Current Awareness blog enters its second year

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in news by sally

The Current Awareness blog has now been going for a year. We are very pleased with the way this service has taken off and the positive response we have received. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our subscribers and remind you that feedback from users is always welcome. Please leave a comment or send an email if you have any suggestions/comments to make about the blog.

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Lamaletie Anor v R. [2008] EWCA Crim 314 (28 February 2008)

Lawlor, R. v [2008] EWCA Crim 474 (25 February 2008)

Southwell, R. v [2008] EWCA Crim 490 (25 February 2008)

Taylor, R. v [2008] EWCA Crim 465 (22 February 2008)

Jarvis, R. v [2008] EWCA Crim 488 (22 February 2008)

SD, R. v [2008] EWCA Crim 527 (18 February 2008)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions (UK) Ltd v Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd [2008] EWCA Civ 286 (02 April 2008)

T (Children: Placement Order), Re (Rev 1) [2008] EWCA Civ 248 (19 March 2008)

B v B [2008] EWCA Civ 284 (19 March 2008)

High Court (Chancery Division)

De Wind v Wedge [2008] EWHC 514 (Ch) (19 March 2008)

High Court (Admiralty Division)

Pratt v Aigaion Insurance Company SA [2008] EWHC 489 (Admlty) (14 March 2008)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Dunlop Haywards (DHL) Ltd. & Anor v Erinaceous Insurance Services Ltd [2008] EWHC 520 (Comm) (01 April 2008)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

Claimants v Corby Borough Council [2008] EWHC 619 (TCC) (01 April 2008)

Multiplex Constructions (UK) Ltd v Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd & Anor [2008] EWHC 569 (TCC) (19 March 2008)

Galliford Try Construction Ltd v Mott MacDonald Ltd [2008] EWHC 603 (TCC) (14 March 2008)

Edenbooth Ltd v Cre8 Developments Ltd [2008] EWHC 570 (TCC) (13 March 2008)

Collins & Ors v Drumgold & Ors [2008] EWHC 584 (TCC) (12 March 2008)

Source: www.bailii.org

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in legislation by sally

The Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (Penalty Charge Notices, Enforcement and Adjudication) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2008

The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Correction to Amendment) Regulations 2008

The Trustees for the Hammersmith Hospitals National Health Service Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 2008

The Trustees for the St Mary’s National Health Service Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 2008

The National Health Service (Travel Expenses and Remission of Charges) Amendment Regulations 2008

The Bede Sixth Form College, Billingham (Dissolution) Order 2008

The Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (virt-x Exchange Limited) (Amendment) Regulations 2008

The Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2008

The Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008

The Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order 2008

The Local Involvement Networks (Duty of Services-Providers to Allow Entry) Regulations 2008

The Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board (Prescribed Day) Order 2008

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Police ‘justified’ in killing man – BBC News

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in news, offensive weapons, police by sally

“A man shot dead by police as he brandished a sword was justifiably killed, an inquest jury has ruled.”

Full story

BBC News, 2nd April 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Smith launches UK Border Agency – The Guardian

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in customs and excise, immigration, news by sally

“The new customs and immigration body, the UK Border Agency, was officially launched by the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, today.”

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd April 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Met ‘let down’ victim killed by her family – The Guardian

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in disciplinary procedures, domestic violence, murder, news, police by sally

“Two Metropolitan Police officers are to face disciplinary proceedings over their treatment of a young woman who was tortured and murdered in a so-called ‘honour killing’ case after the police watchdog concluded yesterday she had been ‘let down’ by them.”

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd April 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Westminster City Council v IC and Others – Times Law Reports

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in islamic law, jurisdiction, law reports, marriage, mental health by sally

Westminster City Council v IC and Others

Court of Appeal

“A judge did not have jurisdiction to make a declaration that a marriage based on lack of consent was not valid under English law, since such a marriage was voidable and not void ab intitio; the judge should have declared that the marriage was not recognised as a valid marriage in this jurisdiction.”

