Current Awareness

“The OFT has today advised all estate agents in England and Wales that a failure to comply with the new Home Information Packs (HIPs) regulations could result in a ban from estate agency work.”

Full story

OFT press release, 31st July 2007

Source: www.oft.gov.uk

In re Times Newspapers Ltd and Others – Times Law Reports

Posted July 31st, 2007 in contempt of court, disclosure, law reports, official secrets act by sally

Contempt warning about speculation in press

In re Times Newspapers Ltd and Others

Court of Appeal

“A judge in a criminal trial could prohibit the publication of a question-and answer-exchange that took place in open court when it should have occurred in camera. The publication of speculation as to the content of evidence that was given in camera could amount to a contempt of court.”

The Times, 31st July 2007

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.

Courts fail to achieve performance targets – The Lawyer

Posted July 31st, 2007 in courts, news by sally

“Her Majesty’s Court Service missed eight of its 12 performance targets in the past financial year, its annual report has revealed.”

Full story

The Lawyer, 30th July 2007

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Law is “unjust” for unwed couples – BBC News

Posted July 31st, 2007 in cohabitation, news by sally

“Couples who are living together should have more legal rights, according to a report from the Law Commission.”

Full story

BBC News, 30th July 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Cohabitation – Law Commission

Posted July 31st, 2007 in cohabitation by sally

“The report contains final recommendations regarding the law as it affects cohabitants’ property and finances when their relationships end, whether by separation or by death.”

Full report

Law Commission, 31st July 2007

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Break-up may end in court for unmarried couples – The Times

Posted July 31st, 2007 in cohabitation, news by sally

“Cohabiting couples would be entitled to financial settlements if they split up, under proposals from the Government’s key adviser on law reform.”

Full story

The Times, 31st July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Rise in number of sex offenders “is swamping supervision system” – The Times

Posted July 31st, 2007 in news, sexual offences by sally

“Known sex offenders are living unchecked in the community because there are too many of them to be monitored regularly, according to research commissioned by the Home Office.”

Full story

The Times, 31st July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Appeal court judges hold up deportation of three Algerian terror suspects – The Guardian

Posted July 31st, 2007 in deportation, news, terrorism, torture by sally

“The deportation of three suspected Algerian terrorists was yesterday halted by appeal court judges who ruled that the UK government could not be certain that they would be safe from torture after they were sent back.”

Full story

The Guardian, 31st July 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Food manufacturers target children on internet after regulator’s TV advertising clampdown – The Guardian

Posted July 31st, 2007 in advertising, children, internet, news by sally

“Some of the world’s leading food manufacturers have begun marketing to children on social networking websites and internet chat programs.”

Full story

The Guardian, 31st July 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Three jailed for forcing man to fall 100ft to his death – The Guardian

Posted July 31st, 2007 in murder, news, sentencing, young offenders by sally

“A 17-year-old girl and her boyfriend were jailed yesterday for torturing a friend with severe learning difficulties before forcing him to fall to his death from a 100ft railway viaduct.”

Full story

The Guardian, 31st July 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

£2.4m punishment for massive signal failure – The Times

Posted July 31st, 2007 in news, railways by sally

“Network Rail is to be fined £2.4 million for failing to complete a massive resignalling scheme on time, which resulted in long delays and severe overcrowding for thousands of passengers over several months.”

Full story

The Times, 31st July 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Barrister’s overdraft charges test case rejected – Financial Times

Posted July 31st, 2007 in banking, news by sally

“Barrister Tom Brennan on Monday lost his legal battle in what he hoped would be a test case for the fairness of bank overdraft charges.”

Full story

Financial Times, 31st July 2007

Source: www.ft.com

£2bn mortgage exit fees may be refunded – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 31st, 2007 in fees, mortgages, news by sally

“Millions of homeowners are in line for refunds totalling £2 billion on ‘unfair’ mortgage exit fees.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 31st July 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

HSBC spends £116m refunding customers for unfair charges – The Independent

Posted July 31st, 2007 in banking, news by sally

“One of Britain’s biggest banks divulged the multi-million pound cost of the customer revolt against bank charges for the first time yesterday.”

Full story

The Independent, 31st July 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

No water risk details in home information packs – The Independent

Posted July 31st, 2007 in home information packs, news by sally

“Ministers faced renewed criticism over the flooding after it emerged that controversial new home information packs will not include details about flood risk to properties.”

Full story

The Independent, 31st July 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

MPs oppose terror detention plans – BBC News

Posted July 31st, 2007 in detention, news, terrorism by sally

“There is not enough evidence to support extending the 28-day limit on holding terrorism suspects before charge, a committee of MPs and peers has said.”

Full story

BBC News, 30th July 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk