Access to justice is a fine concept. What does it mean in view of cuts to legal aid? – The Guardian

Posted October 6th, 2011 in civil justice, legal aid, news by sally

“Experts give their views on the effect on ordinary people in light of Ken Clarke’s reforms to publicly funded law.”

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The Guardian, 6th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ian Huntley throat slasher jailed for life – The Guardian

Posted October 6th, 2011 in attempted murder, attempts, homicide, murder, news, sentencing by sally

“A psychopathic prisoner who slashed Soham murderer Ian Huntley across the neck with a makeshift knife has been jailed for life.”

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The Guardian, 5th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Brothers jailed for child sex abuse – The Independent

“Two brothers who carried out sex attacks on five children were both jailed today (5th October).”

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The Independent, 5th October 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Legal advisers must not alter their opinions to suit politicians, says leading international lawyer – The Guardian

Posted October 6th, 2011 in attorney general, legal profession, news, rendition, torture, war by sally

“Philippe Sands says lawyers bear some responsibility for enabling torture, rendition and the war in Iraq – and must in future be brought to account.”

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The Guardian, 5th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Unreasonableness to the Rescue? – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted October 5th, 2011 in contracts, fraud, misrepresentation, news by sally

“It has long been established that at common law a person cannot avoid liability for fraudulent statements by inserting a clause in the contract that the other party is not to rely upon them: S Pearson & Son Ltd v Dublin Corpn [1907] AC 351. However, fraudulent or reckless mis-representations are notoriously difficult to prove, not least because, although the civil standard of proof applies, cogent evidence will be required to establish the ‘misdemeanour’. And, of course, the relevant knowledge and/or documentation needed to satisfy the Court are likely to be within the representor’s control.”

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Hardwicke Chambers, 30th September 2011

Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted October 5th, 2011 in legislation by sally

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2011

The Feed-in Tariffs (Specified Maximum Capacity and Functions) (Amendment No.3) Order 2011

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Plea to ministers on squatting law – The Independent

Posted October 5th, 2011 in homelessness, news, squatting by sally

“The Government has been urged not to criminalise squatting after a report found it would lead to an increase in some of the most vulnerable homeless people sleeping rough.”

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The Independent, 4th October 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Fixed legal fees- can they change the face of the legal profession? – The Lawyer

Posted October 5th, 2011 in fees, legal profession, news by sally

“The system of hourly billing by lawyers has come under scrutiny for some time, and whilst this might not be a new phenomenon, the increased move towards fixed fees and what this might mean for the sector, certainly is.”

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The Lawyer, 4th October 2011

Source: www.thelawyer.com

New reporting restriction rules in effect for criminal cases – OUT-LAW.com

“Courts must allow the media an opportunity to challenge any discretionary reporting restrictions they place on a criminal hearing following changes to court rules for England and Wales.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 5th October 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

Man jailed for JCB wrecking spree in Nottinghamshire – BBC News

Posted October 5th, 2011 in criminal damage, dangerous driving, news, sentencing, theft by sally

“A man who left a trail of destruction when he drove a stolen JCB through a Nottinghamshire village has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.”

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BBC News, 3rd October 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Calls for scrap metal controls after memorial plaques stolen – The Independent

Posted October 5th, 2011 in handling stolen goods, monuments, news, theft by sally

“There are renewed calls for a change in the laws controlling the sale of scrap metal after thieves desecrated a First World War memorial.”

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The Independent, 4th October 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Rapists escaping justice because police surgeons not up to the job, say critics – The Guardian

Posted October 5th, 2011 in contracting out, doctors, examinations, forensic science, news, police, rape by sally

“Rape already arouses serious anxiety because so few attacks are reported to the police, conviction rates are low, and victims are subject to intrusive questioning in court. But now concerns are growing that rapists are escaping justice because doctors are failing to properly examine victims or record their injuries, depriving police of crucial forensic evidence. In other words, senior doctors fear that some forensic medical examiners (FMEs) are simply not up to the job.”

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The Guardian, 3rd October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Joanna Yeates murder trial begins with warning to potential jurors – The Guardian

Posted October 5th, 2011 in bias, juries, media, murder, news, trials by sally

“Potential jurors in the trial of Vincent Tabak, the man accused of murdering Joanna Yeates, have been warned not to do any background research on the case.”

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The Guardian, 4th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

#WithoutPrejudice 12: Riots, sentencing appeals – Troy Davis execution – Legal Aid cutbacks and Clause 12 – Charon QC

“Criminal Law Special: Sentencing in the wake of the riots and the forthcoming appeals, Contempt of Court, Troy Davis execution, Legal Aid and Clause 12 re-visited.”

Podcast

Charon QC, 30th September 2011

Source: www.charonqc.wordpress.com

“Charon QC” is the blogging pseudonym of Mike Semple Piggot, editor of insitelaw newswire.

Ken Clarke: Prisoners must work in jail – The Independent

Posted October 5th, 2011 in drug abuse, homelessness, news, prisons, recidivists, rehabilitation, squatting by sally

“Prisoners should carry out work while in jail as part of the process of tackling the growing ‘feral underclass’, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said today.”

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The Independent, 4th October 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Torture couple Anna Wibrew and Simon Weller jailed – BBC News

Posted October 5th, 2011 in false imprisonment, grievous bodily harm, news, sentencing, torture by sally

“A couple have been jailed for their part in the torture of a man who stabbed himself in the chest to try to kill himself after being kept prisoner.”

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BBC News, 4th October 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Catgate: another myth used to trash human rights – The Guardian

Posted October 5th, 2011 in animals, deportation, families, human rights, immigration, news, partnerships by sally

“The home secretary is wrong,the decision not to deport an illegal immigrant had nothing to do with the pet cat.”

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The Guardian, 4th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Related link: Theresa May’s twisted tale of a Bolivian’s cat

Hacking investigation may start in November – The Independent

Posted October 5th, 2011 in inquiries, interception, media, news by sally

“Oral evidence in the first part of the inquiry into media ethics and phone hacking could start next month, Lord Leveson said today.”

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The Independent, 4th October 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Angel of Death’ Colin Norris could be cleared of insulin murders – The Guardian

Posted October 5th, 2011 in evidence, miscarriage of justice, murder, news, nurses by sally

“Fresh medical evidence in the case of the nurse called the ‘Angel of Death’ and jailed for life for the murders of four patients in a Leeds hospital eight years ago is to be passed to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The case has similarities to that of Rebecca Leighton, the nurse arrested on suspicion of murdering patients in a Stockport hospital and released without charge last month.”

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The Guardian, 4th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Premier League rights judgement is a win-win for football’s ruling classes – The Guardian

Posted October 4th, 2011 in EC law, licensed premises, licensing, media, news, sport by tracey

“Landmark European court decision will keep lawyers busy but it won’t make much difference to consumers.”

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The Guardian, 4th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk