tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12091404376851376582024-03-13T11:38:32.656+00:00Hadgkiss Hughes and BealeServing the community for over 90 years...Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-39683155169788527922017-09-15T11:28:00.000+01:002017-09-15T11:28:39.680+01:00HHB Macmillan Coffee Morning 29th September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-25016523730853024492016-09-23T13:11:00.000+01:002016-09-23T14:58:16.648+01:00Murder Convictions of Jamie Dunn and Gary Higgins Quashed<div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On 23rd September 2016, the Court of Appeal handed down its reserved judgment and formally quashed the convictions of Jamie Dunn and Gary Higgins. No retrial was ordered and Jamie and Gary were, finally, released.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They were convicted of murder at Birmingham Crown Court following a trial in 2006.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jamie's case was referred back to the Court by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, <span id="goog_1057572635"></span></span></span><a href="http://hhb-law.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/murder-conviction-of-jamie-dunn.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+HadgkissHughesBeale+(Hadgkiss+Hughes+Beale)&utm_content=FeedBurner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">read more here</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.hhb-law.co.uk/criminal-defence-and-appeals.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maslen Merchant</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> has represented Jamie for over ten years, dealing with his first appeal in 2009 and the subsequent CCRC referral. He also represented Gary in this appeal and Conrad Jones whose linked conviction for attempting to pervert the course of justice <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">was </span></span></span><a href="http://hhb-law.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/conrad-jones-conviction-quashed.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+HadgkissHughesBeale+(Hadgkiss+Hughes+Beale)&utm_content=FeedBurner" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">quashed in 2014</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maslen instructed </span><a href="http://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/barristers/profile/joel-bennathan-qc" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Joel Bennathan QC</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> of Doughty Street Chambers </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">and Danielle Cooper</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="http://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/documents/uploaded-documents/Dunn_Higgins_v_The_Crown_Final_judgment_.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Click here</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> to read the judgment.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To contact the criminal department at Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale telephone 0121 449 5050 or <o:p></o:p>email </span><a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span></span></div>
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Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-75399914884776219382015-12-23T09:55:00.000+00:002015-12-23T09:55:13.885+00:00Justice for Danny Major, Finally?<div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On 11th December 2015, the long awaited report of the Greater Manchester Police review of Danny's case was delivered to the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a statement, Mr Burns-Williamson said the following: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"What the report does say is that, in the opinion of the investigating team, the evidence supports the premise that there may have been a miscarriage of justice and that there is sufficient 'fresh evidence' to support the case being referred back to the </span><a href="http://www.ccrc.gov.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Criminal Case Review Commission</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (CCRC)."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To read the full statement, click </span><a href="http://www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/news-events/news/current/pcc-statement-regarding-review-into-the-case-of-danny-major-(11-dec-2015).aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">HERE</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On 21st December, Danny's case featured on Channel 4 News, to view the video, click </span><a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/catch-up/display/playlistref/211215/clipid/211215_4ON_POLICE" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">HERE</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Danny is represented by </span><a href="http://www.hadgkisshughesandbeale.co.uk/criminal-defence-and-appeals.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Maslen Merchant</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> of Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale, who has been working on the case for 8 years.</span></div>
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A request for an urgent review, and referral of Danny's case back to the Court of Appeal, was submitted to the CCRC on 14th December. A substantive response is awaited.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To contact the criminal department at Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale email </span><a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk"><span style="color: #4b962a; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> or telephone 0121 449 5050</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>N</strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>o further press statements will be issued at this time.</strong></span></div>
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Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-5195809761963283582015-11-01T22:48:00.001+00:002015-11-01T22:48:58.533+00:00Murder Conviction of Mark Dorling referred to Court of Appeal<!-- <p class="byline author vcard">
By <a href="http://www.ccrc.gov.uk/author/jhawkins/" rel="author" class="fn">Justin Hawkins</a></p>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u>The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the murder conviction of Mark Dorling to the Court of Appeal</u></strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Mr Dorling was tried at the Central Criminal Court in London in 2006 for the murder of Aaron Chapman. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted on 19th April and sentenced to life imprisonment with a tariff of 25 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Aaron Chapman, a former prison officer, was attacked with a knife at his Surrey home in December 2002. The following day he died from multiple stab wounds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mr Dorling sought to appeal against his conviction but his appeal was dismissed. He applied to the Commission for a review of his conviction in March 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Having considered the case in detail, the Commission has decided to refer Mr Dorling’s murder conviction to the Court of Appeal. The referral is based new information that has emerged since the trial, and on other evidence that was available at the time of the trial but that was not disclosed to the defence. The Commission considers that this material raises a real possibility that the Court of Appeal will now quash the conviction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mr Dorling is represented by Mr <a href="http://hhb-law.co.uk/criminal-defence-and-appeals.html" target="_blank">Maslen Merchant</a> of Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale, 83 Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8EB."</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This press release was issued by Justin Hawkins, Head of Communication, <a href="http://www.ccrc.gov.uk/about-us/" target="_blank">Criminal Cases Review Commission</a>, on 0121 232 0906 or e-mail.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">30th October 2015 </span></div>
Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-68371400179457417252015-11-01T22:43:00.000+00:002015-11-01T22:43:19.838+00:00Murder Conviction of Jamie Dunn referred to Court of Appeal <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u>of James Lee Dunn to the Court of Appeal.</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Mr Dunn appeared at Birmingham Crown Court in July 2006 along with four other men charged with murder on the basis of joint enterprise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He pleaded not guilty but was convicted for the murdering a man who was who was shot multiple times and with two guns in a pub car park in Coventry in April 2005. Mr Dunn was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mr Dunn appealed against his conviction but the appeal was dismissed in June 2009. He applied to the Commission for a review of his case in September 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Having considered the case in detail, the Commission has decided to refer Mr Dunn’s conviction to the Court of Appeal. The referral is based on previously undisclosed material relating to the reliability of a prosecution witness which raises the real possibility that the Court of Appeal will now quash the conviction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mr Dunn is represented by Mr <a href="http://hhb-law.co.uk/criminal-defence-and-appeals.html" target="_blank">Maslen Merchant</a> of Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale, 83 Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8EB."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">26th October 2015</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>This press release was issued by Justin Hawkins, Head of Communication, <a href="http://www.ccrc.gov.uk/about-us/" target="_blank">Criminal Cases Review Commission</a>, on 0121 232 0906 or e-mail</strong></span><!-- <p class="byline author vcard">
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Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-7794036373126812492015-10-16T10:49:00.000+01:002015-10-17T10:23:02.871+01:00The Importance of Full and Frank Disclosure in Divorce Settlements<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Supreme Court has handed down
judgments in the cases of <em>Sharland v Sharland [2015] UKSC 60</em> and <em>Gohil v Gohil [2015] UKSC 61</em>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The rulings highlight the
importance of spouses providing full and frank financial disclosure to ensure a
fair financial settlement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sends out
a firm message to everyone going through divorce that they cannot mislead or
lie in the family courts and expect to get away with it. Dishonesty or fraud
involving failure to disclose financial assets are grounds for renegotiating previously
resolved disagreements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rulings are
likely to prompt some aggrieved ex-spouses to reconsider final orders and to
start legal actions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Both women in the above cases took
their claims to the Supreme Court in London to establish that non-disclosure in
divorce settlements requires a case to be re-examined. Their ex-husbands
disagreed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For details of the cases and full text of the Supreme Court’s judgments, please </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://lwl-track.co.uk/18/link.php?M=5551451&N=4111&L=12050&F=H" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;">click here</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To discuss the impact the above
decisions may have upon you if you are already divorced, or in the process of divorce, contact Katie Ward or Hardip Lall-Jones in our Family Department
via <a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</a> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> or 0121 449 5050.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.75pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1;">We offer a free, no
obligation, half hour appointment to discuss whatever family issues you have
and also to consider the </span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.75pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">most appropriate cost package available.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-85169272287336461792015-09-11T16:51:00.000+01:002015-09-11T16:51:07.919+01:00The Case of Heather Ilott - Excluding Family Members from your Will <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Many of you have been contacting us with concerns about how
the recent case of Heather Ilott (see post on Blog dated 28th July 2015) affects Wills you have made, or are thinking
of making, in which you exclude a close family member. Particularly in this
case one of your children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Although English Law carries no specific rules about how
people should dispose of their estates there have long been laws that protected
family members who had been unreasonably disinherited. The most recent of those
is the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One of the categories of the family that has some protection
is children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When Heather Ilott’s mother left her nothing and gave her
entire estate to charities the issues in the law were decided by senior judges
in the Court of Appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The decision in favour of Ms Ilott appears to fly in the
face of how most lawyers had been interpreting the law and to make it much
easier for disinherited children to stake claims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Over the next few years there will, no doubt, be more cases which help
to set the guidelines more clearly but at the moment when we make Wills we must
work with the new situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I always ask new clients to tell me about their families and
in particular I am looking to see if any likely claimant under the 1975 Act is
not getting what might be “reasonable provision”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In such cases I try to find out why the client has made this
decision. There are usually very good reasons. I advise the client about the
potential risk of a claim and sometimes the client makes changes in the Will to
try to avoid future conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A good lawyer will make sure that a proper record is made of
the reasons for the client’s decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This could be written in the Will, it could be put into a
signed statement, it could be signed on my notes or it could be recorded in my
letter to the client.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The decision in Ilott means that I will be advising a great
many more statements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The statement will need to address the issues highlighted in
the Ilott case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The first is why the person is being left out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The second is to establish the lifestyle that the affected
person has. The Ilott case was about raising Ms Ilott’s standard of life to
what the judges thought was “reasonable”. How does that point fit into my
client’s circumstances?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The third is to explain why the parties who have taken the
share instead should have it. In the Ilott case the mother who made the Will
had no real connection with the charities she gave the money to. It might have
been a very different outcome if she had been a lifelong supporter of them or
if she had had some substantial support from them, for example from a charity
such as Macmillan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If I need to attend on the client to prepare and write up
the statement there will have to be a charge which will depend on the time
taken, probably at least £50.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">However the client may feel that they can set out all the
facts in a statement themselves in which case there would be no charge for
storing the statement with the Will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">These are early days for the legal profession in reacting to
this case but I hope these few words are of some assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The essential message is the same as in my other piece about
Wills: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Use a solicitor,
preferably one who has been recommended to you.</b></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To contact Roger call our Moseley office on 0121 449 5050 </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">or email <a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span>Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-88214094002313674352015-07-28T17:06:00.000+01:002015-07-29T08:00:14.629+01:00Beware - if your Will is not written well the Courts can overrule it!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In
the recent case of Heather Ilott (<u><em>v Mitson and others </em></u><u><em>[2015] EWCA Civ 797</em>)</u> the Court of Appeal overruled<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melita Jackson’s Will which left her £500,000
estate to animal charities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
Court awarded Heather Ilott £164,000 from her estranged mother’s estate despite
the fact that her mother had expressly stated in the Will that she did not want
her daughter to receive anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;">To read the judgment from the case click </span><a href="https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/ilott_final_24_0_7.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #4b962a;">here</span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This
ruling means that although people can still disinherit their children, their
Will must show a good reason why and explain what connects them to the people
or organisations that they have included in their wills instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Regardless
of what you write in your Will, it can be overturned if it is not written
clearly and in enough detail to satisfy the Courts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The message is clear - see a Solicitor and
have your Will drawn up professionally to be sure your wishes are carried out.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;">To discuss making a Will, or any concerns you may have about an existing Will, please contact our Wills and Probate department on 0121 449 5050 or via </span><a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #4b962a;">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%;">.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span>Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-28975738430260083562015-03-13T12:36:00.000+00:002015-03-13T12:36:28.025+00:00Landmark Ruling on Financial Provision
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Landmark
Ruling on Financial Provision</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
<div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
recent Supreme Court ruling in the case of Wyatt v Vince </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[2015] UKSC 14 h</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ighlights
how important it is to obtain a financial Consent Order during divorce, in
order to finalise the proceedings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The court ruled that
the passage of time (in this case 22 years) did not prevent a claim being
brought by a woman against her ex husband for financial provision. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To read the judgment from the
case click </span><a href="https://www.supremecourt.uk/decided-cases/docs/UKSC_2013_0186_Judgment.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #4b962a;">here</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To discuss any
concerns you may have please contact our family department via </span><a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #4b962a;">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or by telephone on 0121
449 5050.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-25569263139223939342015-03-05T17:24:00.002+00:002015-06-09T10:11:11.716+01:00Making a Will<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A Personal Note from
Roger Mallatratt<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></o:p></span></u></b><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">While
my note about LPAs suggested that those who want to take the time and trouble
can make their own I very strongly advise clients that they should have their
Wills prepared professionally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A
Will is not a form; it is a blank sheet in which you have to set down exactly
what you want to happen to your estate when you die. It only becomes a valid
document on your death at which point there will be nothing you can do to
correct any mistakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
starting point is to assess in broad terms what you own at the moment and how
your estate would be distributed if you died reasonably soon. It is quite easy
to get even that first stage wrong. For example, many people see their jointly
owned house as belonging equally to each party forgetting that the law of
survivorship means that on the first death the entire property passes
automatically to the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
next stage is to start to consider, as far as you can, what you might own if
you die some years in the future. Might you have had an inheritance? Might you
need residential care which could<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>result
in your house having been sold before you die?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Giving
a house to a family member in your Will might go completely wrong for that
person if the house was no longer yours when you died.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Family
life is much more complicated than it was; many people are in second marriages
or partnerships and one or both have children from other relationships. That
usually needs some thinking about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Who
are you going to appoint as executors? Usually these can be drawn from
immediate family. There is generally no need for the solicitors or a Will
writing company to be executors. Such appointments lead to increased and
unnecessary cost for your estate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I
do not advise clients to appoint us as executors unless there is some very good
reason for doing so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We
do not charge a massive fee which allegedly incorporates Probate work. We
charge reasonably for the Will, we do not charge for storing it and we make no
charge for getting it out of storage and handing it to your executors when the
time comes. If your executors want help from our excellent <a href="http://hhb-law.co.uk/wills-probate-and-powers-of-attorney.html"><span style="color: blue;">Probate
Department</span></a> they can have it but there is no obligation or hard sell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">These
are just a few of the areas that I and my colleagues at <a href="http://hhb-law.co.uk/index.html"><span style="color: blue;">Hadgkiss</span></a> will help you to deal with
when we are making your Will. I am delighted to work with such a friendly firm
and hope to be of service to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">To contact Roger please call our Moseley
office on <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">0121 449 5050 or email enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-32385458640624843922015-03-05T17:17:00.000+00:002015-06-09T10:11:29.010+01:00Lasting Powers of Attorney<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<u><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></u> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">A personal note </span></strong></u><u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">from Roger Mallatratt<o:p></o:p></span></strong></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></u></b><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
If you have got this far in your
research you probably have an interest in obtaining a LPA for yourself or for a
relative and will have a pretty good idea of what it means.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
You will be aware of what is
almost a barrage of recommendation for LPAs from the Press, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/choicenotchance?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=4&utm_campaign=choicenotchance"><span style="color: blue;">Government</span></a>
and on radio and TV. They really do make sense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-public-guardian"><span style="color: blue;">Office
of the Public Guardian</span></a> website is excellent. It has all the forms you need
and loads of information. If you want to do so you can prepare and register
them for yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
I am one of the lawyers at <a href="http://hhb-law.co.uk/wills-probate-and-powers-of-attorney.html"><span style="color: blue;">Hadgkiss</span></a>
to whom LPA enquiries are directed. I have been writing them since they began
about 7 years ago and I have over 30 years of legal experience behind me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
This is not the place to persuade
you to have an LPA. It is just a few notes looking at some of the points that
arise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
The first thing to say is that it
is not essential to use a solicitor. The LPA and the other papers involved are
all forms. They just have to be completed properly; the rules are on the OPG
website and are the same rules that we use. What a solicitor offers is the
experience to avoid mistakes, guidance on the few questions that the forms
raise and, perhaps of most importance, the saving of the time and
responsibility.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
We offer a fixed price which
includes the making of the LPA and all the necessary steps to include
registration.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
I always advise clients to have
more than one attorney if possible and if that does not suit then I encourage
them to appoint someone else as a possible replacement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
It is absolutely essential that
you fully trust the people you are appointing. They will be in control of
aspects of your life when you are no longer able to exercise control. If you
are in any doubt about anyone do not appoint them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Although I am willing to have
intended attorneys present for some of the interview that will only be if the
person making the LPA, who is my client, wants them to be. If I sense any
uncertainty with my client or I learn of any pressure I will advise against the
LPA being made. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Some enquiries come from
relatives who want to be able to stop a family member (usually an older one)
from doing something of which they disapprove. Often that behaviour is spending
the money they hoped to inherit. Such enquiries may be well meant but LPAs
don’t work like that. The maker of the LPA can continue doing whatever they
like unless or until they lose mental capacity. Until then all the LPAs in the
world cannot interfere.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
I hope that there has been
something worth reading on this page and that I may be able to help you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
To contact Roger please call our Moseley office on </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
0121 449 5050 or email <a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</a> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-55478045011389747882014-12-22T10:35:00.000+00:002014-12-22T10:35:35.663+00:00CCRC Fast Tracks David Morris Review <div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Following receipt of further representations submitted on behalf of David, The <a href="https://www.justice.gov.uk/about/criminal-cases-review-commission" target="_blank">Criminal Cases Review Commission</a> ("CCRC") has confirmed that it has given "level one" priority status to its review of his convictions for murder.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">It is hoped the review will begin in February 2015.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">The Mail on Sunday reported this development on 21st December 2014. To read the article click <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2882007/MoS-expos-sparks-new-miscarriage-justice-probe-brutal-killing-WPC-s-lesbian-lover-new-witnesses-come-forward.html">here</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">An article highlighting David's case, and the submission of the application to the CCRC, was published in the Mail on Sunday on 23rd November 2014. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To read the article click </span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2845510/Who-REALLY-murdered-married-WPC-s-lesbian-lover.html#comments" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">here</span></a></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
</div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">David is represented by <a href="http://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/barristers/profile/francis-fitzgibbon-qc" target="_blank">Francis FitzGibbon QC</a> from Doughty Street Chambers, <a href="http://www.winchester.ac.uk/academicdepartments/Winchester%20Business%20School/Journalism/Staff%20Profiles/Pages/Brian-Thornton.aspx" target="_blank">Brian Thornton</a> of the University of Winchester Innocence Project and </span><a href="http://www.hadgkisshughesandbeale.co.uk/criminal-defence-and-appeals.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Maslen Merchant</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> of Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To contact the criminal department at Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale email </span><a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> or telephone 0121 449 5050.</span></span></div>
Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-52493654634066738212014-12-08T08:56:00.000+00:002014-12-08T08:56:16.298+00:00Case of Jasbinder Pal Heer in Observer Newspaper<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">An article highlighting Jasbinder's case, and the recent submission of grounds of appeal against his convictions, was published in the Observer Newspaper on Sunday 7th December 2014.</span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Jasbinder was originally prosecuted following a <em>News of the World '</em>sting' operation in 2007.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To read the article click </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/dec/06/news-of-the-world-tricked-me-hitman-plot" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">here</span></a></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
</div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Jasbinder is represented by <a href="http://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/barristers/profile/patrick-oconnor-qc" target="_blank">Patrick O'Connor QC</a> from Doughty Street Chambers and </span><a href="http://www.hadgkisshughesandbeale.co.uk/criminal-defence-and-appeals.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Maslen Merchant</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> of Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To contact the criminal department at Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale email </span><a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> or telephone 0121 449 5050.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-5287417093556722992014-11-26T13:48:00.000+00:002014-11-26T13:49:41.319+00:00Gordon Park Press Statement<div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <b><span style="font-size: small;">PRESS STATEMENT REGARDING THE CASE OF </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">GORDON PARK (DECEASED) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As a result of a number of recent press articles regarding the case of Gordon Park, his family feel compelled to respond via this statement. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"The conviction for murder of Gordon Park deceased is currently being investigated by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Commission’s investigation, it is hoped, will be thorough and will, inevitably, take some considerable time to complete. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is understood that the Commission’s investigation is still in its early stages. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The family do not wish to make any further comment, at this stage." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b><br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dated 26th November 2014</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hadgkiss Hughes & Beale Solicitors </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">83 Alcester Road </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Moseley, Birmingham </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B13 8EB </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tel: 0121 449 5050 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Email: <a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</a> </span></span></span>Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-39648030321703017582014-11-24T08:52:00.001+00:002014-11-24T08:56:34.182+00:00Case of David Morris in Mail on Sunday Feature<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">An article highlighting David's case, and the recent submission of an application to the <a href="https://www.justice.gov.uk/about/criminal-cases-review-commission" target="_blank">Criminal Cases Review Commission</a>, was published in the Mail on Sunday on 23rd November 2014.</span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
</div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To read the article click </span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2845510/Who-REALLY-murdered-married-WPC-s-lesbian-lover.html#comments" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">here</span></a></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
</div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">David is represented by <a href="http://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/barristers/profile/francis-fitzgibbon-qc" target="_blank">Francis FitzGibbon QC</a> from Doughty Street Chambers, <a href="http://www.winchester.ac.uk/academicdepartments/Winchester%20Business%20School/Journalism/Staff%20Profiles/Pages/Brian-Thornton.aspx" target="_blank">Brian Thornton</a> of the University of Winchester Innocence Project and </span><a href="http://www.hadgkisshughesandbeale.co.uk/criminal-defence-and-appeals.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Maslen Merchant</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> of Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To contact the criminal department at Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale email </span><a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> or telephone 0121 449 5050.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-63838302984003653882014-10-09T17:07:00.000+01:002014-11-24T08:47:31.008+00:00Danny Major - "Justice Denied"<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A documentary highlighting Danny's case is now available to view online.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To view the video click </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC-R6qNjznE&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">here</span></a></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Danny is represented by </span><a href="http://www.hadgkisshughesandbeale.co.uk/criminal-defence-and-appeals.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Maslen Merchant</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> of Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To contact the criminal department at Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale email </span><a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> or telephone 0121 449 5050.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="justify">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-25714049042483181632014-07-04T13:38:00.000+01:002014-07-04T14:57:22.363+01:00Conrad Jones - Conviction Quashed
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt;">Appeal Court quashes conviction of man accused
of trying to derail Coventry murder trial</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul data-context="tools-bar-6841187" data-friendly-name="Tools Bar Link Clicks" data-max-times-to-track-links="5" data-widget="tm.omniture.omniLinkTracking" type="disc">
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">By <a href="http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Coventry Telegraph</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<!--
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<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<!-- end of widget id: 6841187, name: pageTools, view: articleRefreshMetadata --><!-- start of widget id: 6841197, name: storyContent, view: articleRefresh --><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18pt;">Conrad Jones had always
denied terrifying a female witness in Clinton Bailey trial</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<!-- end of widget id: 6841200, name: relatedContents, view: pictures --><!-- start of widget id: 6841202, name: storyContent, view: articleRefresh -->A
Coventry man who served years in jail after he was convicted of trying to
derail a murder trial has had his conviction quashed after a ‘lamentable
failure’ by prosecutors to disclose vital evidence.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Conrad Steven Jones, 48, formerly of Sewall
Highway, <a href="http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/all-about/wyken"><span style="color: blue;">Wyken,</span></a>
was accused of terrifying a female witness as he did all he could to prevent
her giving evidence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jailed at Birmingham <a href="http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/all-about/crime" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Crown Court</span></a> for doing an act intending
to pervert the course of justice in 2007, he served the custodial portion of a
12-year sentence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But he has always denied any wrongdoing and,
after <a href="http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/wyken-man-launches-appeal-court-7292551" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">taking his case to the Court of Appeal
last month,</span></a> has now had his name cleared by three top judges.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
His legal team, headed by senior QC, Joel
Bennathan, said evidence only revealed recently cast serious doubts on the
credibility of the chief prosecution witness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The prosecution alleged Jones had tried to help
five men beat a murder charge after the shooting of Clinton Bailey at the Three
Horseshoes pub, in Coventry, in April 2005.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The chief witness became the target of a
“professional and organised” attempt to prevent her giving evidence at the
trial, it was alleged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She was offered money and threatened with serious
violence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mr Bennathan said the crucial evidence, which the
prosecution had all along, showed that it was highly improbable that <a href="http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/man-trial-witness-interference-3110404"><span style="color: blue;">Mr
Jones</span></a> was in Nottingham when the witness claimed to have met him there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Had the jury been shown the evidence, they might
have concluded that the meeting had been invented by the witness, he told the
court.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Giving judgment, Lord Justice Pitchford spoke of
a ‘lamentable failure’ by the prosecution to disclose the evidence in 2007.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He continued: “The only occasion when she claimed
to have been threatened face-to-face by the appellant was at a meeting on 1 or
2 June 2006.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“We do not consider that this was a peripheral
issue in the context of the case against this appellant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“On the contrary, it was central both to the
witness’ credibility on the issue of intimidation by the appellant and to the
particulars of activity by the appellant on which the prosecution relied
against him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“If the jury had concluded that no such meeting
had taken place, the impact upon her account of several other alleged events
for which she claimed the appellant was responsible must, we conclude, have
been significant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“It is possible, if not probable, that the other
evidence would have been sufficient to convict the appellant, but we cannot
conclude that would have been the conclusion of the jury.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“We cannot conclude that the issue we have
identified could be segregated from an assessment of her credibility in
general.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“In our judgment, the verdict is unsafe and the
conviction must be quashed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The judge, who heard the appeal with Mr Justice
Turner and Mrs Justice Carr, did not order a retrial.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mr Jones was not present in court.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Read
the original article </span></strong><a href="http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/court-quashes-conviction-man-accused-7371915" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></span></strong></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Conrad was represented by Joel Bennathan QC of <a href="http://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Doughty
Street Chambers</span></a> and <a href="http://www.hadgkisshughesandbeale.co.uk/criminal-defence-and-appeals.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Maslen Merchant</span></a> of Hadgkiss Hughes and
Beale.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To contact the criminal department at Hadgkiss
Hughes and Beale email enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk or telephone 0121 449 5050.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-78569607118430945752014-07-04T13:06:00.000+01:002014-07-04T13:06:09.656+01:00Case Of Danny Major on Channel 4 News<h1 itemprop="headline">
'Public face of police brutality' fights to clear name</h1>
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<a class="cboxElement" href="http://iainduncansmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/c3934a3ceffe7a2c9e18440129976bdc.jpeg" rel="lightbox[94]" title="FactCheck: is Britain a tax credit haven?"><img alt="Channel 4" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-95" height="200" src="http://iainduncansmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/c3934a3ceffe7a2c9e18440129976bdc-300x300.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a class="image" href="http://www.channel4.com/news/ciaran-jenkins" itemprop="creator" rel="author"><img alt="Ciaran Jenkins" src="http://www.channel4.com/media/images/Channel4/c4-news/authors/CiaranJ.png" /></a></div>
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<span class="name"><a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/ciaran-jenkins" itemprop="creator" rel="author"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ciaran Jenkins</span></a></span><span class="role"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">North of England Correspondent</span></span></div>
<div class="detail" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="synopsis" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">PC Danny Major was convicted of assaulting a teenager in a police cell, imprisoned and sacked. He lost his appeal and criminal case review, but now the case has been reopened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bernadette Major looks me straight in the eye and says: "Everybody knows he didn't do it." Tears stream down her face, and her husband, Eric, leans in to console her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"We're at the point of breaking," says Eric, "as you can see."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In front of us on the kitchen table stands a model depicting the inside of a police station in Leeds, painstakingly recreated by Bernadette. Everything is in black and white, except for a room marked "Cell #9", which has been shaded in blood red.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"This is where they said Danny attacked him," says Bernadette.</span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bloodied and beaten</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cell number nine at Leeds Bridewell police station is where an 18-year-old man was found bloodied and beaten in custody, one night in September 2003.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">PC Danny Major was the arresting officer. He was later convicted of violent assault, sent to prison and sacked. His parents believe he was framed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Nobody doubts that a young man was assaulted in custody that night. But for 10 years, Bernadette and Eric have argued their son was not responsible. In all that time, this is their first television interview.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"The simple truth would have brought West Yorkshire Police and the people wearing the uniform of that police force under very close scrutiny," says Eric, a former officer himself.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">An hour later, I'm standing alongside Danny Major outside the police station in Leeds where he worked his last shift on the frontline. He's dressed smartly in suit and tie. Although he now works in a call centre on minimum wage, his words still have the ring of a police officer.</span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">'Spearing him to the ground'</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I was accused of taking the person I arrested out of the police van and spearing him to the ground, while he was handcuffed to the rear," says Danny, pointing to the area behind us where police vans park up. "As though I picked him up and threw him into the ground head first from the back of the van."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"As well as the spearing, it was alleged I kneed him in the face, punched him several times, then took him in to the Bridewell, took him to a police cell and, while searching him, continued to punch him in the face another five or six times."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For a while Danny was the public face of police brutality. At his trial, the judge was scathing in his criticism - not just of Danny but a custody suite he branded "a shambles".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Danny appealed, and lost. A criminal case review also found against him. And yet he and his family have persevered with their campaign, examining every piece of available evidence.</span><br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Evidence that was requested that would have cleared my name has either disappeared or not been collected, or has been destroyed," says Danny. "With my case, that list of evidence is as long as my arm. Potential video footage, digital evidence that would have cleared my name has disappeared."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/" target="_blank">Channel 4 News</a></strong> put these allegations to West Yorkshire Police. A statement from the Deputy Chief Constable, Dean Collins, said it would be "inappropriate to comment at this time" as an investigation is ongoing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Major family say they're frustrated with West Yorkshire Police's silence. But they cannot hide their delight that 11 years on, the case has been reopened.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The original investigation, conducted by Danny's own force, is now itself the subject of a probe by Greater Manchester Police, at the request of West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson.</span><br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">'No need to hide anything'</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"This is a force with no need to hide anything. It's not been involved at any stage. It's a neutral referee as it were," says Eric.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Greater Manchester Police also refused to comment while their investigation is ongoing. But for once, Danny Major is hopeful.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I'm sure the first thing that will come out of it will be to clear my name," he says.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If it doesn't, I point out, the record will still show that Danny Major is a violent criminal.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"If people trust the criminal justice system to be one hundred per cent right, then they're very naïve," he says. "The system is designed and run with people involved so there are always going to be mistakes."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The outcome of the latest investigation won't be known for several months. Either it will make difficult reading for Danny Major and his family, or it will invite considerable scrutiny of West Yorkshire Police.</span></div>
</div>
<h3 class="cufon" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/ciaran-jenkins" itemprop="about"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ciaran Jenkins</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/uk" itemprop="about"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">UK</span></a></h3>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">View the Video on the Channel 4 website </span></strong><a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/danny-major-west-yorkshire-police-violent-assault" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a></div>
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Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-53405168252026380102014-06-30T15:18:00.000+01:002014-06-30T15:18:23.977+01:00Changes to Child Maintenance Regulations
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">CHANGES
TO CHILD MAINTENANCE REGULATIONS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“New Child Maintenance Regulations come
into force on 30<sup>th</sup> June 2013, meaning parents making application for
Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will have to pay application fees, ongoing
administration fees to the CMS and Government administration fees on top….
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">To discuss these recent changes, and the
impact they may have upon you as a parent contact Hardip Lall-Jones on </span><a href="mailto:hardiplall-jones@hhb-mo.co.uk"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue;">hardiplall-jones@hhb-mo.co.uk</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> or Katie Ward
on </span><a href="mailto:katieward@hhb-mo.co.uk"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue;">katieward@hhb-mo.co.uk</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> or 0121 449
5050.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Follow the link to </span><a href="http://www.resolution.org.uk/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue;">www.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">resolution</span>.org.uk</span></span></a><span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">
who have produced the following Article<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:-<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Child Maintenance application fees introduced today</span></strong><span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
The Minister for Pensions, Steve Webb MP, has </span><a href="http://resolution.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=68c09d84c98902bd7f8107696&id=1a129c66b8&e=3195252992" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;">announced the
introduction of charges for people applying to the Child Maintenance
Service from <strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">today</span></strong>.</span></a><span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"> Information on the implementation of other
changes, including the introduction of collection charges, is also now
available.<br />
<br />
In brief <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #606060; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All new applicants to the Child Maintenance
Service from 30 June 2014 will be charged a one-off application
fee of £20. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;">This application fee will not apply to clients who <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #606060; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">are a victim of domestic violence and have
reported this to an appropriate person or organisation, including
a solicitor<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #606060; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">are residents of Northern Ireland or<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;">From 11 August 2014 collection charges will be charged
to both parents in relation to all cases in the Child Maintenance
Service Collect and Pay system on or after that date. <br />
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The charges will be 4% deducted from the child maintenance payments
received the parent with care and 20% added on to the child maintenance
liability for the non-resident parent.<br />
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Resolution has been informed by the DWP that the Child Maintenance
Service is writing to all CMS clients (around 120,000 cases) advising
them of the introduction of collection charges from 11 August 2014 and
flagging up the free Direct Pay option and how to apply for this (or,
in the case of parents with care, how to express an option to stick
with Collect and Pay if they still want this).<br />
<br />
</span><a href="http://resolution.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=68c09d84c98902bd7f8107696&id=bbd7541e6a&e=3195252992"><span style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;">You can find examples of the letters being sent to
clients on the DWP website</span></a><span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
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Existing clients already within the Collect and Pay system have ‘a
choice’ or ‘a cooling off period’ to allow them to avoid paying
collection charges from 11 August 2014. They can decide whether to
continue using the Collect and Pay system and be charged, or to avoid
the collection fee by either working out arrangements between
themselves or using the free Direct Pay system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #606060; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CMS Non-resident parents with arrears (but no
enforcement action as yet) will be given until 5 August 2014 to
clear their arrears. If they do so, they will be able to opt
for a Direct Pay arrangement.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #606060; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Enforcement charges against paying parents will
apply within the Child Maintenance Service taken on or after 30
June 2014, where the Child Maintenance Service has to take
enforcement action against non-payers in the Collect and Pay
system.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"> These charges will not apply to existing
enforcement action taken prior to 30 June 2014.<br />
<br />
We will be monitoring the impact of the charges and will keep you
informed of any developments.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Ending CSA
arrangements</span></strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #606060; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First contact to ‘nil assessed’ clients also
begins today 30 June – all clients will be notified by letter,
they won’t be receiving a phone call or email.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;">We will be providing further information on CSA case
closure arrangements.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Useful links</span></strong><br />
The DWP has created an </span><a href="http://resolution.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=68c09d84c98902bd7f8107696&id=ec7d586c6b&e=3195252992"><span style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;">online Child Maintenance System toolkit</span></a><span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
The relevant commencement orders are available </span><a href="http://resolution.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=68c09d84c98902bd7f8107696&id=5f2c3d1187&e=3195252992"><span style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008
(Commencement No. 14 and Transitional Provisions) and the Welfare
Reform Act 2012 (Commencement No. 18 and Transitional and Savings
Provisions) Order 2014</span></a><span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Statement from the Department of Work and Pensions:</span></strong><span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Fees and
charges for the Child Maintenance Service</span></strong><br />
<br />
Fees and charges are being introduced from today (30 June 2014) for
use of the Child Maintenance Service.<br />
<br />
A letter is being issued to all Child Maintenance Service clients
giving them 6 weeks’ notice that they will be charged if the Child
Maintenance Service collects and pays out child maintenance on their
behalf.<br />
<br />
We have already written to a selection of Child Maintenance Service
clients to encourage them to consider making a family-based
arrangement or Direct Pay arrangement so they can avoid paying fees.<br />
<br />
From 30 June, an application to the Child Maintenance Service will
cost £20 for most applicants when the application is processed and a
child maintenance calculation is performed.<br />
<br />
For parents who apply to the Child Maintenance Service and can
arrange payment directly between themselves there are no further fees
to pay. This is called “Direct Pay”. This service offers the
reassurance to clients of knowing that if payments aren’t made the
Child Maintenance Service can step in and make sure any missed
payments are collected.<br />
<br />
Parents who can’t use Direct Pay can use the Collect and Pay service,
where the Child Maintenance Service will collect child maintenance
from the paying parent and give it to the receiving parent. The fees
for this service will be 20% for paying parents and 4% for receiving
parents.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Ending
Child Support Agency (CSA) child maintenance arrangements</span></strong><br />
<br />
From today, we have also has started sending letters to CSA clients
about ending their current child maintenance arrangements. All
affected parents will be contacted between now and 2017 to give them
notice that their arrangement will end. Most clients will get 6
months’ notice and will be offered support from Child Maintenance
Options to put a new arrangement in place.<br />
<br />
When their CSA arrangements end, parents have the option to: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #606060; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make a family-based arrangement – where they
arrange between themselves what to pay and when.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #606060; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make an application to the Child Maintenance
Service.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
As long as clients’ cases are managed by the CSA they will not be
charged for using the service.<br />
<br />
Find out more about child maintenance arrangements at </span><a href="http://resolution.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=68c09d84c98902bd7f8107696&id=bb4b916536&e=3195252992"><span style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;">www.cmoptions.org</span></a><span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-75798167478493852152014-05-21T08:47:00.001+01:002014-05-21T10:04:10.882+01:00Maslen Merchant features on BBC Radio 4 File on 4<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Maslen was interviewed for a programme originally broadcast on 20th May which examines the role of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.<br />
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He is a member of the Criminal Appeal Lawyers’ Association and has regular conduct of matters in the Court of Appeal, representing clients who are convicted of a wide range of offences including murder, robbery and serious sexual offences. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
The firm regularly receives recommendations and referrals from a number of campaigning organisations as well as journalists, other firms of solicitors, experts, counsel and existing clients.<br />
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We submit a large number of applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission each year, highlighting a vast number of issues including police corruption, non-disclosure, fresh evidence, new expert opinion and incompetent defence work by the trial lawyers. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To contact the criminal department at Hadgkiss Hughes & Beale email <a href="mailto:enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk">enquiries@hhb-mo.co.uk</a> or telephone 0121 449 5050</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
To listen to the programme click <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b043x495">here</a></div>
Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-61572891528014424362014-02-07T11:44:00.001+00:002014-02-07T11:44:41.450+00:00Fixed Speed Cameras<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1">
Plans have been revealed to bring
back fixed speed cameras to the West Midlands.</div>
<br />
The cameras were all turned off last year in a bid to save money. <br />
<br />
Now the West Midlands Road Safety Partnership, which includes Birmingham City
Council and West Midlands Police, wants to trial 12 fixed cameras in Birmingham
and Solihull.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">More on the story here .....</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-26080006" target="_blank">Fixed Speed Cameras to return to Birmingham and Solihull</a></span>Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-50105280757902094112013-10-31T11:49:00.000+00:002013-10-31T11:49:13.724+00:00Cameras Allowed in Court of Appeal<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1">
TV cameras have been allowed to
record proceedings in one of the highest courts in England and Wales.</div>
<br />
Filming is being allowed at the Court of Appeal for the first time, after a
partial lifting of the long-standing ban on cameras in court.<br />
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Senior judges and major broadcasters welcomed the move, which the head of BBC
News said was a "landmark moment".<br />
<br />
Cameras are not yet allowed in crown courts and magistrates' courts.<br />
<br />
Follow link for the full news item<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24744684">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24744684</a><br />
<br />
Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-29458209390363842542013-07-22T08:22:00.001+01:002013-07-22T10:52:23.688+01:00Special Court Orders Cast Doubt on Kevin Lane Conviction<iframe id="LOCSTORAGE" scrolling="no" src="http://secure-uk.imrworldwide.com/storageframe.html" style="border: 0px currentColor; height: 1px; left: -7px; position: absolute; top: -7px; width: 1px;"></iframe><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
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<h1 itemprop="name headline ">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Special court orders cast doubt on Kevin Lane murder conviction</span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Kevin Lane has spent more than 18 years in prison, but has vowed to clear his name before being released</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name"><a class="contributor" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/jamiedoward" itemprop="url" rel="author"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Jamie Doward</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://observer.guardian.co.uk/" itemprop="publisher"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Observer</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, <time datetime="2013-07-21" itemprop="datePublished" pubdate="">Sunday 21 July 2013</time></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><time datetime="2013-07-21" itemprop="datePublished" pubdate=""></time></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="Kevin Lane" height="192" itemprop="contentUrl representativeOfPage" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Observer/Pix/pictures/2013/7/20/1374311658006/Kevin-Lane-010.jpg" width="320" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Kevin Lane says he is innocent of the crime for which he was convicted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Doubts have emerged about the conviction of a contract killer following a trial in which special court orders were used to keep sensitive information out of the public domain.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/kevin-lane" title="More from guardian.co.uk on Kevin Lane"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Kevin Lane</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> was convicted in 1996 of the murder in 1994 of Robert Magill, a car dealer from Hertfordshire. Lane's co-accused, Roger Vincent, was acquitted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lane, who has admitted to having been brought up in the criminal underworld, has protested his innocence since his conviction. Having served more than 18 years for murder, he is now in a category D prison – a sign that he is due for release soon. However, he has vowed to clear his name before his release and </span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/sep/02/kevin-lane-murder-conviction-operation-cactus" title=""><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">has launched a number of unsuccessful appeals</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> that have raised questions about his conviction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">During his latest appeal hearing, last week, it was confirmed that many documents relating to Lane's conviction had been withheld from his defence team under public interest immunity certificates. The certificates, which are used to keep information from being disclosed in court, are often applied by judges to protect the identity of informants. But they also made it difficult for Lane to request documents that he believes could be instrumental in clearing his name. And documents that have been shared with Lane's lawyers have been heavily redacted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It has emerged that some of the documents relate to a former police officer involved in the case, Detective Inspector Chris Spackman, who was instrumental in securing Lane's conviction but was jailed in 2003 for corruption relating to a separate case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Prosecution lawyers involved in Lane's case and appeals have always maintained that Spackman's conviction, long after Lane was jailed, had no bearing on his case. However, during last week's hearing, it emerged that the police were aware of allegations that Spackman had been corrupt as far back as 1994, the year of Magill's murder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It also emerged that among documents seized from Spackman's office upon his arrest was a reference to a file or files which were marked "Lane/Vincent". It is unclear why Spackman was in possession of the files.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The hearing was told that the commission had not seen or examined the files, and did not know whether the files were still available for examination. The material's existence was disclosed by the police to the Crown Prosecution Service.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lane's barrister, Joel Bennathan QC, told the hearing that the fact that the police had such information but that it had never been made known to Lane's lawyers "ought to be a matter of the greatest concern".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was alleged during the hearing that Spackman held "off the record" meetings with Vincent when he was in custody awaiting his murder trial.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Vincent, who was jailed for the murder of drug dealer Dave King in 2003, has always denied any collusion with Spackman, and any involvement in the Magill killing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Spackman has also denied any suggestion of impropriety relating to the Lane conviction. Lane's lawyers will now review the information that has been shared with them.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Special court orders cast doubt on Kevin Lane murder conviction</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> This article appeared on p17 of the </span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2013/jul/21/news"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Main section</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> section of </span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the Observer</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> on <time datetime="2013-07-21" pubdate=""><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2013/jul/21">Sunday 21 July 2013</a></time>. It was published on </span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">guardian.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> at <time datetime="2013-07-21T00:00BST" pubdate="">00.04 BST on Sunday 21 July 2013</time>. It was last modified at <time datetime="2013-07-21T00:06BST">00.06 BST on Sunday 21 July 2013</time>. </span></div>
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Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-80189519533954805292013-07-10T09:28:00.001+01:002013-07-10T09:28:56.331+01:00CCRC to Receive Increased Funding <img alt="Justice on trial" class="image-badge" height="61" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/site%20furniture/2009/5/1/1241178414693/JusticeOnTrial_620x120.gif" width="320" /><u><span style="color: #0066cc;"> </span></u> <br />
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Miscarriages of justice body to receive increased funds after applications rise</h1>
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The 10% increase comes amid cuts to criminal legal aid, leading lawyers to ask whether a better funded CCRC will address the problem of lack of legal representation</div>
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<ul class="share-links trackable-component" data-component="Article:top share tools" id="content-actions"><img alt="Brian Thornton" class="contributor-pic-small" height="60" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/7/4/1372953306175/Brian_Thornton.jpg" title="Contributor picture" width="60" /> </ul>
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<span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name"><a class="contributor" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/brian-thornton" itemprop="url" rel="author">Brian Thornton</a></span></span> </div>
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<li class="publication"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/" itemprop="publisher">guardian.co.uk</a>, <time datetime="2013-07-03T18:16BST" itemprop="datePublished" pubdate="">Wednesday 3 July 2013 18.16 BST</time> </li>
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<img alt="THE RELEASE OF THE BIRMINGHAM SIX AT THE OLD BAILEY IN 1991" height="192" itemprop="contentUrl representativeOfPage" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/7/3/1372871627322/THE-RELEASE-OF-THE-BIRMIN-008.jpg" width="320" /> <div class="caption" itemprop="caption">
The release of the Birmingham Six at the Old Bailey in 1991. The idea of the CCRC was established by the Runciman Commission,set up following numerous high profile cases Photograph: Rex Features</div>
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The body responsible for investigating miscarriages of justice is to receive a 10% increase in funding after a surge in applications from prisoners claiming they have been wrongfully convicted.<br />
Last year the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/criminal-cases-review-commission" title="More from guardian.co.uk on Criminal Cases Review Commission">Criminal Cases Review Commission</a> (CCRC) received 1,625 applications from people asking it to investigate their cases – a 64% increase on previous years.<br />
The CCRC believes the dramatic rise in applications is the result of a change in the way that prisoners can apply to the commission.<br />
Richard Foster, chairman of the commission, said: "This is not about some sudden upsurge in miscarriages of justice. It is about the commission making itself much more accessible to those who may most need its help and allowing people to make applications in ways which best suit them personally."<br />
The new application form – which has been advertised in all prisons — includes pictures and simpler language so that prisoners with even the most basic reading and writing skills can complete it.<br />
Studies <a href="http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/assets/0000/0422/Literacy_changes_lives__prisons.pdf" title="">have found</a> that more than 50% of prisoners have literacy levels below that expected of 11 year olds.<br />
The Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) promise to give the CCRC nearly half a million pounds extra in funding is particularly noteworthy given the background of <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jul/02/legal-aid-cuts-widespread-miscarriages-justice" title="">swingeing cuts to criminal legal aid</a>.<br />
A MoJ spokeswoman said: "The Criminal Cases Review Commission is an integral part of our justice system.<br />
Over the past year they received a 64% increase in applications so we have granted them a small increase in their budget to deal with the workload and they have allocated more resources to processing applications to reduce delays."<br />
The funding of the CCRC has long been a contentious issue. The body had suffered a funding cut of 30% in real terms over the last seven years, resulting in redundancies at the commission's Birmingham headquarters.<br />
This lead critics of the organisation to claim that it lacked the resources to tackle the volume of cases it had to deal with every year.<br />
The idea of the CCRC was established by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Commission_on_Criminal_Justice" title="">Runciman Commission</a> which was set up following numerous high profile miscarriages of justice such as the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/guildford-four" title="">Guildford Four</a> and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/birmingham-six" title="">Birmingham Six</a>.<br />
Garry Runciman, chair of the Royal commission, admitted that it was the funding of the CCRC, rather than its structure that had concerned him.<br />
"I hoped that if a new independent authority was set up on our recommendation that the government wouldn't just tick the box and then start cutting back on the funding."<br />
Professor Michael Zander, who was also part of the Runciman Commission, praised the organisation for making itself more accessible: "On the whole I think they've being doing quite well, given their resources. The admirable attempt to make their message better known to prisoners has resulted in them being deluged by even more applications."<br />
"The increased funding is definitely a vote of confidence [in the CCRC] because everything has been going downhill and for anything to get more resources at the moment is remarkable.<br />
"So that's a triumph, or it may be a recognition that they've been shortchanged over quite a long time and it's now got to a point where even this government has to do something about it, which I applaud. They need all the help they can get in terms of resources."<br />
The haemorrhaging of staff has now been halted and the commission is currently recruiting case review managers, commissioners and investigations specialists.<br />
"We will be spending this money on front-line staff. We aim not just to cope with this huge increase in applications but also to maintain or improve waiting and turnaround times for cases," said Foster.<br />
"We all know the pressure on public finances. Ministers would not have increased our funding if they did not recognise both the work the commission has done to make itself as efficient and effective as it can and the importance of identifying, and remedying, miscarriages of justice whenever and wherever they occur."<br />
For those working with prisoners who are maintaining their innocence – sometimes for decades – in prison, the increased funding is welcome, but concerns over the CCRC's approach remain.<br />
<a href="http://www.hadgkisshughesandbeale.co.uk/criminal-defence-and-appeals.html" target="_blank">Maslen Merchant</a>, a lawyer who specialises in miscarriage of justice cases, thinks that the CCRC should see this as an opportunity to refocus its approach.<br />
"I think the CCRC sometimes forgets who they're dealing with and also the effect that delays can have. It once took a year for the CCRC to publish a decision it had made on a case. The prisoner – was had served 16 years already — was on suicide watch while he awaited his decision.<br />
"They need to meet the prisoners and the families so that they understand what's at stake. Otherwise it's just another file – just another name," said Merchant.<br />
Solicitor Glyn Maddocks, who worked for more than 12 years to get the conviction of Paul Blackburn quashed, agrees: "If the CCRC uses the money to properly and effectively investigate cases rather than doing desktop reviews as they have being doing in recent years, then I would applaud it," he said.<br />
But a better funded CCRC does not really address the real problem facing the wrongly convicted – namely a lack of legal representation, according to Maddocks.<br />
A shortage of solicitors to take on these difficult and complex cases has turned into a crisis, with most applicants to the CCRC now having no legal representation.<br />
With the MoJ aiming to cut £220m out of criminal <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/legal-aid" title="More from guardian.co.uk on Legal aid">legal aid</a> the situation is unlikely to get any better.<br />
Maddocks and other criminal law experts have now created the Centre for Criminal Appeals to try to address the shortfall in legal representation for those who claim to be victims of a miscarriage of justice.</div>
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Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209140437685137658.post-31462007058061808712013-05-15T10:42:00.000+01:002013-05-15T10:42:12.541+01:00MOSELEY IN BLOOM 2013
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Hadgkiss Hughes & Beale are
proud to be sponsors of Moseley in Bloom 2013.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This popular event will be taking place over the weekend of 29 & 30
June 2013. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Visit </span><a href="http://moseleyinbloom.org.uk/"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue;">http://moseleyinbloom.org.uk/</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> for further information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: text2;"><u><strong>Open
Gardens 2013<o:p></o:p></strong></u></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
Saturday 29 June and Sunday 30 June 2013<br />
1.00 pm to 5.30 pm both days<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Day Ticket – £5.00 (TBC)<br />
Weekend Ticket – £7.50 (TBC)<br />
Friends of Moseley in Bloom – Free with your membership card<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Refreshment points along the route offering
traditional afternoon teas and delicious cakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The sheer size of the area is likely to come as quite
a revelation to visitors.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2012<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Moseley in Bloom struck
gold for the fifth year running in this year’s Heart of England in Bloom
competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The locally based volunteer
group and charity received the top award for its commitment to improving the
environment of the village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also set
an unprecedented record by maintaining its position as winner of the Urban
Communities category for the sixth year in succession.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Hadgkiss Hughes & Bealehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603620388204433536noreply@blogger.com0