Police to urge cannabis regrading – BBC News
“Senior police officers are to tell government advisers that cannabis should be upgraded from a Class C to a more dangerous Class B drug.”
BBC News, 5th February 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Demand for legal advice surges amid growing threat of credit-crunch lawsuits – Financial Times
“Big banks and their clients are gearing up for possible post-credit crunch lawsuits that may start hitting the courts within six months, leading lawyers said yesterday.”
Financial Times, 5th February 2008
Source: www.ft.com
Lords hear damages claim over failed Equatorial Guinea coup – The Times
“In a dramatic opening to a landmark case, the barrister of alleged plotter Simon Mann confirmed he is in prison in West Africa.”
The Times, 4th February 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Carers for disabled people could be protected by discrimination law – OUT-LAW.com
“The European Court of Justice has been advised to extend protection against disability discrimination to carers and not just those with disabilities. A ruling to that effect could force a change in UK law.”
OUT-LAW.com, 4th February 2008
Source: www.out-law.com
Police officer says he was forced into bugging Muslim MP – The Independent
“A police officer last night claimed he was forced by the Metropolitan Police to carry out the bugging of a meeting in prison between Babar Ahmed, a terrorist suspect, and his MP, Sadiq Khan.”
The Independent, 5th February
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Prisoners routinely bugged as jails fall in shadowy area of surveillance – The Times
“Dozens of prisoners in British jails are routinely under covert electronic surveillance, security sources told The Times last night.”
The Times, 5th February 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Does Islam fit with our law? – The Times
“Is a clash of civilisations looming? It’s now time to find the links rather than the conflicts between English and Islamic law”
The Times, 5th February 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Oral statement on HMP Woodhill inquiry – Ministry of Justice
“Jack Straw has made an oral statement to the House of Commons on an inquiry into alleged events at Woodhill Prison.”
Ministry of Justice, 4th February 2008
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Abuse victims win historic ruling on compensation – The Independent
“Two young women have won a key ruling in their legal battle to secure compensation from the man who sexually abused them when they were children. The case is the first to benefit from last week’s landmark House of Lords ruling against the man known as the ‘Lotto Rapist’.”
The Independent, 5th February 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Ofcom approves sale of £20 billion-worth of new spectrum – OUT-LAW.com
“Up to £20 billion-worth of radio spectrum will be released on to the open markets because of a decision by Ofcom to allow public sector bodies including the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to trade or sell their allocated spectrum.”
OUT-LAW.com, 4th February 2008
Source: www.out-law.com
Illegal bug uncovered in second UK prison – The Times
“Bugging devices planted in a prison telephone were illegally used to record privileged conversations between an inmate and his solicitor, The Times has learnt.”
The Times, 5th February 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI
THE CHILDCARE ACT 2006 (COMMENCEMENT NO.1) (WALES) ORDER 2008
The Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (Addition of Qualifying Judicial Offices) Order 2008
The Immigration and Nationality (Fees)(Amendment) Order 2008
The Immigration and Nationality (Fees)(Amendment) Regulations 2008
The South Cambridgeshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2008
The Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2008
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) Order 2008
Source: www.opsi.gov.uk
Police win first round in court fight over pay – The Guardian
“Police have been given permission to take the government to the high court for cutting their latest pay rise to 1.9%, instead of the 2.5% determined by an independent panel.”
The Guardina, 4th February 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Five men found guilty of helping 21/7 London bombers – The Guardian
“Five men, including the brothers of two of the failed July 21 London bombers, were today found guilty of helping them in the aftermath of the attacks.”
The Guardian, 4th February 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Borough to become first ‘private practice’ council – The Lawyer
“A London borough is remodelling its legal services department to mirror that of a private sector law firm.”
The Lawyer, 4th February 2008
Source: www.thelawyer.com
College of Law threatens SRA with anti-diversity suit – The Lawyer
“The Solicitors’ Regulation Authority (SRA) has been attacked for taking action that will undermine the diversity of the British legal profession.”
The Lawyer, 4th February 2008
Source: www.thelawyer.com
How to . . . improve your advocacy – The Times
“One of the country’s leading criminal defence lawyers, Jim Sturman, QC, shares his tips on how to hold a courtroom.”
The Times, 4th February 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Straw to make statement on ‘bugging’ of MP – The Guardian
“The justice secretary, Jack Straw, will make a Commons statement today about claims that a senior Muslim MP was bugged by police while meeting a constituent in prison.”
The Guardian, 4th February 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Alarmed MPs seek ways to police expenses system – The Times
“MPs will take the first steps this week towards a more open system for declaring expenses and registering staff.”
The Times, 4th February 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
