Yarl’s Wood death: Woman, 40, dies of heart attack at controversial immigration centre – The Independent

‘Police were on Sunday investigating the sudden death of a 40-year-old woman at a controversial immigration detention centre where Mauritian A-Level student Yashika Bageerathi is currently awaiting deportation.’

Full story

The Independent, 30th March 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Parents guilty of emotional cruelty face jail – The Guardian

‘Adults convicted of acts of emotional cruelty against children in their care will face the same threat of jail as those guilty of physical neglect, under new laws being considered by ministers.’

Full story

The Guardian, 31st March 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

The child’s voice – New Law Journal

Posted March 28th, 2014 in child abduction, children, domicile, news by sally

‘Kirstie Gibson considers the approach taken by the court to determine the habitual residence of a child.’

Full story

New Law Journal, 28th March 2014

Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk

No maternity rights for commissioning mother in surrogacy case – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted March 28th, 2014 in EC law, equality, maternity leave, news, surrogacy by sally

‘The European Court (CJEU) has now considered two requests for preliminary ruling made in proceedings between intended mothers (also referred to as a commissioning mother) who have had babies through a surrogacy arrangement, and their employers concerning the refusal to grant them paid leave following the birth of the babies. It has replied that EU law does not provide for commissioning mothers to be entitled to paid leave equivalent to maternity leave or adoption leave.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 26th March 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Judicial Review Reform: All about the money, money, money? – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted March 28th, 2014 in bills, budgets, judicial review, legal aid, news by sally

‘As MPs and Peers consider the Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration)(Amendment)(No 3) Regulations and the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, Angela Patrick, Director of Human Rights Policy at JUSTICE considers the Lord Chancellor’s view that proposed judicial review changes do not restrict access to judicial review remedies or restrict the rule of law.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 26th March 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Alexander Horne: Is there a case for greater legislative involvement in the judicial appointments process? – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted March 28th, 2014 in constitutional law, constitutional reform, judiciary, news, parliament by sally

‘The dramatic increase in public law and human rights cases coming before the UK Supreme Court (and the Appellate Committee before it) means that the UK’s top court is more frequently determining essentially socio-political questions. In addition, in recent years, the judiciary has pressed for a rather more expansive definition of judicial independence, with a greater emphasis on the institutional independence of the judiciary. This has tended to lead to more powerful leadership roles, for senior judges in particular.

Full story

UK Constitutional Law Association, 27th March 2014

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

Rape victim’s children face ‘barbaric’ forced adoption – BBC News

Posted March 28th, 2014 in adoption, children, domestic violence, news, rape by sally

‘A mother has described a decision to put her children up for adoption over fears that she may get back with her violent former partner as “barbaric”.’

Full story

BBC News, 27th March 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Drug driving limits announced – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 28th, 2014 in drug abuse, drug offences, news, road traffic offences by sally

‘Legal limits to prevent drug driving have been set out for the first time by ministers in new laws which will come into force this autumn’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 27th March 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Hillsborough stadium tragedy inquests: Families await a fresh moment for truth – The Independent

Posted March 28th, 2014 in health & safety, inquests, news, sport by sally

‘The first of the new inquests into a 25-year-old tragedy begins next week, reopening old wounds but also reawakening hopes of closure and justice. Jonathan Brown explains how much is at stake.’

Full story

The Independent, 27th March 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

FGM charges against doctor criticised by obstetricians and gynaecologists – The Guardian

Posted March 28th, 2014 in doctors, female genital mutilation, news, prosecutions by sally

‘A group of consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists have joined the growing chorus of criticism by maternal health experts of the decision to prosecute a doctor for female genital mutilation.’

Full story

The Guardian, 27th March 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Rapper Joshua Ribera’s killer Armani Mitchell jailed – BBC News

Posted March 28th, 2014 in murder, news, sentencing by sally

‘A teenager who murdered a Birmingham rapper in a street stabbing has been jailed for a minimum of 18 years.’

Full story

BBC News, 27th March 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Foreign convicts awaiting deportation held in jail limbo for years – The Independent

Posted March 28th, 2014 in deportation, detention, human rights, news, visas by sally

‘Foreign offenders awaiting deportation are being locked up for years after their sentences have ended in a potential breach of their human rights, the immigration watchdog has warned.’

Full story

The Independent, 27th March 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Barristers call off walkout after legal aid cuts suspended – The Guardian

Posted March 28th, 2014 in barristers, budgets, criminal justice, fees, industrial action, legal aid, news by sally

‘Criminal barristers have called off their industrial action over legal aid payments after reaching a deal with the Ministry of Justice to suspend cuts until after the next general election.’

Full story

The Guardian, 27th March 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Woman jailed for being drunk and abusive on flight from Crete to UK – The Guardian

Posted March 27th, 2014 in aircraft, alcohol abuse, news, sentencing by sally

‘A woman has been jailed after admitting to being drunk and abusive on an aircraft.’

Full story

The Guardian, 27th March 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Jimmy Savile: Schools and children’s homes face investigation – BBC News

Posted March 27th, 2014 in care homes, education, health, local government, news by sally

‘Claims Jimmy Savile abused children at 21 children’s homes and schools in England must be investigated by local authorities, the government has said.’

Full story

BBC News, 27th March 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

West Midlands Police officers jailed for Oldbury house theft – BBC News

Posted March 27th, 2014 in guilty pleas, news, police, sentencing, theft by sally

‘Two police officers who stole cash and cigarettes from a house have been jailed after being caught in a sting operation by their own force.’

Full story

BBC News, 27th March 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rule committee sets the date for costs budgeting expansion – Litigation Futures

Posted March 27th, 2014 in budgets, civil procedure rules, costs, news by sally

‘The extended costs budgeting regime for all multi-track cases worth up to £10m will come into force on 22 April, it was confirmed today.’

Full story

Litigation Futures, 27th March 2014

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Relief from sanctions application is not a “free ride” for other side to oppose, judge warns – Litigation Futures

Posted March 27th, 2014 in civil procedure rules, costs, news, sanctions by sally

‘Parties opposing applications for relief from sanctions should not assume that they are going to get a “free costs ride” in opposing them, a High Court judge has warned.’

Full story

Litigation Futures, 27th March 2014

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Damian Green: new rehabilitation powers for magistrates – Ministry of Justice

Posted March 27th, 2014 in magistrates, press releases, rehabilitation, supervision orders by sally

‘Magistrates will be given new powers as part of the Government’s reforms of rehabilitation.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 25th March 2014

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted March 27th, 2014 in legislation by sally

The Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2014

The Non-Domestic Rating (Levy and Safety Net) (Amendment) Regulations 2014

The HGV Road User Levy (Exemption of Specified Roads) Order 2014

The Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2014

The Marriage of Same Sex Couples (Use of Armed Forces’ Chapels) Regulations 2014

The Civil Legal Aid (Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2014

The Parochial Fees and Scheduled Matters Amending Order 2014

The Civil Legal Aid (Financial Resources and Payment for Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2014

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk