Criticisms remain as dust settles on secret trials bill – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted June 6th, 2012 in bills, closed material, human rights, news, private hearings by sally

“In stark contrast to the pageantry surrounding the Royal Jubilee, here is a somewhat sombre update on the Justice and Security Bill, which was published on 28 May 2012 and is currently receiving its second reading in the House of Lords. The Bill aims to introduce Close Material Procedures, that is secret hearings, into civil trials.”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 5th June 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Justice and Security Bill: The Government is not for turning – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted May 30th, 2012 in bills, closed material, inquests, judiciary, news, private hearings by tracey

“Publishing the Justice and Security Bill this morning, the Secretary of State for Justice said ‘I  have used the last few months to listen to the concerns of … civil liberties campaigners with whom I usually agree.’ There are many people who today would sorely like to agree that Ken has listened and has taken their concerns on board. Unfortunately, the Government’s analysis remains fundamentally flawed. The Green Paper was clearly a ‘big ask’. There have undoubtedly been significant changes made from the proposals in the Green Paper. However, the secret justice proposals in the Justice and Security Bill remain fundamentally unfair, unnecessary and unjustified.”

Full story

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Secret courts bill U-turn fails to silence critics – The Guardian

Posted May 30th, 2012 in bills, closed material, intelligence services, news, private hearings by tracey

“Civil rights groups have condemned the justice and security bill, despite a series of government concessions over secret courts.”

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The Guardian, 29th May 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New law ‘to halt scrap metal trade’ after church and memorial thefts

Posted May 28th, 2012 in bills, monuments, news, penalties, theft by sally

“A new law to stop the trade in scrap metal stolen from churches, war memorials and railways is likely to be introduced by the Coalition.”

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Daily Telegraph, 27th May 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Fine dodgers to be charged for enforcement action – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 28th, 2012 in bills, courts, enforcement, fines, news by sally

“Offenders who fail to pay court fines will have to foot the bill for officials to chase them down under plans to be unveiled today.”

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Daily Telegraph, 28th May 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Enterprise Bill proposes radically reduced compensation awards and binding shareholder votes on pay – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 25th, 2012 in bills, compensation, employment, news, unfair dismissal by tracey

“A draft Bill designed to reform certain aspects of employment law and encourage ‘strong, sustainable’ economic growth contains a provision which would allow the Government to radically reduce compensation awards for unfair dismissal.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 24th May 2012

Source: www.out-law.com

Jackson – The New Bills – Thirty Nine Essex Street

Posted May 21st, 2012 in bills, budgets, costs, legal aid, news by sally

“The Final Report of the Jackson Review made a number of recommendations which he wanted to be considered, and introduced, as a package. Today I shall be looking at some of the recommendations which have received the least publicity and which do not feature in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (‘LASPO’), but will be of great interest to Costs Lawyers.”

Full story (PDF)

Thirty Nine Essex Street, May 2012

Source: www.39essex.com

A secret justice climb down? Perhaps not – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted May 21st, 2012 in bills, closed material, judiciary, news, private hearings, public interest by sally

“It appears that the Government has climbed down, in part, from some of its controversial secret justice proposals. According to the Telegraph, the Justice and Security Bill, which will be published this week, will include a provision whereby judges, not the Government, has the final say on whether a Closed Material Procedure (CMP) is used. Moreover, CMPs will be restricted to ‘national security cases’ rather than any case ‘in the public interest’.”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 21st May 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Judges to decide on secret evidence as Clarke pushes ahead with plans – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 21st, 2012 in bills, closed material, judiciary, news, private hearings, public interest by sally

“Judges will decide whether national security evidence can be heard in secret in a partial climbdown on plans to be unveiled by Kenneth Clarke this week.”

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Daily Telegraph, 20th May 2012

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Theresa May takes powers to strip Met of counter-terrorism role – The Guardian

Posted May 21st, 2012 in bills, news, police, terrorism by sally

“The home secretary, Theresa May, has quietly taken powers to strip Scotland Yard of its national counter-terrorism role in the aftermath of the Olympics.”

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The Guardian, 18th May 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Local Government Law Update – 11 KBW

Posted May 14th, 2012 in bills, budgets, electoral register, local government, news, rates by sally

Local Government Law Update (PDF)

11 KBW, 11th May 2012

Source: www.11kbw.com

New laws help diverse judiciary – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 14th, 2012 in bills, diversity, judiciary, news by sally

“More women and people from minority backgrounds will be encouraged to become judges under plans announced today by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke.”

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Ministry of Justice, 11th May 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Removing full right of appeal for family visitors – UK Border Agency

“A clause in the Crime and Courts Bill, published today, will remove the full right of appeal for those applying to enter the UK as a family visitor. Subject to Parliamentary approval and Royal Assent, this change is expected to come into force by 2014. Refused applicants will still be able to appeal on limited grounds of human rights or race discrimination.”

Full story

UK Border Agency, 10th May 2012

Source: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

Lawyers give muted response to legislative plans in Queen’s Speech – The Lawyer

Posted May 11th, 2012 in bills, legal profession, news, speeches by tracey

“Competition reform, secret courts and changes to defamation pricked the ears of lawyers during the Queen’s Speech yesterday.”

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The Lawyer, 10th May 2012

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Cameras in court plans revealed – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 11th, 2012 in bills, courts, media, press releases by tracey

“Courts in England and Wales will be more publicly accessible than ever before when television broadcasting is introduced, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said today.”

Full press release, 10th May 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

How to make a truly fair libel law – The Guardian

Posted May 11th, 2012 in bills, defamation, freedom of expression, news by tracey

“Libel law is meant to protect the reputation of individuals, not corporations. The defamation bill must redress the balance.”

Full story

The Guardian, 10th May 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

DfE sets out key features of Children and Families Bill – Family Law Week

Posted May 10th, 2012 in adoption, bills, care orders, children, families, news, special educational needs by sally

“The Department for Education has set out the key features of the Children and Families Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech. The Bill is expected to be introduced early in 2013.”

Full story

Family Law Week, 9th May 2012

Source: www.familylawweek.com

New Bill will reform libel laws – The Independent

Posted May 10th, 2012 in bills, defamation, freedom of expression, news by sally

“A Bill to protect freedom of speech and reform the libel laws is to be introduced into Parliament, it was announced in the Queen’s Speech.”

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The Independent, 9th May 2012

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Queen’s speech puts ‘growth, justice and constitutional reform’ at its heart – The Guardian

Posted May 10th, 2012 in bills, constitutional reform, news, parliament, speeches by sally

“Lords reform takes centre stage in legislative agenda, alongside measures to support families, change employment law and reform pensions”

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The Guardian, 9th May 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Related link: Queen’s speech 2012 – full text

Drug-drivers to face jail time under new law – The Guardian

Posted May 8th, 2012 in bills, careless driving, drug abuse, drug offences, news by sally

“Drivers found to have taken drugs face a prison sentence of up to six months and a fine of up to £5,000 under new legislation, ministers reveal on Monday.”

Full story

The Guardian, 7th May 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk