E-commerce Regulations updated to exempt ISPs from hate speech charges – OUT-LAW.com

“The Government has published Regulations that will absolve internet service providers (ISPs) and other digital service providers of responsibility for religion or sexuality-related hate speech transmitted over their networks.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 14th January 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Fears for election as law fails to curb ballot fraud – The Times

Posted January 14th, 2010 in news by sally

“Ministers are under mounting pressure to combat voting fraud at this year’s general election after evidence of continuing abuse emerged.”

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The Times, 14th January 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

The Big Question: Do juryless trials risk obscuring the transparency of justice? – The Independent

Posted January 14th, 2010 in criminal justice, judges, news, trial without jury by sally

“Why are we asking this now?

This week Britain’s first crown court criminal trial to take place without a jury in more than 400 years started at the Royal Courts of Justice. The case, involving four men accused of a £1.75m armed robbery, is being heard by a judge, sitting alone, who will decide upon the men’s guilt or otherwise.”

Full story

The Independent, 14th January 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Prison population ‘should be cut’ by third, say MPs – BBC News

Posted January 14th, 2010 in community service, news, prisons by sally

“The number of inmates in England and Wales’ jails should be cut by a third, and the money saved put into community penalties, a report by MPs has said.”

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BBC News, 14th January 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sky begins push for TV cameras in court – The Times

Posted January 14th, 2010 in news by sally

“A campaign to allow cameras into courts to film proceedings was announced by Sky News last night.”

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The Times, 13th January 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Judge says extraditing Gary McKinnon may be unlawful – The Guardian

Posted January 14th, 2010 in computer crime, extradition, mental health, news by sally

“The home secretary may have acted unlawfully by pursuing the extradition of the computer hacker Gary McKinnon, a high court judge said yesterday.”

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The Guardian, 14th January 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Marco Pierre White case shows how family lawyers can get into a stew – The Times

Posted January 13th, 2010 in news by sally

“All’s fair in love — and divorce. Or is it? It may surprise those unfamiliar with acrimonious divorce battles that courts condone a degree of DIY detective work.”

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The Times, 12th January 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Kate Middleton launches legal action against photographer – The Guardian

Posted January 13th, 2010 in harassment, news, photography, privacy, royal family by sally

“Kate Middleton is pursuing legal action against a photographer who took pictures of her on Christmas Day, a month after the Queen warned the media over publication of paparazzi photographs of the royals.”

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The Guardian, 13th January 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ministers offer concessions on copyright changes – BBC News

Posted January 13th, 2010 in bills, copyright, internet, news by sally

“Ministers have given a concession over what critics claimed were ‘draconian’ powers which would enable them to crack down on online copyright infringement.”

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BBC News, 13th January 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

£150k payout for ‘bullied’ manager at Llanelli hospital – BBC News

Posted January 13th, 2010 in bullying, compensation, employment, harassment, news by sally

“A hospital information manager has been awarded £150,000 compensation after claims that she was bullied at work.”

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BBC News, 12th January 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Conservatives refuse to pay a £215,000 bill after rigged poll – The Times

Posted January 13th, 2010 in news by sally

“The Conservative Party is refusing to pay a £215,000 bill after one of its local election candidates rigged a poll using hundreds of fictitious voters to oust Europe’s first black woman mayor. The party went to the High Court yesterday to challenge an attempt to make it pay the costs of a scandal that pressured the Government into introducing tough new reforms to make it harder to steal elections.”

Full story

The Times, 13th January 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Shakin’ Stevens guilty of assaulting photographer – BBC News

Posted January 13th, 2010 in assault, criminal damage, fines, news by sally

“Former pop star Shakin’ Stevens has been found guilty of hitting a press photographer with a microphone stand.”

Full story

BBC News, 12th January 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Bristol teacher jailed over child abuse photos – BBC News

Posted January 13th, 2010 in indecent photographs of children, news, sentencing, teachers by sally

“A Bristol teacher has been jailed for 10 months after being convicted of downloading thousands of images of children being sexually abused.”

