Who can save the Freedom of Information Act? – The Independent

Posted May 25th, 2007 in freedom of information, news by sally

“MPs dealt a massive blow to open government last week by voting themselves an exemption to the right-to-know law. Robert Verkaik, Law Editor, considers the next move.”

Full story

The Independent, 25th May 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Woman gets suicide advice payout – BBC News

Posted May 25th, 2007 in citizens advice bureaux, confidentiality, news, unfair dismissal by sally

“A Citizens Advice Bureau advisor who was sacked after she phoned a suicidal woman’s GP was awarded £18,000 damages.” 

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BBC News, 24th May 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Reid threatens to suspend human rights laws after terror suspects go missing – The Independent

Posted May 25th, 2007 in human rights, news, terrorism by sally

“John Reid faced growing anger as he signalled the Government was ready to declare that Britain faced an “emergency” over terrorism and opt out of human rights legislation.”

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The Independent, 25th May 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Telephone hearings have benefits but there’s a sting in the tail – The Times

Posted May 25th, 2007 in news, telephone hearings by sally

“It could be argued that the courts have been somewhat late in embracing information technology. Database and order production systems only came late in the day and the majority of judges, despite being provided with computers, printers and the like, still tend to rely on writing their notes rather than typing them into their laptops. Telephone hearings are also a recent phenomenon.”

Full story

The Times, 25th May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

MPs have no reason to be exempt from FoI law, watchdog warns – The Independent

Posted May 25th, 2007 in freedom of information, news, parliament by sally

“A campaign by MPs to remove themselves from open government laws in order to protect the privacy of their constituents has been seriously undermined by the UK’s information watchdog.”

Full story

The Independent, 25th May 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Legal process in dock as judges rule ex-wife is worth record £48m payout – The Times

Posted May 25th, 2007 in divorce, news by sally

“An overhaul of the law on how to split a divorcing couple’s assets was urged by senior judges yesterday as they ruled that a woman can keep her £48 million award – the biggest ordered by British courts in legal history.”

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The Times, 25th May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

‘Devoted’ husband gets life for killing wife – The Guardian

Posted May 25th, 2007 in murder, news, sentencing by sally

“A husband who killed his wife after she begged him to help her die was jailed for life today.”

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The Guardian, 25th May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ministry may threaten judges’ independence – The Times

Posted May 25th, 2007 in judges, Ministry of Justice, news, sentencing by sally

“Judges’ independence will come under pressure as they are urged to tailor sentences according to prison spaces under the Ministry of Justice, a former senior Conservative minister said yesterday.”

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The Times, 25th May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Court upholds £48m divorce award – BBC News

Posted May 24th, 2007 in divorce, news by sally

“A millionaire businessman has lost an appeal over a £48m divorce award made to his former wife.” 

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BBC News, 24th May 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Bid to put off info time-wasters – BBC News

Posted May 24th, 2007 in freedom of information, news by sally

“Plans are due to be unveiled to deter ‘pointless and mischievous’ requests under the Freedom of Information Act.” 

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BBC News, 24th May 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Record £125m in assets recovered from criminals – The Guardian

Posted May 24th, 2007 in confiscation, news by sally

“Luxury mansions, classic cars ranging from Bentleys to Lamborghinis, millions in cash and even racehorses are among the record £125m-worth of assets recovered from criminals in the last year. Claiming the seizures as a great success, the Home Office will today announce greater powers to confiscate criminals’ wealth.”

Full story

The Guardian, 24th May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Suicide banker’s NatWest case fear – Financial Times

Posted May 24th, 2007 in extradition, inquests, news by sally

“Neil Coulbeck, the retired bank executive who could have been an important witness in the NatWest Three fraud case, feared he might “get dragged into” the affair at the time he died, his widow told an inquest on Wednesday.”

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Financial Times, 23rd May 2007

Source: www.ft.com

UK ‘politics of fear eroding human rights’ – The Independent

Posted May 24th, 2007 in news by sally

“Tony Blair’s government has been condemned for exploiting the ‘politics of fear’ by bringing in tougher anti-terror legislation, cracking down on asylum-seekers and allowing the prison population to soar.”

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The Independent, 24th May 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Related link: Amnesty International Report 2007

Squatter wins £2m London plot after 18-year stay – The Independent

Posted May 24th, 2007 in adverse possession, news, planning by sally

For most people a property on Hampstead Heath would be many mortgages or lottery tickets away, but a squatter has been granted the rights to a plot of land worth £2m for nothing.

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The Independent, 24th May 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Lord Chancellor acts to heal rift with judges over justice ministry – The Times

Posted May 24th, 2007 in judges, Ministry of Justice, news by sally

“The Lord Chancellor moved to defuse the unprecedented rift with the judiciary yesterday, making a personal intervention with the Lord Chief Justice to resolve the deadlock over the Ministry of Justice.”

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The Times, 24th May 2007

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Judge wins backing for UK’s first drug court – The Times

Posted May 23rd, 2007 in children, drug abuse, news by sally

“Family judge Nicholas Crichton has won financial backing for his initiative to set up the UK’s first US-style drug dependency court to help the growing number of babies and children who are being taken into care because of their parents’ misuse of drugs or alcohol.”

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The Times, 23rd May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Divorce online for £65 – The Times

Posted May 23rd, 2007 in divorce, news by sally

“An online divorce company this week became the first to advertise its services on UK television, offering to arrange settlements for as little as £65.”

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The Times, 23rd May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Junior doctors lose court fight – BBC News

Posted May 23rd, 2007 in doctors, news by sally

“Junior doctors have lost their High Court battle to scrap the new application system for training posts.” 

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BBC News, 23rd May 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judicial revolt looms after Phillips’ MoJ blast – Legal Week

Posted May 23rd, 2007 in judges, Ministry of Justice, news by sally

“The Government is locked on a collision course with senior members of the judiciary after the Lord Chief Justice told Parliament yesterday (23 May) the two camps remained ‘poles apart’ over the role of the controversial Ministry of Justice (MoJ).”

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Legal Week, 23rd MAy 2007

Source: www.legalweek.com

Kennedy: employed barristers should have bigger Bar Council role – Legal Week

Posted May 23rd, 2007 in barristers, news by sally

“Employed and junior barristers are set to be given a greater role on the Bar Council following a report by a working group into the composition of the representative body.”

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Legal Week, 23rd May 2007

Source: www.legalweek.com