Government issues revised ‘identify proofing’ guidelines – OUT-LAW.com
‘The Government has updated guidance it has issued on the identity proofing and verification of individuals.’
OUT-LAW.com, 8th January 2014
Source: www.out-law.com
Sir Keir Starmer: Legal system ‘not fit for purpose’ – BBC News
‘The justice system in England and Wales “is not fit for purpose for victims”, the former chief prosecutor has said.’
BBC News, 8th January 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Voter proof of identity should be mandatory, says election watchdog – The Guardian
‘Voters should be required to show proof of identity at polling stations, the UK election watchdog has said in a report that has been welcomed by the government. The Electoral Commission has concluded that a further tightening of the rules is necessary to restore public confidence following fears of ballot-rigging. At present, voters do not need to produce ID or even a polling card to vote as long as they have registered and know their address.’
The Guardian, 8th January 2014
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Nigella Lawson: not a victim of the criminal justice system – Halsbury’s Law Exchange
‘Nigella Lawson is a victim of domestic violence, but she is not a victim of the criminal justice system.’
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 7th January 2014
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk
Gang guilty of trafficking 50 women for sexual exploitation in UK – The Guardian
‘Five members of a prostitution racket, which flew more than 50 young women into the UK from Hungary and set them up in airport hotels, student accommodation and suburban homes, have been convicted of conspiring to traffic people into the UK for sexual exploitation.’
The Guardian, 7th January 2014
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Ice cream man jailed for keeping ‘slave’ in garage – Daily Telegraph
‘David Rooke forced Craig Kinsella, 34, to live in a garage where he suffered regular beatings and ended up scavenging for food in bins, Sheffield Crown Court heard.’
Daily Telegraph, 7th January 2014
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Justice minister supports government plans for mandatory mediation – The Guardian
‘The new justice minister, Simon Hughes, whose departmental responsibilities include family law, has backed government plans to make mediation mandatory for separating couples.’
The Guardian, 7th January 2014
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Two guilty of sending ‘menacing’ tweets to Caroline Criado-Perez – The Independent
‘Two people have pleaded guilty to sending “menacing” tweets to a feminist campaigner following her successful campaign to ensure a woman features on British banknotes.’
The Independent, 7th January 2014
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Sanctions update – Mitchell in Action – Sovereign Chambers
‘The facts and consequences of Mitchell are now well known, if not notorious amongst those conducting civil ligation.’
Sovereign Chambers, 7th January 2014
Source: www.sovereignchambers.co.uk
A Taxing Time Ahead: The Reality Behind The Rhetoric – Six Pump Court
‘In 2013 a raft of measures were introduced by the government to crack down on tax evasion both on an individual and on a corporate basis. In these stringent economic times, the political imperative was at the very least for the government to be seen to be doing something to address the perceived unfairness of high net worth individuals and corporations avoiding their fiscal responsibilities. After all, as the politicians were so keen to remind us, we were all in this together.’
Six Pump Court, 3rd January 2014
Source: www.6pumpcourt.co.uk
First judgment in a judicial review of the Legal Ombudsman – 4 New Square
‘On 20 December 2013 judgment was handed down in the first judicial review of a decision of the Legal Ombudsman (“LeO”) to reach a substantive hearing. The judgment will be of interest to lawyers and complainants wishing to challenge unappealable decisions of LeO. It is particularly (though not only) relevant to LeO decisions which direct a reduction in fees. This is an area which, in view of the absence of a limit on the amount by which LeO can reduce fees, has caused particular controversy.’
4 New Square, 3rd January 2014
Source: www.4newsquare.com
Naked Rambler jailed for 16 months for breaching asbo – The Guardian
‘The so-called Naked Rambler has been jailed for 16 months after a jury took just two minutes to find him guilty of breaching an antisocial behaviour order designed to prevent him from appearing nude in public.’
The Guardian, 6th January 2014
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Joshi & Ors v Mahida [2013] EWCA Civ 1327 (17 October 2013)
Waterside Finance Ltd & Ors v Karim [2013] EWCA Civ 1322 (03 October 2013)
Hussain v King Edward VII Hospital [2013] EWCA Civ 1709 (23 May 2013)
Hospira UK Generics (UK) Ltd (t/a Mylan) v Novartis AG [2013] EWCA Civ 1663 (19 December 2013)
High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)
Schellenberg v The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) [1999] EWHC 851 (QB) (22 June 1999)
High Court (Administrative Court)
Powlesland v Director of Public Prosecutions [2013] EWHC 3846 (Admin) (09 December 2013)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Joshi & Ors v Mahida [2013] EWHC 486 (Ch) (08 March 2013)
Source: www.bailii.org
Probe into growth of ‘professional’ McKenzie Friends – Legal Futures
‘The Legal Services Consumer Panel has begun an investigation into the emergence of ‘professional’ McKenzie Friends who charge litigants in person for their services, it has emerged.’
Legal Futures, 7th January 2014
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
High Court warns successful parties not to expect interest on pre-judgment costs – Litigation Futures
‘The High Court has given a strong steer that successful parties can rarely expect to recover interest on the fees they have already paid to their solicitors.’
Litigation Futures, 7th January 2014
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
E-disclosure: 2014 & beyond – New Law Journal
‘Mark Surguy, Rob Jones & Tracey Stretton predict where law, technology & business are going in 2014 when it comes to e-disclosure.’
New Law Journal, 6th January 2013
Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk
Driver using no hands at 60mph banned for one year – The Guardian
‘A man has been banned from driving after he was videoed by police driving with his hands behind his head at 60mph.’
The Guardian, 6th January 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
High Court judge dismisses office-to-home challenge by London boroughs – OUT-LAW.com
‘The Government’s procedure in deciding which areas to exempt from recently introduced permitted development rights allowing offices to be transformed into homes without planning permission was fair, a High Court judge has decided.’
OUT-LAW.com, 6th January 2014
Source: www.out-law.com
