Judge slams quality of mental health advocacy – Law Society’s Gazette
“A judge has fiercely criticised the quality of advocacy in mental health review tribunals (MHRT) as calls intensify across the profession for the compulsory accreditation of practitioners appearing for mentally ill clients.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 19th January 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Regina v Clinton; Regina v Parker; Regina v Evans – WLR Daily
Regina v Clinton; Regina v Parker; Regina v Evans [2011] EWCA Crim 2; [2012] WLR (D) 2
“For the purposes of the partial defence to murder of loss of self-control, where such loss of self-control was triggered by sexual infidelity that could not, on its own, qualify as a trigger for the purposes of the defence. Nevertheless, where an admissible trigger might be present, the evidence relating to sexual infidelity might arise for consideration as part of the context in which to evaluate that trigger and whether the statutory ingredients required of the qualifying trigger might be established.”
WLR Daily, 17th January 2012
Source: www.iclr.co.uk
Litigants in person could find access to justice hard – Law Society’s Gazette
“The prospect of a huge increase in litigants fighting their cases themselves in the face of legal aid cutbacks has prompted dire warnings from judges, magistrates, practitioners and support groups about the impact this will have on access to justice. They also fear that HM Courts and Tribunals Service’s plans to cut counter services will create chaos, particularly in the family courts, with litigants in person (LiPs) left struggling for information. While more online services may help fill the gap, support groups warn that many vulnerable LiPs do not have access to computers or know where to turn for advice.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 19th January 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Localism Act clarifies rules on predetermination – OUT-LAW.com
“The fact that a member of a local planning authority’s planning committee has campaigned against a proposed development within the authority’s administrative area will not be taken as proof that they are not open minded, according to the clarified rules on predetermination in the Localism Act.”
OUT-LAW.com, 18th January 2012
Source: www.out-law.com
Border agency was a law unto itself, MPs conclude – The Independent
“Passport checks have been relaxed too often in recent years because of ‘highly troubling’ mistakes by executives at the UK Border Agency, MPs warned.”
The Independent, 19th January 2012
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Senior judge attacks UK border system after Lithuanian sex offender was able to enter the country – Daily Telegraph
“A senior judge has railed at the UK border system asking ‘do we let anyone in?’ after a dangerous Lithuanian sex offender was able to enter the country and then rape a woman.”
Daily Telegraph, 18th January 2012
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Tie-break’ system could bring more diversity among judges – Ken Clarke – The Guardian
“Progress in appointing women and members of ethnic minorities as judges has been far too slow and a ‘tie-break’ procedure favouring such candidates should be adopted, the justice secretary has told the House of Lords.”
The Guardian, 19th January 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Phone hacking cases to be settled – Daily Telegraph
“Several phone hacking victims suing News International are expected to have their claims settled today in a series of payouts which could cost the company millions of pounds.”
Daily Telegraph, 19th January 2012
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Bark but no bite: Dangerous Dogs Act in spotlight as attacks rise – The Guardian
“Ministers urged to tackle irresponsible owners through compulsory microchipping and the return of the dog licence.”
The Guardian, 18th January 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
NHS trusts ordered to remove ‘no win, no fee’ adverts – Daily Telegraph
“Hospitals are being instructed to remove advertisements for personal injury lawyers featured in NHS leaflets issued to patients, it has emerged.”
Daily Telegraph, 19th January 2012
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Too lenient’ paedophile sentences to be reviewed – BBC News
“Three people jailed for their part in a paedophile ring could have their sentences reviewed because they may have been ‘unduly lenient’.”
BBC News, 18th January 2012
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Everything’s free in America (copyrighted material not included) – UK Human Rights Blog
“It seems appropriate, on the day when Wikipedia shut down for 24 hours to protest against US anti-piracy legislation, to talk about piracy (in the copyright sense) and what role human rights law has to play in the perpetual battle against it.”
UK Human Rights Blog, 18th January 2012
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
Chancery Lane warns against move to limit jury trial – Law Sociey’s Gazette
“The Law Society president has defended the right to jury trial following reports that the government is considering removing some offences from the jurisdiction of the Crown court.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 18th January 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
Clancy, R. v [2012] EWCA Crim 8 (18 January 2012)
Edwards (Formerly Steadman) v R [2012] EWCA Crim 5 (18 January 2012)
Randhawa & Ors v R [2012] EWCA Crim 1 (18 January 2012)
Hafiz & Orsl v R [2012] EWCA Crim 4 (18 January 2012)
Randhawa v R [2012] EWCA Crim 3 (18 January 2012)
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Horler v Rubin & Ors [2012] EWCA Civ 4 (18 January 2012)
North Shore Ventures Ltd v Anstead Holdings Inc [2012] EWCA Civ 11 (18 January 2012)
Muse & Ors v Entry Clearance Officer [2012] EWCA Civ 10 (18 January 2012)
Taylor v Lambert & Anor [2012] EWCA Civ 3 (18 January 2012)
Howard v Howard-Lawson BT [2012] EWCA Civ 6 (18 January 2012)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Rahman & Ors v HSBC Bank Plc & Ors [2012] EWHC 11 (Ch) (17 January 2012)
High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)
Bennett v Stephens & Anor [2012] EWHC 1 (QB) (18 January 2012)
Source: www.bailii.org
New rules enable schools to dismiss incompetent teachers: the legal issues – Halsbury’s Law Exchange
“According to last weeks’ press coverage, schools are to be given new powers to weed out incompetent teachers and enforce ‘rigorous’ standards to ensure performance is maintained. However, behind the headlines these proposals may be less far reaching in practice than they at first appear.”
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 18th January 2012
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk
ACS:Law solicitor at centre of internet piracy row suspended – The Guardian
“The London-based lawyer at the centre of a long-running row over internet piracy has been suspended for two years and ordered to pay £76,000 in costs.”
The Guardian, 18th January 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
City of London wins court bid to evict Occupy LSX protestors – The Lawyer
“The City of London Corporation (COLC) has won its High Court bid to evict protestors from their camp outside St Paul’s Cathedral after Mr Justice Lindblom granted orders for possession and injunctions against protestors in December.”
The Lawyer, 18th January 2012
Source: www.thelawyer.com
Veterinary tribunal did not show bias – UK Human Rights Blog
“The disciplinary procedures of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons did not give rise to any appearance of bias so as to breach a practitioner’s right to a fair trial under Article 6.”
UK Human Rights Blog, 18th January 2012
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
