Judge’s warning over Europe’s legal power – The Independent
“British courts must have the final say over European human rights law, the country’s most senior judge has warned.”
The Independent, 2nd April 2010
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Category: news
Science libel verdict is a forceful blow in defence of freedom of speech – The Times
“Senior judges have struck a blow for freedom of speech in ruling that opinions should be protected by the courts — and their authors from the chilling effects of libel laws. The judges, headed by the Lord Chief Justice, made clear that it was not for the courts to try to disentangle fact from opinion.”
The Times, 2nd April 2010
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
MPs urge OFT inquiry into council-run newspapers – The Guardian
“The Office of Fair Trading should investigate the recent trend of councils producing their own local newspapers, according to a committee of MPs that accuses some authorities of using public cash to finance publications that are little more than political propaganda.”
The Guardian, 6th April 2010
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Men who used dogs to savage police jailed – Daily Telegraph
“Mehmet Koc, 19, and Matthew Joannou, 20, both from Haringey, north London, let the pitbull-type animals viciously maul two victims who were left with permanent scarring.”
Daily Telegraph, 31st March 2010
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Independent wins a ‘hugely important’ victory for the vulnerable – The Independent
“A controversial court which hears all of its cases in secret will open its doors to the media from today, following a successful legal challenge by The Independent which was immediately hailed as a ‘hugely important’ victory for transparency.”
The Independent, 1st April 2010
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Contract killers get life after trial which changed witness anonymity law – Daily Telegraph
“Two contract killers are beginning life sentences for murder following a trial which caused Parliament to bring in a new law on witness anonymity.”
Daily Telegraph, 31st March 2010
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
QC applications – there is still room for improvement – The Times
“The process of applying for Queen’s Counsel has changed beyond all recognition. This revised system is undoubtedly more transparent and is well on its way to breaking the dominance of private school and Oxbridge-educated silks on the circuit.”
The Times, 1st April 2010
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Jack Straw hopes to save libel reform measure after MPs rebel – The Guardian
“The justice secretary, Jack Straw, has said he hopes to save legislation to cut the size of the ‘no win no fee’ deals used by libel lawyers before the impending general election.”
The Guardian, 1st April 2010
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Four armed robbers found guilty in first trial without jury – Crown Prosecution Service
“Portia Ragnauth, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Surrey Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) described the first trial without a jury in England and Wales as a ‘benchmark prosecution’ after four men were found guilty today over the 2004 armed robbery of the Menzies World Cargo depot at Heathrow Airport.”
Crown Prosecution Service, 31st March 2010
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
Sharon Shoesmith papers released by court – BBC News
“Key court documents have been released relating to the sacking of social services chief Sharon Shoesmith after the death of Baby Peter in London.”
BBC News, 1st April 2010
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Simon Singh wins libel court battle – The Guardian
“Science writer Simon Singh today won his court of appeal battle for the right to rely on the defence of fair comment in a libel action.”
The Guardian, 1st April 2010
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Court awards barrister’s wife £215,000 25 years after divorce – The Times
“The ex-wife of a leading barrister was awarded a lump sum of £215,000 from him yesterday, 25 years after the couple were divorced.”
The Times, 1st April 2010
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
DPP attacked over delays into G20 death probe – Daily Telegraph
“A letter signed by politicians, campaigners, lawyers and academics has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, criticising the ‘intolerable’ delays in the investigation into the death of Ian Tomlinson at the G20 protests.”
Daily Telegraph, 1st April 2010
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Parole chief: release more prisoners – The Guardian
“Large numbers of prisoners who pose no danger to the public are trapped in jail because society has become risk-averse over whether to release them on licence, the chair of the Parole Board for England and Wales said tonight.”
The Guardian, 31st March 2010
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Solicitors who grew rich from sick miners’ scheme repay £6.9m – The Times
“Solicitors who grew wealthy by handling compensation claims for sick miners have been shamed into handing back £6.9 million that was sliced from their clients’ damages.”
The Times, 1st April 2010
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Court sets deadline for Straw to settle case of 9/11 suspect Lotfi Raissi – The Guardian
“The justice secretary, Jack Straw, was ordered by a court yesterday to announce whether the government accepts responsibility for one of the UK’s longest-standing miscarriages of justice.”
The Guardian, 1st April 2010
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Prisoners denied release after fears of public backlash – Daily Telegraph
“Large numbers of prisoners are being held behind bars despite posing no threat to society, the chair of the Parole Board for England and Wales said last night.”
Daily Telegraph, 1st April 2010
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
High cost of protection is eroding legal bastion – The Times
“Jury-less criminal trials have sparked controversy in the legal profession, pitting prosecutors against defence lawyers. The Criminal Justice Act 2003, which made them possible, was introduced amid concerns over jury nobbling. David Blunkett, who was Home Secretary, said that in London alone £9 million was being spent every year on surveillance of jurors. People who tried to intimidate jurors did so for one reason, he said — ‘because they think that those in front of the judge and jury will be convicted’.”
The Times, 1st April 2010
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Network Rail to challenge strike ballot in high court – The Guardian
“Network Rail will today try to avert next week’s planned four-day national rail strike by challenging the strike ballot in the high court.”
The Guardian, 1st April 2010
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
