The death of Mr Pig and the truth about the RSPCA – Daily Telegraph
‘The decision to destroy a beloved pet suggests that the animal protection charity has lost its way.’
Daily Telegraph, 14th March 2015
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Category: animals
‘Big player’ in UK dog fighting jailed after RSPCA probe – BBC News
‘A dog breeder, thought to be a “big player” in British dog fighting, has been jailed and banned from keeping animals.’
BBC News, 24th February 2015
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Nottingham dog owner banned after pet attacked woman – BBC News
‘A woman has been banned from owning animals for life after her dog mauled her pregnant friend, tearing off part of her lip and almost killing her.’
BBC News, 5th November 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
No binding assurances about badgers, says Court of Appeal – UK Human Rights Blog
‘The Court of Appeal has dismissed an attempt by the Badger Trust to quash Defra’s unwillingness to retain an Independent Expert Panel on future badger culls. The arguments mirrored those before the judge (summarised in my previous post here), and were dismissed for pretty much the same reasons.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 4th November 2014
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
Badger cull protesters lose legal battle – Daily Telegraph
‘Court of Appeal judges dismiss campaigners’ claim Government acting unlawfully by allowing latest badger culls to go ahead without monitoring by independent expert panel.’
Daily Telegraph, 29th October 2014
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Lady Gaga the polo pony in High Court libel battle – Daily Telegraph
‘A polo pony called Lady Gaga was at the centre of a High Court libel battle after her ‘reputation was slurred’ on YouTube.’
Daily Telegraph, 22nd October 2014
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Property gifts in contemplation of death: Donatio mortis causa – Hardwicke Chambers
‘As the opening comments of Charles Hollander QC in his judgment in King v Dubrey [2014] EWHC 2083, make clear, a donatio mortis causa (DMC) takes effect as a historic and anomalous exception to the requirements of the Wills Act. It involves… a present gift which takes effect in the future and remains conditional until the donor dies. On death it becomes absolute. It has previously been described as being of “an amphibious nature, being a gift which is neither entirely inter vivos nor testamentary.” The task for the Court is to distinguish between a genuine DMC and an attempt to make a testamentary gift other than in accordance with the Wills Act. The test has, for over one hundred and fifty years, been a high one –
“…no case of this description ought to prevail unless it is supported by evidence of the clearest and most unequivocal character.”’
Hardwicke Chambers, 25th September 2014
Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk
To litigate or not to litigate in claims involving wills: practical points for charities – New Square Chambers
My purpose in this article is to highlight the sort of issues facing charities in deciding whether or not to litigate over a legacy, or residuary gift, contained in a Will. In particular, I shall be looking at a number of cases where charities have faced such difficult decisions, some of which they have got wrong.
Full story (PDF)
New Square Chambers, 2nd October 2014
Source: www.newsquarechambers.co.uk
Gamekeeper found guilty of poisoning 10 buzzards and a sparrowhawk – The Guardian
‘A gamekeeper found with a bag of nine dead buzzards on a pheasant-shooting estate has been found guilty of intentionally killing a protected species in what is England’s worst recorded case of poisoning birds of prey.’
The Guardian, 2nd October 2014
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Badgers’ expectations dashed – UK Human Rights Blog
‘This blog has covered the various twists and turns, both scientific and legal, of Defra’s attempts to reduce bovine TB by culling badgers: see the list of posts below. Today’s decision in the Administrative Court is the most recent.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 29th August 2014
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
Badger cull legal challenge in Somerset and Gloucestershire fails – BBC News
‘A High Court bid to halt this year’s badger culling, which will take place without independent monitoring, has failed.’
BBC News, 29th August 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Badger cull faces fresh legal challenge – The Guardian
‘The Badger Trust is back in court on Thursday with a new legal challenge over the government’s badger cull policy. It is seeking a High Court ruling that there has been an unlawful failure to put in place an independent expert panel to oversee this year’s planned cull in Gloucestershire and Somerset.’
The Guardian, 21st August 2014
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Copyright in the modern world: a load of monkey business? – Technology Law Update
‘The application of intellectual property law in our modern age is fraught with complexities. As societies and technologies develop, situations invariably arise that the drafters of legislation had perhaps not considered.’
Technology Law Update, 8th August 2014
Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk
Wikipedia refuses to delete photo as ‘monkey owns it’ – Daily Telegraph
‘Wikimedia, the organisation behind Wikipedia, has refused a photographer’s repeated requests to delete his most famous shot as it is jeopardising his livelihood – because a monkey pressed the shutter button and “owns the copyright”.’
Daily Telegraph, 6th August 2014
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Badger Trust given permission to challenge badger cull – BBC News
‘The Badger Trust has been granted permission for a judicial review to challenge the government’s plans to continue culling badgers this year.’
Full story
BBC News, 1st July 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
What is the law on killing rabbits in your garden? – BBC News
‘Novelist Jeanette Winterson has caused a minor storm on Twitter by posting pictures of a rabbit she killed, cooked and ate after it entered her garden. But what does the law in England and Wales say on the issue, asks Justin Parkinson.’
BBC News, 18th June 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Expert court witnesses ‘ignored clients’ guilt’ – BBC News
‘An undercover Panorama investigation has found some paid expert witnesses prepared to provide helpful court reports despite a client’s confession.’
BBC News, 9th June 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Badger cull injunction breach case dropped – BBC News
‘The case against the only person accused of breaching last year’s badger cull injunction has been dropped.’
BBC News, 29th May 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Farmer Paul Waterfall cleared over Roger Freeman bull death – BBC News
‘A farmer who owned a bull or cow which killed a walker has been cleared of manslaughter by gross negligence..’
BBC News, 7th May 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 – Home Office
‘This paper sets out the government’s proposals for the review and indicates our preferred option. This consultation is seeking views on our proposals and invites suggestions as to whether they are appropriate, how they may work in practice and any alternatives available. We also seek advice to help quantify the potential impacts associated with the chosen options.’
Home Office, 1st May 2014
Source: www.gov.uk/home-office
