Law and Rights
The April 1989 Hillsborough Disaster Inquests began today (31st March). The initial inquests were never seen as satisfactory by the families of the deceased and fresh inquests were ordered by the High Court in December 2012. The new inquests are being conducted by Lord Justice Goldring (who has been appointed Assistant Coroner for South Yorkshire East and West Yorkshire West). He is to sit with a jury of eleven. See the Hillsborough Inquests website.
The Inquests are subject to a number of warnings regarding the possibility of contempt of court - see Directions. Millions of words have been published on this tragedy including the report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel (September 2012 - pdf 389 pages) and, of course, the much earlier reports of Lord Justice Taylor (later Lord Chief Justice). However, the fact remains that the jury must reach its conclusions on the basis of the evidence presented at the inquest and only that. (The word verdict is no longer used in relation to inquests).
In July 2013, considerable changes took place to the law relating to Coroners and inquests - (see Judiciary website) - as, after a considerable delay, much of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 was finally brought into force. A summary of the law may now be found in Chief Coroners Guide to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 - (pdf - 51 pages).
- In Memoriam - 7/7
Today is a day to remember those who died in the London Bombings of 7th July 2005 - The Guardian 5th July 2015. Over 700 others were injured. Inquests were conducted by Lady Justice Hallett who was appointed to the role of Assistant Deputy Coroner...
- Hillsborough - Home Secretary's Statement In Parliament
The Home Secretary has made a statement in Parliament relating to the Hillsborough Stadium disaster in April 1989. The statement was essentially a progress report on how matters have proceeded since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent...
- Legal News - Legal Aid - Hillsborough - Human Rights - Road Safety - Kenya: A Colonial Legacy
Legal Aid - The Ministry of Justice received in the region of 13000 responses to their Transforming Legal Aid consultation. Many of the responses are from bodies and practitioners with immense experience in the legal world. Links to a sample...
- Hillsborough ~ New Inquests And New Problems
In December 2012, the original inquest verdicts into the deaths at Hillsborough in April 1989 were quashed by the High Court and fresh inquests were ordered - Law and Lawyers 20th December 2012. and see - Her Majesty' Attorney-General v HM Coroner...
- Hillsborough ~ Independent Panel ~ No.2
UPDATE 12th October - IPCC announcement UPDATE 5th October - Retirement announced of Sir Norman Bettison - Chief Constable of South Yorkshire UPDATE 17th September - The Justice Gap - Mark George QC - Hillsborough and Cover Ups UPDATES 13th September...
Law and Rights
Hillsborough Inquests underway
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| Goldring LJ |
The Inquests are subject to a number of warnings regarding the possibility of contempt of court - see Directions. Millions of words have been published on this tragedy including the report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel (September 2012 - pdf 389 pages) and, of course, the much earlier reports of Lord Justice Taylor (later Lord Chief Justice). However, the fact remains that the jury must reach its conclusions on the basis of the evidence presented at the inquest and only that. (The word verdict is no longer used in relation to inquests).
In July 2013, considerable changes took place to the law relating to Coroners and inquests - (see Judiciary website) - as, after a considerable delay, much of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 was finally brought into force. A summary of the law may now be found in Chief Coroners Guide to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 - (pdf - 51 pages).
- In Memoriam - 7/7
Today is a day to remember those who died in the London Bombings of 7th July 2005 - The Guardian 5th July 2015. Over 700 others were injured. Inquests were conducted by Lady Justice Hallett who was appointed to the role of Assistant Deputy Coroner...
- Hillsborough - Home Secretary's Statement In Parliament
The Home Secretary has made a statement in Parliament relating to the Hillsborough Stadium disaster in April 1989. The statement was essentially a progress report on how matters have proceeded since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent...
- Legal News - Legal Aid - Hillsborough - Human Rights - Road Safety - Kenya: A Colonial Legacy
Legal Aid - The Ministry of Justice received in the region of 13000 responses to their Transforming Legal Aid consultation. Many of the responses are from bodies and practitioners with immense experience in the legal world. Links to a sample...
- Hillsborough ~ New Inquests And New Problems
In December 2012, the original inquest verdicts into the deaths at Hillsborough in April 1989 were quashed by the High Court and fresh inquests were ordered - Law and Lawyers 20th December 2012. and see - Her Majesty' Attorney-General v HM Coroner...
- Hillsborough ~ Independent Panel ~ No.2
UPDATE 12th October - IPCC announcement UPDATE 5th October - Retirement announced of Sir Norman Bettison - Chief Constable of South Yorkshire UPDATE 17th September - The Justice Gap - Mark George QC - Hillsborough and Cover Ups UPDATES 13th September...