Lords bid to halt Hips – The Guardian

Posted May 21st, 2007 in home information packs, news by sally

“A last-ditch attempt to halt the introduction of Home Information Packs (Hips) will take place in the House of Lords tomorrow.”

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The Guardian, 21st May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Plan to identify potential violent offenders condemned – The Guardian

Posted May 21st, 2007 in crime prevention, data protection, news by sally

“Council staff, charity workers and doctors will be obliged to tip off police about anyone they believe might commit a violent crime, under a Home Office plan revealed in a leaked document today.”

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The Guardian, 21st May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lords face full election under Brown plans – The Guardian

Posted May 21st, 2007 in elections, news, parliament by sally

“Gordon Brown is to unveil plans for a fully elected second chamber, based on proportional representation, the Guardian has learned. Mr Brown is likely to face strong opposition from members of the current House of Lords. In an effort to neutralise this, he will bring forward his proposals as part of a larger package of wide constitutional reform, based on a national consultation.”

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The Guardian, 21st May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Banker’s inquest to throw spotlight on controversial US extradition deal – The Guardian

Posted May 21st, 2007 in extradition, news by sally

“The inquest this week into the death of a NatWest banker found hanged near his home in Woodford Green, north-east London, is likely to refocus attention on the issue of extradition of British citizens to the United States. The dead man was a colleague of the so-called NatWest Three, who were controversially extradited to the US last year to stand trial on fraud charges.”

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The Guardian, 21st May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Freedom of information ‘needs restraints’ – The Times

Posted May 21st, 2007 in freedom of information, news, parliament by sally

“A crackdown on those who abuse the Freedom of Information Act will begin this week as the row intensifies over whether MPs should be exempt from the law.”

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The Times, 21st May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

MPs vote themselves exemption from freedom of information law – The Independent

Posted May 21st, 2007 in freedom of information, news, parliament by sally

“Britain’s fledgling open government laws were delivered a serious blow yesterday when MPs, backed by government ministers, voted to grant themselves a blanket exemption from the legislation. The move was roundly condemned by freedom of information campaigners and MPs opposed to the measure, who said it represented an attack on democracy.”

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The Independent, 19th May 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Cost of prisoners underestimated by third – Reuters

Posted May 21st, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“The financial cost to the country of imprisonment has been underestimated by a third, a report said on Monday.”

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Reuters, 21st May 2007

Source: www.reuters.com

Related link: Poverty and disadvantage among prisoners’ families (PDF)

Lords defeat expected over home information packs – The Guardian

Posted May 21st, 2007 in home information packs, news by sally

“Ministers are facing fresh turmoil over the introduction of home information packs for house sellers, amid indications that Tory and Lib Dem peers will lead a successful revolt against the measure next Tuesday in the Lords.”

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The Guardian, 19th May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Crime boss must pay £4.7m costs – BBC News

Posted May 21st, 2007 in legal aid, news by sally

“Jailed crime boss Terry Adams has been ordered to pay back nearly £5m in legal aid he was awarded to defend himself.” 

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BBC News, 18th May 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Toddler goading sentences to stay – BBC News

Posted May 21st, 2007 in child abuse, news, sentencing by sally

“The Attorney General has said the sentencing of four women who filmed two toddlers fighting will not be referred to the Court of Appeal.” 

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BBC News, 18th May 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Lords to shame MPs over secrecy bill – The Observer

Posted May 21st, 2007 in freedom of information, news, parliament by sally

“Members of Parliament who voted to remove themselves from anti-secrecy laws are to be ‘put to shame’ by peers gearing up to block a similar move for the House of Lords.”

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The Observer, 20th May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

BA faces prospect of multiple lawsuits – The Times

Posted May 18th, 2007 in competition, news by sally

“British Airways’ admission that there have been ‘breaches of its competition policy’ – a legalistic way of owning up to having cheated on ticket prices – opens the airline up to the potential for multiple lawsuits.”

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The Times, 18th May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

MPs make themselves exempt from FOI – The Times

Posted May 18th, 2007 in freedom of information, news, parliament by sally

“A move to exempt Parliament from freedom of information law has been approved by MPs after attempts to block it in the Commons failed.”

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The Times, 18th May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Legal aid reforms will put civil liberty work ‘at risk’ – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 18th, 2007 in legal aid, news by sally

“Proposed reforms to legal aid will destroy specialist civil liberties teams, practitioners have warned.” 

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Law Society’s Gazette, 17th May 2007

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Commercial bench feels squeeze – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 18th, 2007 in Commercial Court, news by sally

“The Commercial Court is under pressure because of the number of judges needed to hear criminal cases – and terrorist trials in particular.” 

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Law Society’s Gazette, 17th May 2007

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Related links: Report of the Commercial Court and Admiralty Court, 2005-2006 (PDF)

Bank charge firms under spotlight – BBC News

Posted May 18th, 2007 in banking, fees, news by sally

“Regulators are investigating the tactics of ‘no win, no fee’ firms that specialise in recovering bank penalty charges, the BBC has learned.” 

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BBC News, 18th May 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Human-animal embryos get go-ahead – The Guardian

Posted May 18th, 2007 in embryology, news by sally

“Plans to outlaw the creation of ‘human-animal’ embryos are set to be scrapped by ministers amid fears that an outright ban would hamper work on incurable diseases and damage British science.”

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The Guardian, 18th May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Court bid to block casino plans – BBC News

Posted May 17th, 2007 in gambling, news by sally

“An attempt to block the government’s plans for a new super-casino has been launched at the High Court in London.”

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BBC News, 17th May 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Reforms will not stop another Shipman, pathologist warns – The Guardian

Posted May 17th, 2007 in coroners, news by sally

“A pathologist involved in the Harold Shipman murder case today launched a stinging attack on the government’s proposed reforms to the coroner system, claiming they will do nothing to prevent another such killer.”

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The Guardian, 17th May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Court restores control order on terror suspect – The Guardian

Posted May 17th, 2007 in control orders, news, terrorism by sally

“A control order which places severe curbs on a major terrorist suspect must remain in place, the court of appeal ruled today in a victory for the home secretary, John Reid.”

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The Guardian, 17th May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk