Ferdinand v MGN – a “Kiss n’ Tell” public interest defence succeeds – Lorna Skinner – UK Human Rights Blog

“In the first ‘misuse of private information’ trial against a newspaper since Max Mosley in 2008, Mr Justice Nicol dismissed a claim brought by England and Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand against the Sunday Mirror.”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 2nd October 2011

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Advocacy assurance scheme ‘halted’, declares criminal bar – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 3rd, 2011 in advocacy, barristers, news, quality assurance by sally

“Plans to introduce the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) have run into serious difficulties, it has emerged. The Criminal Bar Association appears to have withdrawn its engagement with the controversial accreditation scheme amid a dispute about linking payment to accreditation level.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 3rd October 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Reform options for media regulation – The Guardian

Posted October 3rd, 2011 in complaints, media, news by sally

“Hugh Tomlinson QC analyses the various options for replacing the Press Complaints Commission.”

Full story

The Guardian, 30th September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Banned preacher can seek damages over illegal arrest – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 3rd, 2011 in damages, false imprisonment, immigration, news by sally

“A banned Islamic preacher who entered Britain illegally following a Home Office blunder is entitled to seek damages after being detained unlawfully, a judge has ruled.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 30th September 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Woman’s plea for more access to disabled sister rejected by judge – The Independent

Posted October 3rd, 2011 in care homes, disabled persons, families, news by sally

“A sister’s long and bitter battle to see more of her severely disabled sibling suffered a devastating blow yesterday when a judge ruled that a local authority-selected nursing home provided the best possible care.”

Full story

The Independent, 1st October 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

A formula for justice – The Guardian

Posted October 3rd, 2011 in evidence, news, statistics by sally

“Bayes’ theorem is a mathematical equation used in court cases to analyse statistical evidence. But a judge has ruled it can no longer be used. Will it result in more miscarriages of justice?”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Home Secretary May ‘wants Human Rights Act scrapped’ – The Independent

Posted October 3rd, 2011 in human rights, news by sally

“Home Secretary Theresa May risked angering Liberal Democrat Cabinet colleagues today by throwing her weight behind calls for the Human Rights Act to be scrapped.”

Full story

The Independent, 2nd October 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Students fear plans to reform law on squatting may outlaw sit-ins – The Guardian

Posted October 3rd, 2011 in demonstrations, news, squatting by sally

“Government proposals to criminalise squatting may also outlaw occupation-style protests and sit-ins, student leaders, trades unionists and lawyers have said.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ofcom lays down the law on raunchy videos before the 9pm watershed – The Guardian

Posted September 30th, 2011 in complaints, media, news, obscenity by sally

“Ofcom has ordered UK broadcasters to be more careful about showing sexually explicit music videos before the 9pm watershed. The regulator issued new guidance on Friday, focusing on the visual as well as the verbal content of some music videos in a bid to tighten the enforcement of existing watershed rules.”

Full story

The Guardian, 30th September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Woman jailed for looting trainers during riots – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 30th, 2011 in news, sentencing, theft by sally

“A woman pictured trying on trainers outside a looted sports shop during the London riots, wept in the dock today as she was jailed for eight months.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 30th September 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Pensioner faked death in Central America for life insurance payout – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 30th, 2011 in fraud, insurance, news, possession of false identity documents, theft by sally

“A pensioner was jailed for six years today after he admitted faking his own death in Central America to try to pocket a £520,000 life insurance payout.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph. 30th September 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Default retirement age end hailed – The Independent

Posted September 30th, 2011 in age discrimination, news, retirement by sally

“Age equality campaigners today hailed the end of employment rules forcing people on to the ‘scrap heap’ at the age of 65. Bosses from tomorrow will no longer be able to set a mandatory retirement age, as the Government brings in changes to reflect people living longer and healthier lives.”

Full story

The Independent, 30th September 2011

Source: www.indpendent.co.uk

Command Papers – official-documents.gov.uk

Posted September 30th, 2011 in parliamentary papers by sally

Post-legislative scrutiny of the Terrorism Act 2006, Cm 8186 (PDF)

Firearms control: the Government response to the third report of the Home Affairs Committee session 2010-11 HC 447, Cm 8155 (PDF)

Source: www.official-documents.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted September 30th, 2011 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Farquharson v R [2011] EWHC Crim 2168 (30 September 2011)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Balevents Ltd v Sartori [2011] EWHC 2437 (Ch) (29 September 2011)

High Court (Commercial Court)

PT BUANA SAMUDRA PRATAMA v Marine Mutual Insurance Association (NZ) Ltd [2011] EWHC 2413 (Comm) (29 September 2011)

British Arab Commercial Bank Plc & Ors v Algosaibi & Ors [2011] EWHC 2444 (Comm) (29 September 2011)

African Fertilizers and Chemicals Nig Ltd (Nigeria) v BD Shipsnavo GmbH & Co Reederei Kg [2011] EWHC 2452 (Comm) (29 September 2011)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Ferdinand v MGN Ltd [2011] EWHC 2454 (QB) (29 September 2011)

Source: www.bailii.org

W v M and others – WLR Daily

Posted September 30th, 2011 in euthanasia, law reports, medical treatment by sally

W v M and others [2011] EWHC 2443 (Fam);  [2011] WLR (D)  283

“Pursuant to section 4 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 it was not in the best interests of a patient diagnosed as being in a minimally conscious state to authorise the withdrawal of all life sustaining treatment including nutrition and hydration by artifical means (‘ANH’).”

WLR Daily, 28th September 2011

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted September 30th, 2011 in legislation by sally

The Libya (Asset-Freezing) (Amendment) Regulations 2011

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (Appeals and Amendment) Rules 2011

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Vulnerable witnesses in the administration of criminal justice – Speech by The Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales

Posted September 30th, 2011 in children, criminal justice, learning difficulties, speeches, witnesses by sally

“Vulnerable witnesses in the administration of criminal justice – speech by The Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, 29/09/2011.”

Full speech

Judiciary of England and Wales, 29th September 2011

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Government to consider options for equal civil marriage for same-sex couples – Home Office

Posted September 30th, 2011 in consultations, homosexuality, marriage, press releases by sally

“A public consultation to consider how to make civil marriage available to same-sex couples will begin in March 2012, the government announced today.”

Full press release

Home Office, 26th September 2011

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Professional Conduct Department: Diversity Report 2009/10 – Bar Standards Board

Posted September 30th, 2011 in barristers, complaints, diversity, news, professional conduct by sally

“We have analysed the gender, ethnicity and disability profiles of barristers who were the subject of complaints in 2009 and 2010; and, in relation to external complaints, the complainants who submitted the complaints. We monitor diversity in our complaints handling and disciplinary system to ensure that we conduct our regulatory activities fairly and in accordance with our duty to promote equality and eliminate discrimination.”

Full report

Bar Standards Board, 30th September 2011

Source: www.barstandsboard.org.uk

Newham landlords face first mandatory licensing scheme – The Guardian

Posted September 30th, 2011 in housing, landlord & tenant, licensing, news by sally

“Landlords who rent out properties privately in a borough in east London could be the first in the country to face mandatory licensing under new proposals. Newham Council has started a 10-week consultation on proposals to introduce a licensing scheme for all private landlords that would see them and their properties subjected to legal checks. If the scheme is approved by councillors, it will be the first borough in England to license all private landlords.”

Full story

The Guardian, 29th September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk