By charonqc
Lawyer and blogger Jack of Kent is in the midst of a very important case of concern to all bloggers. I shall leave him to take up the story – for he is doing the work pro bono, for which he is to be commended. I certainly, have no problem at all in raising a glass to him. In the interests of fairness it is only right that I draw your attention to a blog post by Ms Kaschke about the same proceedings. You will, no doubt, draw your own conclusions.
An interesting article from Afua Hirsch of The Guardian….
Iceland aims to become a legal safe haven for journalists
Icelandic Modern Media Initiative would offer protection against litigation
Plans to reform defamation law announced
Ministry of Justice: Plans to review the law on defamation to protect free speech and freedom of expression were outlined today by Justice Minister Lord McNally.
The Ministry of Justice will publish a draft Defamation Bill for consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny in the new year, with a view to introducing a Bill as soon after that as parliamentary time allows.
Proposals for reform will be the subject of consultation with interested parties to ensure that a wide range of views are taken into account and that a fully informed assessment of reform is reached. The Government recognises the impact that the current law may be having on freedom of expression, particularly in relation to academic and scientific debate, the work of non-governmental organisations and investigative journalism and will be looking at options for addressing concerns around “libel tourism”.
Lord McNally said:
‘Freedom of speech is the foundation of democracy. We need investigative journalism and scientific research to be able to flourish without the fear of unfounded, lengthy and costly defamation and libel cases being brought against them.
‘We are committed to reforming the law on defamation and want to focus on ensuring that a right and a fair balance is struck between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation.
‘The debate today in the House of Lords and Lord Lester’s Private Members Bill has greatly assisted our thinking on the matter. We will now move ahead with a draft Government Bill with all due urgency.’
Probation watchdog: serious crimes may be price to pay for cutting cost of justice
Telegraph: Murders and other serious crimes committed by prisoners released early from jail may have to be “accepted” by the public as part of attempts to keep down the cost of the criminal justice system, the probation watchdog suggested.
I fear, a sign of the times ahead – with all government departments keen to slash the deficit. This will, inevitably, impact on legal aid as well…and, indeed, it has….
Fury as ‘superb’ training scheme for legal aid lawyers faces axe
"Government plans to scrap a scheme for supporting the training of future legal aid lawyers has provoked a furious response, as critics say the move will hit the prospects of the poorest in society joining the profession. The plans would end the £2.6m-a-year training contract grant scheme, which helps pay for more than 750 young lawyers across England to qualify and give legal advice on issues such as housing, welfare benefits, immigration and crime."
This is a quick update. I am rather pre-occupied with a project. I plan to write later in the day – it may be serious analysis but I suspect, given some of the above, it will involve Muttley Dastardly LLP and, therfore, be parodic.
Lawyer and blogger Jack of Kent is in the midst of a very important case of concern to all bloggers. I shall leave him to take up the story – for he is doing the work pro bono, for which he is to be commended. I certainly, have no problem at all in raising a glass to him. In the interests of fairness it is only right that I draw your attention to a blog post by Ms Kaschke about the same proceedings. You will, no doubt, draw your own conclusions.
An interesting article from Afua Hirsch of The Guardian….
Iceland aims to become a legal safe haven for journalists
Icelandic Modern Media Initiative would offer protection against litigation
Plans to reform defamation law announced
Ministry of Justice: Plans to review the law on defamation to protect free speech and freedom of expression were outlined today by Justice Minister Lord McNally.
The Ministry of Justice will publish a draft Defamation Bill for consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny in the new year, with a view to introducing a Bill as soon after that as parliamentary time allows.
Proposals for reform will be the subject of consultation with interested parties to ensure that a wide range of views are taken into account and that a fully informed assessment of reform is reached. The Government recognises the impact that the current law may be having on freedom of expression, particularly in relation to academic and scientific debate, the work of non-governmental organisations and investigative journalism and will be looking at options for addressing concerns around “libel tourism”.
Lord McNally said:
‘Freedom of speech is the foundation of democracy. We need investigative journalism and scientific research to be able to flourish without the fear of unfounded, lengthy and costly defamation and libel cases being brought against them.
‘We are committed to reforming the law on defamation and want to focus on ensuring that a right and a fair balance is struck between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation.
‘The debate today in the House of Lords and Lord Lester’s Private Members Bill has greatly assisted our thinking on the matter. We will now move ahead with a draft Government Bill with all due urgency.’
Probation watchdog: serious crimes may be price to pay for cutting cost of justice
Telegraph: Murders and other serious crimes committed by prisoners released early from jail may have to be “accepted” by the public as part of attempts to keep down the cost of the criminal justice system, the probation watchdog suggested.
I fear, a sign of the times ahead – with all government departments keen to slash the deficit. This will, inevitably, impact on legal aid as well…and, indeed, it has….
Fury as ‘superb’ training scheme for legal aid lawyers faces axe
- Former minister attacks £2.6m-a-year saving as short-sighted
-
Poorest in society will be hardest hit, critics warn
Guardian
"Government plans to scrap a scheme for supporting the training of future legal aid lawyers has provoked a furious response, as critics say the move will hit the prospects of the poorest in society joining the profession. The plans would end the £2.6m-a-year training contract grant scheme, which helps pay for more than 750 young lawyers across England to qualify and give legal advice on issues such as housing, welfare benefits, immigration and crime."
This is a quick update. I am rather pre-occupied with a project. I plan to write later in the day – it may be serious analysis but I suspect, given some of the above, it will involve Muttley Dastardly LLP and, therfore, be parodic.
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