Current Awareness

Dog that killed Jean-Paul Massey was banned pit bull – The Times

Posted December 2nd, 2009 in dogs, news by sally

“The dog that mauled a four-year-old boy to death in Liverpool was a pitbull terrier-type outlawed under the Dangerous Dogs Act, police said yesterday. Jean-Paul Massey died from multiple injuries when the animal attacked him early on Monday at the home of his grandmother, Helen Foulkes. The dog was shot dead by a police marksman in the front garden. Investigations into the incident are continuing. A post-mortem examination has determined that the animal, named Uno, was an illegally bred pitbull. The finding opens the way to a criminal investigation, and possible charges.”

Full story

The Times, 2nd December 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Father jailed for cruelty to children – The Independent

Posted December 2nd, 2009 in child cruelty, news, sentencing by sally

“A ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ father who was found guilty of a string of cruelty charges against his children was jailed for five years today.”

Full story

The Independent, 1st December 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Judge in Max Mosley trial hits back at criticism over privacy cases – The Guardian

Posted December 2nd, 2009 in judges, news, privacy by sally

“The high court judge at the centre of a string of controversial privacy cases, including one involving the motor racing chief Max Mosley, spoke out against his critics today, claiming he had been subjected to ‘personal abuse’ by parts of the media.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd December 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Rape investigations unit launched as Met aims to target serial attackers – The Guardian

Posted December 2nd, 2009 in news, police, rape by sally

“The country’s first dedicated rape intelligence unit has been set up within the Metropolitan police promising to identify and track down serial attackers, in response to a series of high-profile failures that left prolific sex offenders free to prey on hundreds of women.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd December 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Gordon Brown to force plan for voting reform referendum before election – The Times

Posted December 2nd, 2009 in news by sally

“Gordon Brown will attempt to force plans for a referendum on changing Britain’s voting system through Parliament before the next election, The Times has learnt.”

Full story

The Times, 2nd December 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Head of government task force found guilty of bullying her workers – The Times

Posted December 2nd, 2009 in news by sally

“The head of a government task force for women in business was ordered to pay compensation yesterday after a tribunal found that she had bullied a string of workers, including women.”

Full story

The Times, 2nd December 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Skateboard pigeon killer guilty – BBC news

Posted December 1st, 2009 in animal cruelty, birds, news, sentencing, young offenders by sally

“A teenager has pleaded guilty to killing a pigeon by hitting it with a skateboard.”

Full story

BBC News, 1st December 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Brothers win 1998 murder appeal – BBC News

Posted December 1st, 2009 in appeals, murder, news by sally

“Two brothers, jailed for murdering a pensioner 11 years ago in West Yorkshire, have had their convictions quashed at the Court of Appeal.”

Full story

BBC News, 1st December 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police officer who stole computer games escapes jail – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 1st, 2009 in news, police, sentencing, theft by sally

“A police officer caught stealing computer games by concealing them under his stab vest while on duty has escaped jail.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 1st December 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Judges rule against government over secret evidence in terror cases – The Guardian

Posted December 1st, 2009 in bail, evidence, news, terrorism by sally

“Two men suspected of terrorism-related activities won a landmark high court battle today when judges ruled that a person could not be denied bail solely on the basis of secret evidence.”

Full story

The Guardian, 1st December 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Pinewood expansion battle rages on the village green – The Times

Posted December 1st, 2009 in news by sally

“In secluded Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, a rebellion is brewing. Pinewood Studio, host for 75 years to films as diverse as Oliver Twist and the James Bond franchise, wants to expand. But local residents disagree, and one is using a 19th-century law to fight back.”

Full story

The Times, 28th November 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Lord Lester’s plan to halt libel abuse – The Times

Posted December 1st, 2009 in news by sally

“Reforms designed to end abuses of the libel laws which jeopardise freedom of speech could be on the statute book within months under a plan which is attracting cross-party support.”

Full story

The Times, 29th November 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Barclays lose Sark reforms claim – BBC news

Posted December 1st, 2009 in constitutional law, elections, human rights, news, Sark by sally

“The Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed an appeal case by the Barclay brothers who wanted to force a change to constitutional reforms on Sark.”

Full story

BBC News, 1st December 2009

Source; www.bbc.co.uk

Ambitious reforms to transform the social work profession – Department for Children, Schools and Families

Posted December 1st, 2009 in press releases, social services by sally

“Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls and Health Secretary Andy Burnham today announced the Government’s acceptance of a radical package of recommendations from the final Social Work Task Force report, to transform social work and public understanding of social workers’ crucial contribution to our society.”

Full press release

Department for Children, Schools and Families, 1st December 2009

Source: www.dcsf.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted December 1st, 2009 in law reports by sally

High Court (Administrative Court)

Morris, R (on the application of) v Newport City Council [2009] EWHC 3051 (Admin) (27 November 2009)

High Court (Family Division)

GJ v The Foundation Trust & Anor [2009] EWHC 2972 (Fam) (20 November 2009)

N (A Child), Re [2009] EWHC 3055 (Fam) (25 November 2009)

Source: www.bailii.org

Youth Rehabilitation Order and youth justice provisions – Ministry of Justice

Posted December 1st, 2009 in circulars, criminal justice, rehabilitation, young offenders by sally

“This circular contains information on the Youth Rehabilitation Order as well as other youth justice related changes.”

Full circular

Ministry of Justice, 30th November 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Youth crime punishments – you decide – Ministry of Justice

Posted December 1st, 2009 in press releases, punishment, young offenders by sally

“More communities affected by youth crime and anti-social behaviour will, for the first time, have their say in how young offenders are punished and forced to make amends to their local neighbourhood, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 30th November 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

The current legal challenges facing social landlords: a judge’s perspective – speech by Lord Neuberger

Posted December 1st, 2009 in housing, speeches by sally

“The current legal challenges facing social landlords: a judge’s perspective – keynote address, Social Housing Law Association Annual Conference 2009 on 27 November 2009.”

Full speech

Judiciary of England and Wales, 30th November 2009

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk