S14E03 - Rights and Wrong'uns

You can listen to this week's show right here.

This week's show is about the Tory plan to abolish the Human Rights Act and to put England and Wales (though not Scotland or NI, of course) outside of the direct constraints of International Human Rights law.

It's a good job that Ben is still barely croaking otherwise this would no doubt have been an angry rant full of vitriol about our Home Secretary and Lord Chancellor.  Surely Kirstin will be far more calm about it...

Of course, you might want to balance the Tory slandering of the Act and the ECHR against a few examples of what the law has meant for us.

For a great collection of what to read about this to know more on both sides of the argument, please see the excellent compendium put together by David Allen Green.

Not only that but it has been a little while since we heard what's going on in the world of immigration law.  There has been a report about the Home Office and its ability to do its job.  Spoilers, government subcontractors are not exactly thrilling us with their efficiency.  Jonathan Holt explains all.  Visit Bail For Immigration Detainees and read all about it.

Next week should be a little more chatty assuming none of contract any other horrible illnesses.  


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S08E05 - Legally Speaking

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On this week's show, we look into the use of interpreters in courts and police stations and find out why a Ministry of Justice contract with Applied Language Solutions Ltd (now known as Capita Translation and Interpreting Ltd) is causing concern for interpreters, courts and parties to proceedings.

We speak with Mirela Watson, a Romanian interpreter with over a decade of experience and qualifications, about what is wrong with the present system and where the dangers lie.

If you want to read the BBC article about the Snaresbrook case, it is here.
The Court of Appeal decision referred to is here.
The place to register your concerns about cases such as those discussed is here.
We will bring you Capita's response in next week's show, if we receive comment.

The "Justice for Sale" meeting in London on 22nd May 2013 is now sold out.  That's more than 1,100 people and a significant press following.  We will be covering the event (all things being equal!).  The press release from the CLSA, confirming the sell-out, is here.

There are some clues as to the details of some of the Home Secretary's plans for criminal justice, following her address at the Police Federation conference in Bournemouth.  The M.E.N. also had this to say.

We have what might be the last Abu Qatada update from Jonathan Holt.

We all do some agreeing with the Home Secretary about a couple of things.  Don't worry; normal service will be resumed by next week.

In next week's show, coverage of the London "Justice For Sale" event and the protest demo in Manchester. And maybe some cake and bourbon.