Weekly Notes

This week’s collection of legal news and comment includes a u-turn on criminal charges, a review of criminal appeals, a consultation over human rights, a diversity of judicial appointments and a block on anonymously tweeted information requests. Criminal charges Unfair and unpopular Criminal Courts Charge dropped Lord Chancellor Michael Gove, in a speech to the Magistrates’… Continue reading

This week’s autumn review includes a spending spree on the courts, a change of forum shopping habits, a speaker denied a hearing, a monkey pressing his suit, an exemption withdrawn and a gateway moved. Plus the various horrors of injustice in foreign parts. Autumn statement Chancellor spins on a sixpence Acting on better than expected forecasts,… Continue reading

This week’s roundup of legal news and comment includes information technology in the courts, legal information in the library, a regulatory sandbox for financial product development, and a pair of litigious dogs being hounded out of court. Civil Litigation Back to the future that never was… will it be now? At his recent press conference on… Continue reading

This week’s platinum album of legal news and comment includes lyrical logic and poetic justice, along with a threatened library and a tender-hearted omnishambles. Prisons “Stone walls do not a prison make…” No indeed. They can just as easily be turned into a luxury town centre hotel or new housing development. Hence the Chancellor’s announcement this… Continue reading

This week’s roundup of legal news and events covers Pro Bono week, litigants in person, investigatory powers and freedom of information, plus human rights and inhuman wrongs from around the globe. Pro Bono week Attorney General kicks off annual celebration The start of the 14th National Pro Bono Week was marked on Monday 2 November  by a… Continue reading

This week’s legal tricks and illegal treats include a trial of witches, a woman imprisoned in a man’s body, a rapid (but not rushed) review of parliamentary convention, a thin veil of intimidation and a bonfire of other vanities. But first, here’s a seasonal picture of a well seasoned judge:  Salem witch trial latest Witch vexed… Continue reading

This week’s lineup of legal news and views considers diversity in legal careers and promotion, public trust in judges, what happens when they disagree with their betters, and some class and not so classy actions.   Diversity at Law Are legal careers mobility-optimised? The appointment this week of two women as High Court judges, one of them… Continue reading

This week’s merry-go-roundup of legal news and events includes a U-turning Lord Chancellor, a truanting parent, a litigious aunt, a savvy data subject and his refusal to dock in an unsafe harbour. UPDATED 22 October 2015 Ryanair Justice Gove predicted to bin tax on guilt After debating a motion of regret, members of the House… Continue reading

The big news this week has been ICLR’s own birthday, and the book, the talk and the bursary which came with it. But we’ve squeezed in some other news as well.   “150 Not Out” ICLR’s sesquicentennial celebration   Recently (see below) a judge in the United States ruled that the tune of the popular song… Continue reading

This week’s sketch of key events in the legal calendar includes the Lord Chancellor’s breakfast, some regulatory news, new legislation, toytown terrorism and a classical philosopher’s retrial. Plus highs and lows of laws overseas. Happy New Legal Year New Lord Chancellor’s breakfast of judicial champions Michael Gove, as Lord Chancellor, opened the legal year in the… Continue reading