Judges “irresponsible” in Binyam Mohamed case

December 14th, 2009

Lawyers for the foreign secretary, David Miliband have branded two senior judges “irresponsible” for wanting to disclose intelligence material related to allegations of torture involving the CIA and the UK’s alleged collusion. Jonathan Sumption QC, appearing for the foreign secretary, told the Court of Appeal the stance taken by High Court judges Lord Justice Thomas and Mr Justice Lloyd Jones could “seriously damage national security”.  The foreign secretary is appealing against six high court judgments ruling that CIA information on Mohamed’s treatment, and what MI5 and MI6 knew about it, must be disclosed. The appeal is being opposed by both Mr Mohamed and media organisations. The case resumes tomorrow and is due to last three days. Read more here

Simon Singh to attend oral hearing

August 10th, 2009

Science writer Simon Singh is set go to an oral hearing at the Court of Appeal later this year seeking permission to challenge an earlier decision by the court not to allow an appeal over a libel action, according to legal sources. This latest application will mean a new hearing by the Court of Appeal on October 14 over a piece published in the Guardian this April that was challenged by The British Chiropractic Association. Read more here

Top lawyer fails to gag Private Eye

May 21st, 2009

Lawyers for Michael Napier, former President of the Law Society, have been refused an injunction by The Court of Appeal to stop Private Eye from publishing identifying details of a complaint against him. Read more here