Lord chief justice says in annual report to parliament that one result is rise in number of litigants unrepresented in court The lord chief justice, Lord Thomas, also said judges felt under-appreciated. Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PA Civil justice is unaffordable for most people, more people are being forced to represent themselves, and judges – whose pensions…
The Guardian Police in talks with Home Office to ensure immediate surrender of passports after case of Londoner suspected of being masked man in Isis video Rules on police bail are ‘fairly toothless’ because police are unable to prosecute breaches of any bail conditions, the Met’s counter-terror chief, Mark Rowley, has told MPs. Photograph: Dominic…
BBC NEWS New tests should be introduced to assess whether a defendant facing criminal charges is mentally fit to stand trial, the Law Commission says. Currently two doctors, including a psychiatrist, advise judges on a defendant’s fitness before a trial. But the commission, an independent body that reviews laws in England and Wales, wants advice…
The Guardian Government accused over refusal to suspend export licences in wake of strikes on Yemen A house destroyed by a Saudi-led coalition airstrike last week on the Yemeni capital, Sana’a. Photograph: Chen Lin/Xinhua Press/Corbis The government has been put on notice that it is in breach of international law for allowing the export of…
The Guardian Lib Dem ex-MP says judge Heather Anderson wrong not to name council that failed to consult man over daughter’s placement in foster care The judge decided that the child should be placed for adoption. Photograph: Alamy A family court judge has come under fire after refusing to name a council that violated a…
Insurer lashes out at ‘outrageous scale’ of fraud as it revealed successful fight against 46 claimants whose party bus collided with a Ford Fiesta The UK has become known as the whiplash capital of Europe due to the high level of claims made by those involved in accidents. Photograph: Chris Rout/Alamy When a Ford Fiesta…
The F Word Emma Snaith interviews Sisters Uncut, a campaign group who take direct action to oppose cuts to domestic violence services. They discuss the successes of activism in 2015 and look towards the next stage in their fight to save the lives of women in and escaping abusive relationships Although only formed in November…
The Law Gazette Ministry of Justice officials have told lawyers they have yet to decide on the scope of the rise in the small claims limit – but there appears little inclination to water down plans to remove whiplash compensation. Ministers are said to be convinced that low-value injury cases should be ‘easy enough’ to…
The Law Gazette Conveyancers will need to ‘raise their game’ in what will be a challenging year, a major trade body has warned. Announcing today its aims and ambitions for the new year, the Conveyancing Association believes solicitors will have some obstacles to overcome in 2016. These include a ‘very busy’ quarter-one period as buy-to-let…
From April 2016, migrant workers will need to earn at least £35,000 to qualify for settlement in the UK. Will this affect your life in the country? UK Border control at Terminal 5 Heathrow Airport London United Kingdom. Photograph: Gregory Wrona / Alamy/Alamy Non-EU migrants who have spent more than five years working in the…
