Archive

Best bar none

As the year limps to its end, it is time to reflect on the joys and sorrows of the last 12 months of the criminal justice system, and to hand out the Behind Bars Awards of 2009.

The deal is done on criminal legal aid

The government has decided to abandon best value tendering as a means of funding criminal legal aid, but is pressing on with cuts in duty solicitor and advocacy fees.

Danish scientist latest victim of "libel tourism"

General Electric is preparing to sue a Danish scientist in the English courts for libel over comments he made about a drug manufactured by the multinational conglomerate.

Ministers abandon BVT

The MoJ has decided to abandon best value tendering for criminal legal aid. Pilot schemes in Manchester, Bristol and Somerset, due to start next year, will be scrapped.

Jewish school loses admissions policy challenge

One of the oldest Jewish schools in England has lost its appeal against a Court of Appeal ruling that its admissions policy breached race discrimination laws.

Over half of MPs back assisted dying law for doctors

More than half of MPs have said doctors who help patients die should not be prosecuted, according to a new poll.

Law Society prepares third judicial review

The Law Society is preparing to launch a third judicial review, this time over the tendering process for next year's BVT pilot.

Lawyers without frontiers: Nigeria

The Nigeria Law School and the Nigerian Bar Association, now with the support of the Law Society in England, are leading the fight for the protection of human rights and access to justice in a country that has suffered from decades of military rule, says Sara Chandler