Public Law

Articles

Teacher who kissed pupil has no right to lawyer at disciplinary hearing

A teaching assistant who kissed one of his male pupils was not entitled under article 6 of the ECHR to be represented by a lawyer at the disciplinary hearing before the school governors, the Supreme Court has held.

Falling on deaf ears

Despite more than 5,000 responses to the government's consultation, the legal aid bill offers few concessions. If enacted, it could deprive nearly 70 per cent of people currently eligible for legal aid of access to justice. According to the figures collated by the Legal Action Group, Liverpool, one of Britain's most deprived areas, is set to lose 80 per cent of its casework.

Carrying the can

With cuts to the Charity Commission's funding, we can no longer hold trustees hands all the way, writes Alice Holt

Class action

Helen Harvie looks ahead to the eagerly anticipated judicial review of independent schools' charitable status

Tribunal merger may 'dilute rather than enhance' expertise, Lady Hale warns

Lady Hale has warned of a risk that the merger of tribunals under the Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 and “amalgamation of very different jurisdictions in the new chambers will dilute rather than enhance the specialist expertise of their judges and members”.

Clarke highlights minor legal aid concessions

Introducing the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill in the Commons this afternoon, justice secretary Ken Clarke highlighted a series of minor changes the government is making to its drastic legal aid cuts.

Solicitors' firm accepts defeat in battle to save court

Robin Murray & Co, the Kent law firm which launched a judicial review to save Sittingbourne Magistrates' Court, has accepted defeat.

French delicacy

Wondering who's been turning the European wheels of justice recently? Hamsters, mainly. Paul Stanley QC reports