Vulnerable people to get better protection – Ministry of Justice
“Vulnerable adults who lack mental capacity will benefit from a joined-up approach in responding to concerns about those taking decisions on their behalf and the way they are protected from abuse, according to guidelines published by the Office of the Public Guardian today.”
Ministry of Justice, 17th December 2008
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Bereaved families get right to inspect medical forms in cremations cases – Ministry of Justice
“The right of families to inspect medical forms of a deceased relative completed by doctors before cremation takes place will start on 1 January 2009, Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said.”
Ministry of Justice, 17th December 2008
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Elton John loses landmark irony libel case – OUT-LAW.com
“A spoof newspaper diary which claimed that Elton John’s fundraising efforts were principally designed to give him a chance to meet other celebrities and engage in self-promotion was not libellous, the High Court has ruled.”
OUT-LAW.com, 17th December 2008
Source: www.out-law.com
ISP can use unfair practices law to back unlawful interference claim, rules judge – OUT-LAW.com
“An internet service provider (ISPs) can use an alleged breach of new laws on unfair commercial practices, laws that it has no powers to enforce directly, as the basis of a common law claim of ‘unlawful interference’, the High Court has ruled.”
OUT-LAW.com, 17th December 2008
Source: www.out-law.com
Family courts: a free-for-all? No, we will still protect children – The Times
“The announcement by Jack Straw that the media are to be given access to the courts at all levels is likely to be welcomed by the judiciary. At last they will be able show the world at large that there is no conspiracy or injustice going on.”
The Times, 18th December 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Why only radical reform will regain the public’s confidence – The Times
“The inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes illustrates dramatically a serious flaw in the framework governing coroners’ investigations — the inclusion in inquest findings of short-form verdicts such as accidental death, misadventure, natural causes, lawful killing and unlawful killing.”
The Times, 18th December 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Rapist caught by DNA given life – BBC News
“A 55-year-old man whose DNA linked him to two sex attacks committed nine years apart has been jailed for life.”
BBC News, 17th December 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Law lords back ‘post-nuptial’ divorce settlements – The Independent
“England’s highest judges have given rich people who marry someone poorer a way to avoid an expensive divorce. In future, husbands will be urged to wait until after the honeymoon to negotiate a ‘post-nuptial’ deal. If it is signed without pressure and with legal advice, judges will treat it as binding.”
The Independent, 18th December 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Girlfriend who falsely cried rape is jailed – Daily Telegraph
“A woman who tried to frame two men for rape after a row with her boyfriend has been jailed for four months.”
Daily Telegraph, 18th December 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Rap fan given Asbo – Daily Telegraph
“A man has been given an Asbo for playing loud rap music for up to 22 hours a day.”
Daily Telegraph, 18th December 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Madonna backtracks on ‘inaccurate and misleading’ divorce payout statement – The Times
“Madonna claimed today that a statement issued by her own spokeswoman that she had agreed to pay £60 million to her former husband Guy Ritchie as part of the couple’s divorce was ‘misleading and inaccurate’.”
The Times, 17th December 2008
source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Gay father hunts for lesbian mother who vanished with son – The Times
“A gay father whose son was ‘snatched’ away by his lesbian mother during family court proceedings was finally able to appeal publicly for his safe return yesterday after restrictions on identifying the parties was lifted.”
The Times, 18th December 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Father guilty over children’s crash deaths – The Guardian
“A father was yesterday convicted of causing the deaths of four of his children when the Land Rover he had ‘incompetently’ modified plunged into a river.”
The Guardian, 18th December 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Legal move to crack down on climate protesters – The Guardian
“The attorney general is considering asking the courts to clamp down on high-profile, direct-action protests on issues such as climate change, the Guardian can exclusively reveal.”
The Guardian, 18th December 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
UK consults on copyright reform – OUT-LAW.com
“The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is asking whether laws on copyright exceptions and the current system for rights clearance are too complicated. A consultation on reforming the regime was published today.”
OUT-LAW.com, 16th December 2008
Source: www.out-law.com
Gowers attacks Government plan to extend copyright for performers – OUT-LAW.com
“The Government plans to extend the term of copyright for performers from 50 years to ‘something like 70 years,’ according to Culture Secretary Andy Burnham. That proposal was criticised today as ‘silly and out of touch’ by former FT editor Andrew Gowers.”
OUT-LAW.com, 15th December 2008
Source: www.out-law.com
Man jailed for houseboat killing – BBC News
“A 55-year-old man has been jailed for stabbing his partner to death on their houseboat on the River Medway in Kent.”
BBC News, 17th December 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Brothers lose appeal over murder – BBC News
“Two Somerset men jailed for life for killing a Cornish couple have lost their appeal against their convictions.”
BBC News, 17th December 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk