Law and Rights
Midsummer Day (21st June) and the Summer Solstice are now behind us and, this year, we have enjoyed a fine spell of weather. Unfortunately, England's football team did not figure in the World Cup. A disappointing outcome but, as someone remarked on Twitter, there's always Wimbledon or the Test Matches. Meanwhile, there is much of interest in the legal world. Here are a few items:
Assisted Suicide:
On Wednesday 25th June, the Supreme Court will hand down judgments in:
R (on the application of Nicklinson and another) (AP) (Appellants) v Ministry of Justice (Respondent)
R (on the application of AM) (AP) (Respondent) v The Director of Public Prosecutions (Appellant)
R (on the application of AM) (AP) (Respondent) v The Director of Public Prosecutions (Appellant)
The hand-down will be streamed on Supreme Court Live and will then be made available on the Supreme Court's YouTube channel. For an Earlier post on these matter see - December 2013 - Assisted Suicide: Appeals to the Supreme Court of the UK.
Youth Justice:
A Parliamentarian's Inquiry into the Operation and Effectiveness of the Youth Courts - chaired by Lord Carlile of Berriew QC - is stating that the Youth Justice System is failing children - Marilyn Stowe Blog 22nd June 2014. The report argues that all lawyers should receive specialist training for this work - Law Society Gazette 19th June. The full report is here - 85 pages pdf.
Family Justice:
The President of the Family Division of the High Court is investigating whether some family cases might be heard in public - Marilyn Stowe blog 19th June. The President's investigation may lead to a consultation later.
Freedom in Britain:
Head of Legal blog looks at the State of Freedom in Britain. Here is an interesting report about an event held at the London School of Economics earlier this month. Well worth reading.
Religion and Belief:
Lady Hale - a Justice of the Supreme Court of the UK - addressed the Law Society of Ireland on Freedom of Religion and Belief. In the speech, Her Ladyship discussed the controversial case of Bull v Hall [2013] UKSC 73.
Speech in Northern Ireland by Lord Neuberger:
Lord Neuberger has addressed a conference of the Bar Councils of Northern Ireland and Ireland. Speech here.
Scotland - the march toward Independence:
From a general reading of the press, there is a feeling that the looking Referendum on Scottish Independence will be a close result. The Scottish Government has published a draft of a first constitution for an independent Scotland - The Guardian 16th June. A good discussion of this may be seen at Katie Boyle: Scotland in Transition: the Scottish Government's proposed interim constitution and the Scottish Independence Bill.
Joint Enterprise:
Parliament's Justice Committee has been following up on its earlier report on Joint Enterprise in criminal law.
- Moohan And Another V Lord Advocate - Supreme Court Of The Uk - Serving Prisoners And The Independence Referendum
18th September 2014 is the date set for the referendum on Scottish Independence. The referendum is being held by virtue of the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013 and those entitled to vote are detailed in the Scottish Independence Referendum...
- As June Fades Into July ... A Short Roundup ...
As June fades into July, a little food for thought ... Halsbury's Law Exchange has published an item by Lord Phillips (a former Lord Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court) on Prisoner Voting - Should Prisoners have the right to vote? Justice...
- Scotland And The Independence Referendum
Doubtless, the subject of the Scottish Independence referendum will come to dominate the news this year. The referendum is to be held on September 2014. In the event of a Yes-to-Independence vote, the proposed timescale is: 18th September...
- Assisted Suicide ~ Appeals To The Supreme Court Of The Uk
This week, a nine judge strong Supreme Court of the UK has been hearing appeals concerning aspects of the Suicide Act 1961 section 2(1) Complicity in another's suicide Suicide. It is perhaps the Nicklinson case which attracted the greater publicity...
- Mid-week News Roundup
Updated 20th June ... Crown Prosecution Service 11th June - Interim Guidance on prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse DPP - final guidelines for prosecutions involving social media communications Human Rights ~ Remember the Commission on a British...
Law and Rights
Midsummer Roundup
Assisted Suicide:
On Wednesday 25th June, the Supreme Court will hand down judgments in:
R (on the application of Nicklinson and another) (AP) (Appellants) v Ministry of Justice (Respondent)
R (on the application of AM) (AP) (Respondent) v The Director of Public Prosecutions (Appellant)
R (on the application of AM) (AP) (Respondent) v The Director of Public Prosecutions (Appellant)
The hand-down will be streamed on Supreme Court Live and will then be made available on the Supreme Court's YouTube channel. For an Earlier post on these matter see - December 2013 - Assisted Suicide: Appeals to the Supreme Court of the UK.
Youth Justice:
A Parliamentarian's Inquiry into the Operation and Effectiveness of the Youth Courts - chaired by Lord Carlile of Berriew QC - is stating that the Youth Justice System is failing children - Marilyn Stowe Blog 22nd June 2014. The report argues that all lawyers should receive specialist training for this work - Law Society Gazette 19th June. The full report is here - 85 pages pdf.
Family Justice:
The President of the Family Division of the High Court is investigating whether some family cases might be heard in public - Marilyn Stowe blog 19th June. The President's investigation may lead to a consultation later.
Freedom in Britain:
Head of Legal blog looks at the State of Freedom in Britain. Here is an interesting report about an event held at the London School of Economics earlier this month. Well worth reading.
Religion and Belief:
Lady Hale - a Justice of the Supreme Court of the UK - addressed the Law Society of Ireland on Freedom of Religion and Belief. In the speech, Her Ladyship discussed the controversial case of Bull v Hall [2013] UKSC 73.
Speech in Northern Ireland by Lord Neuberger:
Lord Neuberger has addressed a conference of the Bar Councils of Northern Ireland and Ireland. Speech here.
Scotland - the march toward Independence:
From a general reading of the press, there is a feeling that the looking Referendum on Scottish Independence will be a close result. The Scottish Government has published a draft of a first constitution for an independent Scotland - The Guardian 16th June. A good discussion of this may be seen at Katie Boyle: Scotland in Transition: the Scottish Government's proposed interim constitution and the Scottish Independence Bill.
Joint Enterprise:
Parliament's Justice Committee has been following up on its earlier report on Joint Enterprise in criminal law.
- Moohan And Another V Lord Advocate - Supreme Court Of The Uk - Serving Prisoners And The Independence Referendum
18th September 2014 is the date set for the referendum on Scottish Independence. The referendum is being held by virtue of the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013 and those entitled to vote are detailed in the Scottish Independence Referendum...
- As June Fades Into July ... A Short Roundup ...
As June fades into July, a little food for thought ... Halsbury's Law Exchange has published an item by Lord Phillips (a former Lord Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court) on Prisoner Voting - Should Prisoners have the right to vote? Justice...
- Scotland And The Independence Referendum
Doubtless, the subject of the Scottish Independence referendum will come to dominate the news this year. The referendum is to be held on September 2014. In the event of a Yes-to-Independence vote, the proposed timescale is: 18th September...
- Assisted Suicide ~ Appeals To The Supreme Court Of The Uk
This week, a nine judge strong Supreme Court of the UK has been hearing appeals concerning aspects of the Suicide Act 1961 section 2(1) Complicity in another's suicide Suicide. It is perhaps the Nicklinson case which attracted the greater publicity...
- Mid-week News Roundup
Updated 20th June ... Crown Prosecution Service 11th June - Interim Guidance on prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse DPP - final guidelines for prosecutions involving social media communications Human Rights ~ Remember the Commission on a British...