The Legal 500

The Met Commissioner accepts that the failure to warn victims was unlawful

The Metropolitan Police Service today formally admitted in London’s High Court that its failure in 2006 and 2007 to warn victims and potential victims of phone hacking was unlawful. 

Bindmans head of employment Shah Qureshi features in the first ever British Bangladeshi Power 100 list as one of the UK’s leading Lawyers.

RBS Chief Stephen Hester was offered a bonus of £963,000 on top of his annual £1.2million salary. We own an 82% share in this bank. Compare this to a family whose son was injured at birth, and finally 20 years later receives a £3.35m settlement payment to cover an injury that will last his life time.

Bindmans partner, Mike Schwarz, gives interview to Big Issue in advance of Institute of Employment Rights talks in Liverpool and London.

The case of a severely-disabled 57-year-old man who wants a judge to allow a doctor to “lawfully” end his life reached the High Court on Monday.

Bindmans client Francis Firebrace is one of Australia’s most original indigenous storytellers and an Aboriginal Elder.

Geoffrey Bindman comments on the limits of universal jurisdiction

The arrest of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the now deceased Colonel, prompts the question: where should his trial take place? The arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity but, assuming the crimes of which he is accused also violate the domestic law of Libya, he could be tried either in Libya or by the ICC in the Hague

Tamsin Allen, who heads the firm’s media practice, has secured settlements against News Group Newspapers Ltd for the former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Chris Bryant MP, Denis MacShane MP, journalists Joan Smith and Tom Rowland and Christopher Shipman.

Protesters expressed disappointment with a Court of Appeal decision today to overturn a Divisional Court judgement on kettling and use of violent force against climate protesters on April 1 2009. The Divisional Court headed by its President, Sir Anthony May, and Mr Justice Sweeney, had concluded the police operations were “not lawful.”

Long standing protest continues at Parliament Square and efforts yesterday evening by the Metropolitan Police (supported by Westminster) to clear the area have not ended protest at this iconic location.

One of four musicians suspended by the London Philharmonic Orchestra is taking a claim for discrimination on the grounds of belief to an employment tribunal. Sarah Streatfeild, who has played violin with the LPO for 25 years, was suspended for six months without pay last September after she signed a joint letter to the Independent calling on the Proms to cancel a concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Bindmans head of employment Shah Qureshi features in the new 2012 edition of The Lawyer's Hot 100 report as one of the UK's leading Lawyers.

Sir Michael Dummett, who has died aged 86, was one of the greatest British philosophers of the 20th century. Sir Michael was also a staunch campaigner for racial justice and one of the key founders of Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI).

 European Court of Human Rights

Stephen Grosz comments on the recent consultation on a Bill of Rights and the Government's programme for reform of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Stephen is Head of Public Law and Human Rights at Bindmans LLP, and member of the Law Society’s Human Rights Committee.  

The Guardian’s Alex Aldridge asked a selection of figures from the legal world for their thoughts on the year ahead. Mike Schwarz, partner specialising in criminal defence law at Bindmans looks into his crystal ball:

Campaigners seeking to halt the closure plans for half of Brent’s public libraries suffered a setback today when the Court of Appeal rejected their appeal against refusal of their judicial review claim. The campaigners will  pursue an appeal to the Supreme Court. It represents the first opportunity for the highest UK court to consider both the equality duties at the heart of their case and the legality of large-scale public library closures.

Katherine Gieve, head of the Family team at Bindmans LLP, has contributed to a new book, Dear David: A memo to the Norgrove Committee from the Dartington Conference 2011, The collected papers of the 2011 Dartington Hall Conference.

Bindmans partner, Mike Schwarz, comments on the first report into undercover policing and reveals another case raising concerns about policing and prosecuting practices.

A new law on stalking took a step closer this week. The House of Lords is debating an amendment which will create a specific criminal offence in England and Wales for the first time. Until now it’s been dealt with under harassment laws.

Bindmans criminal defence solicitor Jude Lanchin has been acting for a number of defendants charged after the student protest at Millbank in 2010 and the August riots this year. In mid-November, on the eve of the first year anniversary of the Millbank protest and a few days before this year’s student demonstration, Jude had her fifth acquittal of students charged with violent disorder and aggravated trespass from the Millbank protest.

Met Commissioner compensates journalist arrested for taking photographs in public place and told to stop "running round acting silly, being stupid and gay"

on political advertising

Animal Defenders International (ADI) will argue that the UK’s advertising laws do not comply with the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights. 

Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP has settled her claim for breach of privacy and harassment against News Group Newspapers in relation to voicemail interception.

Her solicitor, Tamsin Allen of Bindmans LLP said:

The Court of Appeal has today made an important decision which could change the law throughout Europe about the forced removal of unaccompanied children to other European countries.

Bindmans partner Shah Qureshi has been quoted in The Lawyer on the case of Ex-Stringfellows worker Nadine Quashie who has been granted permission to appeal a decision by the London Central Employment Tribunal, which ruled she could not sue her former ‘employer’ as she was self-employed.

Mike Schwarz is interviewed by the Law Society Gazette discussing the cases which led to his recent Excellence Award and his concerns about the right to protest, criminal legal aid, policing and threats to the criminal justice system.

Locked-in syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson, 57, has issued proceedings in the High Court asking for Declarations that it is lawful for a doctor to terminate his life, with his consent and with him making the decision with full mental capacity.

Shah Qureshi, partner in Employment at Bindmans LLP has been featured in the Law Society Gazette as Lawyer in the News.

Bindmans LLP represent anti-cuts protesters convicted at City of Westminster Magistrates Court of aggravated trespass on 17 November. They will appeal to the High Court amid growing concerns about the inappropriate use of the criminal offence of aggravated trespass to protesters and the over-use of the legal principle of joint enterprise.

Bindmans partner Shah Qureshi has been quoted in the Guardian on the case of Ex-Stringfellows worker Nadine Quashie who has won the right to challenge for employment rights.

Nadine Quashie, a former dancer with Stringfellows Restaurants Limited, has been granted permission to appeal by the Employment Appeal Tribunal against the decision of the London Central Employment Tribunal which decided on 9 November 2010 that she was not an ‘employee’ despite working long hours at Stringfellows from June 2007 to December 2008.

Two environmental protesters who had been prosecuted for Criminal Damage following their ‘Oil Orgy’ protest at the Canada-Europe Energy Roundtable Conference in London on 11 October 2011 had their cases discontinued yesterday following representations made by Sashy Nathan of Bindmans LLP.

Occupation London Stock Exchange (Occupy LSX) at St Paul’s are currently being assisted by Bindmans partner Paul Ridge. 

Milli Bhatia, 19, the daughter of actress Meera Syal, was today acquitted of assaulting Christian Pannell, 18, by a unanimous verdict of the jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The 2012 edition of Chambers UK been published and once again Bindmans LLP has received excellent reviews. The firm has maintained its position as a leader in providing legal services and many of its lawyers are rated as leading individuals within the legal profession.

In what is believed to be the first decision of its kind, Bindmans LLP client Joe Hashman has been successful in his claim that he was discriminated against on the grounds of his belief in the sanctity of life extending to anti-fox hunting and anti-hare coursing beliefs.

Bindmans LLP has achieved an unprecedented double win at the prestigious Law Society Excellence Awards 2011.

Our Family Department was one of just four firms in the UK that were short-listed for the prestigious Family Law Firm of the Year award, narrowly failing to win the overall title

Mr Justice Ousley today dismissed a judicial review brought by campaigners seeking to overturn Brent Council’s decision to close half of its public libraries.

The United States’ Supreme Court will utilise a lawsuit brought against Royal Dutch Shell to decide whether corporations can be prosecuted in United States courts for complicity in human rights abuses abroad, a report in the Wall Street Journal said on Monday.

The Sikh community has honoured Bindmans partner Stephen Grosz for his services over the past 30 years. Stephen was presented with the Sikh Recognition Award 2011 at the World Sikh Awards at London’s Park Lane Hilton on 9 October.

Saimo Chahal features in a short television documentary about euthanasia produced by the Russian State TV and Radio Company, RTR. The documentary focuses on Bindmans client Tony Nicklinson and his wife Jane - Saimo acts for Tony, who has “Locked in Syndrome” and whose case has been widely reported in the media. He has launched a legal bid to allow his wife to end his life.

Our Family Department has been short-listed for the prestigious Jordan Family Law Awards.

In an interview with Victoria Derbyshire on Radio 5 Live, Emma Cohen speaks about the proposals by the government to change the immigration rules to stop foreign nationals convicted of a serious criminal offence calling upon article 8 (The right to family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights to avoid being deported.

Stephen Grosz and Gwendolen Morgan are acting for the Law Society in a High Court challenge to the Lord Chancellor’s decision to abolish the committal fee in legally aided criminal proceedings for ‘either way’ cases.

Bindmans acting in court case based on the Dublin regulation, an EU law determining where some asylum seekers should be sent

The Asylum Screening Unit is preventing asylum seekers from lodging claims for permission to stay in the UK unless their lawyers threaten legal action, according to the Law Society.

Neil O’May, partner and Head of the Criminal Law team at Bindmans LLP successfully represented The Guardian newspaper in its defence of an application brought by the Metropolitan Police for the production of documents held in confidence as source material by the Guardian.

Bindmans LLP partner Paul Ridge is concerned that the Government is misleading the public about the law relating to squatting and seeks to exaggerate the myths surrounding squatting and “squatter’s rights.”

Publication date: 27 September 2011

The 2011 edition of Legal 500 UK has been published and Bindmans LLP has received excellent reviews. The firm has maintained its position in the top tier ranking for its legal services and many of its lawyers are rated as leading individuals with the legal profession.

Two lawyers at Bindmans LLP have been short-listed for the prestigious Law Society Excellence Awards.

Mike Schwarz, partner in the Criminal Law department has been short-listed for Solicitor of the Year, Private Practice Award and Saadia Khan has been short-listed as the category Junior Lawyer of the Year Award. 

Scotland Yard have been forced into an abrupt climbdown over the attempt to make Guardian reporters reveal their phone-hacking sources. Neil O'May, head of the crime team at Bindmans LLP, is acting for the Guardian.

The twenty judges of the European Court of Human Rights’ Grand Chamber are today considering arguments that the police tactic of mass kettling – where a group is held against their will because it is supposed some might breach the peace – is a violation of the fundamental right of liberty. If the arguments succeed, kettling will need to be abandoned altogether.

Mike Schwarz, a partner in the Crime team at Bindmans LLP, which represents 17 of the 21 protesters, said: “Our clients consider it unfair, disproportionate and arbitrary for the Crown to prosecute the 30 defendants against whom proceedings are continuing.”

Relatives of the 24 unarmed rubber plantation workers shot dead in December 1948 by British troops in the Malaysian village of Batang Kali have been granted permission for their judicial review to proceed to a full hearing in the UK Courts.

Writing on Halsbury’s Law Exchange, an independent and politically neutral legal think tank, Sir Geoffrey Bindman comments on the challenge to the decision of the Scottish government to impose tuition charges on students in Scottish universities who are ordinarily domiciled in England.

Judgement on Brent library campaigners’ judicial review of the decision to close half of the Borough’s libraries has been put on hold over the summer court vacation, with an indication that it will be handed down by the Court early in October.

South London residents are celebrating a landmark legal victory against Wandsworth Council’s proposal for a ‘pay to-pay’ scheme. Triumphant parents have hailed their victory over the London Borough that tried to charge an entrance fee to a children’s playground as a blueprint against threats to play areas nationwide. They were represented by Saimo Chahal, partner at Bindmans LLP.  

The very first case that will decide what legal protection there is against local authority cuts to public library services was part heard today. The case is brought on behalf of campaigners in Brent, which decided to cut six of its twelve libraries on 11 April this year. The campaigners’ solicitor John Halford said:

Fortnum & Mason protest: CPS drops charges against 109 UK Uncut activists• Charges no longer in public interest, says CPS • Police admit deceiving protesters into mass arrest • Lawyer says it makes no sense to proceed with 30 cases

Pressure mounts on Crown Prosecution Service to drop criminal proceedings against over 100 Bindmans clients arrested at UK Uncut protest at Fortnum & Mason

I am a divorced mother of three daughters in their 30s. Two are settled and happily married. They are all very close – to each other and to me. My third daughter has a successful career, working with children, which she loves. She has a partner and a delightful two-year-old daughter. She has confided in one of her sisters that her partner is planning to grow cannabis. They have money worries and we believe this is the motivation.  

Lord Prescott, Brian Paddick and Chris Bryant MP, the Claimants in the judicial review of the police, will shortly be joined by two new Claimants, Ben Jackson, and “HJK”, members of the public whose telephone voicemails were hacked into on behalf of the News of the World.

Gwendolen Morgan is quoted by the Solicitors Journal in an article about the fate of badgers in the west of England as the Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman prepares to make an announcement on a possible cull.

Gwendolen Morgan was asked to comment on Easyjet's discriminatory policy and developments in rights for disabled air passengers and the international aviation convention

Journalists and asylum campaigners are celebrating the news that NUJ member Charles Atangana has been granted refugee status seven years after he arrived in Britain from Cameroon.

Where do couples stand if they are not married? What legal rights do they have? Louise Coubrough explains the position in an interview with Vanessa Feltz. 

As support groups working with and solicitors representing people arrested at protests, including the recent student and anti-cuts protests, we have first-hand experience of the abuse of police bail (Report, 1 July).

Wandsworth Borough Council made a decision on 28 February at its Executive Committee to introduce a charge of £2.50 per child for entry to Battersea Adventure Playground. This was due to come into effect on 2 July 2011. Five Wandsworth families instructed Saimo Chahal, Partner at Bindmans LLP, to challenge that decision.

In one of the first sentencing hearings arising from the student demonstrations at Milbank in November 2010, protester Hanita Dadswell, 18, appeared at a hearing at City of Westminster Magistrate’s Court.

Judgment was delivered on 10 June 2011 by the Supreme Court in the case of Re: E (children) in which Bindmans lawyers Liz Dronfield and Elizabeth Cape acted pro bono for Reunite.

Bindmans respond to DPP’s decision to set up further enquiry into concerns about CPS’ conduct of Ratcliffe power station case.

Bindmans Partner Paul Ridge has been quoted in an article in The Independent on the case of Steven Neary, an autistic man who was "unlawfully detained" by Hillingdon Council.

‘swing a wrecking ball through local library services’

A judicial review claim by library campaigners has been issued in the High Court challenging the highly controversial decision of Brent Council to close half of its local libraries. 

Bindmans, assistant solicitor Laura Higgs and partner Mike Schwarz, represent Phil Whitehurst on public order charge connected with Saltend dispute, near Hull.

The Camden Gazette’s people section highlights the achievements of interesting people who live or work in Camden.

Yesterday, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it had set up a full, formal enquiry into its handling of the prosecution of 26 climate change campaigners.

The Society of Asian Lawyers hosted their prestigious 21st Anniversary Ball in London on 21 May when they announced the awards for Commercial, Crime and Public Law & Human Rights Lawyers of the Year, together with their Life Time achievement award.

Private schools will today be challenged to justify a tax payer subsidy for providing lavish “goldplated” services, like shooting, nine hole golf courses and beagling for their pupils.

THE COURT GAVE PERMISSION FOR LORD PRESCOTT, CHRIS BRYANT MP, BRIAN PADDICK AND BRENDAN MONTAGUE TO PROCEED WITH A JUDICIAL REVIEW OF POLICE DECISION-MAKING IN THE PHONE-HACKING CASE.

Bindmans employment lawyers Shah Qureshi and Christine Quinn, have successfully settled a race discrimination and harassment claim against a top US investment bank for around quarter million pounds.

Sara Lomri, Solicitor at Bindmans LLP, is this week’s Lawyer in the News in the Law Society Gazette. Sara obtained a critical verdict following a lengthy inquest process for her client, the mother of a patient who hanged herself last July while a detained psychiatric patient in the care of Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Saimo Chahal, Partner at Bindmans LLP, is featured in this week's Downtime section of the Times' Law Supplement.

On 6 May 2011 the jury returned a decisive and highly critical verdict of the acts and omissions of Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust following the inquest into the circumstances of the death of Louise Noon.

who hanged herself in hospital, despite known risks and clear warning signs

The Divisional Court’s damning verdict on kettling and police violence at the 1 April 2009 Climate Camp demonstration.

Publication date: 1 April 2011

Mr Naylor, represented by Bindmans' associate Chez Cotton, was working in a professional capacity reporting an incident where there had been a fatality following a fire on a canal boat.

Publication date: 8 April 2011

London law firm Bindmans LLP, based near King’s Cross, has been selected to join the new Brain Injury Group.

Publication date: 11 April 2011

The Batang Kali massacre is an incident that took place in Malaya in 1948 during British military operations against native and Chinese communists in the post-World War II Malayan Emergency.

Publication date: 11 April 2011

Tamsin Allen, Head of media and information law at Bindmans LLP, shows her skepticism about Ken Clarke’s proposals to make success fees recoverable from the claimant.

