17/10/2016 – Current Awareness

‘The Bar Council has teamed up with the Inns of Court and Institute of Barristers’ Clerks (IBC) to launch the Wellbeing at the Bar Portal www.wellbeingatthebar.co.uk – a website to specifically provide support and best practice to barristers, clerks and chambers on wellbeing and mental health issues.’

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The Bar Council, 15th October 2016

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Bar Conference – embrace digital justice, tribunals president urges – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 17th, 2016 in barristers, dispute resolution, electronic filing, news by tracey

‘Online dispute resolution will ’become the norm’ in less complex civil, family and tribunals cases, the annual bar conference heard today.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 15th October 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

British soldiers face Iraq detainee abuse probe – BBC News

Posted October 17th, 2016 in armed forces, detention, Iraq, legal aid, news by tracey

‘British soldiers are being investigated over allegations of mistreating two Iraqi detainees in 2003.’

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BBC News, 16th October 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ched Evans: Scrutinising woman’s sexual history in rape trial ‘set us back 30 years’ – The Independent

Posted October 17th, 2016 in evidence, news, rape, retrials by tracey

‘A former solicitor general has condemned the way the Ched Evans rape trial was conducted. Vera Baird told the BBC details of the woman’s sexual past should not have been heard in court and the case could discourage people who are sexually assaulted from reporting it to police.’

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The Independent, 16th October 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Shami Chakrabarti facing questions from MPs over her controversial peerage – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 17th, 2016 in news, peerages & dignities, political parties, racism, reports, select committees by tracey

‘Shami Chakrabarti will be forced to appear before MPs to answer questions about whether she was offered a peerage before completing a report into Labour anti-Semitism subsequently described as a “whitewash”.’

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Daily Telegraph, 16th October 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Stalking victims backed in challenge to ‘disturbing’ lenient court sentences – The Guardian

Posted October 17th, 2016 in child abuse, news, sentencing, sexual offences, stalking, victims by tracey

‘Lenient sentences in cases involving stalking, terrorism and the sexual abuse of children could be challenged by victims under a law reform that is receiving cross-party support following a series of high-profile cases of so-called soft justice.’

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The Guardian, 16th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Burglaries where window left open should not be investigated, police chief suggests – The Guardian

Posted October 17th, 2016 in burglary, crime prevention, news, police by tracey

‘A senior police officer has been criticised for suggesting some burglaries should not be investigated if doors and windows have been left open. Phil Kay, assistant chief constable of Leicestershire police, said he would “far rather” officers focus on preventing crime and protecting the public than investigate break-ins where carelessness may have played a role.’

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The Guardian, 17th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

NHS legal bills for catastrophic childbirth blunders triples in a decade – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 17th, 2016 in birth, compensation, hospitals, news, personal injuries by tracey

‘Compensation claims against the NHS for catastrophic blunders in childbirth have tripled in a decade, official figures show, as ministers promise “dramatic” changes to improve the safety record of Britain’s maternity units.’

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Daily Telegraph, 17th October 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk