Professional indemnity insurance renewal in 2015/16 was plain sailing for most firms, with average costs falling 8% year on year, latest research reveals. The Law Society survey of 560 firms also found that one-third have abandoned the traditional October renewal date. More than three-quarters (76%) of firms, ranging in size from sole practitioners to 25…
The Court of Appeal dismissed a legal challenge by the Government The Court of Appeal quashed the Government’s legal challenge AFP/Getty Images Sanctions imposed on thousands of benefit claimants for not taking part in the DWP’s so-called “back-to-work” schemes are unlawful, a court has ruled. Three Court of Appeal judges upheld an earlier decision by…
Court challenge brought by 94-year-old second world war veteran living in Italy and lawyer resident in Belgium fails British lawyer Jacquelyn MacLennan, who lives in Belgium, outside the high court in central London. Photograph: Niklas Halle’N/AFP/Getty Images The high court has rejected an attempt to force the government to grant millions of UK citizens living…
Gambling Commission says bookmaker failed to inquire about source of man’s wealth before he was jailed for theft Gala Coral has promised to improve its anti-money laundering and social responsibility processes. Photograph: Islandstock/Alamy The bookmaker Gala Coral has agreed with the gambling regulator to pay out nearly £880,000 after taking hundreds of thousands of pounds…
Criminal defence solicitors are expected to oppose proposed replacement guidelines on sentence reductions for early guilty pleas. The Sentencing Council says it wants to ensure that reductions for guilty pleas ‘should be applied fairly and consistently and that the guideline should encourage defendants who are guilty to plead guilty as early in the court process…
‘Call me an old fashioned bobby, but that is criminal,’ says officer whose statement was changed A banner reading ‘Truth’ and ‘Justice’ hangs from Liverpool’s Saint George’s Hall Getty Police officers and Hillsborough survivors whose testimonies were altered by police to create the impression that Liverpool fans caused the 1989 football stadium tragedy have called for…
The Guardian Report finds rise in number of people appearing in court without lawyer, while experts warn vulnerable defendants are having to fend for themselves Magistrates reported that 25% of defendants who came before them in 2014 were unrepresented by a lawyer. Photograph: Alamy Miscarriages of justice and long delays in the criminal justice system…
The Independent The change is expected to be enforced from May Getty Images Cold callers will soon be forced to display their telephone numbers. If companies withhold their identities and persistently break the rules they can expect to face fines from the Information Commisioner’s Office (ICO). The minister responsible for data protection Baroness Neville-Rolfe –…
BBC NEWS A victim of the Alton Tower’s Smiler crash described the aftermath as being like “a horror movie” as the theme park admitted health and safety breaches. Chanda Chauhan and her daughter Vanisha Singh spoke out for the first time about their ordeal riding in the second carriage. Merlin Attractions, which owns the Staffordshire…
BBC NEWS The owner of Alton Towers has been told it faces a large fine after admitting responsibility for the Smiler rollercoaster crash. Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd indicated a guilty plea to charges of breaching the Health and Safety Act. The firm’s counsel, Simon Antrobus, told a court Merlin accepted it could have taken additional…
