All the latest news from the front line of civil law
What cases will be heard at the Supreme Court in the first part of 2011? Have a look at the Supreme Court sittings for the Easter Term 2011.
See how many faces you recognise in our photos from The Green Book launch party, held at the Supreme Court last month.
ARCHIVE FEATURE: In October 2010 the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom celebrated its first anniversary. Have a look at our highlights of the year and see what the Supreme Court Justice Baroness Hale had to say about the first year in the Supreme Court when she talked to the Guardian last year. Justice Baroness Brenda Hale on the Supreme Court's first year.
News round-up…
‘High Street lawyers’ revolutionising legal services
Despite being less than a year old, Quality Solicitors has announced plans to launch 100 new branches. The high street legal services ‘brand’ is being credited - and criticised - for revolutionising the field, which is set to dramatically change in six months. From 6th October non-law businesses - known as alternative business structures or ABSs - will be permitted to offer legal services under the Legal Services Act. Retail giants including the Co-op and Halifax will be among the first to take advantage of the change in the law. Crispin Passmore, strategy director at the Legal Services Board, said the new rules were about removing ‘anti-competitive restrictions… The objective is to allow lawyers to respond to consumer demand in more competitive and imaginative ways.’
Right to life vs right to die: Mother speaks out
The mother at the centre of a ‘right to die’ case in 2009 has waived anonymity to talk about switching off her disabled son’s life support machine. Kelly Bickell talked about her High Court battle with the father of their 13-month-old baby, Ronnie Bickell who was known as Baby RB during the court case. Ms. Bickell told the BBC, ‘Everyone is different and I can see that some people might think it wasn’t fair [to switch of the ventilator] but I knew that was doing the right thing and that I was fighting for Ronnie.’ After fighting for his child’s right to life, Ronnie’s father eventually withdrew his opposition. If he hadn’t changed his mind, and Mr Justice McFarlance had ruled in the mother’s favour, it would have been the first time a British court had ruled against the wishes of a parent whose child does not suffer brain damage.
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2011: January | February | March
2010: December | November | October | September | August | July | June | May | April | March | February | January
