Archive

Reality check

As I write this we are all – eagerly, apparently – awaiting the announcement of the worst kept secret in the world: the election date. And by the time you read these words, Gordon will have fired the gun – or at least empty out the old discharge from the barrel as the bang went off about six months ago – and Parliament will be dissolved and we shall finally be a few weeks away from voting.

No more law lords as 'Sir John' joins Supreme Court

Sir John Dyson, formerly Lord Justice Dyson, will not be known as a 'lord' following his swearing in at the Supreme Court this morning, but merely as 'Sir John'. Female justices of the Supreme Court will be referred to as 'Dame', rather than 'Lady'.

British Chiropractic Association drops libel action

The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has abandoned its libel action against science writer Simon Singh, following his outspoken comments in an article for The Guardian.

Hudson condemns "stigmatising" of legal aid over expenses MPs

Des Hudson, chief executive of the Law Society, has said that “stigmatising the legal aid system” for funding the defence costs of three ex-Labour MPs charged with offences related to their expenses' claims was “disappointing and unhelpful”.

Anti-file sharer firm denies "oppressive" tactics

A law firm that had targeted file sharers claiming they had unlawfully downloaded copyright-protected material has denied reports that its letters were "oppressive".

Straw forced to scrap libel conditional fee cut

Justice secretary Jack Straw's plan to cut the maximum success fees charged by libel lawyers in conditional fee cases from 100 to ten per cent of damages has been dropped by the government.

Lord Justice Wall in outspoken attack on social workers

Lord Justice Wall, who will replace Sir Mark Potter today as president of the Family Division, has launched an outspoken attack on social workers in care proceedings. Greenwich Council has promised to carry out an independent review of the case.

Served chilled

The recent triumph of freedom of expression may have reduced the 'chilling effect' of libel laws, but it has also brought uncertainty to the fair comment defence, writes Rod Dadak