Month: June 2011
Measuring up – Nuffield Foundation and NSPCC
“This project, jointly funded by the Nuffield Foundation and the NSPCC assessed whether changes to the legislative framework have been successful in improving the experience of young witnesses in court. In June 2011 a follow up report was produced.”
Nuffield Foundation, 9th June 2011
Source: www.nuffieldfoundation.org
Tighten rules to protect young witnesses, say charities – Law Society’s Gazette
“Children’s charities have called for ground rules to be enforced in court to prevent the exploitation of young witnesses. A report released this week by the NSPCC and Nuffield Foundation found that inadequate procedures and a lack of training for legal professionals were having detrimental effects on both the youngsters and their evidence.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 9th June 2011
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
New national crime agency launched – Home Office
“A powerful new national crime agency will lead the UK’s fight against serious and organised crime, strengthen policing at the border and make sure local police are linked up to work nationally and overseas, the Home Secretary said today.”
Home Office, 8th June 2011
Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk
Burglar jailed after Facebook boast about dropped charges – The Guardian
“A teenage burglar who boasted on Facebook that he would serve only six months for a raid on a pensioner’s home was sentenced to more than two years after his remarks were brought to the judge’s attention.”
The Guardian, 8th June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Kenneth Clarke drops shorter jail terms for rapists after tussle with Cameron – The Guardian
“Justice secretary Kenneth Clarke has been forced by Number 10 to abandon a plan to give rapists, and other serious offenders, a 50% sentence discount in return for early guilty pleas, but he is fiercely resisting Treasury demands to make his justice ministry bear the multi-million pound cost.”
The Guardian, 8th June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
A new approach to tackling offending in communities needed – Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary
“There is a need for a new approach, with greater consistency and transparency in the use of out-of-court disposals, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate found in their report, ‘Exercising Discretion: The Gateway to Justice’ published today.”
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, 9th June 2011
Source: www.hmic.gov.uk
Offenders wrongly spared court – Daily Telegraph
“Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate found that more than 100,000 criminal offences wrongly result in an ‘out of court disposal’ every year.”
Daily Telegraph, 9th June 2011
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
FSA warns comparison websites over unfair treatment of customers – Daily Telegraph
“The Financial Services Authority has found that 19 comparison websites are treating customers unfairly after flouting rules.”
Daily Telegraph, 9th June 2011
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Prison sentencing reform plans hit by fresh delays – The Guardian
“Theresa May confirms second postponement to publication of sentencing and legal aid bill amid row over plans to reduce jail terms for offenders who submit early guilty pleas.”
The Guardian, 8th June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Mark Kennedy case: CPS accused of suppressing key evidence – The Guardian
“CPS opens inquiry after claims prosecutors withheld undercover police officer’s surveillance tapes from defence lawyers.”
The Guardian, 7th June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Carlisle Maternity Hospital errors: Boy awarded £7.9m – BBC News
“A Cumbria boy who was left severely disabled by hospital blunders during his birth has been awarded £7.9m in damages at the High Court.”
BBC News, 7th June 2011
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Araci v Fallon [2011] EWCA Civ 668 (04 June 2011)
RU (Bangladesh) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] EWCA Civ 651 (08 June 2011)
High Court (Commercial Court)
Riva Bella SA v Tamsen Yachts GmbH [2011] EWHC 1434 (Comm) (06 June 2011)
High Court (Technology and Construction Court)
Arqiva Ltd & Ors v Everything Everywhere Ltd & Ors [2011] EWHC 1411 (TCC) (27 May 2011)
Source: www.bailii.org
Maximum penalty increased for telecoms companies that do not share network data with Ofcom – OUT-LAW.com
“Ofcom can fine telecoms companies up to £2m for failing to hand over information about their networks, the media regulator has said.”
OUT-LAW.com, 8th June 2011
Source: www.out-law.com
DVD content was unacceptable for classification in the UK film regulator says – OUT-LAW.com
“A DVD was too sexually violent and potentially obscene to be sold in the UK, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has ruled.”
OUT-LAW.com, 7th June 2011
Source: www.out-law.com
Easements, Covenants and Profits à Prendre – Law Commission
“In this report, we make recommendations to simplify, modernise and enhance the law of easements, covenants and profits à prendre. These rights are essential to the effective use of land and are relied upon by a significant proportion of property owners in England and Wales.”
Law Commission, 8th June 2011
Source: www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission
Man jailed over Heathrow cocaine seizure – UK Border Agency
“A PR consultant from London has been jailed for 7 years for attempting to smuggle more than £500,000 of high purity cocaine into the UK through Heathrow Airport.”
UK Border Agency. 7th June 2011
Source: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
‘Tox’ graffiti artist convicted of criminal damage – The Guardian
” ‘King of taggers’ Daniel Halpin remanded in custody after jury decides his ubiquitous Tox tag is vandalism.”
The Guardian, 7th June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Regulator to review care system after Winterbourne View abuse scandal – The Guardian
“Dame Jo Williams, chair of the Care Quality commission, pledges rethink of residential care for people with learning difficulties following exposé of abuse at Bristol hospital.”
The Guardian, 7th June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
