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30 October 2008
Issue: 7343 / Categories: Case law , Law digest
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Judiciary bias

Helow v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] UKHL 62, [2008] All ER (D) 222 (Oct)

Where bias is alleged, the question is whether a fair-minded and informed observer (who is neither complacent nor unduly sensitive or suspicious), having considered the relevant facts, would conclude that there existed a real possibility that the judge was biased. The question is one of law, to be answered in the light of the relevant facts, which may include a statement from the judge as to what he knew at the time; although the court is not necessarily bound to accept any such statement at face value, there can be no question of cross-examining the judge on it, and no attention will be paid to any statement by the judge as to the impact of any knowledge on him.
 

Issue: 7343 / Categories: Case law , Law digest
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Haynes Boone—Louise Woods

Haynes Boone—Louise Woods

Haynes Boone expands global capabilities with addition of Louise Woods as chair of international disputes

DWF—John Gilfedder

DWF—John Gilfedder

DWF strengthens Global Risks practice with strategic hire of aviation partner in London

Shakespeare Martineau—10 newly qualified solicitors

Shakespeare Martineau—10 newly qualified solicitors

Shakespeare Martineau appoints newly qualified solicitors

NEWS
The Thirlwall Inquiry has exposed a ‘complete failure’ to protect babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital, but its recommendations must now be put into practice
A divorced woman has secured funding to participate in her former husband’s inquest after the Legal Aid Agency reconsidered repeated refusals
More than 500 former rugby players can pursue brain injury claims despite serious failures to disclose documents ordered by the High Court
When does a solicitor’s retainer become a contentious business agreement? The Court of Appeal’s decision in Broadfield Law UK LLP v Barnes shows that listing hourly rates alone will not do, leaving firms and clients uncertain about their rights over bills
MPs cannot simply resign their Commons seats. Instead, they take a nominal Crown office, usually the Chiltern Hundreds or Manor of Northstead, which disqualifies them from sitting
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