Smith vows to end ‘confusion’ over bugging rules – The Guardian

Posted February 21st, 2008 in investigatory powers, news, parliament by sally

“The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, today proposed an end to the ‘confusion’ surrounding rules on the surveillance of MPs after it was announced that Labour MP Sadiq Khan was twice bugged while visiting a constituent in prison.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st Febraury 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Watchdog launches investigation into energy prices – The Times

Posted February 21st, 2008 in energy, news by sally

“Ofgem, the energy regulator, is launching an investigation into the electricity and gas market as the row over the record profits announced today by British Gas-owner Centrica reached fever pitch.”

Full story

The Times, 21st February 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Steve Wright found guilty of murdering five Ipswich prostitutes – The Times

Posted February 21st, 2008 in murder, news by sally

“A former pub landlord is facing life in jail after being found guilty today of killing five Ipswich prostitutes in a murder spree that left thousands of other women fearing for their lives.”

Full story

The Times, 21st February 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Human rights and the battle on terror – Law Commission

Posted February 21st, 2008 in human rights, lectures, terrorism by sally

“The Second Leslie Scarman Lecture 2008. The lecture given on 13/02/08 by Professor Aharon Barak on ‘Human Rights and the Battle on Terror.’

Full lecture

Law Commission, 21st February 2008

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Ban on children held in prisons – BBC News

Posted February 21st, 2008 in children, news, prisons, Scotland by sally

“The Scottish Government is to scrap laws which allow children under 16 to be held in jail without having been convicted of an offence.”

Full story

BBC News, 21st February 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Breakspear and others v Ackland and Another – WLR daily

Posted February 21st, 2008 in disclosure, law reports, trusts by sally

Breakspear and others v Ackland and another [2008] EWHC 220 (Ch); [2008] WLR (D) 52

Generally the confidence which ordinarily attached to a wish letter was such that, for the better discharge of their confidential functions, the trustees need not disclose it to beneficiaries merely because they requested it unless, in their view, disclosure was in the interests of the sound administration of the trust, and the discharge of their powers and discretions.”

WLR Daily, 20th February 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Glaxo Group Ltd v Genentech Inc and Another – Times Law Reports

Posted February 21st, 2008 in law reports, patents, stay of proceedings by sally

Glaxo Group Ltd v Genentech Inc and Another

Court of Appeal

“The approach to a stay in European patent cases differed from a stay in ordinary commercial litigation because the possibility of parallel validity proceedings in national courts and in the European Patent Office was inherent in the legal arrangements in the European Patent Convention.”

The Times, 21st February 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.

Regina (G) v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police – Times Law Reports

Posted February 21st, 2008 in detention, law reports, police by sally

Regina (G) v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police

Court of Appeal

“A custody officer who had determined that he had sufficient evidence to charge a suspect with the offence for which he had been arrested had no power to detain the suspect in custody for the purpose of enabling a crown prosecutor to decide whether or not the suspect should be charged.”

The Times, 21st February 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Pleae note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

David Hanson: local leadership essential to the future of criminal justice – Ministry of Justice

Posted February 21st, 2008 in criminal justice, press releases by sally

“Justice Minister David Hanson has called on Local Criminal Justice Boards to take the lead in responding to the needs of their communities and delivering improved services.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 20th February 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Contract for citizenship – Home Office

Posted February 21st, 2008 in citizenship, immigration, press releases by sally

“Major changes proposed to the way foreign nationals achieve British citizenship.”

Full press release

Home Office, 20th February 2008

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Council Publishes Guidelines for Sentencers dealing with Assaults and Child Cruelty Offences – Sentencing Guidelines Council

Posted February 21st, 2008 in assault, child abuse, press releases, sentencing by sally

“On 20 February 2008 the Sentencing Guidelines Council published its definitive guidelines on ‘Assault and Other Offences Against the Person’ and ‘Overarching Principles: Assaults on Children and Cruelty to a Child.’

Full text

Sentencing Guidelines Council, 20th February 2008

Source: www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk

Foreign brides who plan to live in Britain ‘must speak English’ – The Times

Posted February 21st, 2008 in immigration, married persons, news by sally

“Thousands of foreigners who want to marry a British person and move to Britain will have to take an English language test, the Prime Minister announced yesterday.”

Full story

The Times, 21st February 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

4,000 company directors listed as global terror suspects and fraudsters – The Times

Posted February 21st, 2008 in company directors, news by sally

“The names of almost 4,000 directors of British companies appear on international watchlists of alleged fraudsters, money launderers, terror financiers and corrupt officials, The Times has learnt.”

Full story

The Times, 21st February 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Shopkeeper fears murder charge after armed robber dies in fight – The Times

Posted February 21st, 2008 in murder, news, self-defence, theft by sally

“A shopkeeper could be charged with murder after an armed robber who tried to steal the day’s takings was stabbed with his own knife during a struggle.”

Full story

The Times, 21st February 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Miliband blocks release of key Lockerbie files – The Guardian

Posted February 21st, 2008 in disclosure, murder, news, public interest immunity by sally

“The foreign secretary has been accused of interfering in the appeal of the man jailed for the Lockerbie bombing, after he refused to release secret papers which could clear the Libyan.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st February 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New ad rules: bookies are playing fair – The Guardian

Posted February 21st, 2008 in advertising, gambling, news by sally

“Gambling and betting companies are abiding by new liberalised rules that have allowed them to advertise on TV for the first time, according to the first compliance report published by the advertising regulator. The Advertising Standards Authority said the compliance report’s findings vindicated its system of self-regulation for gambling ads.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st February 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Mayor’s aide cleared of fraud – The Guardian

Posted February 21st, 2008 in corruption, local government, news by sally

“Scotland Yard said yesterday that one of London mayor Ken Livingstone’s closest aides, who has been accused of corruption, had no criminal case to answer.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st February 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Inquiry ordered into DNA disc blunder – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 21st, 2008 in data protection, DNA, news by sally

“The Attorney General has ordered an inquiry into a ‘catastrophic’ blunder that allowed foreign criminals to commit crimes in Britain.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 21st February 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Cost of violent crime is over £13 billion a year – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 21st, 2008 in crime, news by sally

“Violent crime costs the British economy more than £13 billion a year, according to a report released today.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 21st February 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Bar Council and Justice Renew Warning to Peers over Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill – The Bar Council

Posted February 20th, 2008 in barristers, criminal justice, criminal procedure, press releases by sally

“The Bill reaches a crucial stage of its consideration by the Upper House later today. The barristers’ representative body and Justice each object to Clause 42, which would amend the test applied by the Court of Appeal when considering an appeal against conviction, and to Clause 105, which would see more non-legal prosecution staff (‘Designated Case Workers’ – DCWs) conducting serious trials in magistrates’ courts.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 20th February 2008

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk