Procedures

Articles

9 Jun 2015

Human rights can't be negotiated or eliminated

Human rights defender Jorge Eliecer Molano Rodriguez talks exclusively to John van der Luit-Drummond on why he is hopeful for Colombia's future and why the UK must remain committed to its international obligations

2 Jun 2015

Better not call Saul

Legal professional privilege remains secure, despite recent attempts to chip away at the concept, say John Bechelet and Holly Pelham

29 May 2015

FIFA or mafia?

'Teflon Don' Sepp Blatter avoids being linked with US criminal investigation into football's world governing body

26 May 2015

LASPO: Court has no power to stop sexually abused being cross-examined by alleged perpetrator

Court of Appeal ruling raises questions over funding for cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses

26 May 2015

Misconduct in public office

The CPS has come under fire for the prosecution of journalists following the Leveson inquiry, but, given the circumstances, the decision was inevitable, says Steven Heffer

19 May 2015

Tips for dealing with litigants in person

How to keep your cool and use the law and procedure to your advantage, by Joanne Lewis

15 May 2015

Caped crusader pleads guilty

Judges are used to hearing excuses from lawyers as to why their clients have failed to appear at scheduled court dates, but an Edinburgh sheriff may just have heard the best one. Solicitor Roy Harley was representing his absent client, 55-year-old Paul Mount, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, on charges of conducting himself in a disorderly manner while on a bus by attempting to open a bottle - which he claimed contained petrol - and threatening to set passengers on fire. Harley told sheriff Kenneth Maciver he had no explanation for his client's absence, but told the court he had received instructions from Mount to plead guilty to the charge. When sheriff Maciver inquired as to why Mount had failed to attend court, his solicitor replied: 'To be frank My Lord, when he arrived at my office [last week] he was wearing a fluorescent green Batman outfit. I think drink had been taken. But I do have instructions to plead guilty to this charge.' Sheriff Maciver, who clearly has a sense of humour, responded: 'I will defer the matter to next Tuesday but perhaps you could tell him not to dress as Batman, or Robin for that matter.' In addition to the disorderly conduct charge, the caped crusader also admitted to committing a breach of the peace by struggling with passengers and attempting to climb into the bus driver's cab. It remains to be seen whether sheriff Maciver sentences Batman to the Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Dressed.

12 May 2015

Get yourself noticed

The courts have made clear that when it comes to the details of contractual notices, parties need to get it right, explains Julian Acratopulo