CPS to go paperless by April, says Starmer – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 10th, 2011 in Crown Prosecution Service, news by sally

“The Director of Public Prosecutions has committed to making the Crown Prosecution Service entirely digital by April 2012.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 7th October 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Dangerous drivers to face longer jail terms – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 10th, 2011 in dangerous driving, news, sentencing by sally

“Dangerous drivers who seriously injure others could spend longer in jail thanks to a new criminal offence, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke announced today.”

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Ministry of Justice, 7th October 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Solicitor General: speech to 2011 Legal Wales Conference – Attorney General’s Office

Posted October 10th, 2011 in devolution, speeches, Wales by sally

Solicitor General: speech to 2011 Legal Wales Conference

Attorney General’s Office, 7th October 2011

Source: www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk

Changes to QASA proposals being considered – Bar Standards Board

Posted October 10th, 2011 in advocacy, barristers, news, quality assurance by sally

“Arrangements for the launch of the new quality assurance scheme for criminal advocates, QASA, are being reconsidered in the light of issues being raised in the consultation period, the Joint Advocacy Group (JAG) has announced.”

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Bar Standards Board, 7th October 2011

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Gay marriage on the way… but not quite yet – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted October 10th, 2011 in homosexuality, marriage, news by sally

“In his Conservative Party Conference speech the Prime Minister David Cameron signalled his strong support for the legalisation of gay marriage.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 10th October 2011

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Unicef criticises Britain for jailing children over riots – The Guardian

Posted October 10th, 2011 in children, imprisonment, news, sentencing, violent disorder, young offenders by sally

“Unicef has criticised the UK judicial system for locking up children allegedly involved in the August riots and warned ministers that they are likely to be in breach of their UN obligations to children’s rights.”

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The Guardian, 9th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Call to extend court opening hours – The Independent

Posted October 10th, 2011 in courts, magistrates, news by sally

“Justice minister Nick Herbert today called for magistrates’ courts to be opened during the night and at weekends.”

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The Independent, 9th October 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Police warned about rising risk of false confessions – The Guardian

Posted October 10th, 2011 in guilty pleas, news, police by sally

“Police need to be more aware of the danger of false confessions, according to a study that suggests that up to one in five convicted criminals may have pleaded guilty at some point to an offence they have not committed.”

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The Guardian, 9th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

David Cameron to revisit forced marriage crime plans – BBC News

Posted October 10th, 2011 in forced marriages, news by sally

“The government is to consult on making it a criminal offence in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to force a person to marry against their will.”

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BBC News, 10th October 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man gets 27 years for woods murder – The Independent

Posted October 10th, 2011 in murder, news, sentencing by sally

“The mother of an economics graduate has said she can never forgive her daughter’s killer for destroying the lives of so many when he battered the 25-year-old to death in woodland near where she worked.”

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The Independent, 7th October 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Compulsory purchase order threat to tackle problem of empty homes – The Guardian

Posted October 10th, 2011 in compulsory purchase, housing, news by sally

“A council with one of the biggest housing shortages in the country is threatening to use compulsory purchase orders against the owners of homes that have been left empty for six months or more.”

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The Guardian, 8th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

So far so good: the Legal Ombudsman celebrates a smooth first year – The Guardian

Posted October 10th, 2011 in complaints, legal ombudsman, legal services, news by sally

“Independent body fielding complaints against lawyers has come in under budget, and with a positive reaction from the profession.”

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The Guardian, 7th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Spitting ban bids to turn back the clock – The Independent

Posted October 10th, 2011 in environmental health, news by sally

“A council is attempting to outlaw spitting in public little more than 20 years after a national ban on the practice was lifted.”

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The Independent, 8th October 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Jonathan Djanogly forced to act over conflict of interest claims – The Guardian

Posted October 10th, 2011 in bills, conflict of interest, government departments, legal aid, news by sally

“The justice minister Jonathan Djanogly has been forced to publicly declare in the parliamentary register that his controversial stakes in the insurance industry have been placed in a ‘blind trust’, after a Guardian investigation revealed that he could personally profit from legislation he is piloting in the Commons.”

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The Guardian, 9th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted October 7th, 2011 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Kapoor v National Westminster Bank Plc & Anor [2011] EWCA Civ 1083 (05 October 2011)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Trustees of Beardsley Theobalds Retirement Benefit Scheme v Yardley [2011] EWHC 1380 (QB) (30 September 2011)

Triplot & Anor v Whetter [2011] EWHC 931 (QB) (30 September 2011)

Cartlidge Morland (a firm) v Thomas [2011] EWHC 2086 (QB) (30 September 2011)

Butler- Creagh v AIDA Hersham [2011] EWHC 2525 (QB) (06 October 2011)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Whealing v Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors [2011] EWHC 2482 (Ch) (17 August 2011)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Kobir, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] EWHC 2515 (Admin) (06 October 2011)

Raki, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department & Anor [2011] EWHC 2421 (Admin) (06 October 2011)

High Court (Family Division)

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council v Watson [2011] EWHC 2498 (Fam) (01 September 2011)

G v A (No 3) (Schedule 1 settlement of property) [2011] EWHC 2377 (Fam) (22 September 2011)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Paragon Mortgages Ltd v McEwan-Peters & Anor [2011] EWHC 2491 (Comm) (05 October 2011)

Thai Maparn Trading Co Ltd v Louis Drefyus Commodities Asia Pte Ltd [2011] EWHC 2494 (Comm) (04 October 2011)

Societe Generale SA v Saad Trading & Anor [2011] EWHC 2424 (Comm) (05 October 2011)

Acergy Shipping Ltd v Societe Bretonne De Reparation Navale SAS [2011] EWHC 2490 (Comm) (05 October 2011)

High Court (Patents Court)

Re Halliburton Energy Services Inc [2011] EWHC 2508 (Pat) (05 October 2011)

Source: www.bailii.org

New dawn in legal sector will give boost to UK business and customers – Ministry of Justice

“The public are set to benefit from modern, joined-up legal services after Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly announced the start of radical changes to the sector today (6 October).”

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Ministry of Justice, 6th October 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Young Bar Chairman Encourages Young Barristers to Adapt in Order to Survive – The Bar Council

Posted October 7th, 2011 in barristers, news by sally

“Nichola Higgins, Chairman of the Bar Council’s Young Barristers’ Committee (YBC), will encourage young barristers, pupils and students to consider the future of the profession and seize opportunities to diversify their practice area at its Annual Conference on Saturday 8 October.”

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The Bar Council, 7th October 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Householder cleared over fatal stabbing of intruder – The Guardian

Posted October 7th, 2011 in attempted murder, attempts, burglary, murder, news, prosecutions, self-defence by sally

“A householder arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of an intruder at his home has been cleared of any wrongdoing.”

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The Guardian, 7th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Dangerous driving: the victims let down by the law – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 7th, 2011 in dangerous driving, news, sentencing, victims by sally

“Today the government announces that the penalty for death by dangerous driving will rise from two years in prison to five years. But it is too late for some. Here are the victims let down by the law.”

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Daily Telegraph, 7th October 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Unfairly judged: gay lawyers say judiciary still plagued by homophobia – The Guardian

“Recent research shows 70% believe there is prejudice within the selection process for judicial appointments.”

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The Guardian, 6th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk