House of Lords Judgments: what’s new?

Posted June 13th, 2007 in law reports by sally

Al-Skeini and others (Respondents) v. Secretary of State for Defense (Appellant) [2007] UKHL 26

Source: www.parliament.uk

Charity warns over paedophile information laws – Reuters

Posted June 13th, 2007 in children, criminal records, news, sexual offences by sally

“Moves to allow parents the right to information about people in contact with their child could hinder work to manage sex offenders, a leading children’s charity said on Wednesday.”

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Reuters, 13th June 2007

Source: www.reuters.com

Red hair bullying cases could end up in court – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 13th, 2007 in bullying, employment, news by sally

“Gingerism in the workplace could form the basis of formal grievances or constructive dismissal cases, an employment lawyer has warned. The news comes in the wake of one Newcastle family having to move house because of abuse about its members’ red hair.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 13th June 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

Hearing due before Diana inquest – BBC News

Posted June 13th, 2007 in coroners, inquests, news by sally

“A preliminary hearing is due to be held to prepare the way for a full inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed.”

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BBC News, 13th June 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

DNA database agreed for police across EU – The Guardian

Posted June 13th, 2007 in data protection, DNA, EC law, news, police by sally

“A battery of police data-sharing and electronic surveillance measures to tackle trans-national crime and immigration issues was agreed yesterday by governments in Europe, 15 of which also gave the green light to a scheme for the world’s biggest biometric system.”

Full story

The Guardian, 13th June 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Castration plan for paedophiles – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 13th, 2007 in child abuse, news, sexual offences by sally

“Paedophiles could be “chemically castrated” under plans announced today by John Reid, the Home Secretary.”

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Daily Telegraph, 13th June 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Equality laws enshrine mothers’ right to breastfeed in public – The Guardian

Posted June 13th, 2007 in breastfeeding, news, sex discrimination, women by sally

“New mothers will gain the right to breastfeed their babies in cafes and shops under proposed changes to equality laws announced yesterday.”

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The Guardian, 13th June 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Prison suicides up to two a week as jail numbers soar – The Guardian

Posted June 13th, 2007 in news, prisons, suicide by sally

“Suicides in prisons have risen to two a week, with 43 so far this year as overcrowding as a result of record jail numbers in England and Wales bites more deeply, the chief inspector of prisons told MPs last night.”

Full story

The Guardian, 13th June 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Judicial bias ruling could encourage others to try their luck – The Times

Posted June 13th, 2007 in conflict of interest, judges, special report by sally

“A recent case involving the BBC suggests we may be in danger of letting allegations of bias against judges become a tactical ploy.” 

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The Times, 13th June 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

 

Jurors show leniency to ethnic minorities – The Times

Posted June 13th, 2007 in juries, minorities, news by sally

“Jurors of all races are more lenient to ethnic minority defendants in court in an attempt to compensate for perceived bias in the criminal justice system, according to a report published today.”

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The Times, 13th June 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Related link: Diversity and fairness in the jury system

Government names record 48 firms on super-panel – Legal Week

Posted June 12th, 2007 in law firms, news by sally

“A record 48 firms have bagged places on the Government’s legal panel, the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) announced today (12 June).”

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Legal Week, 12th June 2007

Source: www.legalweek.com

Woolf places Blackstone at heart of BAE furore – The Lawyer

Posted June 12th, 2007 in barristers, corruption, fraud, news, Saudi Arabia by sally

“Blackstone Chambers has found itself at the centre of the BAE Systems controversy with member Lord Woolf set to lead the BAE independent ethics committee while some of Blackstone’s leading barristers lead the legal fight against the defence company.”

Full story

The Lawyer, 12th June 2007

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Law firm sues former partners – The Times

Posted June 12th, 2007 in law firms, news by sally

“Hammonds, the national law firm locked in a financial dispute with 14 former partners, has taken the unusual step of suing them in the High Court.”

Full story

The Times, 12th June 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Legal shake-up will not halt discrimination, campaigners say – The Guardian

“Campaigners attacked a proposed shake-up of discrimination laws today – accusing ministers of failing to do enough to protect victims.”

Full story

The Guardian, 12th June 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted June 12th, 2007 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Lawrence v Pembrokeshire County Council [2007] EWCA Civ 446 (07 June 2007)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Considine, R v [2007] EWCA Crim 1166 (06 June 2007)

Green, R. v [2007] EWCA Crim 1248 (25 May 2007)

Stephens & Anor, R. v [2007] EWCA Crim 1249 (25 May 2007)

High Court (Administrative Court)

British Casino Association Ltd & Ors, R (on the application of) v British Amusment Catering Trades & Ors [2007] EWHC 1312 (Admin) (11 June 2007)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Berkeley Community Villages Ltd & Anor v Pullen & Ors [2007] EWHC 1330 (Ch) (07 June 2007)

Shierson & Anor v Rastogi (A Bankrupt) [2007] EWHC 1266 (Ch) (25 May 2007)

High Court (Family Division)

JPC v SLW & Anor [2007] EWHC 1349 (Fam) (08 June 2007)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Ridgway v JP Morgan Chase Bank National Association [2007] EWHC 1325 (QB) (08 June 2007)

Byrne (a minor) v The Motor Insurers Bureau Secretary of State for Transport [2007] EWHC 1268 (QB) (05 June 2007)

Islington v Honeygan-Green (Honeygan) [2007] EWHC 1270 (QB) (25 May 2007)

Wakeling v McDonagh & Anor [2007] EWHC 1201 (QB) (25 May 2007)

European Court of Human Rights

FORBES v. THE UNITED KINGDOM – 65727/01 [2007] ECHR 468 (12 June 2007)

DODDS v. THE UNITED KINGDOM – 59314/00 [2007] ECHR 469 (12 June 2007)

BOTMEH AND ALAMI v. THE UNITED KINGDOM – 15187/03 [2007] ECHR 456 (7 June 2007)

Source: www.bailii.org.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – OPSI

Posted June 12th, 2007 in legislation by sally

The Personal Injuries (NHS Charges) (Reviews and Appeals) Amendment Regulations 2007

The Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2007

The Railways Pensions Guarantee (Prescribed Persons) Order 2007

The Public Health (Aircraft and Ships) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2007

The Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 (Commencement No. 7 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007

The Integration Loans for Refugees and Others Regulations 2007

The Pension Schemes (Categories of Country and Requirements for Overseas Pension Schemes and Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations 2007

The Value Added Tax (Amendment) (No.4) Regulations 2007

The A404 Trunk Road (Maidenhead Thicket to Handy Cross) (24 Hours Clearway) Order 2007

The A404 Trunk Road (Handy Cross Junction Improvement) (Derestriction) Order 2007

The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 2007

The Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2007

The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2007

The St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly) Harbour Revision Order 2007

The Electronic Commerce Directive (Terrorism Act 2006) Regulations 2007

The Home Information Pack (Redress Scheme) (Revocation) Order 2007

The Commons Registration (General) (Amendment) (England) (Revocation) Regulations 2007

The National Institutions of the Church of England (Transfer of Functions) Order 2007

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Agency arrests 83 paedophiles in first year – The Guardian

Posted June 12th, 2007 in child abuse, news, sexual offences by sally

“The Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre said yesterday it had arrested 83 alleged sex offenders over the past 12 months.”

Full story

The Guardian, 12th June 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Related link: CEOP Annual Review 2006-2007 (PDF)

Government ‘must protect children from divorce harm’ – The Times

Posted June 12th, 2007 in children, divorce, news by sally

“A lobby of children’s experts and charities accuses the Government today of failing to protect young people from the ’emotional fallout’ divorce and separation.”

Full story 

The Times, 12th June 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Tackling discrimination, modernising the law – Communities and Local Government

“The Government today published a consultation document including proposals for a Single Equality Bill, to simplify and improve existing legislation and make common-sense proposals to modernise discrimination law.”

Full story

Communities and Local Government press release, 12th June 2007

Source: www.communities.gov.uk

A voice is given to vulnerable witnesses – Ministry of Justice

Posted June 12th, 2007 in press releases, witnesses by sally

“A scheme assisting vulnerable witnesses to access the criminal justice process will be rolled out nationally, following an announcement by Minister for Justice, Gerry Sutcliffe.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice press release, 12th June 2007

Source: www.justice.gov.uk