Destination libel – The Guardian
“Is the fear of legal action creating a chilling effect for investigative journalism? Campaigners want British laws changed so libel tourists stay away.”
The Guardian, 15th June 2009
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Names of judges found guilty of misconduct to stay secret – The Guardian
“The government and the judiciary can continue to conceal the names of more than 170 misbehaving judges, a freedom of information tribunal has ruled.”
The Guardian, 15th June 2009
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Call to publish 1979 death report – BBC News
“A campaign group has called on the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson to publish a report into the death of a protester in 1979.”
BBC News, 14th June 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Army chiefs in Afghanistan cannot be sued for death of their troops – The Times
“Commanding officers in Afghanistan have been offered indemnity from prosecution under human-rights laws if they make a decision that leads to the death of a soldier.”
The Times, 15th June 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Beware rape myths, judges to tell jurors – The Times
“Juries are to be instructed to ignore myths surrounding rape in an attempt to raise Britain’s low conviction rate for the crime. Under new directions to be given by judges in rape cases, jurors will be told not to assume the victim was ‘asking for it’ because of the way she dressed, her behaviour or her demeanour.”
The Times, 15th June 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Victory for anti-scald campaign – BBC News
“A campaign to reduce injuries caused by scalding in the bath has brought about a change to building regulations.”
BBC News, 11th June 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Kinsella killers jailed for life – BBC News
“Three men have been given life sentences for murdering 16-year-old Ben Kinsella in north London.”
BBC News, 11th June 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Freeman v London Borough of Islington [2009] EWCA Civ 536 (11 June 2009)
B (A Child), Re [2009] EWCA Civ 545 (11 June 2009)
Pickthall & Anor v Hill Dickinson Llp [2009] EWCA Civ 543 (11 June 2009)
High Court (Administrative Court)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Revenue and Customs v The Rank Group [2009] EWHC 1244 (Ch) (08 June 2009)
Supperstone v Hurst & Anor [2009] EWHC 1271 (Ch) (08 June 2009)
Mastercigars Direct Ltd v Withers LLP [2009] EWHC 1295 (Ch) (10 June 2009)
HM Revenue & Customs v Benchdollar Ltd & Ors [2009] EWHC 1310 (Ch) (11 June 2009)
Cygnet Healthcare Ltd v Greenswan Consultants Ltd [2009] EWHC 1318 (Ch) (11 June 2009)
High Court (Family Division)
Y v Q & Anor [2009] EWHC B9 (Fam) (28 May 2009)
High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)
Wilkinson v Fitzgerald & Anor [2009] EWHC 1297 (QB) (11 June 2009)
Source: www.bailii.org
Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI
The Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) Order 2009
The Legislative Reform (Local Government) (Animal Health Functions) Order 2009
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2009
The Building Societies (Accounts and Related Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2009
The Landsbanki Freezing (Revocation) Order 2009
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk
Regina v Islam – Times Law Reports
House of Lords
“It was consistent with both the language and spirit of the statutory scheme for making confiscation orders for the importation of prohibited drugs to take account of the black market value of such drugs when valuing the benefit obtained by the defendant at the time of their illegal importation.”
Times Law Reports, 12th June 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Brent London Borough Council v Risk Management Partners Ltd – WLR daily
Brent London Borough Council v Risk Management Partners Ltd [2009] EWCA Civ 490; [2009] WLR (D) 179
“A local authority had no power, by virtue of s 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 or s 111 of the Local Government Act 1972, to enter into an arrangement with a company to carry on a mutual insurance business.”
WLR Daily, 11th June 2009
Source: www.lawreports.co.uk
Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.
Defence fee caps will be final blow for legal aid, practitioners say – Law Society’s Gazette
“Government proposals to cap payments made to acquitted defendants who have paid privately for their defence are the ‘final nail in the coffin’ of criminal legal aid firms, a leading practitioner group has warned.”
Law Society’s Gazette. 11th June 2009
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Chancery Lane hits out at means testing proposals – Law Society’s Gazette
“Government proposals for Crown court means testing could deny vulnerable people access to justice and are being ‘rushed in’ too quickly, the Law Society said today.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 11th June 2009
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Legal aid helps to bridge the justice gap – Ministry of Justice
“Legal Aid Minister Willy Bach and Sir Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Legal Services Commission, have praised legal aid lawyers for their dedication to a fundamental service that underpins the justice system.”
Ministry of Justice, 11th June 2009
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
More knife crime offenders jailed – Ministry of Justice
“More criminals are being jailed for carrying a knife and the number of offences dealt with involving knives has fallen, according to new statistics published by the Ministry of Justice today.”
Ministry of Justice, 11th June 2009
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Two found guilty of human trafficking offences – UK Border Agency
“A Mauritian-born couple have been found guilty of four counts of human trafficking and three counts of employing illegal workers.”
UK Border Agency, 9th June 2009
Source: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
LastMinute.com wins right to block last minute trade mark – OUT-LAW.com
“Online travel company LastMinute.com has won the right to have a competing firm’s European trade mark cancelled. The European Union’s Court of First Instance (CFI) has backed the British firm, overturning a ruling by the EU office for trade marks.”
OUT-LAW.com, 11th June 2009
Source: www.out-law.com
Online supermarket rapped for price claim errors – OUT-LAW.com
“Online supermarket Ocado could not back up price-matching claims made in its adverts, ad regulator the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has said. The company has been told not to repeat its claims while operating the current system.”
OUT-LAW.com, 11th June 2009
Source: www.out-law.com
Railway track driver spared jail – BBC News
“A drunk woman who drove almost half a mile along railway tracks before her car broke down has been spared jail.”
BBC News, 11th June 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Many parking tickets ‘unlawful’ – BBC News
“Thousands of parking tickets paid by credit card could be cancelled after a council’s charges were ruled unlawful.”
BBC News, 11th June 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
