claims court.’
Legal Futures, 19th January 2017
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Families of murder victims to get more support – Crown Prosecution Service
‘Relatives of murder victims where an individual is acquitted after a trial will be offered enhanced support under a scheme launched today (17 January). Justice After Acquittal (JAA) has worked with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and police to draw up new National Standards of Support (NSS). JAA is a voluntary organisation set up to provide support to families who suffer the double trauma of the murder of a loved one and the subsequent acquittal of the alleged perpetrator.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 17th January 2017
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
Practice guidance: Family Court – Duration of Ex Parte (Without Notice) Orders – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
‘Guidance issued by Sir James Munby, President of the Family Division on 18 January 2017.’
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 17th January 2017
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
At last: MoJ announces timetable for LASPO review – Law society’s Gazette
‘The government has set the ball rolling on the long-awaited review of its controversial legal aid reforms, the Ministry of Justice has announced.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 18th January 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
BAILII: Recent decisions
Supreme Court
FirstGroup Plc v Paulley [2017] UKSC 4 (18 January 2017)
Rahmatullah (No 2) v Ministry of Defence & Anor (Rev 1) [2017] UKSC 1 (17 January 2017)
Al-Waheed v Ministry of Defence [2017] UKSC 2 (17 January 2017)
Belhaj & Anor v Straw & Ors (Rev 1) [2017] UKSC 3 (17 January 2017)
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Shanks v Unilever Plc & Ors [2017] EWCA Civ 2 (18 January 2017)
Hamnett v Essex County Council [2017] EWCA Civ 6 (18 January 2017)
British Airline Pilots Association v Jet2.Com Ltd [2017] EWCA Civ 20 (18 January 2017)
Channon (t/a Channon & Co) v Ward (t/a Ward & Associates) [2017] EWCA Civ 13 (18 January 2017)
London Borough of Hackney v Haque [2017] EWCA Civ 4 (17 January 2017)
Wood & Anor v TUI Travel Plc (t/a First Choice) [2017] EWCA Civ 11 (16 January 2017)
EA v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWCA Civ 10 (16 January 2017)
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
Rashid, R v [2017] EWCA Crim 2 (18 January 2017)
Younas v R [2017] EWCA Crim 1 (16 January 2017)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Couper & Ors v Albion Properties Ltd & Ors [2017] EWHC 22 (Ch) (16 January 2017)
High Court (Commercial Court)
High Court (Family Division)
Egeneonu v Egeneonu [2017] EWHC 43 (Fam) (18 January 2017)
A & Ors (Children : Scottish adoptions) [2017] EWHC 35 (Fam) (17 January 2017)
High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)
The London Borough of Croydon v Lopes [2017] EWHC 33 (QB) (18 January 2017)
ARF v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWHC 10 (QB) (12 January 2017)
High Court (Technology and Construction Court)
Lalana Hans Place Ltd v Michael Barclay Partnership LLP [2017] EWHC 29 (TCC) (13 January 2017)
Source: www.bailii.org
Home Office refuses to enforce privacy code on NHS staff using video – The Guardian
‘The government has rejected a request by the surveillance camera watchdog to allow it to monitor the increasing and unregulated use of CCTV and body-worn video cameras in hospitals.’
The Guardian, 18th January 2017
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Single mum unlawfully jailed for council tax debt in Wales – The Guardian
‘A single mother who was sent to prison by magistrates for 81 days because she was unable to pay her council tax bill was unlawfully jailed, the high court has ruled.’
The Guardian, 18th January 2017
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
All crime victims ‘should get court statement opportunity’ – BBC News
‘All victims of crime should be given the chance to make a statement in court about the impact the offence has had on their lives, the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales has said.’
BBC News, 18th January 2017
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Sussex University failed duty of care to student assault victim, inquiry finds – The Independent
‘A top UK university failed in its duty of care towards a student who was violently assaulted by her staff lecturer, a formal inquiry has concluded, following an investigation by The Independent.’
The Independent, 18th January 2017
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Export ban for Clive of India’s £6m rare jewelled flask – Daily Telegraph
‘An extremely rare jewelled flask given to Clive of India after the Battle of Plassey in 1757 could be exported from the UK unless a buyer can match the £6 million price tag. Culture Minister Matt Hancock has put temporary export bars on the flask and on Clive’s huqqa smoking set, which has a price tag of £240,000, to give UK buyers the chance to save the Mughal treasures for the nation.’
Daily Telegraph, 18th January 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Susskind: Parliament should adopt advanced IT for lawmaking – Legal Futures
‘Parliament could harness the power of technology to provide a system to lawmakers that gives them the ability to test speculatively the knock-on effects of legislative changes while they are considering bills, according to IT guru Professor Richard Susskind.’
Legal Futures, 16th January 2017
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Is it time for embryo research rules to be changed? – BBC News
‘Experts are renewing calls to allow experiments on embryos beyond 14 days of development, saying it would drive medical breakthroughs.’
BBC News, 17th January 2017
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