Full story

BBC News, 12th January 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted January 13th, 2010 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (UK) Ltd v Eli Lilly & Company Ltd [2009] EWCA Civ 1362 (18 December 2009)

BP Shipping Ltd v Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Bermuda) Ltd Partnership [2009] EWCA Civ 1407 (21 December 2009)

O M (Children) v Local Authority & Ors [2009] EWCA Civ 1405 (21 December 2009)

Wild v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs & Anor [2009] EWCA Civ 1406 (21 December 2009)

Hammonds (A Firm) v Jones [2009] EWCA Civ 1400 (21 December 2009)

Parkinson Engineering Services Plc v Swan & Anor [2009] EWCA Civ 1366 (21 December 2009)

Lewis, R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for the Mid & North Division of the County of Shropshire & Anor [2009] EWCA Civ 1403 (21 December 2009)

Spencer v Wincanton Holdings Ltd (Wincanton Logistics Ltd) [2009] EWCA Civ 1404 (21 December 2009)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Marsh, R v [2009] EWCA Crim 2696 (21 December 2009)

Monaghan & Ors v R. [2009] EWCA Crim 2699 (21 December 2009)

Reed & Anor, R v [2009] EWCA Crim 2698 (21 December 2009)

Norris, R v [2009] EWCA Crim 2697 (21 December 2009)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Ross & Anor v HM Revenue & Customs [2010] EWHC 13 (Ch) (12 January 2010)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Dalwood Marine Co v Nordana Line A/S [2009] EWHC 3394 (Comm) (21 December 2009)

Blue Sky One Ltd & Ors v Blue Airways Llc & Ors [2009] EWHC 3314 (Comm) (21 December 2009)

High Court (Family Division)

Hashem v Shayif & Anor [2009] EWHC 3462 (Fam) (22 December 2009)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

European Dynamics SA v HM Treasury [2009] EWHC 3419 (TCC) (23 December 2009)

Crowley (t/a Crowley Civil Engineers v Rushmoor Borough Council [2010] EWHC 2237 (TCC) (10 January 2010)

Source: www.bailii.org

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted January 13th, 2010 in legislation by sally

The Pensions Act 2008 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2010

The National Employment Savings Trust Corporation Naming and Financial Year Order 2010

The Employers’ Duties (Implementation) Regulations 2010

The Employers’ Duties (Registration and Compliance) Regulations 2010

The Transfer Values (Disapplication) Regulations 2010

The Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) (Amendment) Order 2010

The Application of Pension Legislation to the National Employment Savings Trust Corporation Regulations 2010

The National Employment Savings Trust (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Commencement No. 14) Order 2010

The Social Security (Contributions Credits for Parents and Carers) Regulations 2010

The Amendment to Schedule 6 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 Order 2010

The Transfer of Functions of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal Order 2010

The Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2010

The Banking Act 2009 (Exclusion of Insurers) Order 2010

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Government confirms £500,000 fines for worst data protection offenders – OUT-LAW.com

Posted January 13th, 2010 in data protection, fines, news by sally

“Organisations responsible for major breaches of personal information security will face fines up to £500,000 from 6th April this year. The long-awaited penalties for serious data protection breaches have been approved by the Government.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 12th January 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Government to consult on punishments for breaking online air fare rules – OUT-LAW.com

Posted January 13th, 2010 in airlines, consultations, consumer protection, news, penalties by sally

“The Government will consult within weeks on new penalties for airlines that employ hidden charges to mislead consumers. The action will close a loophole by which airlines can avoid penalties for breaking the law.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 11th January 2010

Source: www.out-law.com

Man sentenced for poisoning curry with slug pellets – BBC News

Posted January 13th, 2010 in food, news, poisoning, sentencing by sally

“A man from Manchester who tried to poison his neighbours by lacing a curry with slug pellets has been given a suspended prison sentence.”

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BBC News, 12th January 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Comedian Jimmy Carr guilty of speeding in Suffolk – BBC News

Posted January 13th, 2010 in news, road traffic offences by sally

“Comic Jimmy Carr has been convicted of speeding for driving at 10mph over the limit through a village in Suffolk.”

Full story

BBC News, 12th January 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Kent police admit unlawful stop and search of twins, 11 – BBC News

Posted January 13th, 2010 in children, news, police, stop and search by sally

“The stop and search of 11-year-old twins at the Kingsnorth Climate Camp was unlawful, Kent police have admitted at London’s High Court.”

Full story

BBC News, 12th January 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk