Fewer rape convictions because plea bargains prevail, report suggests – The Guardian

Posted March 22nd, 2010 in news, plea bargaining, rape, reports, sexual offences by sally

“Hundreds of convictions gained in rape cases are actually for lesser offences, official figures reveal.”

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The Guardian, 20th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Supreme Court to decide on the validity of prenuptial agreements – The Times

Posted March 22nd, 2010 in news by sally

“Britain’s most senior judges will hear a landmark appeal this week over whether divorcing couples should be bound by pre-marriage agreements on how their assets will be split.”

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The Times, 22nd March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Human rights alliance demands inquiry into UK torture role – The Guardian

Posted March 22nd, 2010 in inquiries, intelligence services, news, torture, war by sally

“Human rights groups have joined forces with a group of British MPs to campaign for an independent inquiry into the UK’s role in torture and rendition during the so-called war on terror.”

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The Guardian, 22nd March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

What I’m really thinking: The defence barrister – The Guardian

Posted March 22nd, 2010 in barristers, criminal justice, news by sally

“‘How can you defend someone if you know they’re guilty? The answer is, you never know.'”

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The Guardian, 20th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Gagging law to protect Prince Charles – The Times

Posted March 22nd, 2010 in news by sally

“The government is trying to change the law to protect the Prince of Wales from scrutiny when he intervenes in public affairs.”

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The Times, 21st March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Prosecutors must ‘raise game’ on disabled hate crime – BBC News

“The Crown Prospection Service should do more to help disabled victims of hate crime, an official has admitted.”

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BBC News, 22nd March 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New law could catch those who tempt others into death – The Times

Posted March 22nd, 2010 in news by sally

“At least 39 people have killed themselves in Britain after receiving advice on the internet, but no one has been prosecuted for encouraging them.”

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The Times, 20th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

160 plastic policemen charged with crimes – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 22nd, 2010 in disciplinary procedures, news, police, professional conduct by sally

“More than 2,000 police community support officers have been investigated for misconduct and more than 160 charged with criminal offences since the role was created, it can be revealed.”

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Daily Telegraph, 21st March 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Court allows judicial review over Yarl’s Wood detention – The Guardian

Posted March 22nd, 2010 in children, detention, human rights, immigration, news, women by sally

“Lawyers have been granted permission to challenge the government’s detention policy, which they claim amounts to ‘cruel, inhumane and degrading’ treatment of women and children.”

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The Guardian, 20th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Wrestling with the libel hydra – The Times

Posted March 22nd, 2010 in news by sally

“Pressure is growing to stop the rich and powerful using the courts to stifle debate – but time is running out.”

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The Times, 21st March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Man jailed for eight years for 1987 rape – The Independent

Posted March 19th, 2010 in DNA, news, rape, sentencing by sally

“A handyman who raped a woman in her own home 23 years ago was finally jailed for eight years today after he was caught thanks to the DNA database.”

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The Independent, 19th March 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

More specialist domestic violence courts offer tailored support to victims – Ministry of Justice

Posted March 19th, 2010 in courts, domestic violence, Ministry of Justice, news by sally

“Victims of domestic violence will benefit from a further 14 new specialist domestic violence courts making a total of 141 courts in England and Wales.”

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Ministry of Justice, 19th March 2010

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Equality Bill makes Britain’s web accessibility law harder to access – OUT-LAW.com

Posted March 19th, 2010 in bills, disability discrimination, equality, internet, news by sally

“OPINION: The UK’s law on web accessibility is being re-written in an apparent attempt to make it impenetrable. But even though algebra has replaced plain English, the duty to make information accessible to disabled people survives, thanks to a blind peer.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 19th March 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Investors to pay for prisoner rehabilitation – The Guardian

Posted March 19th, 2010 in news, recidivists, rehabilitation by sally

“Private investors will pay for a project to rehabilitate prisoners and receive a return on their money if reoffending rates drop, under a pioneering plan announced by the government today which could eventually the way much welfare work is financed.”

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The Guardian, 19th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Innospec admits corruption in UK first – The Times

Posted March 19th, 2010 in news by sally

“The British arm of a chemical firm faces an £8 million fine after it admitted bribing public officials in Indonesia.”

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The Times, 18th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Dog DNA used in conviction for teenager’s murderer – The Guardian

Posted March 19th, 2010 in DNA, dogs, murder, news, offensive weapons by sally

“A 22-year-old man who repeatedly stabbed a teenage boy was today facing life in jail after the first case in which new dog DNA technology was used in a murder prosecution.”

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The Guardian, 18th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Former detective jailed for 22 years over £200m cocaine-smuggling plot – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 19th, 2010 in conspiracy, drug trafficking, news, police, sentencing by sally

“A former detective who was ‘pivotal’ to the success of a £200 million cocaine-smuggling plot was jailed for 22 years.”

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Daily Telegraph, 18th March 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Court backs £400,000 payout for head teacher who was forced to quit – The Times

Posted March 19th, 2010 in news by sally

“A headmistress forced from her job after a campaign by two Muslim governors to give Islam a greater presence in a state school is entitled to £400,000 damages, the Court of Appeal has ruled.”

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The Times, 19th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Government refuses to publish criticism of new guidelines on overseas torture – The Guardian

Posted March 19th, 2010 in disclosure, intelligence services, news, torture by sally

“The government is locked in a serious and bitter dispute with the parliamentary body set up to monitor MI5 and MI6 over the guidelines covering the torture and abuse of detainees held abroad, the Guardian has learned.”

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The Guardian, 18th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Student’s jail sentence for confronting muggers is overturned – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 18th, 2010 in affray, appeals, news, offensive weapons, robbery, self-defence, victims by sally

“A student jailed for confronting a gang of muggers has been freed by judges on appeal.”

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Daily Telegraph, 18th March 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk