Applications such as that for access to Prince Charles’ “black spider memos” would be “doomed to failure” if they were to be made in future, according to Mark Elliott, Reader in Public Law, Cambridge University, since “s 37 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 was amended in 2010 so as to render communications with the heir to the throne absolutely exempt from disclosure”. The Supreme Court ruled 5-2 last week in Evans v Attorney General [2015] UKSC 21 that Prince Charles’ letters to government departments can be disclosed under the Act.
02 April 2015
Black spider memos
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Shakespeare Martineau—David Vaughan
Shakespeare Martineau appoints new London office head as firm continues investment in capital
Browne Jacobson—Kevin Moore
Browne Jacobson strengthens All-Island life sciences platform with appointment of leading Galway MedTech lawyer
Clarke Willmott—Latitude Law
National law firm strengthens commercial offering with acquisition of leading immigration practice
NEWS
Mr Justice Nicklin’s decision to order costs on an indemnity basis may be a ‘significant win’ but it’s still ‘far from game, set and match’ for Associated Newspapers, a former costs judge has said
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
Can a meticulously maintained spreadsheet turn a couple’s informal financial arrangements into legally enforceable obligations?
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