Goddard Inquiry: Focus on CofE handling of abuse claims – BBC News

Posted March 17th, 2016 in child abuse, Church of England, inquiries, news, victims by sally

‘A public inquiry is to consider whether there was interference by the Church of England in the case of jailed former Bishop of Lewes Peter Ball.’

Full story

BBC News, 16th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Poppers ‘not part of legal highs ban’ – BBC News

Posted March 17th, 2016 in drug abuse, drug offences, homosexuality, legislation, news by sally

‘Government drugs advisers have said “poppers” – used by many gay men to enhance sexual experience – will not be covered by a ban on “legal highs”. The Psychoactive Substances Act, which comes into force in the UK next month, makes it illegal to supply drugs which have a direct effect on mental processes, unless the drug is exempted. Ministers had indicated that poppers would be included in the ban. But advisers say poppers have only a “peripheral” effect on the brain.’

Full story

BBC News, 16th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Peers defeat trade union funding reforms – BBC News

Posted March 17th, 2016 in bills, news, parliament, political parties, trade unions by sally

‘The government has been heavily defeated in the House of Lords over trade union reforms Labour fears will cost it millions of pounds in funding. Ministers want to require Labour-affiliated union members to “opt in” to paying a levy to the party. But peers voted by 320 to 172 to apply the changes to new members only and with a 12-month transition period.’

Full story

BBC News, 16th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court ruling on teenager who refused to live with her family ‘because they were not strict enough Muslims’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 17th, 2016 in children, families, homelessness, Islam, local government, news, young persons by sally

‘A teenager who did not want to live with her family because “they were not strict enough Muslims” after being returned from the Syrian border, should have been provided with accommodation and support by the local authority, the High Court has said.’

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Daily Telegraph, 16th March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Shami Chakrabarti on 14 years of fighting the power: ‘The leviathan is far from defeated’ – The Guardian

Posted March 17th, 2016 in barristers, charities, human rights, news by sally

‘After years of speaking out on human rights, the Liberty director is stepping down. She describes why repeated attacks on freedom from governments of left and right – and the bullying tactics of their wannabe Malcolm Tuckers – haven’t dented her optimism.’

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The Guardian, 16th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Plans to ban e-cigarettes in public places defeated – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 17th, 2016 in bills, children, news, smoking, Wales by sally

‘Plans to ban e-cigarettes for the first time in the UK in public places where children are present have been defeated.
The landmark vote by the Welsh Assembly aimed to restrict the use of nicotine inhaling devices in public places such as schools, restaurants and on public transport.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 16th March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Cerys Edwards death: CPS could press criminal charges against driver – The Guardian

Posted March 17th, 2016 in children, dangerous driving, news, personal injuries, prosecutions, sentencing by sally

‘Prosecutor reviewing whether motorist should face new charges after girl dies nine years after crash left her paralysed.’

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The Guardian, 16th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Man given vasectomy by mistake after complaining about waiting times – Daily Telegraph

‘A hospital doctor who gave a man a vasectomy by mistake after he complaint about waiting for another procedure has admitted misconduct charges.’

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Daily Telegraph, 16th March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Sentencing Council launches new revised definitive guideline for sentencing dangerous dog offences – Sentencing Council

Posted March 17th, 2016 in community service, dogs, fines, news, sentencing by sally

‘The Sentencing Council has published a revised guideline for judges and magistrates on the sentencing of dangerous dog offences. The new guideline, which has been issued following a public consultation, will come into effect on 1 July 2016.’

Full guideline

Sentencing Council, 17th March 2016

Source: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk

Man jailed for trying to rape two-year-old girl – The Independent

Posted March 16th, 2016 in child abuse, news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences by sally

‘A man who tried to rape a toddler and sexually assaulted two other children has been jailed for 14 years.’

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The Independent, 16th March 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Judges feel undervalued, says retired court of appeal member – The Guardian

Posted March 16th, 2016 in judges, judiciary, news, remuneration by sally

‘Judges feel unappreciated, demoralised and resent cuts to their pay, according to a recently retired member of the court of appeal.’

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The Guardian, 14th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Rapist Luke Grender locked up as ‘lenient’ sentence reviewed – BBC News

‘A teenager rapist has had his suspended sentence replaced by a three-year term in a young offenders institution after the case was referred back to the Court of Appeal.’

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BBC News, 15th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Battlelines drawn as shaken baby syndrome controversy set to run – The Guardian

‘Shaken baby syndrome is back in the news. Monday’s BBC Panorama programme focused on this most contentious of subjects and was itself prompted by the General Medical Council’s prosecution of Dr Waney Squier, a consultant neuropathologist who used to give evidence against those charged with injuring their baby but now provides expert evidence in their defence. On Friday she was found guilty by the GMC of giving “expert opinion evidence outside your field of expertise” in several cases that came before the criminal or family courts, and could be struck off the medical register as a result.’

Full story

The Guardian, 15th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Investigatory Powers Bill: May defends surveillance powers – BBC News

‘Home Secretary Theresa May has defended controversial new surveillance powers as MPs debated them for the first time.’

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BBC News, 15th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Goddard inquiry to hold preliminary hearing on abuse linked to church – The Guardian

‘The Wednesday in an investigation into the track record of Anglican churches in England and Wales in preventing exploitation, dealing with perpetrators and helping survivors to overcome trauma and obtain justice.’

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The Guardian, 16th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

EVENT: King’s College London – The Criminalisation of Homosexuality: Human Rights Law on Trial

Posted March 16th, 2016 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘The Criminalisation of Homosexuality: Human Rights Law on Trial
This seminar looks at a contemporary issue in human rights law: the criminalisation of homosexuality. Via this issue, the seminar assesses how international human rights law can be given effect at a domestic level, and the difficulties that can arise when litigants rely on international human rights in the domestic courts.’

Date: 16th March 2016, 4.30-6.00pm

Location: SW1.09 Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA

Charge: Free, registration required

More information can be found here.

EU referendum: Expats challenge 15-year voting restriction – BBC News

‘Two expats are challenging a decision to bar British citizens who have lived elsewhere in Europe for more than 15 years from voting in the EU referendum.’

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BBC News, 15th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MPs break the rules ‘because they do not agree with them’, says standards watchdog Kathryn Hudson – Daily Telegraph

‘The comments will add further pressure on MPs to beef up the watchdog which polices their work, perhaps by giving members of the public a vote over decisions whether or not to reprimand errant MPs.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 15th March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Mike Ashley: Could Sports Direct boss be jailed in Big Ben? – BBC News

‘Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has been warned he could be in contempt of Parliament if he continues to refuse to appear in front of a committee of MPs. It sounds serious – but what could actually happen to him?’

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BBC News, 16th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Becky Watts: judge rejects killers’ appeals against convictions – The Guardian

‘The couple found guilty of killing the Bristol teenager Becky Watts have lost the first stage of their appeals against their convictions and sentences.’

Full story

The Guardian, 15th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk