Top judge issues warning as radical cost budgeting looms – Legal Week

Posted September 27th, 2007 in costs, fees, law firms, news by sally

“A senior costs judge has warned law firms that they may soon have to set out their costs at the outset of cases as part of a radical clampdown on escalating fees.”

Full story

Legal Week, 27th September 2007

Source: www.legalweek.com

Victim letter delays criticised – BBC News

Posted September 27th, 2007 in Crown Prosecution Service, news, victims by sally

“Prosecution lawyers have been criticised for failing to inform crime victims when charges against a suspect are dropped or changed.”

Full story

BBC News, 26th September 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Petition to evict travellers ‘breaks race laws’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 27th, 2007 in news, race discrimination, travellers by sally

“A race relations group is taking legal action against a businessman who started a petition calling for the eviction of travellers from a car park.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 27th September 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Asylum seeker launches Aids test case – The Guardian

Posted September 27th, 2007 in AIDS, asylum, human rights, news by sally

“An asylum seeker with Aids who claims it would amount to inhuman or degrading treatment to send her home to Uganda will take a test case to the 17-judge grand chamber of the European court of human rights in Strasbourg today.”

Full story

The Guardian, 26th September 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Barristers facing disciplinary action to be named online – The Times

Posted September 27th, 2007 in barristers, disciplinary procedures, news by sally

“Barristers facing disciplinary charges will for the first time have the details published on a website, it was announced yesterday.”

Full story

The Times, 26th September 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Straw promises greater legal protection for ‘have-a-go-heroes’ – The Independent

Posted September 27th, 2007 in news, self-defence by sally

“Greater protection from prosecution will be offered to “have-a-go heroes” under plans to strengthen the law on self-defence to be announced today.”

Full story

The Independent, 27th September 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

In-house lawyers call for flexible billing arrangements – The Times

Posted September 27th, 2007 in fees, news by sally

“In-house lawyers are willing to pay higher legal fees for top-value advice but only if they can save costs on routine work, a new survey shows.”

Full story

The Times, 26th September 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Guideline Judgments Case Compendium – dangerous offender provisions – Sentencing Guidelines Council

Posted September 26th, 2007 in dangerous offenders, news, sentencing by sally

“On Friday 21st September 2007, the Sentencing Guidelines Council published an addendum to the Compendium of Court of Appeal Guidelines. This relates to the dangerous offender provisions and brings together key judgments, setting them in the context of the statutory provisions; the document also contains two flow charts to help in ensuring that the proper stages are followed in the decision making process.”

Dangerous Offenders – Guide for Sentencers and Practitioners (PDF)

Sentencing Guidelines Council, 21st September 2007 

Source: www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk

Nationwide seeks £20m in law firm court case – The Times

Posted September 26th, 2007 in law firms, negligence, news by sally

“Nationwide, the building society, is suing Eversheds, one of the country’s largest law firms, for more than £20 million, claiming that it was given negligent advice on an allegedly fraudulent property deal.”

Full story

The Times, 26th September 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Crowded jails ‘threaten public’ – BBC News

Posted September 26th, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“Overcrowded jails are presenting a threat to the public, the Chief Inspector of Prisons has told the BBC.”

Full story

BBC News, 26th September 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Pensioner given Asbo for loud Vera Lynn music – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 26th, 2007 in ASBOs, news by sally

“A patriotic pensioner has been given an Asbo for playing his Vera Lynn records too loudly.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 26th September 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Suspects get drink advice in cell – BBC News

Posted September 26th, 2007 in alcohol abuse, criminal justice, news by sally

“Alcohol support workers have been allowed to interview suspects in police cells in a bid to combat binge drinking and alcohol-related crime.”

Full story

BBC News, 26th September 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

DNA link in 1975 murders – The Guardian

Posted September 26th, 2007 in DNA, evidence, murder, news by sally

“Two high-profile murders of young women which took place more than 30 years ago have been linked by DNA evidence. Scotland Yard are hoping that the link could lead to the solving of the murders of a Playboy bunny and a schoolgirl.”

Full story

The Guardian, 26th September 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Charges possible in missing Genette Tate case – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 26th, 2007 in missing persons, murder, news by sally

“Charges could finally be brought in the case of Genette Tate, the newspaper girl who disappeared on her delivery round 29 years ago.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 26th September 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

The Companies Act: the longest piece of legislation ever – The Times

Posted September 26th, 2007 in company law, news by sally

“The Government’s aim is to simplify company law and make it easier to understand, especially for small businesses – yet it is the longest piece of legislation passed by Parliament since it was established by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century. Eight years in the making, the Act runs to 1,300 sections and 701 pages.”

Full story

The Times, 25th September 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Seized ‘art porn’ owned by Sir Elton John – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 25th, 2007 in artistic works, children, news, pornography by sally

“A photograph by a controversial American artist which is part of Sir Elton John’s private collection has been seized by police from a gallery on suspicion it may have breached child pornography laws.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 25th September 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Channel 4 vindicated over Diana documentary – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 25th, 2007 in media, news by sally

“The media watchdog has upheld Channel 4’s decision to show a controversial documentary about the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 25th September 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Brown “may reverse drinking laws” – BBC News

Posted September 25th, 2007 in licensed premises, licensing, news by sally

“Gordon Brown has said he could overturn the recent law allowing pubs in England and Wales to open 24 hours a day.”

Full story

BBC News, 24th September 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Art exhibit in child porn probe – BBC news

Posted September 25th, 2007 in artistic works, children, news, pornography by sally

“Police have seized an exhibit at the Baltic modern art gallery on Tyneside on the grounds it may have breached child pornography laws.”

Full story

BBC News, 24th September 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Record fine for TV phone-in firm – The Guardian

Posted September 25th, 2007 in consumer protection, media, news by sally

“The ‘reckless’ premium rate phone services company that swindled GMTV viewers out of more than £20m over almost four years was yesterday hit with the biggest fine imposed by regulators.”

Full story

The Guardian, 25th September 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk