Current Awareness

Regina v Height and Regina v Anderson – Times Law Reports

Posted November 24th, 2008 in law reports, murder, sentencing by sally

Court of Appeal

“The sentencing provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 were not intended to be applied inflexibly. No scheme or guidance or statutory framework could be fully comprehensive, and any system of purported compartmentalisation or prescription had the potential to produce injustice.”

The Times, 24th November 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from teh date of publication.

Helping people facing repossession – Ministry of Justice

Posted November 24th, 2008 in press releases, repossession by sally

“A number of recent measures have been introduced to help those at risk of losing their homes.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 21st November 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Freedom of information guidance – procurement working assumptions – Ministry of Justice

Posted November 24th, 2008 in freedom of information, press releases, public procurement by sally

“Updated guidance for public authorities on how to treat requests for information on different phases of the procurement process.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 20th November 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Bringing bribery law up-to-date – Law Commission

Posted November 24th, 2008 in bribery, press releases by sally

“We have published our recommendations in a report on Reforming Bribery.”

Full press release and report

Law Commission, 20th November 2008

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

New rules to protect exploited women – Home Office

Posted November 24th, 2008 in press releases, prostitution by sally

“Tough new measures will tackle the demand for prostitution by cracking down on sex buyers and kerb crawlers.”

Full press release

Home Office, 19th November 2008

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Nine years for 111mph driver who killed couple – The Independent

Posted November 24th, 2008 in dangerous driving, news, sentencing by sally

“A businesswoman who killed a young couple by driving a Jaguar into them at 111mph was jailed for nine years today.”

Full story

The Independent, 21st November 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Hoon under fire for stalled crash inquiry – The Independent

Posted November 24th, 2008 in accidents, inquiries, news, railways by sally

“Families of the Potters Bar rail crash victims have criticised Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary, for delaying his decision over whether to grant a public inquiry into the accident.”

Full story

The Independent, 24th November 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Social services ‘set up CCTV camera in couple’s bedroom’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 24th, 2008 in investigatory powers, news, privacy, social services by sally

“Council staff are said to have spied on the young parents at night as part of a plan to see if they were fit to look after their baby, who was sleeping in another room. The mother and father were forced to cite the Human Rights Act, which protects the right to a private life, before the social services team backed down and agreed to switch off the surveillance camera while they were in bed together. The case is highlighted in a new dossier of human rights abuses carried out against vulnerable and elderly adults in nursing homes and hospitals across Britain.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 24th November 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Timing of Ian Blair’s retirement rules out disciplinary action over Met contracts – The Times

Posted November 24th, 2008 in disciplinary procedures, news, police, professional conduct by sally

“Sir Ian Blair will escape possible disciplinary action over the award of Metropolitan Police contracts to a friend when he leaves his job this week.”

Full story

The Times, 24th November 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Michael Jackson avoids day in court as lawyers reach a deal with songwriting sheikh – The Times

Posted November 24th, 2008 in contracts, news by sally

“Michael Jackson’s planned appearance in a London courtroom to fight claims that he owes an Arab sheikh nearly £5 million was cancelled last night after the sides struck an eleventh hour deal.”

Full story

The Times, 24th November 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Ofsted’s child abuse report was misleading – The Observer

Posted November 24th, 2008 in child abuse, news, statistics by sally

“A ‘misleading’ figure included in a major government watchdog report has led to a false and vastly inflated picture of the numbers of children who die from abuse in England.”

Full story

The Observer, 23rd November 2008

Source: http://observer.guardian.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted November 21st, 2008 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Sherif & Ors, R v [2008] EWCA Crim 2653 (21 November 2008)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Osibanjo & Anor v Seahive Investments Ltd [2008] EWCA Civ 1282 (21 November 2008)

City of London v Sancheti [2008] EWCA Civ 1283 (21 November 2008)

Grosvenor Estates Ltd v Prospect Estates Ltd [2008] EWCA Civ 1281 (21 November 2008)

McCall v Poulton & Ors [2008] EWCA Civ 1263 (21 November 2008)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Phonographic Performance Ltd & Anor, Re Appeal of a Copyright Tribunal Decision [2008] EWHC 2715 (Ch) (21 November 2008)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Employers’ Liability Policy “Trigger” Litigation [2008] EWHC 2692 (QB) (21 November 2008)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Faisaltex Ltd & Ors, R (on the application of) v Crown Court Sitting At Preston & Ors [2008] EWHC 2832 (Admin) (21 November 2008)

Minshall v Marylebone Magistrates’ Court & Ors [2008] EWHC 2800 (Admin) (21 November 2008)

Source: www.bailii.org

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted November 21st, 2008 in legislation by sally

The Taxes (Fees for Payment by Internet) Regulations 2008

The Taxation of Pension Schemes (Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2008

The Education (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators) (England) Regulations 2008

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2008

The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (Commencement No. 4 and Saving Provision) Order 2008

The Stockton-on-Tees (Parish Electoral Arrangements) Order 2007 (PDF)

The South Norfolk (Parish Electoral Arrangements and Electoral Changes) Order 2007 (PDF)

The South Bucks (Parish Electoral Arrangements and Electoral Changes) Order 2007 (PDF)

The St Albans (Parish Electoral Arrangements and Electoral Changes) Order 2007 (PDF)

The Peterborough (Parish Electoral Arrangements and Electoral Changes) Order 2007 (PDF)

The Judicial Appointments Order 2008

The Pre-release Access to Official Statistics Order 2008

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Asbestos cancer victims win High Court fight for mesothelioma insurance payouts – The Times

Posted November 21st, 2008 in asbestos, industrial injuries, insurance, news by sally

“Thousands of victims of a fatal asbestos-related lung cancer are in line for six-figure sums in compensation after a victory today that lands insurers with a multi-million pound bill.”

Full story

The Times, 21st November 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Consultation brings national identity scheme a step closer to reality – Home Office

Posted November 21st, 2008 in identity cards, news by sally

“The introduction of the first identity cards for British citizens moved forward today as the government began a 12-week consultation on the finer detail of the National Identity Scheme’s next phase.”

Full story

Home Office, 21st November 2008

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Sex offender Gary Glitter to appeal – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 21st, 2008 in news, sexual offences by sally

“Sex offender Gary Glitter is to appeal against a court order requiring him to notify police if he intends to travel abroad.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 21st November 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Sienna Miller settles with Big Pictures – The Guardian

Posted November 21st, 2008 in harassment, news, privacy by sally

“Sienna Miller has reached a settlement with Big Pictures, the photo agency run by Darryn Lyons, over harassment and invasion of privacy that includes an agreement about where the actor can and cannot be photographed.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st November 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Tread carefully with extreme views – BBC News

Posted November 21st, 2008 in news, political parties, unfair dismissal by sally

“The publication of details about BNP members may prompt some employers to take action, particularly in companies where membership may cause particular sensitivities given the nature of the business or its customer or client base.”

Full story

BBC News, 21st November 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk