City firms say Law Society is improving but still doubtful over its commercial role – Legal Week

Posted June 21st, 2007 in news by sally

“City lawyers remain sceptical of the Law Society’s ability to represent the commercial legal profession, with the majority saying the professional body does not look out for their interests.”

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Legal Week, 21st June 2007

Source: www.legalweek.com

UK ‘prepared to block EU treaty’ – BBC News

Posted June 21st, 2007 in EC law, news by sally

“The UK will block any unsatisfactory deal in this week’s EU treaty negotiations, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has said.”

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BBC News, 20th June 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MPs to consider cut in abortion time limit – The Guardian

Posted June 21st, 2007 in abortion, news by sally

“MPs are to launch an inquiry into the impact of scientific developments on abortion law, including whether medical advances in the care of very premature babies mean the 24-week time limit should be reduced.”

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The Guardian, 21st June 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lords warn against curbs on FoI – The Guardian

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

“Parliament’s reputation is “at serious risk” from attempts to exempt its members from the freedom of information act, a powerful Lords committee warned today.”

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The Guardian, 21st June 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Rights blow to elderly in private care – The Times

Posted June 21st, 2007 in care homes, human rights, news by sally

“Thousands of people who use hospital or school services contracted out by local authorities are without the protection of human rights laws, after a landmark ruling yesterday.”

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The Times, 21st June 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Six years on, evidence that helped convict TV presenter’s murderer is deemed valueless – The Guardian

Posted June 21st, 2007 in evidence, murder, news by sally

“Scientific evidence which helped convict Barry George of the murder of the BBC presenter Jill Dando six years ago has since been codified by the government’s Forensic Science Service as “of no value”, the Guardian understands.”

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The Guardian, 21st June 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

More family cases go behind closed doors – The Times

Posted June 21st, 2007 in family courts, news, private hearings by sally

“Thousands of children’s care cases will be heard behind closed doors under proposals from the Lord Chancellor yesterday that extend courts’ powers to exclude the media.”

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The Times, 21st June 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Honour crimes units to be piloted – BBC News

Posted June 20th, 2007 in domestic violence, forced marriages, news, women by sally

“Specialist teams are to be set up around England to help deal with any so-called “honour crimes” and offences arising from forced marriages.”

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BBC News, 20th June 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

One in four web merchants do not know web shopping laws – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 20th, 2007 in consumer protection, news by sally

“Most internet shoppers do not know about their right to cancel and 28% of UK-based online traders are not aware or only slightly aware of the laws applying to internet shopping, according to a report published by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) yesterday.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 20th June 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

Private care homes not covered by human rights law – The Times

Posted June 20th, 2007 in care homes, human rights, news by sally

“Private care homes that look after elderly and vulnerable people on behalf of local authorities are not covered by human rights laws, the House of Lords ruled today.”

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The Times, 20th June 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

R v. Passmore – WLR Daily

Posted June 20th, 2007 in housing, law reports, social security by sally

R v. Passmore

“If a change in a person’s circumstances did not affect any entitlement of his to any benefit under the social security legislation there was no obligation to disclose that change to the prescribed person.”

WLR Daily, 18th June 2007

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

High Level Group to Probe Impact on Bar of Competitive Tendering and ‘One Case One Fee’ For Legal Aid Work – Bar Council

Posted June 20th, 2007 in barristers, fees, legal aid, news by sally

“Plans to introduce price-based competitive tendering and a single fee to cover litigators’ and advocates’ work in legal aid cases are to come under scrutiny from an expert group set up by the Bar Council.”

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Bar Council press release, 19th June 2007

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

UK extends e-commerce Directive to terrorism laws – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 20th, 2007 in EC law, foreign companies, incitement, news, terrorism by sally

“Regulations come into force this week that explain how and when a foreign company can be brought to justice in the UK over blog postings that encourage terrorism. The Regulations integrate Europe’s e-commerce laws with the UK’s Terrorism Act.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 19th June 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

Ruling on care home residents due – BBC News

Posted June 20th, 2007 in care homes, human rights, news by sally

“Law Lords are due to rule on whether the Human Rights Act applies to private care homes in England and Wales if residents are council funded.”

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BBC News, 20th June 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Transport thugs may face heavier sentences – Reuters

Posted June 20th, 2007 in news, sentencing, transport, violence by sally

“Thugs who commit crimes on public transport may face longer sentences than at present because of the fear they spread with their mindless aggression, Chancellor Gordon Brown said on Tuesday.”

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Reuters, 19th June 2007

Source: www.reuters.com

Drowning of puppies ‘not cruel’, court rules – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 20th, 2007 in dogs, news by sally

“A dog owner who drowned a litter of puppies has been cleared of animal cruelty because experts were unable to prove that they suffered more than if they had been put down by a vet.”

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Daily Telegraph, 20th June 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Benn admits BAE row is hitting Britain – The Guardian

Posted June 20th, 2007 in corruption, fraud, news, Saudi Arabia by sally

“The controversy over BAE Systems’ armaments deal with Saudi Arabia is overshadowing Britain’s efforts to combat international corruption, a candidate for Labour’s deputy leadership will acknowledge today.”

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The Guardian, 20th June 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

U-turn over plan for media in family courts – The Guardian

Posted June 20th, 2007 in family courts, news by sally

“The government is expected to do a U-turn today on its proposal to open up the family courts to the media, in the face of opposition from lawyers, social workers, young people and children’s organisations.”

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The Guardian, 20th June 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Estate agent accepts libel damages – The Guardian

Posted June 20th, 2007 in defamation, news by sally

“An estate agent has accepted substantial libel damages over newspaper articles that suggested he had been arrested in connection with an alleged terrorist plot to blow up passenger aircraft using ‘liquid bombs’.”

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The Guardian, 20th June 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Legal Opinion: A wake-up call for the barristers’ profession – The Independent

Posted June 20th, 2007 in barristers, professional conduct by sally

“Barristers in England and Wales are governed by antiquated rules. Now, writes Robert Verkaik, Law Editor, they have a chance to rewrite their code of conduct.”

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The Independent, 20th June 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk