Current Awareness

Virgin Media Communications Ltd and Others v British Sky Broadcasting Group plc and Another – Times Law Reports

Posted June 11th, 2008 in confidentiality, disclosure, law reports, legal representation by sally

Virgin Media Communications Ltd and Others v British Sky Broadcasting Group plc and Another

Court of Appeal

“It was desirable that a litigant should be free to instruct the lawyer of his choice, particularly if that lawyer was already acting for the litigant who wished him to act in a related manner. It was hard to conceive of circumstances where the fact that documents had been disclosed to lawyers acting for a party in one set of proceedings would preclude those lawyers from acting in other proceedings between the same parties.”

The Times, 11th June 2008

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.

Prenuptial deals could be made legally binding – The Guardian

Posted June 11th, 2008 in news, prenuptial agreements by sally

“Prenuptial agreements could become legally binding in England and Wales within a few years, under plans being considered by the Law Commission.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th June 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Post Office court victory for 73-year-old disabled woman – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 11th, 2008 in news, postal service by sally

“A disabled woman in her 70s has saved her local post office from closure after winning a High Court battle that could see other condemned branches around the country being given a stay of execution.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 10th June 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Mother is banned from breast-feeding in surgery over health and safety concerns – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 11th, 2008 in breastfeeding, health & safety, news by sally

“A mother was told she could not breast-feed her baby in a doctor’s surgery, because it was in breach of health and safety rules.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 10th June 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Church woman ‘bullied gay worker’ – BBC News

Posted June 11th, 2008 in news, sexual orientation discrimination, victimisation by sally

“A gay church worker claims he was bullied out of his job by a manager who ‘would say something about gay sex every day’.”

Full story

BBC News, 10th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Legal Opinion: Forty-two days exposes Brown’s cold expediency – The Independent

Posted June 11th, 2008 in detention, special report, terrorism by sally

“Today is crunch time for the Prime Minister and his plan to lock up terror suspects for 42 days without charge. Robert Verkaik, Law Editor, surveys the battle lines.”

Full story

The Independent, 11th June 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Half of young violent offenders spared prison – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 11th, 2008 in news, sentencing, sexual offences, violence, young offenders by sally

“More than half of young people who are found guilty of sex or violent offences are spared jail, figures show.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 10th June 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

MS woman begins right-to-die bid – BBC News

Posted June 11th, 2008 in assisted suicide, news by sally

“A woman with multiple sclerosis is due to ask the High Court to clarify the law on suicide.”

Full story

BBC News, 11th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Injured soldier fights pay award – BBC News

Posted June 11th, 2008 in armed forces, compensation, news, personal injuries by sally

“A soldier who was badly injured in Afghanistan will have his case for more compensation heard in a public debate at the House of Commons later.”

Full story

BBC News, 11th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘It really is psychological torture’ – The Guardian

Posted June 11th, 2008 in detention, special report, terrorism by sally

“With MPs voting today on a new, 42-day detention limit for terror suspects, Lee Glendinning spoke to a 23-year-old student about what it is like to be detained under the existing terrorism legislation.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th June 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

42-day concession to be offered – BBC News

Posted June 11th, 2008 in detention, news, terrorism by sally

“The government is expected to offer a last-minute compensation deal to help push the 42-day detention plan through.”

Full story

BBC News, 10th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted June 10th, 2008 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Stringer, R v [2008] EWCA Crim 1222 (10 June 2008)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Commonwealth of Australia v Peacekeeper International FZC UAE & Anor [2008] EWHC 1220 (QB) (04 June 2008)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Persimmon Homes (North East) Ltd & Ors v Blyth Valley Borough Council [2008] EWHC 1258 (Admin) (20 May 2008)

Reynolds, R (on the application of) v Sussex Police & Anor [2008] EWHC 1240 (Admin) (16 May 2008)

Source: www.bailii.org

Judicial Independence and Accountability: Pressures and Opportunities – Speech by The Hon. Sir Jack Beatson FBA

Posted June 10th, 2008 in judiciary, speeches by sally

Judicial Independence and Accountability: Pressures and Opportunities (PDF)

Speech by The Hon. Sir Jack Beatson FBA

Nottingham Trent University, 16th April 2008

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted June 10th, 2008 in legislation by sally

The Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2008

The African Development Fund (Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative) (Amendment) Order 2008

The African Development Bank (Eleventh Replenishment of the African Development Fund) Order 2008

The International Development Association (Fifteenth Replenishment) Order 2008

The International Development Association (Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative) (Amendment) Order 2008

The Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2008

The Value Added Tax (Reduced Rate) (Smoking Cessation Products) Order 2008

The Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Staffing) Regulations 2008

The Reporting of Prices of Milk Products (England) Regulations 2008

The Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations 2008

The Legal Services Act 2007 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitory Provisions) Order 2008

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

The Wall of Silence – BBC Law in Action

Posted June 10th, 2008 in intimidation, special report, witnesses by sally

“What can the police and courts do when witnesses are too scared to testify – especially to the most violent of crimes?”

Full story

BBC Law in Action, 10th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Terror trials ‘too long for jury’ – BBC News

Posted June 10th, 2008 in juries, news, terrorism by sally

“Jury trials in terrorist cases are under threat because they can take too long, president of the Queen’s Bench Division, Sir Igor Judge, has said.”

Full story

BBC News, 10th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Anti-Bush protesters to defy march ban – The Guardian

Posted June 10th, 2008 in demonstrations, news, public order by sally

“Anti-war campaigners said today that they would defy a ban on a planned march to Downing Street at the weekend to protest at the visit by the US president, George Bush.”

Full story

The Guardian, 10th June 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk