March 2010 – Page 5 – Current Awareness

“Environmental campaigners and local authorities opposed to Heathrow expansion popped champagne corks on the steps of the High Court yesterday to celebrate a ruling that they said left plans to build a third runway at Europe’s busiest airport ‘in tatters’.”

Full story

The Times, 27th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Judge says plea deal tied his hands over fine for corrupt firm – The Guardian

Posted March 27th, 2010 in bribery, corruption, fines, news, plea bargaining, Serious Fraud Office by sally

“A senior judge today criticised the Serious Fraud Office for striking plea bargains which let off corrupt companies too lightly.”

Full story

The Guardian, 26th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘If I lose £1 million, it’s worth it for libel law reform, says Simon Singh – The Times

Posted March 27th, 2010 in news by sally

“Simon Singh lifted his coffee cup off a Ministry of Justice press release. ‘I’m a particle physicist,’ he said. ‘And libel law, I can tell you, is more complicated than particle physics.'”

Full story

The Times, 27th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Car crash victim wins highest ever compensation payout – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 27th, 2010 in compensation, news, personal injuries by sally

“A passenger left paralysed after a crash has been awarded £11million compensation – the highest personal injury payout in British history.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 26th March 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Judge’s comments throw into doubt BAE’s £30m pact over fraud inquiry – The Times

Posted March 27th, 2010 in news by sally

“A landmark settlement between the Serious Fraud Office and BAE Systems was thrown into doubt yesterday after a senior British judge said that the agency did not have legal authority to strike plea bargains with companies accused of corruption.”

Full story

The Times, 27th March 2010

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Law student has curfew sentence reduced after arguing it ruined her pregnancy – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 27th, 2010 in electronic monitoring, news, pregnancy, sentencing by sally

“A law student who assaulted a pub landlady has had her curfew sentence reduced after arguing that it ruined her experience of pregnancy and childbirth.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 26th March 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Ian Tomlinson family waits for answers one year on from G20 protests – The Guardian

Posted March 27th, 2010 in complaints, Crown Prosecution Service, demonstrations, homicide, news, police, violence by sally

“The widow of Ian Tomlinson, the man who died at the G20 protests, has launched an emotional attack on the director of public prosecutions, accusing him of letting her down over his failure to decide whether the officer who assaulted her husband should be charged with manslaughter.”

Full story

The Guardian, 26th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Man jailed for smuggling immigrants across Channel – The Independent

Posted March 26th, 2010 in immigration, news, sentencing, trafficking in human beings by sally

“A man who claimed he was a human rights activist was jailed for six years today after he smuggled 20 illegal immigrants across the Channel in a 50ft yacht.”

Full story

The Independent, 26th March 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

British Summer Time

Posted March 26th, 2010 in news by sally

British Summer Time begins at 1.00 a.m. this Sunday, 28th March, and the clocks go forward one hour. Those who subscribe to this blog by email may notice a difference in the time that updates are received.

Lord Martin defends no-win no-fee libel lawyers – BBC News

Posted March 26th, 2010 in defamation, fees, media, news by sally

“Former Commons Speaker Lord Martin has spoken up in defence of ‘no win, no fee’ libel lawyers – whose fees the government is trying to curtail.”

Full story

BBC News, 25th March 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Gatwick Airport firearm man given prison sentence – BBC News

Posted March 26th, 2010 in airports, firearms, news, sentencing, suicide by sally

“A man who wanted police to shoot him in a ‘desperate suicide bid’ has been jailed for threatening people with an imitation gun at Gatwick Airport.”

Full story

BBC News, 25th March 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Twins jailed for life over doorstep murder in Oldham – BBC News

Posted March 26th, 2010 in murder, news, sentencing by sally

“Twin brothers who murdered a father-of-two outside his Greater Manchester home, then tried to kill themselves, have been jailed for life.”

