Keighley rape trial: Bilal Hussain and Shazad Rehman jailed – BBC News
“Two men have been jailed for drugging and raping vulnerable under-age girls they found walking the streets.”
BBC News, 6th March 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Government to legislate for plain cigarette packaging this year – The Guardian
“Ministers are to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes along the Australian model with legislation this year, after becoming convinced that the branding is a key factor in why young people start to smoke.”
The Guardian, 5th March 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Settling the case – what about costs? – Zenith Chambers
“After prolonged negotiations the case is settled – or so it seems. When acting for the Claimant you may say, ‘We haven’t got all we wanted but at least we’ve succeeded.’ For the Defendant you may say, ‘We’ve cut the Claimant down very considerably.’ Very often what then is said is ‘We’ve reached a compromise, no order as to costs’. That is altogether too simplistic a view of the situation.”
Full story (PDF)
Zenith Chambers, 14th February 2013
Source: www.zenithchambers.co.uk
Lord Neuberger to the executive: get your tanks off the judicial lawn – UK Human Rights Blog
“In a rare public intervention Lord Neuberger, President of the UK Supreme Court, has flagged three important issues that should be of concern to us all.”
UK Human Rights Blog, 6th March 2013
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
Silence is not necessarily golden: the consequences of failing to adduce evidence in rebuttal in civil trials – Zenith Chambers
“Gordon Exall considers the practical issues that arise from the principle that a court can draw adverse inferences from a party’s failure to adduce evidence on an issue.”
Full story (PDF)
Zenith Chambers, 12th February 2013
Source: www.zenithchambers.co.uk
Children and same sex families: known biological fathers and contact: the decision in S v D and E / T v X and Y [2013] EWHC – Zenith Chambers
“Where do parents and prospective parents stand after the very recent decision in the case of S v D and E? What can parenting lesbian mothers and the men who donate sperm to enable them to have children expect if there is a disagreement between them as to the role of biological fathers in their children’s lives?”
Zenith Chambers, 14th February 2013
Source: www.zenithchambers.co.uk
Criminal legal aid scheme of the future must be based on quality and public interest, not just price – The Bar Council
“The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has today responded to the Ministry of Justice’s announcement that its consultation and implementation of a new scheme for criminal legal aid will be brought forward, with price competition put forward as one key proposal.”
The Bar Council, 5th March 2013
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Prosecutor demands overhaul of sexual abuse investigations – The Guardian
“Sweeping changes to the way alleged sex offenders in England and Wales are investigated must be introduced in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal and other child exploitation cases, Keir Starmer, the director of public prosecutions, has said.”
The Guardian, 6th March 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Bar Council calls for proportionate regulation in response to LSBs Business Plan – The Bar Council
“The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has called for proportionate and financially responsible regulation in its response to the Legal Services Board’s (LSB) draft business plan for 2013-14.”
The Bar Council, 4th March 2013
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Children and Families Bill 2013 – 11 KBW
“Part 3 of the Children and Families Bill 2013 (‘the Bill’) was intended to deliver ‘the biggest
reforms for 30 years’ for children and young people with SEN.”
Full story (PDF)
11 KBW, 5th March 2013
Source: www.11kbw.com
Serious Fraud Office investigation reports published – Attorney General’s Office
“The Attorney General has sent two reports dealing with allegations of misconduct at the SFO to a parliamentary committee.”
Attorney General’s Office, 4th March 2013
Source: www.gov.uk/ago
Related links: Sir Alex Allan report (PDF) and report by Tim Hurdle (PDF)
Post-adoption support should be a legal right, say Lords – BBC News
“Adoptive parents in England should have a legal right to support, a House of Lords report argues.”
BBC News, 6th March 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Related link: Adoption: Post-Legislative Scrutiny Report (PDF)
Important changes to the restricted certificates of sponsorship (RCoS) application process from 6 March 2013 – UK Border Agency
“We are making changes to the codes of practice for skilled employers. This includes updating the list of skilled occupations to reflect the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2010 system.”
UK Border Agency, 5th March 2013
Source: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
Finance and Divorce Update – Family Law Week
“Anna Heenan, solicitor and David Salter, Joint Head of Family Law at Mills & Reeve LLP analyse February’s financial remedies and divorce news and cases.”
Family Law Week, 5th March 2013
Source: www.familylawweek.com
The Children and Families Bill – the new SEN provisions – 11 KBW
“The legislative framework governing the approach to children with special educational needs (‘SEN’) in England has remained broadly the same since the coming into force of Part 4 of the Education Act 1996 on 1st November 1996. However, on 18 March 2012, the Department for Education published a Green Paper, Support and Aspiration: A New Approach to Special Educational Needs and Disability, signalling an intention to review that framework. The intention to legislate in this field was reiterated in the Queen’s Speech on 9th May 2012, which was swiftly followed by the follow-up to the Green Paper, Progress and Next Steps, on 15 May 2012.”
Full story (PDF)
11 KBW, 5th March 2013
Source: www.11kbw.com
Payday lenders face advertising restrictions – The Guardian
“Ministers are to announce a clampdown on adverts for payday loans, but have rejected a cap on the cost of loans despite a report due to be published on Wednesday from the Office of Fair Trading showing widespread malpractice across the controversial industry.”
The Guardian, 6th March 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Nowhere to hide for legal aid dodgers – Ministry of Justice
“Convicted criminals who leave taxpayers to foot their legal bills, when they can afford to pay, will no longer be able to get it away with, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling announced today [5 March].”
Ministry of Justice, 5th March 2013
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
New guidelines could reduce wrongful convictions under ‘joint enterprise’ law – The Guardian
“Long-awaited guidance for the crown prosecution service on a law used to fight gang violence could help prevent miscarriages of justice.”
The Guardian, 5th March 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Inside the Supreme Court – BBC Law in Action
“In a broadcasting first the programme comes from inside the United Kingdom Supreme Court where the country’s most senior judge, the Court’s president Lord Neuberger, answers questions put by Joshua Rozenberg and an audience of Law in Action listeners.”
BBC Law in Action, 5th March 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Reiki Master jailed for abusing patients – Daily Telegraph
“A ‘revered Reiki Master’ has been jailed for 16 years for abusing six women and two children on his treatment table.”
Daily Telegraph, 6th March 2013
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
