Trust judges on sentencing, says Law Society – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted November 3rd, 2011 in news, sentencing by sally

“The Law Society has criticised plans to extend mandatory life sentences, telling the government to trust judges’ discretion. The new regime, which would replace the indeterminate sentencing system with long determinate prison terms and mandatory life sentences for anyone convicted of a second serious sexual or violent crime, was announced last week by justice secretary Kenneth Clarke.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 3rd November 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Ken Clarke’s justice bill passed despite ‘attacks’ – BBC News

Posted November 3rd, 2011 in bills, legal aid, news, sentencing by sally

“The government’s controversial changes to sentencing policy and legal aid have cleared the Commons, despite opposition from MPs of all parties.”

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BBC News, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

European judges have no right to rule on prisoner voting, says Grieve – The Guardian

Posted November 3rd, 2011 in attorney general, elections, human rights, news, prisons by sally

“National parliaments not European judges should decide whether prisoners are entitled to the vote, the attorney general has told the human rights court in Strasbourg.”

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The Guardian, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Wife strangled after smashing up husband’s Star Wars toys – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 3rd, 2011 in domestic violence, murder, news, sentencing by sally

“A husband has been found guilty of murder for strangling his Thai wife after she smashed up his collection of Star Wars toys.”

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Daily Telegraph, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Phone hacking: anatomy of a cover-up – what QC’s advice papers reveal – The Guardian

Posted November 3rd, 2011 in disclosure, interception, media, news, opinions, queen's counsel, telecommunications by sally

“Analysis: Publication of warning to NI bosses tells the story of how secret payoff evolved.”

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The Guardian, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Court workers opposed to extended opening hours – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted November 3rd, 2011 in courts, magistrates, news, trade unions by sally

“The union representing court workers has voiced opposition to justice secretary Kenneth Clarke’s wish to extend opening hours.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 3rd November 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Family justice review calls for six-month case deadline – BBC News

Posted November 3rd, 2011 in adoption, family courts, news, reports, time limits by sally

“Childcare decisions in family courts should be made within six months, an official review has said.”

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BBC News, 3rd November 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Divorced fathers will not get legal right to access – The Guardian

Posted November 3rd, 2011 in adoption, divorce, family courts, news, parental rights, reports by sally

“Fathers who have gone through divorce or separation will not be granted a legal right to guarantee that their child has “a meaningful relationship with both parents”, according to a long-awaited report on family law.”

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The Guardian, 3rd October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

St Paul’s protests: how the legal land lies – The Guardian

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in Church of England, civil procedure rules, demonstrations, legal representation, London, news by sally

“If it comes to a David v Goliath battle, the City has the big bludgeons, but Occupy London’s slings could still win the day.”

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The Guardian, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Rape case woman wins appeal bid – BBC News

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in appeals, domestic violence, evidence, news, perverting the course of justice, prosecutions, rape by sally

“A woman jailed for falsely retracting rape charges against her husband has won the right to appeal her conviction for perverting the course of justice.”

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BBC News, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Portsmouth paedophile ring: Melissa Noon found guilty – BBC News

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in child abuse, indecent photographs of children, news by sally

“A Hampshire woman has been convicted of running an international paedophile ring with her partner.”

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BBC News, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man laced wife’s food with steroids – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in domestic violence, news, poisoning, sentencing by sally

“A man has escaped jail after he secretly added steroids to his wife’s food to make her put on weight and ‘keep her at home’.”

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Daily Telegraph, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in legislation by sally

The Derelict Land Clearance Area (Chantry Lane, Welwyn Hatfield) Order 2011

The Marketing of Fresh Horticultural Produce (Amendment) Regulations 2011

The National Health Service Pension Scheme, Injury Benefits and Additional Voluntary Contributions (Amendment) Regulations 2011

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in law reports by sally

Supreme Court

Rainy Sky SA & Orsd v Kookmin Bank [2011] UKSC 50 (2 November 2011)

Human Genome Sciences Inc v Eli Lilly and Company [2011] UKSC 51 (2 November 2011)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

MD (Angola) & Ors, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department & Anor [2011] EWCA Civ 1238 (01 November 2011)

Mitu v London Borough of Camden [2011] EWCA civ 1249 (01 November 2011)

Williams v University of Birmingham & Anor [2011] EWCA Civ 1242 (28 October 2011)

JSC BTA Bank v Solodchenko & Ors [2011] EWCA Civ 1241 (28 October 2011)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Dika & Anor v R. [2011] EWCA Crim 2459 (28 October 2011)

SW, R. v [2011] EWCA Crim 2463 (28 October 2011)

Gilmour v R. [2011] EWCA Crim 2458 (28 October 2011)

Burdfield & Anor v R. [2011] EWCA Crim 2464 (28 October 2011)

High Court (Chancery Division)

House of Fraser Ltd v Scottish Widows Plc [2011] EWHC 2800 (Ch) (28 October 2011)

Morley v Reiter Engineering GmbH & Co.KG [2011] EWHC 2798 (Ch) (28 October 2011)

F&C Alternative Investments (Holdings) Ltd v Barthelemy & Anor [2011] EWHC 2807 (Ch) (28 October 2011)

High Court (Commercial Court)

The Seashell of Lisson Grove Ltd & Ors v Aviva Insurance Ltd & Ors [2011] EWHC 1761 (Comm) (01 November 2011)

Faraday Reinsurance Co Ltd v Howden North America Inc & Anor [2011] EWHC 2837 (Comm) (01 November 2011)

Cattles Ltd & Anor v Pricewaterhousecoopers LLP [2011] EWHC 2714 (Comm) (01 November 2011)

Source: www.bailii.org

Freedom of information scope increased – Ministry of Justice

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in financial services ombudsman, freedom of information, police, press releases, public interest, universities by sally

“The public can now request information from three new bodies under the Freedom of Information Act.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 1st November 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Home Secretary Theresa May has published a cross-government strategy today to end gang and youth violence – Home Office

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in gangs, press releases, violent offenders, young offenders by sally

“Home Secretary Theresa May has published a cross-government strategy today to end gang and youth violence.”

Full press release

Home Office, 1st November 2011

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Bar Chairman Promotes Value of an Independent Judiciary – The Bar Council

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in judiciary, legal services, press releases, professional conduct by sally

“The Chairman of the Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has told Bar leaders from around the world that an independent judiciary is the most important element in attracting clients to any jurisdiction.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Command Papers – official-documents.gov.uk

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in parliamentary papers by sally

Ending gang and youth violence: a cross-government report, Cm 8211 (PDF)

Source: www.official-documents.gov.uk

Legislation nightmares leave us scratching our heads – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in civil justice, criminal justice, legislative drafting, news, parliament by sally

“As Stephen Levinson’s recent post has reminded us, we are not living in a golden age of legislative drafting. In the field of criminal law, some particularly ghastly examples of bamboozling legislation can be found in various provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 – described by no less an authority than Rose LJ as ‘at best, obscure and, at worst, impenetrable’ (R v Campell [2006] EWCA Crim 726, [2006] 2 Cr App R (S) 626 at [1]).”

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

House of Lords will be able to vote on key NHS clause – The Guardian

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in bills, health, ministers' powers and duties, news, private equity, social services by michael

“Peers will be able to vote on the government’s controversial plan to hand over its ‘constitutional responsibility’ to provide NHS services to an unelected quango on Wednesday.”

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The Guardian, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk