Addiction court hears first case – BBC News
“The UK’s first family drug and alcohol court is due to open in London with the aim of helping parents beat addictions so they can keep their children.”
BBC News, 28th January 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Anger at bill for scrapped penal agency – The Observer
“The government was last night accused of squandering more than £1.5bn taxpayers’ money after it emerged that it is to dismantle its flagship body set up to reduce reoffending, as part of a wide-ranging review of the criminal justice system.”
The Observer, 27th January 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Straw sets out plan for tougher sentencing – The Independent
“Jack Straw, the Secretary of State for Justice, is to unveil plans to merge the prison and probation services into a US-style ‘Department of Corrections’ to try to get to grips with sentencing and the management of offenders in custody and in the community.”
The Independent, 27th January 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Pro-life MPs seek free embryo vote – The Observer
“Gordon Brown is facing a revolt by cabinet ministers who are demanding a free vote over the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, claiming that the ethical issues it raises are matters of conscience.”
The Observer, 27th January 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Asylum-seekers awaiting EU court ruling on detention – The Independent
“Thousands of asylum-seekers who are routinely detained in fast-track removal centres while their claims are being considered by the Home Office could win the right to freedom when judges in Europe deliver a landmark ruling tomorrow.”
The Independent, 28th January 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Sensitivity and suicide – The Guardian
“Extensive coverage last week of the suspected ‘copycat’ suicides of seven young people in Bridgend, south Wales – and the publication in one paper earlier this month of the picture of a young City banker as he leapt to his death from a hotel window – have reignited concerns about how suicide is reported.”
The Guardian, 28th January 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
How to avoid a professional negligence claim – The Times
“Solicitors can learn several lessons from last year on how to avoid being accused of professional negligence.”
The Times, 28th January 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Mental Health Campaign: Families demand full inquests for deaths in secure hospitals – The Independent
“Hundreds of people with mental health problems are dying while detained in hospital but their deaths are not being fully investigated.”
The Independent, 27th Janaury 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Double standard’ on data safety – BBC News
“Concerns about data security have been raised after it emerged celebrities, Royals and MPs are blocked from submitting income tax returns online.”
BBC News, 26th January 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Parties miss legal deadline on gifts donations – Daily Telegraph
“The Labour Party has repeatedly failed to declare donations totalling more than £2.8 million to electoral regulators within the legal time limit, it emerged last night.”
Daily Telegraph, 26th January 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Judge attacks home secretary over unlawful detention – The Guardian
“A high court judge today condemned the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, for her failure to follow the law in the ‘shocking’ handling of the case of a detained sex offender.”
The Guardian, 25th January 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Jail review ordered after rape by inmate – Daily Telegraph
“Ministers ordered a review into open prisons yesterday amid public outcry over the rape of a 16-year-old schoolgirl by a prisoner on the run.”
Daily Telegraph, 25th January 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
UK lawyers call for release of Pakistani judges – The Times
“The UK legal profession and leading human rights groups are calling on the Pakistani authorities to release and reinstate lawyers and judges imprisoned in Pakistan in the recent constitutional upheaval.”
The Times, 25th January 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
RIPA could be challenged on human rights – OUT-LAW.com
“The Government’s new powers to force the handover of encryption keys could be vulnerable to a legal challenge under the Human Rights Act’s guarantee to a fair trial. People who refuse keys or passwords face up to five years in jail.”
OUT-LAW.com, 24th January 2008
Source: www.out-law.com
Freedom Of Information: The right to know about history but not current affairs – The Independent
“Requests for politically embarrassing material have been made harmless in the slow appeals system. Robert Verkaik, Law Editor, considers cases now looking distinctly dusty.”
The Independent, 25th January 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Court backs BBC over Israel report – The Times
“The Court of Appeal has upheld the BBC’s right not to disclose an internal report about the broadcaster’s coverage of Israel.”
The Times, 25th January 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Web disconnection threat to downloaders – The Guardian
“Internet users who illegally share music could face having the plug pulled on their web connection after record labels yesterday called for new legislation to tackle digital piracy.”
The Guardian, 25th January 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Revenue squeezes banks for offshore accounts – The Times
“HM Revenue & Customs has stepped up its campaign to force banks to release the names of thousands of customers with offshore accounts as part of its fight against tax evasion, despite fears that it may be overstepping its legal powers.”
The Times, 25th January 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
MP calls for law to force online shops to verify age – OUT-LAW.com
“A bill has been introduced in Parliament which would force online retailers to check customers’ ages before selling goods that cannot be sold to children.”
OUT-LAW.com, 24th January 2008
Source: www.out-law.com
Straw in talks over bail murder – BBC News
“Justice Secretary Jack Straw is to meet the family of a murdered man to discuss why his killer was out on bail.”
BBC News, 25th January 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
