“Whole life” sentences for murder not in breach of Convention, says Strasbourg – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted January 17th, 2012 in human rights, murder, news, sentencing by sally

“The Strasbourg Court has found three British murderers’ imprisonment for life is not inhuman or degrading and therefore not in violation of Article 3.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 17th January 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Abu Qatada deportation blocked in European court – The Guardian

Posted January 17th, 2012 in deportation, evidence, human rights, news, terrorism, torture by sally

“The European court of human rights has blocked the deportation to Jordan of Abu Qatada – who been called Osama bin Laden’s right-hand man in Europe – because he risks facing a trial based on torture-tainted evidence.”

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The Guardian, 17th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted January 17th, 2012 in legislation by sally

The Access to the Countryside (Appeals against Works Notices) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012

The Agriculture (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2012

The Public Lending Right Scheme 1982 (Commencement of Variation) Order 2012

The Localism Act 2011 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional and Saving Provision) Order 2012

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted January 17th, 2012 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

JBW Group Ltd v Ministry of Justice [2012] EWCA Civ 8 (16 January 2012)

High Court (Administrative Court)

MK, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2012] EWHC 18 (Admin) (16 January 2012)

High Court (Patents Court)

Benker v The Comptroller General of Patents [2011] EWHC 3604 (Pat) (22 November 2011)

Source: www.bailii.org

Burglary offences guideline comes into effect – Sentencing Council

Posted January 17th, 2012 in burglary, news, sentencing by sally

“Following a three month period of training and implementation the definitive guideline on burglary offences came into effect on 16 January 2012.”

Burglary Offences Definitive Guideline (PDF)

Source: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk

Family reform judge calls for culture change – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted January 17th, 2012 in family courts, judges, news, reports by sally

“A ‘strong consensus’ and a ‘commitment to a change in culture’ is needed to improve the efficiency of the family justice system, according to the senior judge charged with reform. In his first published update since being appointed to lead the modernisation of family justice, Mr Justice Ryder sets out a ‘challenging timetable’ to agree proposals on a programme to put in place the recommendations of the Norgrove review by the time his appointment ends at the end of July.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 17th January 2012

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Murderers lose appeal against whole life tariffs – BBC News

Posted January 17th, 2012 in appeals, human rights, murder, news, sentencing by sally

“Britain’s most dangerous criminals can be kept behind bars for the rest of their lives, judges at the European Court of Human Rights have ruled.”

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BBC News, 17th January 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Female plumber escapes prison for glassing man after sexual harassment – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 17th, 2012 in assault, compensation, harassment, news, sentencing by sally

“A female plumber who glassed a man in a nightclub escaped a prison sentence after a judge accepted that years of sexual harassment at work had led her to erupt.”

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Daily Telegraph, 16th January 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Tweet you in court – The Lawyer

Posted January 17th, 2012 in courts, internet, law reports, news by sally

“Last month, the Lord Chief Justice delivered guidance clearing the way for Tweeting from Court.”

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The Lawyer, 16th January 2012

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Journalists who break law to expose scandals may not be prosecuted, says Justice Secretary – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 17th, 2012 in Crown Prosecution Service, media, news, public interest by sally

“Journalists who use illegal methods for the ‘greater good’ should not necessarily be prosecuted, Kenneth Clarke, the Justice Secretary, said yesterday.”

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Daily Telegraph, 17th January 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Press regulation ‘needs state support’ – The Guardian

Posted January 17th, 2012 in codes of practice, complaints, legislation, media, news, privacy by sally

“‘Statutory underpinning’ may be required to bolster the authority of a revived Press Complaints Commission, the culture secretary has suggested.”

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The Guardian, 16th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Garden row between millionaire neighbours reaches Appeal Court – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 17th, 2012 in appeals, news, rights of way by sally

“A long and bitter feud between a pair of millionaire Surrey neighbours has taken an expensive turn after their argument over a ‘wiggly path leading to nowhere’ reached the Appeal Court.”

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Daily Telegraph, 16th January 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Youth restraint challenge rejected by High Court – UK Human Rights

Posted January 17th, 2012 in news, restraint, secure training centres, victims, young offenders by sally

“Although certain restraining measures had been taken unlawfully against young people in secure training centres for a number of years, the court had no jurisdiction to grant an order that the victims of this activity be identified and advised of their rights.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 16th January 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Telegraph pays composer damages for story on his ‘continuing’ assault trial – The Guardian

Posted January 17th, 2012 in assault, damages, media, news by sally

“The Daily Telegraph has paid a British composer a five-figure sum after wrongly reporting that his magistrates court trial for assault was continuing.”

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The Guardian, 16th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Call for change in law to protect prostitutes from violent crime – The Guardian

Posted January 16th, 2012 in news, prostitution, violence by sally

“A series of gang attacks on brothels in east London has triggered calls for changes to the prostitution laws after victims who reported knifepoint robberies said they ended up being threatened with prosecution.”

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The Guardian, 16th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Government ‘considers cutting defendant rights to jury trial’ – The Guardian

Posted January 16th, 2012 in news, trial without jury by sally

“Ministers are considering plans to take away defendants’ rights to jury trial, according to the Magistrates’ Association.”

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The Guardian, 16th January 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Command Papers – official-documents.gov.uk

Posted January 16th, 2012 in parliamentary papers by sally

Government Response to the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee Report of Session 2010-12: Regeneration, Cm 8264 (PDF)

Source: www.official-documents.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted January 16th, 2012 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

M, R. v [2011] EWCA Crim 2998 (24 November 2011)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Alliance Bank JSC v Aquanta Corporation & Ors [2011] EWHC 3281 (Comm) (14 December 2011)

High Court (Patents Court)

Omnipharm Ltd v Merial [2011] EWHC 3393 (Pat) (21 December 2011)

Nokia Oyj (Nokia Corporation) v Ipcom GmbH & Co KG [2011] EWHC 3460 (Pat) (21 December 2011)

Source: www.bailii.org

Court case could set forced retirement precedent – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 16th, 2012 in age discrimination, news, retirement by sally

“A long-awaited court case this week could make it possible for employers to justify retiring staff at a certain age – threatening the Government’s new rules which make the practice unlawful.”

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Daily Telegraph, 15th January 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Man jailed for 20 years in ‘buried alive’ case – The Independent

Posted January 16th, 2012 in attempted murder, attempts, murder, news, sentencing by sally

“A man who attempted to murder his girlfriend by burying her alive in a cardboard box was jailed for 20 years today.”

Full story

The Independent, 13th January 2012

Source: www.independent.co.uk