UK objects to attempt by Council of Europe to examine online spying – The Guardian

“Britain is delaying the publication of a declaration on internet freedom by the 47 members of Europe’s human rights watchdog after objecting to a probe into the gathering of ‘vast amounts of electronic data’ by intelligence agencies.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th November 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Muslim family challenges ‘do not resuscitate’ ruling over gravely ill man – The Guardian

Posted November 11th, 2013 in appeals, Court of Protection, families, Islam, medical treatment, news by michael

“Court of Protection will hear Liverpool family’s lawyers argue that Qur’an calls for life to be preserved at all costs.”

Full story

The Guardian, 9th November 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Iraq war inquiry blocked in bid to make Bush-Blair ‘kick ass’ memo public – The Guardian

Posted November 11th, 2013 in disclosure, inquiries, international relations, Iraq, news by michael

“Cabinet Office resists Chilcot’s request to disclose what the allied leaders said in the escalation to war.”

Full story

The Guardian, 9th November 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Chief of Defence can not offer clemency to marine – BBC News

Posted November 11th, 2013 in Afghanistan, armed forces, murder, news, sentencing by michael

“The Chief of Defence Staff  has said he can not join calls for clemency towards the Royal Marine convicted last week of murdering a Taleban prisoner in Afghanistan.”

Video

BBC News, 10th November 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

 

HMRC targets unpaid intern employers – BBC News

Posted November 11th, 2013 in HM Revenue & Customs, minimum wage, news, trade unions, young persons by michael

“HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is targeting 200 employers who recently advertised internships to ensure they are paying the minimum wage.”

Full story

BBC News, 11th November 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Worcester loan shark burned to death by debtor – BBC News

Posted November 8th, 2013 in assault, burglary, debts, fire, homicide, news, sentencing by sally

“A man who burned to death a loan shark to whom he owed money has been jailed for 10 years.”

Full story

BBC News, 8h November 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Five men guilty of sexually abusing vulnerable 15-year-old girl in Rochdale – The Guardian

Posted November 8th, 2013 in children, news, rape, sexual offences, victims by sally

“Two trials reveal how girl’s reports of sexual contact with older men were not passed on by social care and health professionals.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th November 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Royal Marine found guilty of ‘executing’ Afghan insurgent – The Guardian

Posted November 8th, 2013 in Afghanistan, anonymity, armed forces, courts martial, execution, news, sentencing by sally

“A Royal Marine has been found guilty of murder following the killing in cold blood of a badly wounded suspected insurgent in Afghanistan. A court martial board in Bulford, Wiltshire, acquitted two other marines of the murder of the Afghan national in Helmand province in September 2011.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th November 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Bexleyheath killer Nicola Edgington loses appeal bid – BBC News

Posted November 8th, 2013 in appeals, attempted murder, attempts, mental health, murder, news, sentencing by sally

“A psychiatric patient who stabbed a woman to death in a London street has lost a bid to appeal against her conviction and sentence.”

Full story

BBC News, 8th November 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Stafford Hospital nurse given caution for putting patients at risk – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 8th, 2013 in cautions, disciplinary procedures, hospitals, news, nurses, professional conduct by sally

“A nurse who worked at Stafford Hospital has been given a five year caution after she was found guilty of putting patients in danger, angering families who want ‘someone held responsible’ for the scandal.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th November 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Command Papers – official-documents.gov.uk

Posted November 8th, 2013 in parliamentary papers by sally

Forensic science: Government response to the second report from the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee session 2013-14 HC 610, Cm 8750 (PDF)

Source: www.official-documents.gov.uk

Decision to cut youth services by 70% was unlawful, says Court of Appeal – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 8th, 2013 in appeals, education, equality, local government, news, young persons by sally

“A council acted unlawfully in 2012 when it cut youth services by more than 70% over a three-year period, the Court of Appeal has ruled.”

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 7th November 2013

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Equal Treatment Bench Book – Judiciary of England and Wales

Posted November 8th, 2013 in diversity, documents, equality, judiciary, news by sally

“The Equal Treatment Bench Book, a guide for judges, magistrates and all other judicial office-holders, has been revised and updated.”

Full text

Judiciary of England and Wales, 6th November 2013

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Consultation on new powers for the Forensic Science Regulator – Home Office

Posted November 8th, 2013 in codes of practice, consultations, forensic science by sally

“A consultation on strengthening the powers of the Forensic Science Regulator has been launched today.”

Full consultation

Home Office, 8th November 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Riot (Damages) Act: independent review – Home Office

Posted November 8th, 2013 in criminal damage, damages, legislation, reports, violent disorder by sally

“This independent review by Neil Kinghan contains a series of recommendations to reform the Riot Damages Act following the riots in August 2011.”

Full review

Home Office, 8th November 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

The “uneasy” co-existence of public interest immunity and closed material procedure – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted November 8th, 2013 in closed material, damages, human rights, news, public interest immunity, torture by sally

“CF v Security Service and others and Mohamed v Foreign and Commonwealth Office and others [[2013] EWHC 3402 (QB). The High Court has today made the first court ruling on the use of the Justice and Security Act 2013 in a civil claim for damages.”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 7th November 2013

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Government to review legality of “intimidating” trade union leverage campaigns – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 8th, 2013 in harassment, illegality, news, trade unions by sally

“The Government is right to consider a review of the civil and criminal laws surrounding so-called ‘leverage campaigns’, with a view towards making it harder for trade unions to engage in ‘industrial intimidation’ during labour disputes, an expert has announced.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 7th November 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

Niqabs in the witness box: yes or no? – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted November 8th, 2013 in criminal justice, freedom of expression, juries, news, witnesses, women by sally

“Niqab-wearing defendants should be obliged to remove their veils before giving evidence say 90% of my colleagues in a poll conducted by the Bar Council for The Times (although personally I’d like to see what the participation rate was for that). Former justice secretary, Ken Clarke, agrees, likening wearing a full-face veil in the witness box to giving evidence ‘in a bag’. The Lord Chief Justice says that trial judges should be able to decide whether a defendant may give evidence wearing a face-veil or not, but promises to provide guidance.”

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 7th November 2013

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted November 8th, 2013 in legislation by sally

The Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (No. 8) Order 2013

The Transport Holding Company (Capital Debts) (Revocations) (England and Wales) Order 2013

The Housing Benefit and Universal Credit (Size Criteria) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013

The Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) Amendment (No. 2) Order 2013

The Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (No. 2) Order 2013

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Regina (Elosta) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Law Society and another intervening) – WLR Daily

Regina (Elosta) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Law Society and another intervening): [2013] EWHC 3397 (Admin);   [2013] WLR (D)  422

“A person detained for examination under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 had the right to consult a solicitor privately ‘in person, in writing or on the telephone’ before being interviewed.”

WLR Daily, 6th November 2013

Source: www.iclr.co.uk