Inside the Family Court

Radio Four are airing a two part show based at the ILFPC called 'Inside the Family Court' in which DJ Crichton plays a large role. The first half was last Thursday and dealt with private law cases this Thursday it will be the turn of public law cases.

Last week's show can be downloaded from the BBC Radio Four homepage until (I think) Thursday. This is the link if anyone is interested:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/noscript.shtml/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?radio4/family_court"

Posted by:
Emily Beer
Three Dr Johnson's Buildings

Human Rights - Congestion Charge Challenge

The Mail on Sunday today reported that Richard Webb, a van driver and history buff from Twickenham claims to have successfully challenged the congestion charge on the basis that it contravenes the 1689 Bill of Rights by making a fine without convicting him in a court of law. Specifically, the Bill of Rights states that "all grants and promises of fines and forfeitures of particular persons before conviction are illegal and void." Transport for London failed to shine any great light on the challenge´s success or failure.

Whatever the strengths or weaknesses of this challenge, does anyone have other examples of unexpected grounds for appeal of driving charges?

Tax - Inland Revenue targets celebrities

It was reported in today´s Sunday Times that the HM Revenue and Customs is mounting a test case against Richard and Judy that may set a precedent for television presenters, authors and footballers. The argment, it appears, is that these people´s agents´fees should not be able to be written off against tax. There is also a suggestion that if the Revenue is successful it may claim back up to six years of unpaid tax even though people had following existing guidelines in good faith.

On its face this appears to be an attempt to add another stealth tax which will hit the poorest (eg struggling writers) the hardest.

Family Law - Divorce Ruling

Following the groundbreaking judgment by the House of Lords in the cases of Miller v Miller and McFarlane v McFarlane it is now being suggested that this may allow spouses who divorced with continuing payments to re-open their settlements. It will be interesting to see how this develops.

Does anyone have any comments on this or on the judgments generally?

Welcome

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