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Law News from Times Online
Law News from Times Online

Heavy handed tactics over Damian Green's arrest cause cross-party outrage
It has been likened to the worst breach of parliamentary privilege since the mid-17th century but this time with the Speaker found wanting. The arrest of Damian Green, MP, the searching of his home and raiding of his Commons office have provoked almost universal and cross-party outrage.
Total faces criminal charges over Buncefield blast
Total, the French oil giant, and four other companies are facing criminal prosecution over Britain's biggest peacetime explosion, the Environment Agency said today.
David Greene: 'Class actions alllow people access to the courts'
I've been doing shareholder claims for 15 years. Shareholders and consumers that have suffered as a result of a cartel; these are the areas of growth for group actions. It's very rewarding being able to bring groups of claimants together. They are often ordinary people who have each suffered a loss and wouldn't normally be able to access the courts to recover their loss.
Don't know who Tesco's chief executive is? Then you, too, can be a trainee Ci...
Freshfields lawyers' quiz questions
Rusal attacks Tajik Aluminium over 'fruitless' claim
Rusal, the Russian aluminium giant controlled by Oleg Deripaska, issued a stinging attack yesterday on a rival producer over a "sensational" fraud claim that had wasted millions of pounds on "fruitless" legal fees.
Ruling strengthens employment rights for carers
Thousands of people who care for disabled or elderly relatives will have the right to claim against their private-sector employers who refuse them flexibile working after a tribunal ruling.
EU says drug industry delay tactics cost us ?3bn
Big drug companies have cost European consumers ?3 billion (£2.5 billion) through deliberately hindering the production of cheaper generic versions of their medicines, the European Union said today.
Treasury faces £5bn bill as British American Tobacco wins dividends tax case
The Treasury is potentially facing a £5 billion black hole after suffering a High Court defeat at the hands of British American Tobacco yesterday.
Tajik Aluminium fraud claim settled
One of the most expensive lawsuits in British history has been settled after three years. The case in the High Court in London arose from a fight in Tajikistan for control of an aluminium smelter. Tajik Aluminium Company (Talco), the state-controlled operator, accused Azar Nazarov, its former business partner, of defrauding it of more than $500 million ($£325 million). Mr Nazarov denied the allegations and sought $130 million in a counterclaim. Talco said that a settlement had been reached and proceedings terminated with no admission of liability by either side.$
'Summary justice' soars as courts bypassed
Out-of-court punishments accounted for more than half of all offences dealt with by the criminal justice system last year, according to figures published today.
Intel ruling restricts legal protection for famous brands
Companies will find it harder to protect well-known brands from being exploited by other businesses following a landmark ruling by Europe?s highest court today.
UBS may have to lift Swiss bank veil of secrecy
Switzerland's once proud banks may have to lift their celebrated secrecy, the chairman of UBS admitted today, as he sought to deflect claims of involvement in tax fraud in the US where the group is under official investigation.
BAE raided in South Africa in connection with SFO corruption inquiry
A South African office of BAE Systems, the UK?s biggest defence contractor, was raided by anti-corruption police yesterday in connection with a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into alleged bribery.
Tajik Aluminium settles $500m fraud claim$
One of the most expensive lawsuits in British history settled today after three years of bitter accusations and tens of millions of pounds spent on legal fees.
Should judges respond to criticism?
In 1900, the editor of the Birmingham Daily Argos was fined £100 by the Lord Chief Justice for describing Mr Justice Darling as an ?impudent little man in horsehair?. The editor avoided a prison sentence for ?personal scurrilous abuse of a judge? only because of his abject apology. Today, we rightly take a more tolerant approach to criticism of the judiciary. But the critical comments by Paul Dacre, Editor of the Daily Mail, about the judgments of Mr Justice Eady in privacy cases raise important questions about how judges should respond.

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