Lawyer news

• Canada mass killing was 'planned, deliberate and targeted' police say

  31-12-2014 22:59
  
  Suspected killer of eight people had criminal record dating back to 1987
  Authorities identified first victim, Cyndi Duong, 37
  ‘Senseless murder’ leaves nine dead in Canada, including killerNine dead in Canada murders – videoThe suspected killer of eight people in Edmonton, Canada, had a criminal record dating back to 1987 and used a stolen handgun in the murders before killing himself in domestic violence that was “planned, deliberate and targeted,” police said. Police found one victim
  
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• Magistrates’ role at risk from reduced investment in training, report warns

  31-12-2014 19:38
  
  Charity says the role of magistrates in the criminal justice system is in danger of being devaluedInvestment in magistrates’ training has fallen sharply and the lack of support is in danger of devaluing their role in the criminal justice system, according to a report on the future of the unpaid judiciary.The findings come as recruitment to the magistracy has effectively been frozen in many areas, while the number of JPs in England and Wales has declined from about 30,000 to 20,000. Closures of
  
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• ICC membership could be a double-edged sword for Palestine

  31-12-2014 19:04
  
  Hamas, as well as the Israeli military, may face scrutiny now Mahmoud Abbas has joined the international criminal courtIn joining the international criminal court, Mahmoud Abbas has finally used one of the most potent diplomatic weapons in the limited Palestinian armoury after years of unfulfilled threats. It is a gesture of near despair by a leader with little left to lose.Signing the Rome statute opens up Palestinian territory to future ICC investigations, a situation which Israel fought a lon
  
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• Palestinian president signs up to join international criminal court

  31-12-2014 18:22
  
  Move will anger Israel and US and paves way for court to take jurisdiction over crimes committed in Palestinian territoriesThe Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, has signed up to join the international criminal court in the wake of the UN security council’s rejection of a resolution calling for a deadline to end the Israeli occupation.The move, certain to anger Israel and the US, paves the way for the court to take jurisdiction over crimes committed in the Palestinian territories and invest
  
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• 'Marry a rich man': UK divorce law sends women wrong message, says peer - RT

  31-12-2014 18:03
  
  RT
  'Marry a rich man': UK divorce law sends women wrong message, says peer
  RT
  Britain's divorce law requires urgent reform as it sends women a negative message that financial security can come from finding a wealthy man and that careers are not necessary, a leading female lawyer has warned. Baroness Deech, a member of the House ...
  Divorce laws should be tougher on women, says top female peerTelegraph.co.uk
  UK legal aid cuts could distort lawyer recruitment for decadesThe Globa
  
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• Miscarriage of justice victims will find it harder to get compensation, lawyers say

  31-12-2014 17:49
  
  Victor Nealon’s lawyers, who seek to challenge MoJ refusal to pay, say such victims might only get compensation if someone else is convicted
  Victims of serious miscarriages of justice will find it harder than ever to receive compensation from the government in the wake of a key test case, lawyers and campaigners are warning. Lawyers claim that those wrongly convicted may now only receive compensation if someone else is convicted of the crime of which they were accused.Victor Nealon, aged 53,
  
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• New York to ban tiger selfies – and other new laws taking effect in 2015

  31-12-2014 16:26
  
  New US state laws that will take effect on Thursday will improve the living conditions of livestock in California and see minimum wage increases in Ohio, New York and Rhode IslandNew US state laws taking effect on Thursday give livestock in California more living room, approve direct-to-consumer wine shipments in Massachusetts and levy the ultimate punishment on wannabe teenage drivers in Nevada by denying them licenses if they skip too much school.Other laws will allow Louisiana teens as young
  
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• Woman jailed for breaching court order by hugging granddaughter is freed

  31-12-2014 14:23
  
  Judge reduces Kathleen Danby’s three-month sentence to time already servedA 72-year-old woman jailed for hugging her granddaughter in breach of a court order banning contact has been freed by a judge.Kathleen Danby appeared in custody to make a case against her three-month jail sentence, handed down earlier this year at Birmingham’s court of protection. Continue reading...
  
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• Fiona Woolf, lawyer who quit sex abuse inquiry, makes New Year Honours list ... - The Independent

  31-12-2014 12:20
  
  The Independent
  Fiona Woolf, lawyer who quit sex abuse inquiry, makes New Year Honours list ...
  The Independent
  Ian McFadyen, who was abused by a teacher, said she probably deserved her award for her work promoting British interests abroad and as Lord Mayor, but criticised the decision to give it to her in this year's list. “It's unacceptable and it's almost ...
  Criticism of Fiona Woolf damehood unfair, says inquiry predecessorThe Guardian
  Anger at award for lawyer who quit child
  
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• City and civil service top legal honours list

  31-12-2014 10:30
  
  City and Government Legal Service figure strongly in new year’s honours.
  
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• UK legal aid cuts could distort lawyer recruitment for decades - The Global Legal Post

  31-12-2014 09:36
  
  The Global Legal Post
  UK legal aid cuts could distort lawyer recruitment for decades
  The Global Legal Post
  The outgoing chair of the UK's Bar Standards Board has expressed concern that potential recruits to the law will be so put off from joining by recent Legal Aid cuts that their absence will be felt in the legal infrastructure for several decades.
  'Marry a rich man': UK divorce law sends women wrong message, says peerRT
  Divorce laws should be tougher on women, says top female pee
  
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• 2014 in law: cronies, star chambers, 18c – and freedoms, freedoms, freedoms... | Richard Ackland

  31-12-2014 02:10
  
  This year new territory was conquered for the law. Some might call it overreach, but Australia’s legal and government apparatus knows better...2014 will be marked as a year of fantastic schemes of overindulgence and overreach on the part of lawyers and lawmakers.
  Whether it be national security, the elevation of cronies, the unleashing of inquisitorial powers, or the conduct of litigants, new territory was conquered for the law.
  Forget the former lover stuff. Everyone makes mistakes and h
  
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