BNP forced to close membership and rethink constitution over race bias – The Times

Posted October 16th, 2009 in news by sally

“The British National Party was forced to amend its constitution yesterday so that it does not bar people from joining because of their race or religion. The move came after the Equality and Human Rights Commission started a county court action against the party, accusing it of breaching race relations laws. Proceedings at Central London County Court were adjourned after lawyers said that Nick Griffin, the party’s leader, would put a revised constitution before a BNP meeting next month.”

Full story

The Times 15th October 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

What to do with drunken sailor George Wood? Fine him – The Times

Posted October 16th, 2009 in news by sally

“A judge at York Crown Court found himself forced to answer a question yesterday that has vexed seamen since at least the 19th century. What should he do with the drunken sailor? A Scottish sea captain stood before him in the dock, charged with running his trawler aground on the sand near Filey, North Yorkshire. He had admitted to being drunk in charge of his craft.”

Full story

The Times, 16th October 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Collaborative law a success for divorcing couples, says judge – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 16th, 2009 in dispute resolution, divorce, news by sally

“Collaborative law has proved a huge success for divorcing couples and could soon be extended into the commercial arena, one of the UK’s most senior judges said last week.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 15th October 2009

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

MoJ review on separate budgets for criminal and civil legal aid – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 16th, 2009 in legal aid, news by sally

“The Ministry of Justice has announced a review of the way the £2bn legal aid budget is delivered which could see separate civil and criminal funds run by different bodies.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 15th October 2009

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Apprentice star loses appeal bid – BBC News

Posted October 15th, 2009 in benefits, fraud, news by sally

“One of the former stars of BBC show The Apprentice has lost an appeal to overturn a conviction for obtaining thousands through benefit fraud.”

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BBC News, 15th October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Porn teacher gets community order – BBC News

Posted October 15th, 2009 in children, news, pornography, sentencing by sally

“A Lincolnshire science teacher who downloaded more than 8,000 pornographic images of young girls has been given a three-year community order.”

Full story

BBC News, 15th October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

OFT to scrutinise online pricing – BBC News

Posted October 15th, 2009 in consumer protection, internet, news by sally

“Online pricing practices are to be investigated by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).”

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BBC News, 15th October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted October 15th, 2009 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Child Poverty Action Group, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2009] EWCA Civ 1058 (14 October 2009)

Royal Mail Group Ltd v Communication Workers Union [2009] EWCA Civ 1045 (14 October 2009)

Pablo Star Ltd v Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC (t/a Du) [2009] EWCA Civ 1044 (14 October 2009)

ZH (Afghanistan) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 1060 (15 October 2009)

Connolly & Ors v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government [2009] EWCA Civ 1059 (15 October 2009)

Eweida v British Airways Plc [2009] EWCA Civ 1025 (15 October 2009)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Prudential Plc & Anor, R (on the application of) v Special Commissioner of Income Tax & Anor [2009] EWHC 2494 (Admin) (14 October 2009)

Hussein, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWHC 2506 (Admin) (14 October 2009)

Source: www.bailii.org

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted October 15th, 2009 in legislation by sally

The Land Registration (Proper Office) (No. 2) Order 2009

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Regina (Veolia ES Nottinghamshire Ltd) v Nottinghamshire County Council – Times Law Reports

Posted October 15th, 2009 in law reports by sally

Regina (Veolia ES Nottinghamshire Ltd) v Nottinghamshire County Council

Queen’s Bench Division

“Statutory provisions entitling interested persons to inspect and copy accounts of a local authority and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts relating to them, were to be given a broad interpretation in respect of the phrases, ‘accounts to be audited’ and ‘relating to’.”

The Times, 15th October 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Deutsche Bank AG and Another v Highland Crusader Offshore Partners LP and Others – Times Law Reports

Posted October 15th, 2009 in law reports by sally

Deutsche Bank AG and Another v Highland Crusader Offshore Partners LP and Others

Court of Appeal

“There was no presumption that the prosecution of foreign litigation in parallel with litigation in England pursuant to a non-exclusive jurisdiction clause was of itself vexatious and oppressive unless exceptional circumstances could be shown to justify it.”

The Times, 15th October 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Practice Direction (Criminal proceedings: Additional forms) – Times Law Reports

Posted October 15th, 2009 in law reports by sally

Practice Direction (Criminal proceedings: Additional forms)

Senior Courts

“A practice direction setting out forms for use in connection with Criminal Procedure Rules relating to disclosure, witness statements and contempt of court was handed down by Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice, sitting in the Senior Courts of England and Wales on October 6, 2009.”

The Times, 15th October 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Knowing or reckless misuse of personal data – introducing custodial sentences – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 15th, 2009 in consultations, data protection by sally

“A consultation on exercising the power to provide for custodial sanctions for those found guilty of knowingly or recklessly obtaining, disclosing, selling or procuring the disclosure of personal data without the consent of the data controller.”

Full consultation

Ministry of Justice, 15th October 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Proposed age law for online retail faces Parliamentary scrutiny – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 15th, 2009 in children, internet, news, sale of goods by sally

“A proposal that will force online retailers to take extra steps to ensure that young people cannot buy or access inappropriate goods or material will move one step closer to becoming law on Monday.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 14th October 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

Judgments a ‘heavy blow’ to Government attempts to protect national security – The Times

Posted October 15th, 2009 in news by sally

“The slow seep of secrecy into the justice system may in recent months have been halted. A series of judgments have struck heavy blows to the Government’s attempts to protect national security by holding back evidence from individuals, conducting hearings in secret and appointing security-cleared advocates.”

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The Times, 15th October 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Lesbian soldier sees £190,000 harassment payout cut by a third – Daily Telegraph

“A lesbian soldier who won nearly £190,000 damages following a campaign of harassment by a male sergeant has had her payout slashed by a third after Army top brass appealed.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 14th October 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Boy gangster trapped by Facebook jailed for life – The Independent

Posted October 15th, 2009 in murder, news, rape, sentencing by sally

“A boy gangster who was arrested for two murders and a rape before reaching his 16th birthday was given a life sentence today.”

Full story

The Independent, 14th October 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Terror Act used on climate activist – The Independent

Posted October 15th, 2009 in news, stop and search, terrorism by sally

“Terror legislation was used to stop a British climate change activist from travelling to Denmark, it has emerged.”

Full story

The Independent, 15th October 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Science writer Simon Singh wins ruling in chiropractic libel battle – The Guardian

Posted October 15th, 2009 in appeals, defamation, freedom of expression, news by sally

“A science writer who is being sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association is to fight on after a preliminary judgment against him was overturned on appeal today.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Man jailed for 25 years for hammer attack on pregnant girlfriend – The Guardian

Posted October 15th, 2009 in attempted murder, attempts, murder, news, sentencing by sally

“A ‘wicked and callous’ father-to-be was jailed for 25 years today for trying to murder his heavily pregnant girlfriend, hoping to benefit from her will and start a new life with another woman.”

Full story

The Guardian, 15th October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk