Abu Qatada’s chances of success at Strasbourg are slim – The Guardian
“Despite controversy over the deadline, I doubt the European court will agree to hear Abu Qatada’s appeal.”
The Guardian, 8th May 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
New fines for benefit cheats – The Independent
“Benefit cheats will be fined up to £2,000 without being taken to court under new powers from today, which the Government said will save the taxpayer around £42 million over the next three years.”
The Independent, 8th May 2012
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Jeremy Clarkson cleared by Ofcom over Elephant Man comment – The Guardian
“Ofcom has cleared Jeremy Clarkson’s comparison of a Japanese car to the Elephant Man of breaching the broadcasting code, despite more than 40 complaints that it was offensive to people suffering from facial disfigurement.”
The Guardian, 8th May 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Employment tribunals cannot apportion liability in discrimination claims where more than one party is at fault – OUT-LAW.com
“Employment tribunals do not have the jurisdiction to apportion liability for compensation in discrimination claims where more than one party is at fault, the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has ruled.”
The Guardian, 8th May 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Channel 4 under Ofcom investigation over Prometheus exclusive – The Guardian
“Channel 4 is under investigation by Ofcom over its exclusive airing of the film trailer for Ridley Scott’s sci-fi film Prometheus.”
The Guardian, 8th May 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
East Yorkshire mother jailed for child cruelty – BBC News
“A woman who ‘blighted’ the lives of her children by subjecting them to five years of cruelty has been jailed.”
BBC News, 8th May 2012
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Phone hacking: Andy Coulson wins leave to appeal over ruling on legal fees – The Guardian
“Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has won permission to appeal against a high court ruling that News International is not liable to pay his potential legal fees over the phone-hacking scandal.”
The Guardian,
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Are you fit for “fitness to plead”? – One Inner Temple Lane
“The concept of ‘fitness to plead’ is often a source of confusion. It is not solely a consideration of whether the defendant is actually capable of being arraigned on the indictment. The question to be addressed is whether a defendant is fit to enter a plea and stand trial. A person may have sufficient capacity to deny the allegation that is made and yet be unable to undergo the entire trial process. The defence should not overlook the possible benefits, where properly available, to a defendant of a finding of unfitness to plead. Where the issue of fitness to plead is raised it must be determined by a Judge. The defendant ought not to be arraigned before this issue is determined. If a defendant is found unfit to plead there is a further hearing before a jury to determine whether or not he did the act or acts alleged. If unsure, the defendant will be acquitted and so he will have the advantage of challenging the Crown’s evidence. If the finding is adverse to the defendant then the Judge has the power to make a hospital order (with or without restriction), a supervision order or an absolute discharge. The defendant can be diverted from the prison system in this way.”
One Inner Temple Lane, 1st May 2012
Source: www.1itl.com
The vexatious allegation – One Inner Temple Lane
“False reports to the police are rare. Most complaints are truthful and accurate and amount to a proper grievance. However, there are some that are either false or wild exaggerations of the truth. There are yet more that may well be true but amount only to such a trivial complaint that a reasonable person would not think it worthy of the attention of the authorities. The subject of such reporting has hitherto had limited redress in law. Unless the Crown were wiling to prosecute the accuser the chances of retribution were small. The case of Waxman has brought to notice an area of civil redress.”
One Inner Temple Lane, 1st May 2012
Source: www.1itl.com
Securing Commons – The Right and the Just? De-mystifying Commons Registration – Hardwicke Chambers
“In the recent decision in Taylor v Betterment Properties Ltd [2012] EWCA Civ 250, the Court of Appeal has provided useful guidance on two questions arising under the Commons Registration Act 1965 and potentially of wider implication.”
Hardwicke Chambers, 2nd May 2012
Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk
Djanogly: Justice supports business – Ministry of Justice
“Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly met today with business leaders to launch ‘Justice for Business: Supporting Business and Promoting Growth,’ a new paper outlining how the Government’s ambitious reform programme is making the justice system more effective, less costly and better for business.”
Ministry of Justice, 8th May 2012
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk
The Apprenticeships (Alternative English Completion Conditions) Regulations 2012
The Sixth Form College Corporations (Publication of Proposals) (England) Regulations 2012
The Offender Management Act 2007 (Establishment of Probation Trusts) (Amendment) Order 2012
The Public Bodies (Abolition of Courts Boards) Order 2012
Source: www.legislation.gov.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
High Court (Chancery Division)
High Court (Family Division)
AV v RM [2012] EWHC 1173 (Fam) (21 March 2012)
High Court (Administrative Court)
Nunn v Suffolk Constabulary & Anor [2012] EWHC 1186 (Admin) (04 May 2012)
Source: www.bailii.org
Magistrates to sit in community centres in plan to speed up justice – Daily Telegraph
“Ministers are to announce plans to allow magistrates to sit on their own in community centres or police stations in a bid to speed up justice.”
Daily Telegraph, 8th May 2012
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
