Law and Rights
The BBC's "Justice Makers" is a fascinating and unique insight into the Supreme Court of the U.K. There is much to be commended in the programme in which four of the court's Justices (Lords Phillips, Hope, Kerr and Lady Hale) take a central part. It is essential viewing whether the viewer is a lawyer or not!
Their backgrounds and personalities of the four justices are revealed. How the court makes its decisions is examined and several of the recent high profile cases are discussed including the M.P.s accused of making false claims; bank charges on overdrafts; pre-nuptial agreements and control orders. There are several rather personal touches as well. Lady Hale (the only female justice) hoped that the others would "forgive" her for disagreeing with them about pre-nuptial agreements. Lord Kerr admired the "nimble footedness of counsel" as they change tack during argument before the court. Lord Hope likes to go home to write his judgments since it is more peaceful there than the hurly-burly of London. At the end of the programme there is a feeling that we are more than fortunate to have this court which is clearly committed to maintaining the rule of law with cases decided by independently-minded people.
BBC Four - "The Highest Court in the Land: Justice Makers" - "They are the UK's most powerful arbiters of justice and now, for the first time, four of the Justices of the Supreme Court talk frankly and openly about the nature of justice and how they make their decisions. The film offers a revealing glimpse of the human characters behind the judgments and explores why the Supreme Court and its members are fundamental to our democracy."
Addendum: The BBC programme may only be viewed up to 6th February.
For a much more detailed analysis of the programme see Lallands Peat Worrier.
- Differences With Strasbourg ~ Are "battle Lines" Now Drawn?
The Court of Appeal (Civil Division) has considered two appeals by men subject to continuing detention after their "minimum terms" or "tariff periods" have expired. Haney and Khaiyam v Secretary of State for Justice Mr Haney is serving an automatic life...
- Lady Hale Joins In ~ Speech At Warwick 28th November ~ And The Attorney-general's View On 'europe'
Following hard on the heels of Lord Sumption and Lord Justice Laws, Lady Hale (Deputy President of the Supreme Court) has joined the fray on human rights. Here is a link to her speech at Warwick on 28th November. Here is an antidote...
- Lord Dyson To Be Master Of The Rolls
Lord Dyson - presently a Justice of the Supreme Court - will become Master of the Rolls on 1st October 2012 - Announcement from No. 10. This is an ancient office but, in modern times, the Master of the Rolls presides over the Court of Appeal...
- True Stories: Britain's Supreme Court
A further excellent television programme about the Supreme Court of the U.K. may be viewed - "Channel 4: Britain's Supreme Court." It lasts for 72 minutes but, be warned, that at the outset and around the halfway point there are a few adverts! ...
- The Week Ahead - Monday 18th October
The Supreme Court is hearing argument in the M.P.'s expenses case - (R v Chaytor and others). This is an appeal from the Court of Appeal Criminal Division which held that the Bill of Rights 1688 Article 9 did not protect Members of Parliament...
Law and Rights
Justice Makers - Essential Viewing
Their backgrounds and personalities of the four justices are revealed. How the court makes its decisions is examined and several of the recent high profile cases are discussed including the M.P.s accused of making false claims; bank charges on overdrafts; pre-nuptial agreements and control orders. There are several rather personal touches as well. Lady Hale (the only female justice) hoped that the others would "forgive" her for disagreeing with them about pre-nuptial agreements. Lord Kerr admired the "nimble footedness of counsel" as they change tack during argument before the court. Lord Hope likes to go home to write his judgments since it is more peaceful there than the hurly-burly of London. At the end of the programme there is a feeling that we are more than fortunate to have this court which is clearly committed to maintaining the rule of law with cases decided by independently-minded people.
BBC Four - "The Highest Court in the Land: Justice Makers" - "They are the UK's most powerful arbiters of justice and now, for the first time, four of the Justices of the Supreme Court talk frankly and openly about the nature of justice and how they make their decisions. The film offers a revealing glimpse of the human characters behind the judgments and explores why the Supreme Court and its members are fundamental to our democracy."
Addendum: The BBC programme may only be viewed up to 6th February.
For a much more detailed analysis of the programme see Lallands Peat Worrier.
- Differences With Strasbourg ~ Are "battle Lines" Now Drawn?
The Court of Appeal (Civil Division) has considered two appeals by men subject to continuing detention after their "minimum terms" or "tariff periods" have expired. Haney and Khaiyam v Secretary of State for Justice Mr Haney is serving an automatic life...
- Lady Hale Joins In ~ Speech At Warwick 28th November ~ And The Attorney-general's View On 'europe'
Following hard on the heels of Lord Sumption and Lord Justice Laws, Lady Hale (Deputy President of the Supreme Court) has joined the fray on human rights. Here is a link to her speech at Warwick on 28th November. Here is an antidote...
- Lord Dyson To Be Master Of The Rolls
Lord Dyson - presently a Justice of the Supreme Court - will become Master of the Rolls on 1st October 2012 - Announcement from No. 10. This is an ancient office but, in modern times, the Master of the Rolls presides over the Court of Appeal...
- True Stories: Britain's Supreme Court
A further excellent television programme about the Supreme Court of the U.K. may be viewed - "Channel 4: Britain's Supreme Court." It lasts for 72 minutes but, be warned, that at the outset and around the halfway point there are a few adverts! ...
- The Week Ahead - Monday 18th October
The Supreme Court is hearing argument in the M.P.'s expenses case - (R v Chaytor and others). This is an appeal from the Court of Appeal Criminal Division which held that the Bill of Rights 1688 Article 9 did not protect Members of Parliament...