News focus: Fast-track justice and the riots – Law Society’s Gazette
“Lawyers have recounted extraordinary scenes both of chaos and professional dedication over the past 10 days, as defence solicitors, prosecutors, magistrates and court staff worked through the night to deal with the unprecedented number of people arrested in the wake of last week’s riots across England.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 18th August 2011
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Riots: glut of appeals anticipated – Law Society’s Gazette
“Crown courts could face a glut of appeals in response to the speed at which defendants were dealt with last week, when some magistrates’ courts worked through the night to process defendants.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 18th August 2011
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
LSB to make a recommendation for Order under S.80 of Legal Services Act – Legal Services Board
“The LSB has today (17 August) published its decision document and the Order that it will recommend to the Lord Chancellor should be made under section 80 of the Legal Services Act 2007 about the appeal mechanism for decisions of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) if it is designated as a Licensing Authority. This follows the consultation Alternative business structures: appeal arrangements which ran from 5 May 2011 to 2 June 2011 and our decision to recommend to the Lord Chancellor that the SRA should be designated as a Licensing Authority.”
Legal Services Board, 17th August 2011
Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk
UK privacy laws are fundamentally flawed, report says – OUT-LAW.com
“UK laws fail to uphold individuals’ privacy rights and must be reformed, a report commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has said.”
OUT-LAW.com, 17th August 2011
Source: www.out-law.com
UK Riots: Sentencing Explained – Ministry of Justice
“As the courts deal with offenders following the recent riots across the UK, the Ministry of Justice explains how our sentencing system works.”
Ministry of Justice, 17th August 2011
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
More litigants in person will threaten the county courts with additional delays – Law Society’s Gazette
“The House of Commons’ justice committee, chaired by Sir Alan Beith MP, predicts an increasing number of litigants in person by reason of the government’s curtailment of legal aid. We are told courts must make ‘adjustments’ to cope with this influx ‘in what are often emotionally charged cases’.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 18th August 2011
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Tough riot sentences prompt new guidelines for the courts – The Independent
“New guidelines to advise judges and magistrates on handing out exemplary justice to people implicated in major civil disturbances are likely in the wake of the thousands of court hearings arising from last week’s riots.”
The Independent, 18th August 2011
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Key fraudster behind wines and spirits ‘Ponzi’ scheme gets five years – The Guardian
“One of the key figures behind a Mayfair-fronted Ponzi scheme has been sentenced to five years imprisonment after admitting his part in a multimillion-pound wine and spirits investments fraud targeted at American doctors.”
The Guardian, 17th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Fifth summary of coroners reports to prevent future deaths – Ministry of Justice
“Announcement of the forthcoming publication of the fifth summary bulletin of coroners’ reports to prevent future deaths and responses.”
Full story
Ministry of Justice, 17th August 2011
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Hillsborough disaster files decision challenged by government – The Guardian
“The government is to appeal against a ruling that Margaret Thatcher’s discussions about the Hillsborough tragedy should be made public.”
The Guardian, 17th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Ex-Met chiefs cleared of misconduct – The Independent
“The Scotland Yard chiefs who quit over the phone-hacking scandal have been cleared of misconduct.”
The Independent, 17th August 2011
Source: www.independent.co.uk
England riots: are harsh sentences for offenders justified? – The Guardian
“The government says it wants to send out a message. But is there any moral justification for such tough punishments?”
The Guardian, 17th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Beheading of Graham Rayner preventable, inquiry finds – BBC News
“The death of a man decapitated by a mental health patient could have been stopped had there not been a catalogue of lost opportunities, an inquiry says.”
BBC News, 17th August 2011
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Facebook ban for teenager who encouraged rioters – The Guardian
“A 17-year-old who posted a Facebook message saying ‘come on rioters’ has been banned from social networking sites for 12 months.”
The Guardian, 17th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Watchdog to probe Taser man’s death – The Independent
“The police watchdog has launched an investigation following the death of a man after he was tasered by police.”
The Independent, 17th August 2011
Source: www.independent.co.uk
