*/
MPs Tom Watson and David Davis have won a High Court battle challenging surveillance laws that allowed police and security services to “spy on citizens” without adequate safeguards. The court ruled that the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act 2014 was “inconsistent with EU law” and ordered that s 1 should be dis-applied. The Act was fast-tracked through Parliament last July, and allowed security agencies to gather information about who suspects contact by telephone and email. The court’s order was suspended until after 31 March 2016 to give Parliament time to reconsider data retention laws in the light of the ruling. The Home Secretary was given permission to appeal.
MPs Tom Watson and David Davis have won a High Court battle challenging surveillance laws that allowed police and security services to “spy on citizens” without adequate safeguards. The court ruled that the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act 2014 was “inconsistent with EU law” and ordered that s 1 should be dis-applied. The Act was fast-tracked through Parliament last July, and allowed security agencies to gather information about who suspects contact by telephone and email. The court’s order was suspended until after 31 March 2016 to give Parliament time to reconsider data retention laws in the light of the ruling. The Home Secretary was given permission to appeal.
The Bar Council is ready to support a turn to the efficiencies that will make a difference
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the latest ONS data on drug misuse and its implications for toxicology testing in family law cases
An interview with Rob Wagg, CEO of New Park Court Chambers
What meaningful steps can you take in 2026 to advance your legal career? asks Thomas Cowan of St Pauls Chambers
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, explains why drugs may appear in test results, despite the donor denying use of them
Ever wondered what a pupillage is like at the CPS? This Q and A provides an insight into the training, experience and next steps
The appointments of 96 new King’s Counsel (also known as silk) are announced today
Ready for the new way to do tax returns? David Southern KC continues his series explaining the impact on barristers. In part 2, a worked example shows the specific practicalities of adapting to the new system
Resolution of the criminal justice crisis does not lie in reheating old ideas that have been roundly rejected before, say Ed Vickers KC, Faras Baloch and Katie Bacon
With pupillage application season under way, Laura Wright reflects on her route to ‘tech barrister’ and offers advice for those aiming at a career at the Bar
