Jeremy Hutchinson’s Case Histories review – from Lady Chatterley to Christine Keeler and the Great Train Robbery – The Guardian

Posted May 28th, 2015 in barristers, news by sally

‘Police perjury, political manipulation and judicial failings … Thomas Grant’s pungent, amusing study details the heroic achievements of a supreme criminal barrister.’

Full story

The Guardian, 27th May 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

The UNCRC in the Supreme Court – the impact of SG v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions – Family Law Week

Posted May 28th, 2015 in appeals, children, human rights, news, Supreme Court, treaties, United Nations by sally

‘Deirdre Fotttrell QC of 1 Garden Court Family Law Chambers considers the Supreme Court’s latest deliberations on when and how the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are directly enforceable in English law.’
Full story

Family Law Week, 21st May 2015

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Decision to switch from legal aid to CFA on eve of LASPO ruled reasonable – Litigation Futures

Posted May 28th, 2015 in fees, law firms, legal aid, news by sally

‘A claimant who switched from legal aid funding to a conditional fee agreement (CFA) on the eve of the introduction of the Jackson reforms acted reasonably, a costs judge has decided.’

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Litigation Futures, 27th May 2015

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

UK competition authority gains power to make recommendations on how proposed laws would affect competition – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 28th, 2015 in competition, legislation, news by sally

‘The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) now has the power to make written recommendations to UK government ministers on how legislative plans before the UK parliament could impact on competition in UK markets.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 27th May 2015

Source: www.out-law.com

High Court rules faith school transport scheme unlawful – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 28th, 2015 in education, news, race discrimination, transport, Wales by sally

The High Court has struck down a council’s school transport policy following complaints from parents at six faith schools that the City and County of Swansea’s new scheme was discriminatory.

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Local Government Lawyer, 27th May 2015

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Ban on legal highs would technically cover alcohol, cigarettes and coffee – The Guardian

Posted May 28th, 2015 in alcohol abuse, bills, drug offences, news, smoking by sally

‘A new blanket ban on legal highs is to be so widely drawn that its provisions could be used to outlaw alcohol, tobacco, coffee and many other widely-used items, ministers have acknowledged.’

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The Guardian, 27th May 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Surveillance and privacies – OUP Blog

‘In its recent report, Privacy and Security: A modern and transparent legal framework, the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee pondered on the scale of public concern about digital surveillance:

“It is worth noting that this debate does not seem to arise in the context of the Agencies intercepting letters, or listening to people’s home or office landline calls. So what is it about the internet that makes it different? For many, the free and open nature of the internet represents liberty and democracy, and they consider that these values should not be compromised for the sake of detecting a minority who wish to use it for harmful purposes.”’

Full story

OUP Blog, 28th May 2015

Source: http://blog.oup.com

How to stop your business leaving the building… – Technology Law Update

‘The nightmare scenario. Your co-directors leave and set up a competing business. They lure employees to join them and use your systems and processes to create a copycat product or service. What can you do?’

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Technology Law Update, 27th May 2015

Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk

CPS delays take police off frontline, says report – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 28th, 2015 in Crown Prosecution Service, delay, news, police, prosecutions, reports by sally

‘Official study by watchdog finds series of failings with the way police and prosecutors deal with charging criminals.’

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Daily Telegraph, 28th May 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

EVENT: The Alternative Magna Carta Festival

Posted May 28th, 2015 in Forthcoming events by sally

‘On Saturday 13 June, in the centre of Clerkenwell, 500 people will gather to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. This Alternative Celebration will recognise the importance of Magna Carta in curtailing the powers of the executive, and challenge and appraise modern Britain’s attitude to civil liberties. There will be poets, writers, artists, social activists, MPs, human rights lawyers and dissidents – for the Magna Carta celebration with teeth – and where better than Clerkenwell, London’s historic centre of dissent?’

Date: 13th June 2015

Location: Clerkenwell, London

Charge: See website for details

More information can be found here.

The government’s data law – an attack on encryption? – BBC News

‘Overdue modernisation of the way the authorities monitor criminals and terrorists – or a Snooper’s Charter eroding our basic liberties? The proposal outlined in the Queen’s Speech to “modernise the law on communications data” will divide opinion. But prepare for another long battle over the way that law is framed and the balance it strikes between privacy and public safety.’

Full story

BBC News, 27th May 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Court fines and council tax turning into problem debt, says Citizens Advice – The Guardian

Posted May 28th, 2015 in council tax, debts, fines, news, reports by sally

‘Magistrates’ fines and council tax bills are driving increasing numbers of people into problem debt, an advice charity said on Tuesday, as low wages and the increased cost of living squeeze household finances.’

Full story

The Guardian, 26th May 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk