Justice Matters

The Qatar Law Forum in May 2009 brought together global leaders in law to mark a shared commitment to the rule of law, reports Khadija Ali.  

The Qatar Law Forum took place in Doha from 29 to 31 May 2009 under the patronage of His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. 

The involvement of the private sector in the government’s fight against fraud is welcome, but significant dangers—for both victims and the criminal justice system—lurk below the surface, warns Jonathan Fisher QC 

Lara Maroof looks at the misuse of expert virological evidence in HIV prosecutions 

The recent reforms in the area of fraud and financial crime amount to little more than re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, writes Jonathan Fisher QC. More radical reform to the statutory framework is required 

Jodie Blackstock explores the issues raised by the European Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia and argues that tangible curtailments to freedom of speech could follow 

The family justice system will fast unravel if funding cuts force publicly funded barristers to take flight, writes Lucy Theis QC 

In his first interview as DPP, Keir Starmer QC reveals his vision for a 21st century service to Ben Silverstone.  

Biography 

Keir Starmer was called to the Bar in 1987 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2002. He practised from Doughty Street Chambers since its inception in 1990 and was appointed Head of Chambers in 2007. His main areas of practice were human rights, international law, judicial review, extradition, criminal law, police law and media law. 

Marper has profound implications for the future of DNA retention, but it is not the last word, says Timothy Pitt-Payne 

The recent arrest of Damian Green and Jack Straw’s widely reported human rights “frustration”  highlight urgent issues, writes Stephen Hockman QC, who sets out his own agenda for change 

Can feminist strategies transform women’s experience of the law? How female lawyering and feminist judgments can bring positive change