Speech by Sir James Munby to the Family Law Bar Association – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted March 4th, 2016 in barristers, divorce, electronic filing, family courts, speeches by sally

‘Speech by Sir James Munby, President of the Family Division, 26 February 2016.’

Full speech

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 29th February 2016

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Another rush job on surveillance that will weaken legal privilege – The Bar Council

‘Despite claims that new surveillance laws will contain “protections for lawyers”, today’s Investigatory Powers Bill will allow authorities total access to confidential, legally privileged communications between individuals and their lawyers, even when someone is in a legal dispute with the Government or defending themselves against prosecution.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 2nd March 2016

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

What is it like to arbitrate? – Family Law Week

Posted March 4th, 2016 in arbitration, divorce, financial provision, news by sally

‘Alexander Chandler, barrister, 1 King’s Bench Walk, offers insights into the arbitration process.’

Full story

Family Law Week, 26th February 2016

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

New guidelines published on the prosecution of those who abuse victims online – Crown Prosecution Service

‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is updating its guidelines on social media to incorporate new and emerging crimes that are being committed online and to provide clear advice to help the prosecution of cyber-enabled crime.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 3rd March 2016

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Former X Factor hopeful guilty of laundering phone scam cash – BBC News

Posted March 4th, 2016 in conspiracy, conversion, money laundering, news by sally

‘A former X Factor contestant has been found guilty of laundering £20,000 from a phone scam that defrauded 18 pensioners across southern England.’

Full story

BBC News. 3rd March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police officer sacked for having sex with prostitutes on duty – The Guardian

‘A police officer has been sacked for meeting prostitutes for sex in hotels while on duty, but his identity has been kept secret.’

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Civil servants ‘complacent’ over e-Borders fiasco – The Guardian

Posted March 4th, 2016 in budgets, civil servants, immigration, news by sally

‘Civil servants overseeing the e-Borders programme have been accused by parliament’s spending watchdog of being “complacent” and “worryingly dismissive” of failings that could damage national security.’

Full story

The Guardian, 4th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

British Airways pays pilot Simon Wood Africa abuse victims – BBC News

Posted March 4th, 2016 in airlines, child abuse, compensation, news, sexual offences by sally

‘British Airways has agreed to pay an undisclosed amount of money to children who were sexually abused by one of its pilots in East Africa.’

Full story

BBC News, 4th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

EVENT: The Inner Temple – Lecture: The Essential Requirements of Good Advocacy

Posted March 4th, 2016 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘This lecture will be given by The Hon Justice Ann Ainslie-Wallace, Australian Advocacy Institute, and will be followed by a drinks reception. The lecture is accredited for 1 CPD hour and is open to members of all four Inns. The lecture is also accredited as a qualifying session for Inner Temple students.’

Date: 14 March 2016

Location: Inner Temple, London, EC4Y 7HL

Charge: See website for details

More information can be found here.

EVENT: Guardian Live – The Litvinenko Enquiry

Posted March 3rd, 2016 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘The Guardian’s former Moscow correspondent, Luke Harding, has written the definitive story of the life and death of Litvinenko. He will be in conversation with Litvinenko’s widow, Marina, who has spent years fighting for the truth about her husband’s murder, and the role of the Russian state, to be uncovered.’

Date: 7th May 2016, 7.30-8.30pm

Location: Sallis Benney Theatre, Brighton, BN2 0JY

Charge: £10

More information can be found here.

LSB: Regulators need to get tough with lawyers over poor complaints handling – Legal Futures

Posted March 3rd, 2016 in complaints, consultations, law firms, Legal Services Board, news, solicitors by sally

‘The Legal Services Board (LSB) is set to instruct the frontline regulators like the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board to get tough with lawyers who do not handle client complaints properly.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 3rd March 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ministry of Defence escapes prosecution over deaths on SAS march – The Independent

‘The Ministry of Defence has escaped prosecution over the deaths of three soldiers on an SAS selection course, only thanks to a convention that it is granted immunity, it has been confirmed.’

Full story

The Independent, 2nd March 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Match.com user Jason Lawrance guilty of rapes and assault – BBC News

Posted March 3rd, 2016 in assault, news, rape by sally

‘A man has been found guilty of raping five women and attacking two more after meeting them on internet dating site Match.com.’

Full story

BBC News, 2nd March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Adam Johnson guilty of sexual activity with a child – The Guardian

Posted March 3rd, 2016 in employment, news, pleadings, sentencing, sexual grooming, sexual offences, sport by sally

‘The footballer Adam Johnson is facing the prospect of five years in jail after being found guilty of sexual activity with a 15-year-old schoolgirl.’

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ched Evans rape conviction to be reviewed by Appeal Court later this month – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 3rd, 2016 in appeals, Criminal Cases Review Commission, evidence, news, rape by sally

‘Footballer’s case referred to Court of Appeal in London by Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates possible miscarriages of justice.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 2nd March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Council tried to cover up failings after Poppi Worthington’s death – The Guardian

Posted March 3rd, 2016 in local government, news, reporting restrictions, social services by sally

‘A local authority criticised for failing to protect Poppi Worthington’s siblings for almost a year after her death did not discipline social workers and instead applied for a draconian order in an attempt to cover-up the failings, documents show.’

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

High Court judge dismisses ‘capricious’ charges by Djibouti against London-based businessman – The Independent

Posted March 3rd, 2016 in corruption, costs, news, witnesses by sally

‘A three-year multimillion-pound legal battle ended in victory for a London-based businessman, after a High Court judge dismissed the charges against him and launched a scathing attack on the President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh.’

Full story

The Independent, 3rd March 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Becky Watts killers received £400,000 in legal aid – BBC News

Posted March 3rd, 2016 in appeals, costs, legal aid, news, trials by sally

‘The killers of Bristol teenager Becky Watts were granted more than £400,000 in legal aid, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.’

Full story

BBC News, 3rd March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Twitter to train prosecutors in fight against online abuse – The Guardian

‘Twitter is to train prosecutors in England and Wales to better fight online abuse, as the internet is increasingly used as a weapon by perpetrators of domestic abuse, rape and sexual violence against women.’

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

EVENT: IALS – Surveillance and Human Rights

Posted March 2nd, 2016 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘This lecture series highlights common themes facing Commonwealth governments: how to balance civil liberties with the proper scope of government surveillance. With the issue of surveillance and government accountability constantly in the news, the series will look at the interaction of the state’s responsibility for security, with the role of independent actors in a modern democracy. Where are the boundaries between ‘social responsibility’ and unwarranted self –censorship? What are the rights and responsibilities of the pillars of British democracy, and the importance of freedom of speech embedded in the press, or university debate? What are the legitimate activities of governments faced with the challenge of the explosion of social media and the internet as alternative means of information and communication, and the defence of democracy in a digital age? Who should remain exempt from surveillance? Is transparency both feasible and desirable? Is secrecy essential in the State’s requirement to protect the public from terrorist attack? Or is surveillance and the accompanying raft of legislation and intrusion undermining individual human rights and values, to the point of oppression?’

Date: 8th March 2016, 6.00-8.00pm

Location: Room 246 (Senate House)

Charge: Free, registration required

More information can be found here.