The Times, 3rd April 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.

Wasa International Insurance Co Ltd v Lexington Insurance Co – Times Law Reports

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in contracts, environmental protection, insurance, law reports by sally

Wasa International Insurance Co Ltd v Lexington Insurance Co; AGF Insurance Ltd v Same

Court of Appeal

“The English court would construe contracts of insurance and reinsurance to give effect to the intention of the parties to cover environmental damage, unless there were clear indications to the contrary.”

The Times, 3rd April 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.

Web filtering must be necessary and transparent, says Council of Europe – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in freedom of expression, human rights, internet, news by sally

“The body behind the European Convention on Human Rights has said that internet users must be told when content is being filtered, and that governments should not filter content except in very specific circumstances.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 1st April 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

Government announces a new tranche of specialist domestic violence court systems – Ministry of Justice

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in courts, domestic violence, press releases by sally

“The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the victims of domestic violence with the announcement of more than 30 new specialist domestic violence court systems across England and Wales.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 2nd April 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Privacy watchdog advises on how to deal with data loss – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in data protection, news by sally

“Leaders of organisations which lose personal data should think carefully before telling customers, employees or regulators of the incident, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has said. New advice says that notification should have a clear purpose.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 2nd April 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

Security fears over fraud report – BBC News

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in confidentiality, data protection, local government, news by sally

“Confidential information about security lapses in a council’s benefits section has been released – with passages that might help fraudsters highlighted.”

Full story

BBC News, 2nd April 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Rome I – Should the UK opt in?’ consultation announced – Ministry of Justice

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in EC law, news, treaties by sally

“The government has announced proposals designed to protect the interests of UK businesses operating in Europe.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 2nd April 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Related link: ‘Rome I Should the UK opt in?’ consultation paper (PDF)

Schools named and shamed as crackdown launched to stop abuse of admissions law – The Guardian

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in education, news by sally

“Ministers launched a crackdown on schools covertly selecting pupils yesterday after government research confirmed that up to one in six schools could be breaking admissions laws. One north London school asked parents to commit to paying £895 a term when they applied, and another demanded £650.”

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd April 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Barristers snub MoJ’s revised high-cost cases contract – Legal Week

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in barristers, contracts, costs, legal aid, news by sally

“Barristers have snubbed a second opportunity to join the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) very high-cost criminal cases (VHCC) panel, with only 110 barristers out of the 2,300 to be offered contracts signing up to the panel.”

Full story

Legal Week, 2nd April 2008

Source: www.legalweek.com

Legal aid providers given certainty and stability for the future – Ministry of Justice

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in legal aid, legal services, press releases by sally

“The Legal Services Commission, Law Society and Ministry of Justice have announced they have reached agreement on the best way forward following the Court of Appeal’s judgment on the Unified Contract.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 2nd April 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Terror plot jury could sit for six months – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in juries, news, terrorism by sally

“A jury panel has been warned they could have to sit for up to six months as the case began of eight men accused of trying to blow up transatlantic airliners.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 3rd April 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Police criminalising young to hit targets, says charity – The Guardian

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in news, police, statistics, young offenders by sally

“A police drive aimed at thousands of low-level teenage offenders lies behind an apparent surge in youth crime figures, according to an analysis published today. Police figures suggest reported minor offences by young people soared by 38.9% from 2003-2006, and detected serious offences rose by 19%.”

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd April 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Faith in legal system vanishing, says judge – The Times

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in news, prisons, sentencing by sally

“Britain’s most senior judge spoke out yesterday against the early release of prisoners, which he said undermined confidence in the judicial system.”

Full story

The Times, 3rd April 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Sally Anne’s killer in appeal bid – BBC News

Posted April 3rd, 2008 in appeals, murder, news by sally

“The man jailed for life for the murder of teenage model Sally Anne Bowman is appealing against his conviction, his lawyer has said.”

Full story

BBC News, 2nd April 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk