Torture row: Handing over prisoners ‘appropriate and lawful’ – government – The Guardian

“British intelligence officers who question prisoners at risk of torture while in the hands of foreign governments are committing no offence, lawyers for the government have argued at the high court.”

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The Guardian, 29th June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘Hair in hand’ case: Danilo Restivo guilty of Heather Barnett murder – The Guardian

Posted June 29th, 2011 in extradition, murder, news, sentencing by sally

“A man with a fetish for surreptitiously cutting locks of hair from girls and women has been found guilty of murdering a British seamstress and now faces extradition over the killing of a teenager in Italy.”

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The Guardian, 29th June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Government to close squatters’ legal aid loophole – Ministry of Justice

Posted June 29th, 2011 in bills, budgets, legal aid, news, squatting by sally

“Squatters will no longer get legal aid to fight home owners trying to evict them from their properties, under proposals set out in the Sentencing, Legal Aid and Punishment of Offenders Bill which has it’s second reading in the House of Commons today.”

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Ministry of Justice, 29th June 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Legal aid awards: Doreen Lawrence presents prizes at upbeat ceremony – The Guardian

Posted June 29th, 2011 in barristers, legal aid, news, solicitors by sally

“Despite £350m cuts threatening the entire legal aid system, the focus was on its lawyers’ many achievements.”

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The Guardian, 29th June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Right to self-defence in homes to be ‘much clearer’ – BBC News

Posted June 29th, 2011 in burglary, legislation, news, self-defence by sally

“Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has said a householder who knifes a burglar will not have committed a criminal offence under plans to clarify the law on self-defence in England.”

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BBC News, 29th June 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Court ruling on bail ‘a disaster’, say police – The Guardian

Posted June 29th, 2011 in bail, courts, detention, legislation, news, police by sally

“The home secretary, Theresa May, is considering whether emergency legislation to stem growing concern among senior police officers over their ability to hold suspects is needed in the wake of a court ruling.”

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The Guardian, 29th June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Bar Council: Parliament Should Heed Experts’ Warnings on Legal Aid Changes – The Bar Council

“The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has written to MPs to voice serious concerns about the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, which is scheduled for its second reading in the House of Commons tomorrow afternoon.”

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The Bar Council, 28th June 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Jane Clough murder: Bail law read in Commons – BBC News

Posted June 29th, 2011 in bail, bills, crime prevention, murder, news by sally

“A Lancashire MP has introduced a bill in Parliament which he claims could have prevented the murder of Blackpool nurse Jane Clough.”

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BBC News, 28th June 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Mounting concerns over legal aid cuts – BBC News

Posted June 29th, 2011 in budgets, legal aid, legal representation, news by sally

“The government’s plans to cut legal aid in England and Wales return to Parliament later as opposition mounts from lawyers and campaigners.”

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BBC News, 29th June 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Kenneth Clarke faces twin-track assault on jail reform plans – The Guardian

Posted June 29th, 2011 in budgets, news, prisons, sentencing by sally

“The justice secretary, Kenneth Clarke, faces another embarrassing U-turn over his controversial sentencing reforms on Wednesday as the Labour frontbench combines with rightwing Tory MPs to further attack his prison plans.”

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The Guardian, 28th June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Airlines risk legal action over credit card ‘sting’ – The Independent

Posted June 29th, 2011 in airlines, consumer credit, fees, news, theatre, unfair commercial practices by sally

“Budget airlines, theatres and football clubs risk legal action if they continue to levy inflated charges for paying by credit and debit cards, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) warned yesterday.”

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The Independent, 29th June 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ofcom should have final say over BBC complaints, says Lords report – The Guardian

Posted June 29th, 2011 in BBC, complaints, inquiries, news by sally

“Media regulator Ofcom, rather than the BBC, should have the final say over complaints about impartiality and accuracy with the corporation’s programmes, according to a House of Lords committee report.”

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The Guardian, 29th June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Kenneth Clarke backs judge over Milly Dowler murder trial – BBC News

Posted June 29th, 2011 in cross-examination, families, murder, news, trials, victims by sally

“Kenneth Clarke has said he recognises the ‘appalling’ treatment of Milly Dowler’s family at her killer’s trial.”

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BBC News, 28th June 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Film studios want BT to block website offering The King’s Speech – The Guardian

Posted June 29th, 2011 in copyright, film industry, internet, news by sally

“Colin Firth’s box office hit The King’s Speech is at the heart of a landmark court battle over online piracy between Hollywood film giants and Britain’s largest internet service provider, BT.”

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The Guardian, 28th June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Increasing efficiency in the Court of Protection – Ministry of Justice

Posted June 28th, 2011 in consultations, Court of Protection, news by sally

“The Government has today published a consultation paper proposing that some decisions on straightforward applications to the Court of Protection are taken by authorised court officers.”

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Ministry of Justice, 28th June 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

British intelligence guidance ‘exposes detainees to torture’ – The Guardian

“A battle over the legality of instructions issued to British intelligence officers attempting to obtain information from prisoners held by countries with poor human rights records has opened in the high court.”

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The Guardian, 28th June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lawyers back Jack Straw’s bid to ban referral fees – The Lawyer

Posted June 28th, 2011 in fees, insurance, news, personal injuries by sally

“Personal injury lawyers have applauded former justice secretary Jack Straw’s calls to ban referral fees, saying the practice does not benefit law firms or their clients.”

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The Lawyer, 28th June 2011

Source: www.thelawyer.com

McDonald’s litter costs Newport man £800 – BBC News

Posted June 28th, 2011 in fines, litter, news by sally

“A man must pay over £800 after ignoring a fine for throwing rubbish at a McDonald’s car park in Carmarthenshire.”

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BBC News, 28th June 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Minister explains ‘no win, no fee’ reforms – Ministry of Justice

Posted June 28th, 2011 in compensation, costs, fees, news by sally

“Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly has today been explaining reforms to tackle the problem of ‘no win, no fee’ legal schemes and fears of a compensation culture.”

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Ministry of Justice, 28th June 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Nail bomber David Copeland loses sentence appeal – BBC News

Posted June 28th, 2011 in appeals, explosives, mental health, murder, news, sentencing by sally

“Nail bomber David Copeland has failed in his bid to reduce his minimum jail term of 50 years.”

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BBC News, 28th June 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk