Jack Straw says human rights culture must be shaken up – Daily Telegraph
“Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, has insisted that the Government still wants to press ahead with a new Bill of Rights and Responsibilities to rebalance the country’s human rights culture.”
Daily Telegraph, 8th December 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Claims against ageism at work triple in a year – The Guardian
“As Selina Scott settles with Channel Five, new figures show discrimination cases rose to 3,000.”
The Guardian, 7th December 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Children and Adoption Act – more flexible approach to resolving disputes in contact cases – Ministry of Justice
“New provisions in the Children and Adoption Act 2006, which come into force today, provide new ways to help the courts find solutions in contact cases where there is conflict between the parents about whom a child should see and how often.”
Ministry of Justice, 8th December 2008
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Supreme Court inferior to Lords, some judges say – Daily Telegraph
“In an unprecedented joint interview, two senior judges who will be joining the UK Supreme Court next year reveal that one or two of their fellow justices think we would be better off without it. Might it be something to do with the post code?”
Daily Telegraph, 7th December 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Nationwide overhaul of social services departments ordered – The Independent
“Social services departments across England face a radical overhaul as a result of disturbing failings uncovered after the death of Baby P and the Shannon Matthews kidnap case.”
The Independent, 7th December 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Children and Adoption Act 2006: child-contact powers ‘could worsen parent wars’ – The Times
“New powers to stop warring parents using contact with their children as a weapon could backfire and inflame fraught family relations, according to judges and lawyers.”
The Times, 8th December 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Selina Scott wins £250,000 in Channel Five ageism row – Daily Telegraph
“Selina Scott, the television presenter, has been awarded a six-figure settlement from Channel Five after launching an age discrimination claim.”
Daily Telegraph, 6th December 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Coastal campaigner wins legal battle to save clifftop property – The Guardian
“A 77-year-old retired engineer from Suffolk, known locally as King Canute, yesterday won a two-year high court battle to save his ancestral home from the advancing North Sea.”
The Guardian, 6th December 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Ministers fight to keep late abortions secret – Daily Telegraph
“Late abortions of ‘less than perfect’ foetuses are the subject of a secrecy row with the Government.”
Daily Telegraph, 8th December 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Bill to allow Commons searches with no warrant – The Independent
“The vow by Commons Speaker Michael Martin to prevent ‘unauthorised’ raids on MPs’ offices in the wake of the Damian Green affair was seriously undermined last night as it emerged that the Government is preparing new laws to allow investigators to mount parliamentary searches without a warrant.”
The Independent, 7th December 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Hain will not be prosecuted for undeclared donations – the Guardian
“The former cabinet minister Peter Hain will not face prosecution for his failure to declare donations of £103,000 on time, it emerged yesterday, opening up the possibility of a return to frontline politics.”
The Guardian, 6th December 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Titan jails ‘will repeat mistakes made in US’ – The Independent
“Building giant ‘Titan’ prison complexes will lead Britain towards a ‘American-style’ justice system, a leading US civil rights lawyer will warn today.”
The Independent, 8th December 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Chief Justice Derek Schofield to be removed from office – The Times
“The Chief Justice of Gibraltar faces dismissal by five UK law lords after a damning inquiry report by British judges on Friday called for his removal from office. ”
The Times, 7th December 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Man fined for swearing at TV – Daily Telegraph
“A man has been fined £80 for swearing at his own television while drunk.”
Daily Telegraph, 7th December 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Botched biofuel legislation stalls climate change initiative – The Guardian
“The government has blown a hole in its climate change plans by misdrafting a key piece of legislation covering the introduction of ‘green’ fuel for motorists. The Department for Transport admitted last night that there was an ‘error’ in the law governing the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) and it was going to have to put it right.”
The Guardian, 8th December 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
An ugly business: The Briscoe-Mitchell case – The Independent
“Carmen Briscoe-Mitchell turned white with rage at her portrayal as a vicious sadist in her daughter’s best-selling misery memoir. The proud matriarch lost her libel case but tells Robert Verkaik she is unrepentant after sueing.”
The Independent, 6th December 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Bigamist jailed for three years – BBC News
“A former church minister and policeman has been jailed for three years for bigamy and forgery.”
BBC News, 5th December 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Social services errors led to death of baby, says inquiry – The Guardian
“A series of errors by social services and health staff allowed a baby girl to stay with her violent father and incompetent mother before she was shaken to death, an inquiry concluded today.”
The Guardian, 5th December 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
Jeffrey, R. v [2008] EWCA Crim 2361 (21 November 2008)
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Sanchez, R. v [2008] EWCA Crim 2936 (05 December 2008)
Craner v Dorset County Council [2008] EWCA Civ 1323 (05 December 2008)
Source: www.bailii.org