Feasibility study to consider the possible merger of the Inner and Middle Temple Libraries – update

Posted May 15th, 2009 in inns of court, libraries, news by sally

I have been informed that not everyone received the memorandum sent to members on 5th May 2009. This was a notice regarding the feasibility study to be undertaken jointly with Middle Temple to investigate the potential benefits of merging our two libraries and creating a state of the art education and training centre for use by both Inns.

I am grateful to those who did receive the notice and have sent their comments to me or to the Librarian, Margaret Clay. As a result of these comments, I would like to clarify the following points.

• As part of the feasibility study, we will be engaging professional consultants to
assist us.
• The consultants will carry out a user survey and consultation process with Library users and non-users alike.
• All members will be consulted at the conclusion of the Feasibility Study before any decision is taken by Bench Table.

I say this to reassure you that no decision in principle has already been taken to implement a libraries merger programme. We are investigating possibilities only, against a background of our ongoing review of all areas of the Inn’s operations.

I hope this explains the position more clearly. Please feel free to contact me directly if you wish to ask questions or make comments.

Vivian Robinson QC
Treasurer

Expenses scandal: proving MPs committed fraud would be difficult – The Times

Posted May 15th, 2009 in expenses, news, parliament by sally

“The furore over allowances claimed by Members of Parliament has produced strong reactions from members of the public, including suggestions that criminal offences have been committed. There has been speculation in the media, suitably restrained for obvious reasons, that some cases might attract the attention of the Revenue or other authorities. There may have been complaints made to the police.”

Full story

The Times, 15th May 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Iraq inquiry: military police chief ordered before judges – The Guardian

Posted May 15th, 2009 in armed forces, disclosure, Iraq, murder, news by sally

“The government’s most senior lawyer and the head of the military police have been ordered to the high court tomorrow to explain why they have failed to release documents about the aftermath of a fierce gunfight in Iraq when British troops are accused of mutilating and murdering civilians.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th May 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Two Labour peers face suspension for offering to change law for money – The Guardian

Posted May 15th, 2009 in corruption, news, parliament by sally

“Two Labour peers face suspension from the House of Lords until the autumn after being found guilty of offering to try to change the law in return for money.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th May 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Death knell for hunting ban as police abandon monitoring operations – The Times

Posted May 15th, 2009 in hunting, news, police by sally

“Police forces are to stop monitoring hunts in a change of policy that sounds the death knell for the hunting ban, The Times has learnt.”

Full story

The Times, 15th May 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Jail term cut for girls’ killer – BBC News

Posted May 15th, 2009 in appeals, DNA, murder, news, sentencing by sally

“The first man jailed using DNA evidence has won an appeal against his 30-year minimum sentence for murdering two Leicestershire schoolgirls.”

Full story

BBC News, 14th May 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Minister rejects calls for Deepcut deaths inquiry – The Guardian

Posted May 15th, 2009 in armed forces, inquests, news by sally

“The armed forces minister, Bob Ainsworth, rejected calls for a public inquiry into the deaths of four army recruits at the Deepcut barracks today after the publication of official investigations into two of the deaths.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th May 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Charity to sue over domestic violence murder victim Sabina Akhtar – The Times

Posted May 15th, 2009 in domestic violence, murder, news, police by sally

“A charity that campaigns for victims of domestic violence is to sue a police force and the Crown Prosecution Service over allegations that it failed to protect a woman who was murdered by her husband.”

Full story

The Times, 14th May 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Supermarket law shops ‘by 2011’ – BBC News

Posted May 15th, 2009 in legal services, news by sally

“High Street shops and supermarkets in England and Wales will be permitted to sell legal services within two years, a regulatory body has said.”

Full story

BBC News, 14th May 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Binyam Mohamed: bill for bringing Guantánamo detainee back to Britain was £121,000 – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 15th, 2009 in news by sally

“The cost of returning former Guantánamo Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed to Britain in February was put at more than £121,000, according to new figures.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 15th May 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Longer-serving workers allowed protection from redundancy – The Times

Posted May 15th, 2009 in age discrimination, news, redundancy by sally

“Companies can take employees’ length of service in to consideration when choosing who should be made redundant, the Court of Appeal said today, in a ruling that will protect older workers in the current downturn.”

Full story

The Times, 14th May 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Judges quash 1998 rape conviction – BBC News

Posted May 14th, 2009 in news, rape by sally

“A man jailed 11 years ago for the rape of a schoolgirl has been cleared after judges said the conviction was unsafe.”


Full story

BBC News, 14th May 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Asylum seeker rules ‘not working’ – BBC News

Posted May 14th, 2009 in asylum, news by sally

“Tough policies to force failed asylum seekers to go home by removing their support are not working, according to a consortium of migrant charities.”

Full story

BBC News, 14th May 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rape audit to find out why so few win justice – The Times

Posted May 14th, 2009 in criminal justice, news, rape by sally

“Rape victims are to be asked why they feel that they are being failed by the criminal justice system as new research suggests that Britain has the lowest conviction rates in Europe.”

Full story

The Times, 14th May 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

UK’s 5,000 most wanted: agency identifies top criminals – The Guardian

Posted May 14th, 2009 in crime, news by sally

“The true extent of organised crime in the UK is becoming clearer as a result of an extensive intelligence-gathering drive, according to the policing organisation responsible for bringing gangsters under control.”

Full story

The Guardian, 13th May 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Just one in eight terror arrests ends with guilty verdict, admits Home Office – The Independent

Posted May 14th, 2009 in news, prosecutions, terrorism by sally

“Seven out of eight people arrested under Britain’s terror laws since the al-Qa’ida attacks on America in 2001 were not convicted of a terrorism offence, figures released yesterday show.”

Full story

The Independent, 14th May 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Jury foreman Michael Seckerson guilty of contempt over manslaughter case – The Times

Posted May 14th, 2009 in contempt of court, juries, news by sally

“A jury foreman and the publishers of The Times were found guilty of contempt of court yesterday for reporting how the jurors in a manslaughter trial reached their verdict.”

Full story

The Times, 13th May 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Mother not guilty of shaking baby – BBC News

Posted May 14th, 2009 in child abuse, homicide, news by sally

“A woman has been found not guilty of shaking her baby son to death.”

Full story

BBC News, 13th May 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Licensing law holding back young musicians, MPs warn – The Guardian

Posted May 14th, 2009 in licensing, news by sally

“‘Absurd’ licensing laws could be damaging the prospects of young musicians, MPs have warned.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th May 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Let’s be civil and stop ‘loser pays’ – The Times

Posted May 14th, 2009 in costs, news by sally

“Many people face financial ruin if they venture into court and lose. A landmark report suggests some alternatives.”

Full story

The Times, 13th May 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk