Army faces new inquiry on Iraq torture deaths – The Independent

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in armed forces, Iraq, news, torture by sally

“An announcement this week of a new public inquiry into fresh allegations of torture against British troops will heap further pressure on the British Army and the Government regarding abuse in Iraq.”

Full story

The Independent, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Secret files show UK courts were misled over 9/11 suspect Lotfi Raissi – The Guardian

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in Crown Prosecution Service, disclosure, news, terrorism by sally

“British prosecutors failed to disclose crucial evidence to the courts in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks in a case that resulted in an innocent pilot being jailed for five months, previously unseen documents reveal.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Peer calls for radical steps to reduce rapes – The Independent

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in news, rape by sally

“Rapists will continue to walk free from British courts in the future, the peer leading a government review of sex crime admitted this weekend.”

Full story

The Independent, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Offenders give flowers to victims in community justice trial scheme – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in community service, news by sally

“Police are imposing informal punishments – such as forcing offenders to give flowers to their victims – in a return to community justice.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Couples don’t need the law to tell them how to live together – The Guardian

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in cohabitation, news by sally

“Extending property rights to those who move in together, but don’t marry, will only lead to heartbreak and pain for the young.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New law saves 86 victims from forced marriages – The Independent

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in forced marriages, news, police by sally

“But experts warn that the impetus behind the new legislation and police training on ‘honour’ killings is in danger of slowing.”

Full story

The Independent, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Surge in ‘libel tourism’ brings 11% rise in cases – The Guardian

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in defamation, news by sally

“The number of defamation cases that reached the high court surged by 11% in 2008 to a four-year high, as foreign claimants took advantage of the UK’s tougher laws to seek ‘libel tourism’ awards from publishers.”

Full story

The Guardian, 20th November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Brown delays action on compensating British victims of terror attacks abroad – The Guardian

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in compensation, news, terrorism, victims by sally

“Gordon Brown made a last-minute U-turn on a promise to compensate British victims of terrorism abroad in the Queen’s speech after being told the Murdoch press might mount a similar campaign for injured soldiers, the Guardian has learned.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Jack Straw pledges action to end libel tourism – The Times

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in news by sally

“Jack Straw is preparing to draw up proposals for wholesale reform of England’s libel laws, after a long-running Sunday Times campaign.”

Full story

The Times, 22nd November 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Family of Jean Charles de Menezes ‘could get just £100,000 compensation’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in compensation, firearms, news, police by sally

“The family of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian electrician mistakenly shot dead by anti-terrorist officers at Stockwell Tube station, could receive just a third of the £300,000 they have requested for compensation.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Now the expenses spotlight falls on Britain’s judiciary – The Independent

Posted November 23rd, 2009 in expenses, judiciary, news by sally

“Expenses claims by judges and magistrates have risen by £3m in the last two years, according to figures obtained by The Independent under the Freedom of Information Act.”

Full story

The Independent, 23rd November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Devoted husband who strangled wife in his sleep walks free from court – The Guardian

Posted November 20th, 2009 in news by sally

“A ‘decent and devoted’ husband who strangled his wife while he dreamt she was a intruder has been cleared of murder after the Crown Prosecution Service accepted he had not been in control of his actions but was not a danger to anyone else.”

Full story

The Guardian, 20th November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Royal Bank of Scotland loses landmark wheelchair access appeal – The Times

Posted November 20th, 2009 in news by sally

“The Royal Bank of Scotland has been ordered to carry out £200,000 of work to improve wheelchair access at one of its branches after senior judges ruled that it had breached disability laws.”

Full story

The Times, 20th November 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Coroners and Justice Act 2009

Posted November 20th, 2009 in legislation by sally

Coroners and Justice Act 2009 published

Full text of Act (PDF)

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

New laws to aid global fight against bribery – Ministry of Justice

Posted November 20th, 2009 in news by sally

“The UK will further cement its reputation as one of the least corrupt countries in the world with new laws that will enable courts to tackle bribery at home and abroad more effectively, said Justice Secretary, Jack Straw.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 20th November 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

‘Wicked’ grandmother jailed over dowry dispute – The Independent

Posted November 20th, 2009 in news by sally

“A ‘wicked’ grandmother and the two sons she ordered to kidnap and beat her estranged son-in-law over a £25,000 dowry dispute, have each been jailed for seven years.”

Full story

The Independent, 20th November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Legal profession set for historic reforms – The Times

Posted November 20th, 2009 in news by sally

“Barristers will be free to set up in partnership with solicitors or with each other under historic reforms approved last night by the Bar Standards Board.”

Full story

The Times, 20th November 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Experts can be named in family cases – The Times

Posted November 20th, 2009 in news by sally

“Expert witnesses in family cases are to be named under the next stage of opening up the family courts to the media, although social workers’ anonymity will be protected, ministers have announced.”

Full story

The Times, 20th November 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted November 20th, 2009 in legislation by sally

The Double Taxation Relief and International Tax Enforcement (Guernsey) Order 2009

The Burma (Restrictive Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2009

The Identity Cards Act 2006 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2009

The Double Taxation Relief and International Tax Enforcement (Jersey) Order 2009

The Double Taxation Relief and International Tax Enforcement (Virgin Islands) Order 2009

The Companies Act 2006 (Amendment of Section 413) Regulations 2009

The Health Service Branded Medicines (Control of Prices and Supply of Information) Amendment Regulations 2009

The Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council (Listed Tribunals) (Amendment) Order 2009

The Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2009

The Contaminants in Food (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2009

The Public Transport Users’ Committee for Wales (Establishment) (Amendment) Order 2009

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted November 20th, 2009 in law reports by sally

Supreme Court

Louca v A German Judicial Authority [2009] UKSC 4 (19 November 2009)

B (A Child), Re [2009] UKSC 5 (19 November 2009)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Willmore v Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council [2009] EWCA Civ 1211 (19 November 2009)

Tekdata Interconnections Ltd v Amphenol Ltd [2009] EWCA Civ 1209 (19 November 2009)

High Court (Chancery Division)

HSBC Bank Plc v Dyche & Anor [2009] EWHC 2954 (Ch) (18 November 2009)

Williams v Hull [2009] EWHC 2844 (Ch) (19 November 2009)

Perpetual Trustee Company Ltd v BNY Corporate Trustee Services Ltd & Anor [2009] EWHC 2953 (Ch) (17 November 2009)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Mohamed, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs [2009] EWHC 2973 (Admin) (19 November 2009)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Dunlop Haywards (DHL) Ltd & Ors v Barbon Insurance Group Ltd & Ors [2009] EWHC 2900 (Comm) (19 November 2009)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

Southern Electric v Mead Realisations [2009] EWHC 2947 (TCC) (04 November 2009)

German Property 50 SARL v Summers-Inman Construction and Property Consultants LLP [2009] EWHC 2968 (TCC) (20 November 2009)

Source: www.bailii.org