Jack Straw: ‘To survive in politics, you’ve got to have a sixth sense’ – The Guardian

Posted March 29th, 2010 in Ministry of Justice, news, parliament by sally

“Jack Straw has spent 13 years in the cabinet without ever quite reaching the top. He talks about the art of survival, reform of the Lords and why he supported the Iraq war.”

Full story

The Guardian, 29th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

BNP barrister sparks debate on workplace ethics – The Lawyer

Posted March 29th, 2010 in barristers, news, political parties, racism by sally

“The decision by St Philips Chambers to distance itself from former barrister Roger Grierson, who is to fight a seat for the British National Party (BNP) at the general election, has instigated heated debate among Birmingham lawyers.”

Full story

The Lawyer, 29th March 2010

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Next Step in the Bar Council’s Judicial Review on Legal Aid – Ministry of Justice

Posted March 29th, 2010 in barristers, consultations, fees, legal aid, news by sally

“The Ministry of Justice has extended the deadline for responses to be submitted to their consultation ‘Legal aid: reforming advocates graduated fees’ until midday on 1 April. Those who have already responded can submit revised responses, and those who have not yet responded can do so.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 29th March 2010

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

In re G (a Child) (Special guardianship order: Application to discharge) – Times Law Reports

Posted March 29th, 2010 in law reports by sally

In re G (a Child) (Special guardianship order: Application to discharge)

Court of Appeal

“Since a mother had demonstrated a change in circumstances, her application for the discharge of a special guardianship order would be granted.”

The Times, 29th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Connor v Surrey County Council – Times Law Reports

Posted March 29th, 2010 in law reports by sally

Connor v Surrey County Council

Court of Appeal

“A head teacher was entitled to damages for negligence because of the local education authority’s failure to exercise a statutory discretion to replace the school’s governing body with an interim executive board.”

The Times, 29th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Council tenants who sub-let could face jail for new criminal offence – The Times

Posted March 29th, 2010 in news by sally

“Thousands of council tenants who make profits by illegally sub-letting their homes will face tough new measures to be announced by ministers this week.”

Full story

The Times, 29th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

New surrogacy law eases the way for gay men to become legal parents – The Guardian

“Gay male couples will be able to use a fast-track route to become the legal parents of surrogate children from next week. On 6 April, changes to the law will permit two men to be named as parents on a child’s birth certificate for the first time in British history.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Massive rise in cost to NHS of settling compensation cases – The Independent

Posted March 29th, 2010 in compensation, fees, medical treatment, negligence, news by sally

“The cost of no-win, no-fee legal claims against the National Health Service has risen 16-fold in five years. A breakdown of clinical negligence cases settled by the NHS under ‘conditional fee arrangements’ (CFA), in which solicitors get paid only if they win a case, shows that their value – in costs and damages – has risen from £6.5m in 2004-05 to £108m last year.”

Full story

The Independent, 28th MArch 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Courts rapped for giving ‘too short’ jail terms to paedophiles who offend online – The Guardian

Posted March 29th, 2010 in internet, news, rehabilitation, reports, sentencing, sexual offences by sally

“Paedophiles convicted of downloading images of child abuse from the internet are not receiving rehabilitation treatment because the sentences they are given are too short, public protection experts warn today. A dossier collected by the probation union, Napo, reveals that typical sentences given to online paedophiles often fall far short of recommendations made by court-appointed experts who prepare pre-sentencing reports for judges.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Barristers fighting pay cuts ‘take home less per hour than a car mechanic’ – The Times

Posted March 29th, 2010 in news by sally

“Criminal case barristers delivered a broadside to Jack Straw over their pay, saying that most take home less per hour than a car mechanic.”

Full story

The Times, 29th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Jack Straw backs Lords reform despite Mandelson opposition – The Guardian

Posted March 29th, 2010 in news, parliament by sally

“The justice secretary, Jack Straw, has insisted that, despite Lord Mandelson’s opposition, Labour is poised to announce its commitment to an elected second chamber to replace the House of Lords.”

Full story

The Guardian, 29th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Public to have bigger say in criminal sentencing – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 29th, 2010 in attorney general, criminal justice, news, sentencing by sally

“Members of the public are to be given a much bigger say in the process which sees criminals having their sentences increased if they are ruled to be too lenient.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 28th March 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Child Poverty Act 2010

Posted March 27th, 2010 in children, legislation by sally

Child Poverty Act 2010 published

Full text of Act (PDF)

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010

Posted March 27th, 2010 in insurance, legislation, third parties by sally

Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010 published

Full text of Act (PDF)

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Act 2010

Posted March 27th, 2010 in explosives, legislation by sally

Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Act 2010 published

Full text of Act (PDF)

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted March 27th, 2010 in legislation by sally

The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (Commencement No.3) (Wales) Order 2010

The Education and Inspections Act 2006 (Commencement No. 5 and Transitional Provision) (Wales) Order 2010

The Education Act 2005 (Commencement No. 2) (Wales) Order 2010

The National Health Service (Primary Medical Services) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2010

The Accounts and Audit (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2010

The Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2010

The Child Benefit Up-rating Order 2010

The Freedom of Information (Additional Public Authorities) Order 2010

The Freedom of Information (Removal of References to Public Authorities) Order 2010

The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010

The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010

The Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2010

The Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating (Northern Ireland) Order 2010

The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2010

The Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) (Amendment) Regulations 2010

The Hearing Aid Council (Transfer of Property, Rights and Liabilities) Order 2010

The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services and Local Pharmaceutical Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2010

The National Health Service (Reimbursement of the Cost of EEA Treatment) Regulations 2010

The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2010

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Heathrow third runway plan in tatters after ruling, claim opponents – The Times

Posted March 27th, 2010 in news by sally

“Environmental campaigners and local authorities opposed to Heathrow expansion popped champagne corks on the steps of the High Court yesterday to celebrate a ruling that they said left plans to build a third runway at Europe’s busiest airport ‘in tatters’.”

Full story

The Times, 27th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Judge says plea deal tied his hands over fine for corrupt firm – The Guardian

Posted March 27th, 2010 in bribery, corruption, fines, news, plea bargaining, Serious Fraud Office by sally

“A senior judge today criticised the Serious Fraud Office for striking plea bargains which let off corrupt companies too lightly.”

Full story

The Guardian, 26th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘If I lose £1 million, it’s worth it for libel law reform, says Simon Singh – The Times

Posted March 27th, 2010 in news by sally

“Simon Singh lifted his coffee cup off a Ministry of Justice press release. ‘I’m a particle physicist,’ he said. ‘And libel law, I can tell you, is more complicated than particle physics.'”

Full story

The Times, 27th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Car crash victim wins highest ever compensation payout – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 27th, 2010 in compensation, news, personal injuries by sally

“A passenger left paralysed after a crash has been awarded £11million compensation – the highest personal injury payout in British history.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 26th March 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk