Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. The family courts have long recognised the lie in the old rhyme and defined child neglect as including emotional and psychological abuse as well as physical abuse – but the criminal law has taken a little while to catch up. This may all […]
As the world closely watches the progress of the ongoing Oscar Pistorius murder trial, the the observant may have noted a certain significant addition to the courtroom: the camera. South African media have been given permission to film throughout the highly-publicised trial, giving the nation live-streaming of the opening arguments for both prosecution and defence, […]
MPs recently voted on whether smoking should be allowed in vehicles with children present. They came out in favour of a ban by 376 votes to 107, empowering (though not compelling) ministers to make smoking in vehicles with children present a criminal offence. A fine of £60 has been proposed; no other penalties have been mooted […]
Justice of the Supreme Court Lord Sumption has said: “Most law is only common sense with knobs on.” This is certainly true of ‘Eve’s Law’. Just before Christmas in the House Of Commons, shadow minister for justice Dan Jarvis raised a question which called upon the Government to implement Eve’s Law. There is now a […]