Day: 2 April 2007

New laws against sharp practice will benefit vulnerable consumers – The Times

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in consumer protection, news by sally

“We all know what constitutes sharp practice – a broadcaster charging premium rates for callers to participate in a quiz show when the winner has already been chosen is a topical example – but the law often does not provide a simple way to bring such practice to a swift end. This will change when the UK implements the EU Directive on Unfair Business to Consumer Commercial Practices, which aims to harmonise EU consumer protection law. It will introduce a general prohibition on unfair trade practices, covering advertising, sales promotion, supply and after sales issues. Much consumer legislation (including the Trade Descriptions Act 1968) will be swept away. ”

Full story

The Times, 2nd April 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

BAILII: Recent decisions

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) & Anor v World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc [2007] EWCA Civ 286 (02 April 2007)

Source: www.bailii.org

Consultation on the possession of non-photographic visual depictions of child sex abuse – Home Office

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in child abuse, consultations by sally

“This consultation paper outlines the concerns about non-photographic visual depictions of child sexual abuse, i.e. computer generated images (CGIs), drawings, animation, etc, and seeks views on proposals to make its possession an offence.”

Consultation on the possession of non-photographic visual depictions of child sex abuse, 2nd April 2007

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Britain rushes to send back Darfur asylum families before court ruling – The Times

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in asylum, news by sally

“[Amuna Ibrahim] is among scores of Darfuris summoned in recent days by the Home Office. The sudden rush to deport them — some are due to be flown back tomorrow — comes before a crucial Court of Appeal ruling that could stop Britain from sending them back to Khartoum, the seat of the government that sent the murderous horsemen and bombers to wreak havoc on Darfur.”

Full story

The Times, 2nd April 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Civil Court Fees Consultation – Department of Constitutional Affairs

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in consultations, costs by sally

“The purpose of the consultation is to seek views on proposals to:

  • introduce a revised exemption and remission system following the Access to Justice Review
  • re-balance the fee structure to achieve a much closer match between income and cost drivers within the system”.

Civil Court Fees Consultation CP 05/07, 2nd April 2007

Source: www.dca.gov.uk

Border and Immigration Agency goes live – Government News Network

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in immigration, press releases by sally

“Six regional directors have been appointed to the new Border and Immigration Agency (BIA), which goes live today, the Home Office has announced. ”

Full story

Home Office press release, 2nd April 2007

Source: www.gnn.gov.uk

The ‘Supercase’ – Problems and Solutions: Reflections on BCCI and Equitable Life, by Sir Anthony Clarke, Master of the Rolls

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in banking, compensation, financial regulation, fraud, insurance, lectures, maladministration by sally

The Supercase – Problems and Solutions: Reflections on BCCI and Equitable Life (PDF)

Speech by Sir Anthony Clarke, Master of the Rolls

KPMG Forensic’s Annual Law Lecture 2007

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Commissioners of Revenue and Customs v. William Grant and Sons Distillers Ltd. – Times Law Reports

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in corporation tax, law reports by sally

Computing depreciation of unsold stock for cash.

Commissioners of Revenue and Customs v. William Grant and Sons Distillers Ltd.

“Taxpayer companies that had carried forward that part of the depreciation in fixed assets that related to production of unsold stocks as part of the cost of unsold stocks had not infringed the prohibition in section 74(1)(f) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, as renumbered by section 144(2) of the Finance Act 1994, of deductions for the depreciation of capital assets.

The Times, 2nd April 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.

Prisoner goes to court over cost of phone calls – The Guardian

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in human rights, news, prisons by sally

“A long-term prisoner has launched an attempt in the high court to stop BT charging inmates more than five times the national call box rate for phone calls, claiming it breaches human rights. The action, which began last Thursday, has the backing of the prisons ombudsman, the chief inspector of prisons and reformers.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd April 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Poor likely to suffer in fees dispute as some legal aid firms hold out – The Guardian

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in legal aid, news by sally

“One of the biggest legal aid providers in London is among a number of law firms that have refused to sign a contract which alters pay by hourly rates to a system of fixed fees. Many refuseniks blinked first and signed “under protest” last Friday, ending a bitter stand-off over the contract between some of the top firms in England and Wales and the Legal Services Commission. But some firms are digging in their heels.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd April 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk