The Guardian Independent inquiry into recruit Cheryl James’s death in 1995 is ‘milestone’ in history of unexplained barracks deaths Pte Cheryl James, who was found dead with a bullet wound in 1995. Photograph: PA Twenty years after Pte Cheryl James, 18, was found dead with a bullet wound to her face a new inquest into…
The Law Gazette Lord Justice Jackson, the architect of the present civil costs regime, last night called for fixed costs to apply to all claims valued up to £250,000. Jackson urged government ministers to make reform an immediate priority with a view to setting fixed recoverable costs by the end of this year. Having carved out…
The Guardian MPs told fees rise was based on ‘hopeless’ evidence to plug £100m hole and hit small businesses, divorcees and employees The master of the rolls said ‘enhanced fees’ meant users of civil courts were subsiding the family and criminal courts. Photograph: Velar Grant/Demotix/Corbis Court fee increases that were hastily introduced to plug a…
The Law Gazette A Yorkshire firm has been ordered to pay £229,970 to a former client over mishandled property transaction advice almost 10 years ago. Mansion Estates Limited accused Hayre & Co and its principal Rajinder Hayre of fabricating a series of attendance notes and exchanges following the 2007 sale of a £1.7m property in…
The Law Gazette The number of professional negligence claims against law firms in the High Court has almost halved in a year, data compiled by City firm RPC reveal today. But the firm warned of a large amount of potential litigation in the background. The drop to 221 cases in 2015 down from 418 the…
The Guardian Force says BBC story was inaccurate and has damaged community relations with the police BBC newsroom studio at Broadcasting House. Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner has written to BBC Lancashire about its reporting of the story. Photograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA Police have criticised the BBC for publishing a story that claimed a spelling error…
The Guardian Judge says traditional cabs are ‘devoid of inherent distinctive character’, in legal row involving new eco-friendly taxi group The new Green taxi, Metrocab – the only zero-emissions capable black cab currently operating in London. Photograph: Metrocab A high court judge has ruled that one of London’s most famous sights, the black cab, is…
The Law Gazette The president of the Family Division has proposed introducing mandatory restrictions on the number of pages in court documents for family cases, alleging that lawyers have ignored previous calls for restraint. Last February Sir James Munby (pictured) criticised lawyers for ‘routinely’ ignoring practice directions imposing a 350-page limit on bundles, warning that…
The guardian Appeal court says detention of Miranda was lawful but clause under which he was held is incompatible with European human rights convention The court of appeal rules in the David Miranda case – video A key clause in the Terrorism Act 2000 is incompatible with the European convention on human rights, the master…
Fewer witnesses in criminal cases are turning up at court, a watchdog has warned. Fewer witnesses in criminal cases are turning up at court, a watchdog has warned. Attendance is falling despite an increase in the number of witness summonses issued, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) said. Chief inspector Kevin McGinty said: “Fewer and…
