Early release ‘undermines’ system – BBC News
“Public confidence in the criminal justice system is being eroded by the early release scheme, the former Lord Chief Justice has told the BBC.”
BBC News, 25th February 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Lord Ahmed jailed for sending texts while driving before fatal crash – The Guardian
“The prominent Labour peer Lord Ahmed of Rotherham was jailed for 12 weeks today after admitting sending texts while driving shortly before his Jaguar ploughed into a stationary car on the M1, killing its driver.”
The Guardian, 25th February 2009
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Solicitors’ regulator faces corporate rebellion – The Times
“Do the big corporate law firms want to be policed alongside their high street counterparts? And is such dual regulation even possible? As two ends of the profession become increasingly differentiated, so the task of regulating both becomes harder. Now, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is facing a rebellion in the City, where leading global practices say that the two-year-old body cannot regulate the profession’s top end.”
The Times, 26th February 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Judge refuses Iraq war ‘torture death’ probe – The Independent
“An Iraqi who claims his brother was arrested by British forces and tortured and killed during the Iraq war has failed in a High Court bid to win an inquiry into the death under human rights laws.”
The Independent, 25th February 2009
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Jury fail to reach verdicts in inflatable artwork trial – The Guardian
“The jury in the trial of an artist accused of killing two women when his inflatable sculpture blew away failed to reach verdicts today (25 February).”
The Guardian, 25th February 2009
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
Myers, R. v [2009] EWCA Crim 119 (29 January 2009)
Sturt, R. v [2009] EWCA Crim 77 (23 January 2009)
Zeca, R. v [2009] EWCA Crim 133 (21 January 2009)
Grigsby, R. v [2009] EWCA Crim 220 (10 February 2009)
Billingham, R. v [2009] EWCA Crim 19 (23 January 2009)
Chaney v R. [2009] EWCA Crim 21 (23 January 2009)
Z, R. v [2009] EWCA Crim 20 (23 January 2009)
Hearne, R. v [2009] EWCA Crim 103 (16 January 2009)
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Alford v Cambridgeshire Police [2009] EWCA Civ 100 (24 February 2009)
Hearne, R. v [2009] EWCA Crim 103 (16 January 2009)
Source: www.bailii.org
Public opinion and the jury: an international literature review – Ministry of Justice
“Despite substantial literature on the legal institution of the jury, and on the experiences of jurors, less is known about public attitudes to juries. This report sought to help address this knowledge gap, drawing together findings from the small number of surveys that have asked questions on this subject. The report indicates high levels of confidence in the jury amongst the general public.”
Full report (PDF)
Ministry of Justice, 25th February 2009
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Regina (Boggis and Another) v Natural England – Times Law Reports
Regina (Boggis and Another) v Natural England
Queen’s Bench Division
“Designation of a Site of Special Scientific Interest without considering its effect on a neighbouring Special Protection Area for the protection of rare or vulnerable bird species, could amount to a plan which should not be carried out.”
The Times, 25th February 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.
Morshead Mansions Ltd v Leon Di Marco – Times Law Reports
Morshead Mansions Ltd v Leon Di Marco
Court of Appeal
“Where a tenant was a member of the landlord company, that company could recover an amount passed by resolution of the company under its articles to finance anticipated expenditure to maintain the building, even though such a claim was unenforceable under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 The Court of Appeal (Lord Justice Mummery, Lord Justice Wall and Lord Justice Toulson) so stated on December 10, 2008, allowing the appeal of Morshead Mansions Ltd from the decision of Mr Recorder Mitchell, QC, in Central London County Court, dated January 22, 2008, that a resolution of the company passed pursuant to its articles of association to establish a fund of £400,000 to be designated the 2007 Recovery Fund was not enforceable as a service charge within under section 18 of the 1985 Act.”
The Times, 25th February 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.
Tabernacle v Secretary of State for Defence – Times Law Reports
Tabernacle v Secretary of State for Defence
Court of Appeal
“A bylaw prohibiting camping on land at Aldermaston was not justifiable and violated the rights to freedom of expression and of assembly guaranted by articles 10 and 11 respectively of the European Convention on Human Rights.”
The Times, 25th February 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.
Controlling costs in defamation proceedings – Ministry of Justice
“New proposals to control costs in defamation proceedings were announced by Justice Minister Bridget Prentice today.”
Ministry of Justice, 24th February 2009
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Fight against terror ‘spells end of privacy’ – The Guardian
“Privacy rights of innocent people will have to be sacrificed to give the security services access to a sweeping range of personal data, one of the architects of the government’s national security strategy has warned.”
The Guardian, 25th February 2009
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Review given for boy’s 1990 death – BBC News
“A charity has won the legal right to challenge a decision by the General Medical Council (GMC) not to investigate a boy’s death 19 years ago.”
BBC News, 24th February 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Legal fight against airport plans – BBC News
“Plans for an expansion of Stansted Airport in Essex which were given the go-ahead by the government are facing a High Court challenge.”
BBC News, 24th February 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: 10 years on – Ministry of Justice
“Jack Straw has given a speech on the report of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry published ten years ago today.”
Ministry of Justice, 24th February 2009
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Fear of Fraud – BBC News
“It’s predicted that fraud will rise as the recession bites – but do we have the mechanisms to fight it?”
BBC News, 24th February 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Straw vetoes publication of cabinet Iraq war minutes – The Guardian
“Jack Straw today said he would take the unprecedented step of vetoing the release of cabinet minutes relating to the decision to invade Iraq.”
The Guardian, 24th February 2009
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Skating pensioner fined by court – BBC News
“A rollerblading pensioner has been fined £300 after he was filmed skating along a street in Southport.”
BBC News, 24th February 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Government to cap legal bills in libel cases – The Times
“Plans to cap what can be multi-million pound legal fees incurred in fighting libel cases were outlined by the Government today after pressure from media groups.”
The Times, 24th February 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
