Archive for December 2011
Leveson inquiry – Piers Morgan, rubbish bins and the law of theft
In giving evidence to the Leveson inquiry. Piers Morgan admitted to using the services of Benjamin Pell, dubbed “Benji the Binman” by the press, a man who apparently built a career on going through the bins of celebrities and selling their rubbish to newspapers. Mr Morgan accepted in his evidence to the inquiry that the act of removing material from a bin was “on the cusp” of being unethical but did not feel that this was illegal. So much for the perception of ethics and legal knowledge of one former tabloid editor!
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Santa – is it a fair cop?
It’s June at the North Pole. A grey haired, bearded man sits in his board room, head in hands. On the table lies a crumpled piece of paper on which the words “Secretary of State, Extradition Request” and “UK ” are just visible. Around him hover his advisers, a selection of elves dressed in green suits, [...]
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Mandatory and minimum sentences – time to review their role in the criminal justice system?
A comprehensive review of the role of mandatory and minimum sentences within the criminal justice system is required in light of a report published this month by the Homicide Review Advisory Group and the Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke’s recent announcement regarding new sentencing regimes.
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Closer ties with Russian lawyers – new initiatives
Two initiatives this winter will significantly enhance professional relations between lawyers qualified in England and Wales and those qualified as advocates in the Russian Federation: the new Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) and the Young Lawyers Exchange Scheme which will be launched in February 2012. Both are supported by the British Russian Law Association (BRLA) which last night held a joint seminar with the Law Society on the new QLTS.
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