Legal News

Court of Public Protection should be opened to media, top judge says

Posted on January 03, 2010
One of Britain?s most secret courts is set to be opened up to the media in a move that could boost public confidence after widespread criticism of its workings.

Court of Protection dismissed as 'an alien and costly institution'

Posted on January 03, 2010
The Court of Protection, set up two years ago under the Mental Incapacity Act, has been accused of struggling with its workload. People have complained on internet forums of ?bullying? letters and ?being treated like a criminal? after being deemed unsuitable to look after their relatives? affairs.

SFO forced to write off £1.2m on failed IT plan

Posted on January 01, 2010
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has been forced to write off £1.2 million spent on an abandoned IT project that was designed to improve its management of complicated cases.

Eversheds offers guidance on new bribery law

Posted on January 01, 2010
?I?m attending a trade fair. During a break, one of our preferred subcontractors said he could help us get a contract with a new customer as long as we promised to use him on the job. I think he?s planning to offer an expensive gift to one of the customer?s senior managers...

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Solicitors Regulation Authority closes down law firm Wolstenholmes

Posted on December 31, 2009
A leading law firm has been closed by regulators and five solicitors have been suspended after allegations of dishonesty involving hundreds of thousands of pounds of clients? money.

Apple not to blame for hearing loss from playing iPods too loud, says judge

Posted on December 31, 2009
Music fans who damage their hearing by cranking up the volume on their iPods cannot blame Apple after a US appeals court ruled that users are responsible for listening to music too loudly.

How law could help to fight antibiotic resistance

Posted on December 31, 2009
A couple of years ago 10-year-old Daniel Roberts hurt his leg falling from a slide in the playground. Within 48 hours, infection had spread throughout his body and he suffered septic shock and total organ failure. As huge volumes of antibiotics failed to work, it became clear that his infection was a particularly aggressive strain of MRSA...

Apple off the hook over iPod volumes

Posted on December 31, 2009
Apple won a legal victory today when a US appeals court ruled that the American technology group was not to blame if iPod owners damage their hearing by playing their music too loudly.

Iceland approves £3.4bn Icesave loss deal

Posted on December 31, 2009
Iceland?s parliament has agreed to pay back ?3.8 billion (£3.4 billion) lost by British and Dutch savers when its banking system collapsed, in a move that is likely to boost the country?s bid to join the European Union.

South Korea pardons former Samsung boss

Posted on December 30, 2009
South Korea's Government has granted a rare ?special pardon? to the former chairman of Samsung Electronics so that the tycoon can help with the country?s increasingly desperate-looking bid to host the Winter Olympics.

Banker fired at 42 wins age case against CIBC

Posted on December 29, 2009
A 42-year-old London-based banker has won an age discrimination ruling against one of Canada's largest banks after being declared redundant during the credit crisis last year.

Cattles investors step up campaign for doorstep lender to close down

Posted on December 29, 2009
A group of shareholders in Cattles has vowed to fight for the doorstep lender to be wound up, in an attempt to improve the chances of pursuing a legal case against some of its former employees.

Thousands to be saved from losing homes by closure of legal loophole

Posted on December 28, 2009
Mortgage lenders will be barred from seizing a borrower?s property without a court order after the closure of a legal loophole, to be announced tomorrow.

Bernard Madoff is moved to jail's medical wing

Posted on December 24, 2009
Bernard Madoff, the $65 billion swindler, has been moved to a low-security medical centre at the North Carolina prison where he is jailed.$

Football boss in brothel story tests privacy laws

Posted on December 23, 2009
It had all the elements of a classic tabloid sting ? apart from a name. The Sun?s decision not to identify a top football manager accused of visiting a brothel marked a tipping point in British privacy law, media experts said.

Banks? Supreme Court win spurs Foxtons to fight

Posted on December 23, 2009
Foxtons is to appeal against a High Court ruling that millions of pounds of fees it has charged landlords are unfair, after the banks? overdraft charges victory gave the estate agent hope that it could win a renewed legal battle against the Office of Fair Trading.

Legal quiz for 2009: d'you remember the weird and the wonderful?

Posted on December 23, 2009
1. Which of these jury incidents did not occur in 2009?

Three 'legal highs' banned after deaths linked to the drugs

Posted on December 22, 2009
Three drugs producing ?legal highs? will become illegal today after at least two deaths have been linked to their use.

OFT backs down in legal battle against overdraft charges but vows to pursue reform

Posted on December 22, 2009
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has conceded defeat in its long-running legal battle against Britain?s banking sector over unauthorised overdraft charges, disappointing hundreds of thousands of customers who had been hoping to reclaim the fees.

China promises to take off gloves in fight over shoes

Posted on December 22, 2009
China has threatened the European Union with legal action after EU governments voted to renew punitive anti-dumping tariffs against imports of Chinese and Vietnamese footwear.

Camra calls on consumers to help fund fight against tied-pub ruling

Posted on December 22, 2009
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) vowed yesterday to launch a legal challenge to the decision by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to reject its so-called super-complaint over anti-competitive practices by the big tenanted pub companies.

Future of BAA assets unclear after successful tribunal appeal

Posted on December 21, 2009
Plans to overhaul the ownership of Britain?s airports were thrown into confusion yesterday after BAA won an appeal against the break-up of its monopolies in London and Scotland.

No more 'Pope on a rope', says the Vatican

Posted on December 21, 2009
It is one of the most recognised images in the world ? the Pope, hand held aloft in blessing. Increasingly, however, the Pope?s name or image is found in less traditional contexts ? from soap products and snowstorms to endorsing tomato paste. In a move to control this growing use or misuse of the papal brand, the Holy See has announced that in future anyone wanting to use the face or name of the Holy Father or Supreme Pontiff must obtain Vatican approval.

Dickensian ?logbook loans? to be banned

Posted on December 21, 2009
High-interest loans secured on cars are to be outlawed under government proposals tabled yesterday.

Fare warning over BA's deal with American Airlines

Posted on December 21, 2009
Transatlantic airfares could rise as much as 15 per cent if British Airways is allowed to proceed with its tie-up with American Airlines, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) has warned.

Excess of carbon allowances casts further cloud over Europe

Posted on December 21, 2009
A surplus of permits to emit 100 million tonnes of greenhouse gases is hanging over Europe?s carbon market, which slid yesterday as energy traders reacted to the failure of the Copenhagen climate change conference.

Tories deny pushing for 'licence to kill burglars'

Posted on December 21, 2009
The Shadow Home Secretary denied last night that the Conservatives were planning a ?licence to kill burglars? as lawyers suggested that it would be unwise to go beyond allowing people to use reasonable force to protect themselves.

Busker to challenge ruling that performance amounts to begging

Posted on December 21, 2009
A busker is to challenge a conviction that playing his guitar and singing in a public place amounted to begging.

Kuwait Airways closer to restitution from Iraq

Posted on December 21, 2009
When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, the rampaging Iraqi forces stole money, art and even the country?s airline before they were eventually stopped by an American-led coalition.

Boom time for forensic accountants as frauds rise

Posted on December 20, 2009
Britain?s leading accountants are set for a surge in fee income over the next three years as companies turn to them for help in dealing with a rise in regulatory investigations and tough new anti-corruption laws.

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