High court throws out ‘UK complicit in torture’ damages case – The Guardian

Posted June 27th, 2013 in abuse of process, civil justice, intelligence services, news, torture by sally

“The high court has thrown out a damages case brought by a man convicted on terrorism charges who claimed MI5 was complicit in his alleged torture by Pakistan’s intelligence service.”

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The Guardian, 26th June 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Legal aid cuts: What has changed? – BBC News

“Significant changes to civil legal aid in England and Wales came into effect on 1 April 2013, as part of a plan to reform the system and save £350m a year.”

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BBC News, 18th June 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Secret Courts – BBC Unreliable Evidence

“Leading human rights barrister Dinah Rose challenges cabinet minister Ken Clarke over the Government’s extension of the use of secret courts.”

Listen

BBC Unreliable Evidence, 5th June 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

The Regan reforms – New Law Journal

Posted May 31st, 2013 in civil justice, expert witnesses, fees, news by sally

“Dominic Regan is in the mood for change post-Jackson.”

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New Law Journal, 30th May 2013

Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk

Unite Against the Cuts – Criminal Law and Justice Weekly

Posted May 30th, 2013 in civil justice, Law Society, legal aid, news by sally

“Lucy Scott-Moncrieff urges you to join the fight.”

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Criminal Law and Justice Weekly, 25th May 2013

Source: www.criminallawandjustice.co.uk

Alison L. Young: Fact/Law – a Flawed Distinction? – UK Constitutional Law Group

Posted May 21st, 2013 in civil justice, criminal injuries compensation, news, Supreme Court, VAT by sally

“If prizes were awarded to ‘Distinctions in English law’, then a good contender for the ‘lifetime achievement’ award would be the distinction between ‘law’ and ‘fact’. Whilst adventurers have their Swiss Army knife, and the Dr has his sonic screwdriver, lawyers have the multi-purpose malleable ‘law/fact’ distinction which is just as capable of opening or closing avenues of review, or providing a deus ex machina ‘get out of jail free’ card – or so a perusal of two recent decisions of the Supreme Court might have us believe.”

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UK Constitutional Law Group 21st May 2013

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

Balance of Competences Review: Call for Evidence on Civil Judicial Cooperation (including family matters) – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 20th, 2013 in civil justice, consultations, EC law, news by sally

“The Balance of Competences Review, launched by the Government last summer, is an opportunity for people to have their say on what the EU does and how it affects the UK. This piece of work will deepen our understanding of EU membership, and help shape the UK’s policies in relation to the EU.”

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Ministry of Justice, 16th May 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Your views wanted for EU review on civil and family justice – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 17th, 2013 in civil justice, consultations, EC law, news by sally

“Lawyers, business groups and the public are all being asked to submit their views on the balance of competences between the UK and the European Union on civil judicial cooperation (including family matters).”

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Ministry of Justice, 16th May 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

From Barretry, Maintenance and Champerty to Litigation Funding – Lord Neuberger, President of The Supreme Court

Posted May 10th, 2013 in barristers, civil justice, judges, legal aid, speeches by sally

From Barretry, Maintenance and Champerty to Litigation Funding (PDF)

Lord Neuberger, President of The Supreme Court

Harbour Litigation Funding First Annual Lecture, 8th May 2013

Source: www.supremecourt.gov.uk

Legal aid cuts risks damaging civilised society, warns senor judge – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 10th, 2013 in barristers, civil justice, dispute resolution, judges, legal aid, news by sally

“Cuts to legal aid risk damaging the ‘essence of civilised society’ the country’s highest judge warned as he said everyone should have access to justice.”

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Daily Telegraph, 9th May 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

‘Secret justice’ message from leading judges – BBC News

Posted May 3rd, 2013 in civil justice, contempt of court, judges, news, practice directions by tracey

“Leading judges have issued a strongly-worded message against secret justice to
protect a ‘fundamental principle’ of the court system in England and Wales.”

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BBC News, 3rd May 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judicial review controls unveiled – BBC News

Posted April 23rd, 2013 in civil justice, fees, immigration, judicial review, news, planning by sally

“Ministers are to unveil controls aimed at tackling judicial reviews in English courts that hold up building projects and delay immigration decisions.”

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BBC News, 23rd April 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Public access rules approved by LSB – Bar Standards Board

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in barristers, civil justice, Legal Services Board, news by sally

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has today approved the removal of two rules around public access work that will promote greater access to justice. At the same time the BSB is strengthening the training that all public access barristers are required to undertake.”

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Bar Standards Board, 28th March 2013

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Legal aid cuts ‘will create advice deserts’ – The Guardian

Posted April 2nd, 2013 in civil justice, law centres, legal aid, news by sally

“Extensive cuts to civil legal aid that come into force this week will result in vulnerable people struggling to find help as ‘advice deserts’ open up in parts of the country, a survey warns.”

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The Guardian, 1st April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Reforming Civil Litigation: Bar Council Working Group publishes recommendations – The Bar Council

Posted March 26th, 2013 in case management, civil justice, news, reports, witnesses by sally

“The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has today published a discussion document on ‘Reforming civil litigation’, which reflects the recommendations of a Working Group including the chairs of the Chancery Bar Association, Commercial Bar Association and the Technology and Construction Bar Association.”

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The Bar Council, 25th March 2013

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Two men found responsible for Omagh bombing after landmark civil action – The Independent

Posted March 21st, 2013 in civil justice, explosives, news, retrials, terrorism by sally

“Two men connected to the republican movement in Northern Ireland have been ruled responsible for the Omagh bombing after a landmark civil action.”

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The Independent, 20th March 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Supreme Court could use secret evidence in landmark case – Daily Telegraph

“The Supreme Court could use secret evidence in a ruling for the first time in a landmark case this week despite previously banning such material from civil courts.”

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Daily Telegraph, 18th March 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Q&A: Legal aid changes – BBC News

Posted March 5th, 2013 in civil justice, legal aid, news by sally

“In an effort to cut the £2bn annual legal aid bill in England and Wales by £350m a year, there are soon to be fewer types of civil proceedings for which people can get funding, while changes to funding for criminal cases also looks set to change.”

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BBC News, 5th March 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Why secret justice is bad for Britain – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted March 5th, 2013 in bills, civil justice, closed material, news, private hearings by sally

“As Parliament prepares to vote on the Justice and Security Bill today, Terry McGuinness outlines why Closed Material Procedures (CMP) are an affront to open justice.”

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Garden Court Chambers Blog, 4th March 2013

Source: www.gclaw.wordpress.com

Secret court hearing plans pushed through by government – The Guardian

Posted March 5th, 2013 in bills, civil justice, closed material, news, private hearings by sally

“The government pushed through its plans for secret court hearings on Monday night, defeating amendments tabled by the Labour frontbench with significant majorities.”

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The Guardian, 4th March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk