Law and Rights
Public Defenders:
A little more on the developing Public Defender Service. It looks like the PDS is being expanded by the government in order to challenge the independent Bar which has been active in opposing planned cuts to criminal legal aid.
Some research on the PDS covering the period May 2001 (when the service commenced) to 2004 is available here.
and now to other matters ....
QASA:
A planned Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) was the subject of a judicial review. The challenges to the legality of the planned scheme were rejected by the High Court. It is a lengthy judgment but worth reading in full. (Previous post: QASA: Snakes and Ladders 17th February 2012).
Marital coercion defence to be abolished:
A clause has been slipped into the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill to rid the law of the defence of marital coercion - The Guardian 17th January and see Law and Lawyers 2nd June 2012. The last notable use of this defence was in the Vicky Pryce trial. She was convicted. Here is the clause ...
Fines for environmental offences:
Some important judgments are now appearing as the new Law term gets into full swing. Here is a case dealing with the level of fines to be imposed on large companies (Sellafield and Network rail) for environmental offences.
The Chancery Division:
A lengthy report has been published dealing with Modernisation of the Chancery Division of the High Court.
Legal Dials of Democracy:
Professor Gary Slapper posted this on Twitter (20th January). He summarises, in seven short phrases, the importance of the law in a democracy.
- Judicial Appointments ~ How It Was: How It Is
Professor Gary Slapper is a leading academic lawyer and well-known legal author. Recently, he posted the tweet shown below. That's how it was. These days, lawyers apply for posts in the judiciary in response to advertisements from the...
- Independent Bar V Public Defender Scheme: Just What Is Going On?
See this advert - Job Description - Queen's Counsel, Senior Higher Courts Advocates and Junior Higher Courts Advocates The Ministry of Justice is managing a recruitment process for these posts in the Public Defender Service. Salaries range from...
- Qasa + (ocof X Bvt) = Bogof
There is a serious question of whether the independent criminal bar will survive a series of government initiatives which may be summed up in this equation: QaSa + (oCOF x BvT) = BOGOF where QASA = Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates oCOF = One case,...
- Vicky Pryce Convicted
Updated 10th March ~ sentence and remarks Vicky Pryce - former wife of ex-Minister Chris Huhne - has been convicted of perverting the course of justice in that she took speeding points which should have applied to her husband - The Guardian 7th March...
- Quality Assurance For Advocates: Snakes And Ladders
In 2006, Lord Carter issued his report- "Legal Aid - A market-based approach to reform." One of Carter's recommendations concerned "Quality Assurance" of advocacy. At para. 27 he said - "It is essential that clients have...
Law and Rights
Public Defenders ~ QASA ~ and other matters
Public Defenders:
A little more on the developing Public Defender Service. It looks like the PDS is being expanded by the government in order to challenge the independent Bar which has been active in opposing planned cuts to criminal legal aid.
UK Criminal Bar rejects the new Public Defender Service. pic.twitter.com/kNRjgoVCRA
? Mike Gleeson (@MickyG72) January 21, 2014Some research on the PDS covering the period May 2001 (when the service commenced) to 2004 is available here.
and now to other matters ....
QASA:
A planned Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) was the subject of a judicial review. The challenges to the legality of the planned scheme were rejected by the High Court. It is a lengthy judgment but worth reading in full. (Previous post: QASA: Snakes and Ladders 17th February 2012).
Marital coercion defence to be abolished:
A clause has been slipped into the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill to rid the law of the defence of marital coercion - The Guardian 17th January and see Law and Lawyers 2nd June 2012. The last notable use of this defence was in the Vicky Pryce trial. She was convicted. Here is the clause ...
After Clause 162
LORD TAYLOR OF HOLBEACH
LORD PANNICK
Insert the following new Clause?
?Abolition of defence of marital coercion
(1) The defence of marital coercion is abolished.
(2) Accordingly, section 47 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 (coercion of
married woman by husband) is repealed.
married woman by husband) is repealed.
(3) This section does not have effect in respect of an offence alleged to have
been committed before the date on which it comes into force.?
been committed before the date on which it comes into force.?
Fines for environmental offences:
Some important judgments are now appearing as the new Law term gets into full swing. Here is a case dealing with the level of fines to be imposed on large companies (Sellafield and Network rail) for environmental offences.
The Chancery Division:
A lengthy report has been published dealing with Modernisation of the Chancery Division of the High Court.
Legal Dials of Democracy:
Professor Gary Slapper posted this on Twitter (20th January). He summarises, in seven short phrases, the importance of the law in a democracy.
THE 7 LEGAL DIALS OF DEMOCRACY rule of law separation of powers legal aid independent judiciary due process natural justice judicial review
? Gary Slapper (@garyslapper) January 20, 2014- Judicial Appointments ~ How It Was: How It Is
Professor Gary Slapper is a leading academic lawyer and well-known legal author. Recently, he posted the tweet shown below. That's how it was. These days, lawyers apply for posts in the judiciary in response to advertisements from the...
- Independent Bar V Public Defender Scheme: Just What Is Going On?
See this advert - Job Description - Queen's Counsel, Senior Higher Courts Advocates and Junior Higher Courts Advocates The Ministry of Justice is managing a recruitment process for these posts in the Public Defender Service. Salaries range from...
- Qasa + (ocof X Bvt) = Bogof
There is a serious question of whether the independent criminal bar will survive a series of government initiatives which may be summed up in this equation: QaSa + (oCOF x BvT) = BOGOF where QASA = Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates oCOF = One case,...
- Vicky Pryce Convicted
Updated 10th March ~ sentence and remarks Vicky Pryce - former wife of ex-Minister Chris Huhne - has been convicted of perverting the course of justice in that she took speeding points which should have applied to her husband - The Guardian 7th March...
- Quality Assurance For Advocates: Snakes And Ladders
In 2006, Lord Carter issued his report- "Legal Aid - A market-based approach to reform." One of Carter's recommendations concerned "Quality Assurance" of advocacy. At para. 27 he said - "It is essential that clients have...