Daily Cause List, 3rd November 2008
Source: www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk
Please note only the current day’s cause list will be accessible
Category: news
Domestic violence accounts for 16% of reported violent incidents, report says – The Guardian
“Domestic violence accounts for 16% of all reported violent incidents and has more repeat victims than any other crime, according to a Home Office report published today.”
The Guardian, 31st October 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Lord Chief Justice orders review over fears killers wrongly having sentences reduced – Daily Telegraph
“The Lord Chief Justice has ordered immediate changes to the system of reviewing jail terms after learning that killers could be having their tariffs wrongly reduced because vital information is not seen by judges.”
Daily Telegraph, 3rd November 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Law could become the preserve of privileged few once more, says Bar – The Times
“Cuts in funding for the courts or legal aid fees risk damaging the diversity of the legal profession, the courts and the judiciary, according to the Bar chairman.”
The Times, 1st November 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
New privacy row over lost data – The Guardian
“The government was embarrassed by another data-loss scandal last night when the private details of up to 12 million people were put at risk after a memory stick was found in a pub car park.”
The Guardian, 2nd November 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Half of councils use anti-terror laws to spy on ‘bin crimes’ – Daily Telegraph
“More than half of councils are using anti-terror laws to spy on families suspected of ‘bin crimes’, it has emerged.”
Daily Telegraph, 1st November 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Too many solicitors are no good in court, say barristers – The Times
“A furious row has erupted with barristers blaming solicitors for what they say are appalling standards of advocacy in criminal trials.”
The Times, 3rd November 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
MoD ‘can be sued’ over SAS deaths – The Guardian
“The families of three SAS soldiers and a female corporal killed in Afghanistan when their Land Rover hit a landmine have a strong legal basis for suing the Ministry of Defence under the European Convention on Human Rights, according to a senior barrister.”
The Guardian, 2nd November 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
No court martial for sergeant blamed over soldiers’ deaths – The Independent
“An army sergeant who gave the wrong co-ordinates to a US warplane which dropped a 500lb bomb on British troops in Afghanistan, killing three of them, will not face a court martial, it emerged yesterday.”
The Independent, 1st November 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Are judges ‘cautious’ about human rights? – Daily Telegraph
“Law lord says they should boldly go where the European Court of Human Rights fears to tread, even if this will mean unmarried couples in Northern Ireland applying to adopt.”
Daily Telegraph, 31st October 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Early release mistakes criticised – BBC News
“Opposition ministers have criticised the early release from prison of two criminals who had committed serious violent attacks.”
BBC News, 31st October 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Law firms braced for poor results and job cuts – The Times
“Britain’s leading law firms are bracing themselves for the release of gloomy half-year results this week with early signs showing that the recent boom in commercial legal services has ended abruptly. Only two leading firms, Lovells and CMS Cameron McKenna, are projecting double-digit revenue growth for the six months to October 31, in contrast to the last full-year results released in July, when many City firms reported increases of between 10 and 30 per cent.”
The Times, 3rd November 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Court hears minister bribe claim – BBC News
“Former Tory Home Secretary Michael Howard was rumoured to have been bribed ‘about’ £400,000 to release two drug smugglers from jail, a court has heard.”
BBC News, 31st October 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
New child support body will continue old failures, lawyers warn – The Independent
“The Child Support Agency (CSA) has ignored a government watchdog’s orders to compensate parents let down by its “inadequacy and negligence”. The agency has exploited a legal loophole to avoid reimbursing families left without financial support, in some cases for more than a decade, after it failed to chase payments properly.”
The Independent, 2nd November 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
New courts for old – Daily Telegraph
“Today sees the biggest change in half a century to tribunals that decide more than 500,000 cases a year. But the new senior judge promises users that they will ‘continue to experience a service that is speedy, inexpensive and accessible’.”
Daily Telegraph, 2nd November 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Cross-party attempt to fight extradition of British hacker – The Guardian
“Senior politicians from all parties are urging the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, to halt the extradition of the computer hacker Gary McKinnon unless she receives a guarantee from the US that he will be allowed to serve any sentence imposed in Britain.”
The Guardian, 3rd November 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Tribunal service reform to create 2,700 new judges – The Times
“The number of judges in England and Wales is likely to increase dramatically under a radical shake-up of the tribunals service that takes effect from today.”
The Times, 3rd November 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
James Bond fantasist jailed – The Guardian
“A fantasist was beginning a two-year stint behind bars today for conning police into thinking he was a James Bond-style secret agent.”
The Guardian, 31st October 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Leprechaun’ insult case dropped – BBC News
“A teenager from Liverpool who was being prosecuted for swearing at her pregnant Irish neighbour and calling her a leprechaun has had her case dropped.”
BBC News, 31st October 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
More flexible approach to resolving disputes in contact cases – Ministry of Justice
“The Children and Adoption Act 2006 provides new ways to help the courts find solutions in contact cases where there is conflict between the parents about whom a child should see and how often.”
Ministry of Justice, 30th October 2008
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
