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Law - new material (61)

01 October 2007

Counter-Terrorism Policy and Human Rights: 28 days, intercept and post-charge questioning. House of Lords and House of Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights 30.7.07, pp. 62 (+ 96 pages of evidence). This report considers government proposals to increase pre-trial detention from the recently increased period of 28 days. It concludes that "extending the 28 day period does not meet the strict test of necessity which must be satisfied where any new power would constitute an interference with civil liberty" (Paragraph 52). Instead it recommends "thorough scrutiny of the evidence, stronger judicial safeguards and improved parliamentary oversight" (p 3). The Committee also concludes that the Special Advocate system for control order proceedings "does not afford the individual a fair hearing and recommends changes" (p 3, Paragraphs 176-205). The report welcomes "in principal" the review of the use of intercept evidence. See http//www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt200607/jtselect/jtrights/157/157/pdf

Justice Matters: independence, accountability and the Irish Judiciary, Tanya Ward. Irish Council for Civil Liberties 2007, pp. 116. This report looks at the issue of judicial independence in Ireland. Among its key recommendations are the establishment of a Judicial Council for complaints, transparency around the judicial appointment process and increased resources for the District Courts. ICCL, 9-13 Blackhill Place, Dublin 7, Ireland, http://www.iccl.ie

Reforming the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, Dan Mace. Legal Action July 2007, pp 18-20. This article considers the plight of people with a criminal record who are often unfairly discriminated against in their search for employment. Mace argues that "a programme of information, education and reform is long overdue and that, with responsibility for ex-offenders moving to the new Ministry of Justice, it is time to look at these issues again."