It’s That Mother Again!
The Standard today has yet another article, about the mother who doesn’t want her son to have radiotherapy.
I’m getting rather fed up with this woman.
it’s not news, but a personal tragedy for everyone involved.
The Case Of The Vanishing House
This tale is almost unbelievable. As it’s in the island of Ireland, you do wonder how much of it, has been given a bit of exaggeration.
On the other hand it’s on the BBC, so it must be true.
But unlike many tales of ths type, it has a sort of happy ending.
A Victory For Patient Safety
I have followed the Ubani case for some years. I am glad to see he’s lost the case to clear his name.
Let’s hope he gives up and goes back to where he came from.
The outcome of this case and hopefully it’s the final one, gives me hope that in the end good law always triumphs.
C’s Worst Nightmares
Reading the story about the little girl taken to Pakistan against her mother’s wishes, reminds me of C’s worst nightmares in her job as a family barrister.
The first was obviously not being able to protect a client from a violent partner. I don’t think she actually had it happen, although she was very worried, that a body found on a Norfolk beach, was a former client. I know she was critical of the law in that she felt as time progressed judges couldn’t give the same level of protection to clients.
Strangely, I can’t remember any child being abducted, whilst she was dealing with the case. Although, she did go to court to get children returned to the jurisdiction.
I can remember though, her discussing how some countries that you might find were a nightmare to deal with were not and others you think would be easy weren’t. It all depends on whether the country has signed and/or adheres to the Hague Convention.
In one case, a child had been abducted to a southern state of the United States and she wondered if it would be a difficult case. Everything was organised by phone and fax and the Americans said to send a responsible adult like a social worker. I think though she did have a difficult case concerning a country much nearer to home.
So the happy ending to today’s case fits the rather random pattern. Although it did take a long time to resolve.
Reach For A Lawyer
One thing that has always puzzled me about mass killings in the United States, is that no-one has used a lawyer to sue someone, who was loosely connected to the crime. The people, who made the guns and the bullets for a start. And what about his mother’s estate or his father, who moved out? They could also sue the school for not having a US Marine in every class room. The list could be endless to a creative lawyer.
After all McDonalds were successfully sued by someone who spilt a cup of hot coffee. I once did that to myself, so should I claim against the airline for serving me in error, when I have a gammy hand? As I spilt it all over that hand, perhaps the damage to the nerves caused my stroke. On the other hand, I would have lost the case, as I said sorry to the stewardess.
A Problem With Not Recognising Gay Marriage
When some countries recognise gay marriage and others don’t you are going to get a few problems.
This story from the United States, illustrates one small but sometimes expensive problem well.
Edith Windsor was legally married to her gay partner in Canada, five years ago. Her partner has since died and because she now lives in New York, she will have to pay $600,000 in what in the UK would be death duties. If her partner had been a man, she wouldn’t have to pay the tax.
So now the case has ended up at the United States Supreme Court.
I’m not a lawyer and I’ve no idea what would happen in the UK.
But surely in this age, we should clear everything up to make it all clear to everybody.
How To Announce Yourself
As I went through Peterborough on the train yesterday to Leeds, I noticed a couple of law firms in offices by the station. I’m reminded of a little event.
C’s chambers had a satellite office in the city and one day at this time of year, they were having a Christmas party after work. Our son, a trainee solicitor at the time, was also doing some business in the area on the same day, had a legal problem and thought he might find some help and expertise at the party. So he walked in and said.
Does anybody know how to write a writ for habeus corpus?
And that is how one of the oldest tenets in English law; habeus corpus and our son, made their presence felt at a Christmas party in the twenty-first century.
Businesses Get Bees On The Roof
I first saw this in The Times concerning law firm, Olswang.
But there is also an old video story about it on the BBC’s web site.
It obviously seems to be a good idea, as it seems to be catching on.
It’s Five Years Today
Today it’s five years since my wife, C, died quietly in her sleep. A lot has happened since, what with the death of our youngest son and my stroke, which necessitated my move from Suffolk to London.
But life in those five years hasn’t been all bad and I’ve experienced some wonderful things. I’ve also just found this in Chambers UK, which is a guide to the best lawyers in the UK.
He works with individuals who are prosecuted on suspicion of funding or having an active part in terrorist groups and conspiracies, and is a vocal critic of the implications of broad legislation and law in this area. He is described as “a great solicitor.”
The person being described is our middle son. C would be immensely proud! Just as I obviously am!
Today is a really bittersweet day!
The Prisons Don’t Get Any Better
This story from the BBC shows that in the fifty years since C first got involved with prisons, that the same mistakes are still being made. This is just one extract.
The HM Inspectorate of Prisons found the lack of support for foreign national prisoners “a matter of great concern”.
In one case, it was discovered that a foreign national had been detained for nine years after the date his sentence ended.
This is sheer incompetence and how much as it cost and will cost taxpayers.
The Anonymous Widower 