Full story

BBC News, 25th March 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Misleading’ policing advert banned by watchdog – The Guardian

Posted March 26th, 2010 in advertising, news, police by sally

“A Home Office advertising campaign that highlights one of Labour’s key election policies on crime and policing is to be banned by the advertising industry watchdog, the Guardian has learned. The Advertising Standards Authority has told the Home Office that its television adverts highlighting the government’s ‘policing pledge’ that neighbourhood officers can now be expected to spend 80% of their time on the beat is to be banned with immediate effect.”

Full story

The Guardian, 25th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Family wins payout over mother Lavinia Bletchly’s undiagnosed cancer – The Independent

Posted March 26th, 2010 in cancer, compensation, medical treatment, negligence, news by sally

“The family of a young mother who died after doctors failed to diagnose her cancer secured a six-figure pay-out from an NHS body today.”

Full story

The Independent, 26th March 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Man jailed for 18-year rape after advancements in DNA – BBC News

Posted March 26th, 2010 in DNA, news, rape, sentencing by sally

“A rapist who carried out an attack on a woman nearly 18 years ago has been jailed for 10 years after scientists used advances in DNA technology.”

Full story

BBC News, 25th March 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Babysitting couple guilty of child’s murder in Bilston – BBC News

Posted March 26th, 2010 in child cruelty, murder, news by sally

“A babysitting couple who left a three-year-old boy with more than 70 injuries have been found guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court of his murder.”

Full story

BBC News, 26th March 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted March 26th, 2010 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

FJ Chalke Ltd & Anor v Revenue & Customs [2010] EWCA Civ 313 (25 March 2010)

Mason v Richard Freeman & Co (a firm) [2010] EWCA Civ 287 (25 March 2010)

Bury Metropolitan Borough Council v Gibbons [2010] EWCA Civ 327 (26 March 2010)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Kirman, R. v [2010] EWCA Crim 614 (25 March 2010)

High Court (Administrative Court)

London Borough of Hillingdon & Ors, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Transport & Anor [2010] EWHC 626 (Admin) (26 March 2010)

High Court (Chancery Division)

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) v Anderson & Ors [2010] EWHC 599 (Ch) (25 March 2010)

Goldfarb v Higgins & Ors [2010] EWHC 613 (Ch) (25 March 2010)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Abraaj Investment Management Ltd. v Bregawn Jersey Ltd. [2010] EWHC 630 (Comm) (25 March 2010)

Blue Sky One Ltd & Ors v Mahan Air & Anor [2010] EWHC 631 (Comm) (25 March 2010)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Andrews v Aylott [2010] EWHC 597 (QB) (25 March 2010)

Lait MP v Evening Standard Ltd. [2010] EWHC 642 (QB) (25 March 2010)

Botham v The Ministry of Defence [2010] EWHC 646 (QB) (26 March 2010)

Serious Organised Crime Agency v Bosworth & Anor [2010] EWHC 645 (QB) (26 March 2010)

Source: www.bailii.org

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted March 26th, 2010 in legislation by sally

The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Order 2010

The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (England) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2010

The Local Authorities (Petitions) (England) Order 2010

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Commencement No.3) Order 2010

The Assured Tenancies (Amendment)(England) Order 2010

The Data Protection (Monetary Penalties) Order 2010

The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority Winding Up Order 2010

The Workmen’s Compensation (Supplementation) (Amendment) Scheme 2010

The National Employment Savings Trust Order 2010

The Recovery of Social Security Contributions Due in Other Member States Regulations 2010

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

New Employment Tribunal Fast Track scheme – Ministry of Justice

Posted March 26th, 2010 in damages, employment tribunals, Ministry of Justice, press releases by sally

“Workers awarded payouts from their former employers at Employment Tribunals will be given extra help to ensure they receive their payments. Justice Minister Bridget Prentice today confirmed the creation of a new Employment Tribunal Fast Track scheme, which will simplify the process for successful tribunal applicants.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 25th March 2010

Source: www.justice.gov.uk