Racism rife in Commons, says MP – The Guardian
“The House of Commons, held up as a beacon of democracy, has a ‘dirty little secret’, according to black MPs – its racism.”
The Guardian, 13th April 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Royal ‘blackmail victim’ will not appear in court – Daily Telegraph
“The member of the Royal Family at the centre of an alleged £50,000 blackmail plot will not have to enter the witness box.”
Daily Telegraph, 14th April 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Cabinet split on 42-day terror detention as Commons defeat looms – The Guardian
“Cabinet ministers are split over the need to force through new laws to extend the maximum detention of suspected terror suspects from 28 to 42 days without charge – a month before ministers could face a bruising defeat by up to 30 votes in the Commons over the issue.”
The Guardian, 14th April 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Anti-sleaze watchdog attacks MPs for high court appeal – The Guardian
“The legal bid by the House of Commons to keep the publication of MPs’ expenses under wraps suggests they have something to hide, Whitehall’s anti-sleaze watchdog said today.”
The Guardian, 11th April 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Jacqui Smith ‘using old figures to back up terrorism Bill’ – Daily Telegraph
“The Home Secretary was accused of desperation last night for quoting five-month-old figures to support the case for detaining terrorism suspects for 42 days.”
Daily Telegraph, 14th April 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Police criticised over ‘routine’ use of Taser stun guns – The Independent
“Police chiefs were criticised yesterday for using Taser stun guns to handle routine public order situations involving people under the influence of alcohol, and the mentally ill.”
The Independent, 13th April 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
McCann case suspect issues record number of libel writs – The Guardian
“One of the formal suspects in the Madeleine McCann case is to sue 12 media outlets in what may be one of the largest libel claims in the history of the British media.”
The Guardian, 14th April 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Betrayed’ Iraqi staff in test case over UK’s refusal to offer asylum – The Independent
“Iraqi interpreters, clerical staff and labourers who face death threats and persecution after risking their lives working for British forces are challenging the Government’s refusal to grant them sanctuary in the UK.”
The Independent, 14th April 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Couples could win right to select deaf baby – Daily Telegraph
“Deaf couples could be allowed to use embryo-screening technology and choose to have a deaf child, after a climb-down by the Government in the face of campaigning.”
Daily Telegraph, 14th April 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Women at risk of assault failed by new law, say judges – The Times
“Thousands of women are at risk of assault because new laws to curb domestic violence have backfired, deterring victims from seeking help, The Times has learnt.”
The Times, 14th April 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Anti-terror laws used to spy on family – The Independent
“A family who were wrongly suspected of lying on a school application form have discovered that their local council used anti-terrorism surveillance powers to spy on them.”
The Independent, 11th April 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Regulator backs use of DNA technique in court cases – The Guardian
“Tiny samples of DNA evidence are safe to use in criminal prosecutions, in spite of recent concern from the police and the judiciary that the technique is flawed, the forensic science regulator has ruled.”
The Guardian, 11th April 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Blow for MoD as judge rules soldiers have battlefield rights – Daily Telegraph
“The Ministry of Defence has been dealt a groundbreaking legal defeat by a High Court judge who ruled soldiers’ human rights must be protected on the battlefield.”
The Daily Telegraph, 11 April 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Odelola v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 308 (10 April 2008)
H Lundbeck A/S v Generics (UK) Ltd & Ors [2008] EWCA Civ 311 (10 April 2008)
High Court (Administrative Court)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Dadourian Group International Inc & Ors v Simms & Ors [2008] EWHC 723 (Ch) (10 April 2008)
High Court (Commercial Court)
Reilly v National Insurance & Guarantee Corporation Ltd [2008] EWHC 722 (Comm) (11 April 2008)
High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)
Hinds v Liverpool County Court & Ors [2008] EWHC 665 (QB) (11 April 2008)
Source: www.bailii.org
Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI
The Education (QCA Levy) (Revocation) Regulations 2008
The Childcare (Early Years Register) Regulations 2008
The Childcare (General Childcare Register) Regulations 2008
The Childcare (Early Years and General Childcare Registers) (Common Provisions) Regulations 2008
The Childcare (Exemptions from Registration) Order 2008
The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2008
The Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) (Amendment) Regulations 2008
The Magistrates’ Courts Fees Order 2008
The Civil Proceedings Fees Order 2008
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk
High Court rejects MoD attempt to ‘gag’ outspoken coroners over defence failures – The Times
“The Government suffered its second important legal defeat in 24 hours today when a High Court judge rejected an attempt by Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, to ban coroners using phrases such as “serious failure” in their verdicts on dead soldiers.”
The Times, 11th April 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Non-partner solicitors could face insurance bill – Law Society’s Gazette
“A group of solicitors who were employed by a firm which has since gone into liquidation could find themselves being pursued for a contribution towards an unpaid insurance premium of £834,000 – despite the fact that they were not partners in the firm.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 10th April 2008
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Society hails £55m legal aid watershed – Law Society’s Gazette
“The Law Society scored a coup for civil legal aid practitioners last week by securing a package worth £55 million from the government in return for dropping its legal action against the Legal Services Commission (LSC).”
Law Society’s Gazette, 10th April 2008
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘No one is entitled to interfere with the course of our justice’ – The Guardian
“Eighteen months after the Serious Fraud Office abandoned the BAE inquiry, two high court judges yesterday ruled the decision unlawful in a judgment that was stinging in its criticism of both the SFO and the British government for caving in to pressure from Saudi Arabia. The legal action was brought by the anti-bribery pressure group Corner House Research and the Campaign Against Arms Trade. Here are edited extracts from the summary judgment published yesterday.”
The Guardian, 11th April 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Refugee in High Court fight for NHS care – Daily Telegraph
“A failed asylum seeker is challenging regulations that prevent him receiving free treatment from the NHS.”
The Daily Telegraph, 11th April 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
