BAILII: Recent Decisions
England and Wales High Court (Technology and Construction Court)
Bell & Anor v Northumbrian Water Ltd [2016] EWHC 133 (TCC) (5 April 2016)
Source: www.bailii.org
Former senior police officer to head investigation into UK Anti-Doping – The Guardian
‘A former assistant police chief constable will lead an independent review into the handling by UK Anti‑Doping of the Dr Mark Bonar affair. The inquiry has been set up following allegations Bonar prescribed performance-enhancing drugs to 150 professional athletes.’
The Guardian, 5th April 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Angela Wrightson murder: Two girls guilty of killing woman in brutal attack in her own home – Daily Telegraph
‘Two schoolgirls who took selfie pictures as they tortured and killed a frail alcoholic in her own home had run away from local authority care 18 times in the month leading up to the killing, it has emerged.
After the guilty verdicts were delivered, Hartlepool Council announced the launch of a serious case review to establish if more could have been done to prevent the out of control pair carrying out the appalling murder.’
Daily Telegraph, 5th April 2016
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Homophobia in sport to be studied by Commons committee inquiry – The Guardian
‘A Commons culture, media and sport committee inquiry is to explore homophobia in sport.’
The Guardian, 5th April 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Watchdog launches review of pension freedoms amid concerns over mis-selling – Daily Telegraph
‘A major review of new pension freedoms announced by George Osborne last year is to be carried out by the Financial Conduct Authority amid fears of mis-selling.’
Daily Telegraph, 6th April 2016
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Hillsborough jury set to consider their verdict on 96 deaths – The Guardian
‘The jury at the new inquests into the deaths of 96 people at Hillsborough in 1989 have been told that they must come to a unanimous decision if they are to reach a verdict of unlawful killing.’
The Guardian, 5th April 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Joe Marler: World Rugby bans prop for ‘Gypsy boy’ comment at Samson Lee – BBC News
‘England prop Joe Marler has been banned for two matches and fined £20,000 for calling Wales forward Samson Lee “Gypsy boy”.’
BBC News, 5th April 2016
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Thousands of dog owners risk fines as microchip law comes into force – The Guardian
‘Hundreds of thousands of dog owners risk being fined for failing to microchip their pets, as a new law comes into force making it compulsory.’
The Guardian, 6th April 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Press victims ‘betrayed’ by law delay – BBC News
‘Victims of press intrusion have accused the government of breaking its promise over regulation. The group, which includes Kate and Gerry McCann, says a delay in bringing into law a key part of the Royal Charter agreement is a “betrayal”.’
BBC News, 6th April 2016
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Gucci ad banned over ‘unhealthily thin’ model – The Guardian
‘Model’s pose made her waist look very small, while her dark makeup made her face look gaunt, says ASA.’
The Guardian, 6th April 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
An absence of fairness: the Trade Union Bill – OUP Blog
‘According to Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Trade Union Bill currently before Parliament is “not a ban on strike action. This is about ensuring that our rules are modern and right and fit for today’s workplace”. As the Bill progresses through the House of Lords, Mr Javid’s rosy view has been challenged by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the UN supervisory body responsible for scrutiny of compliance with international labour standards.’
OUP Blog, 5th April 2016
Source: http://blog.oup.com
Woman forced to live like slave by husband says sentence too lenient – The Guardian
‘A woman whose former husband became the first Briton convicted of keeping their spouse in domestic servitude has called for police to be better trained in understanding such crimes, saying she had to “literally beg” officers to take her away to a refuge.’
The Guardian, 4th April 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Upholding fundamental rights or ensuring accurate verdicts? The ECtHR and the use of unchallengeable witness evidence – UK Human Rights Blog
‘The European Court of Human Rights (“ECtHR”) has held that the use of telephone recordings as evidence in a criminal trial, despite the inability of the accused to challenge the caller, did not violate his rights under Article 6, ECHR. This judgment follows a number of Grand Chamber judgments on similar issues that have altered the ECtHR’s stance on the subject of absent witness evidence.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 4th April 2016
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
Guidance issued on s. 20 Children Act amid fears councils could misinterpret law – Local Government Lawyer
‘Cafcass, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) and ADSS Cymru have published guidance aimed at clarifying the expectations on local authorities for children looked after under s. 20 of the Children Act 1989.’
Local Government Lawyer, 4th April 2016
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Prince of Wales’ Duchy of Cornwall wins oyster farm scrutiny appeal – BBC News
‘The Prince of Wales’s private estate has won an appeal against a ruling that would have forced it to open up its dealings to greater public scrutiny.’
BBC News, 4th April 2016
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
New flood protections give rise to conveyancing fears – Law Society’s Gazette
‘New flood protections for homeowners will make the conveyancing process more complex, solicitors have been warned.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 4th April 2016
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Clips-sharing website loses copyright fixture – Technology Law Update
‘A website and apps set up to enable the sharing of 8-second clips of broadcast cricket matches on a near-live basis has been found to infringe copyright.’
Technology Law Update, 4th April 2016
Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk
Seven men jailed over series of museum raids – The Guardian
‘Members of a gang have been jailed for up to six years and eight months after plotting to steal up to £57m in rhino horn and Chinese artefacts in a series of museum raids.’
The Guardian, 4th April 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
MPs could face ban on hiring family and spouses under expenses review – The Independent
‘MPs who employ relatives and claim money to rent accomodation could soon be blocked under a new review of politicians’ expenses.’
The Independent, 4th April 2016
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Suicide attempts at UK immigration removal centres at all-time high – The Guardian
‘The number of suicide attempts in immigration removal centres is at an all-time high, averaging more than one a day, according to official figures.’
The Guardian, 4th April 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