Publication date: 15 April 2011

Mr Justice Vos will today consider how the phone hacking claims will proceed and make directions for the disclosure of documents by the police and News of the World.

Publication date: 18 April 2011

Turkish nationals who set up businesses in the United Kingdom have long enjoyed the benefits of an agreement originally signed between Turkey and the European Union in 1963 to give "freedom of establishment" to Turkish nationals. When the UK joined the EEC in 1973 it also signed up to this agreement.

Publication date: 18 April 2011

Today Keir Starmer QC, the DPP confirmed that following a review he instructed Clare Montgomery QC to conduct into the safety of the convictions of 20 defendants convicted of conspiracy to trespass at Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal fired power station.

Publication date: 20 April 2011

Alongside Bindmans Human rights and public law partner Stephen Grosz, six other solicitors have joined the Law Society's Human Rights Committee to help highlight, challenge and condemn human rights abuses across the world.

Publication date: 20 April 2011

Mr Atangana is a journalist from Cameroon. He arrived in the UK in 2004 and claimed asylum after he ad fled Cameroon following being detained and tortured by the authorities due to his critical reporting.

Bindmans partner Mike Schwarz comments in The Guardian on police preparations for policing demonstrations surrounding the royal wedding.

Bindmans' solicitors John Halford and Saadia Khan write for DLA Briefings about the new public sector equality duties

Bindmans Partner Mike Schwarz writes for The Morning Star about the right to protest in advance of the TUC organised march on Saturday 26 March.

Please click the link below to view this article:

Bindmans LLP is delighted to continue its support of Index on Censorship at the Freedom of Expression Awards through the sponsorship of the Bindmans Law and Campaigning Award. Index is Britain’s leading organisation promoting freedom of expression. The Awards honour those battling censorship, or those bringing to light stories that would otherwise be forgotten.

Lord Justice Sedley, a Court of Appeal Judge, represented by Bindmans LLP, today accepted an apology and damages (which will be paid to charities) from the Daily Telegraph in respect of a defamatory article published in November 2010.

Bindmans’ Associate Liz Dronfield is instructed by Reunite to intervene in an appeal in relation to the impact of recent decisions of the ECHR

Sir Geoffrey Bindman (founder of and now senior consultant at Bindmans LLP) has been appointed an honorary Queen’s Counsel (QC).

Bindmans LLP provides legal assistance to the Children’s Rights Alliance for England’s (CRAE) You’ve got the Right advice service

Malcolm Hay, a respected British antiquities dealer, has been accused of selling stolen ancient artefacts to an Athens trader. He faces being deported to Greece and imprisoned, using the controversial European Arrest Warrant.

Joe Hashman, a gardener of 42, represented by Shah Qureshi, Head of the Employment department at Bindmans LLP, has brought a landmark legal challenge claiming he was sacked from working at a garden centre because of his views on fox hunting.

Lauren and Beth Nicklinson are the daughters of Locked-in Syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson, who is represented by Bindmans’ partner Saimo Chahal.

Mike Schwarz, a partner at Bindmans LLP, recently acted for the six environmental activists who were acquitted of charges of conspiring to occupy Radcliffe-on-Soar power station.

The anti-war campaigner Brian Haw has camped for more than nine years in Parliament Square, in front of Westminster Abbey. Other peace protestors have supported him and now the City of Westminster is to go to the High court to remove Haw, his fellow campaigner and long-time Peace Campaigner, Maria Gallastegui, before the big day.

Following yesterday's demonstrations against undercover officers having sexual relations with members of groups they infiltrate, Tamsin Allen commented for The Guardian about potential remedies for women whose partners turned out to be undercover cops.
Bindmans partner Tamsin Allen writes for the Guardian on sex and undercover police

Robina Husain-Naviatti, the former deputy director of the charity Forensic Therapies, has been awarded £47,580 in compensation after being unfairly dismissed when she raised concerns over £300,000 of "missing funds" from the Cabinet Office.

Tamsin Allen, Head of Media and Information law at Bindmans LLP, features in the 2011 edition of The Lawyer's Hot 100 report as one of the UK's leading Lawyers.

The Family team at Bindmans LLP have been successful in the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the first referral of a family case from the Court of Appeal to the ECJ.

Representing a consortium of 12 law firms, Bindmans' partner Saimo Chahal has successfully challenged the way the LSC awarded contracts in November for publicly-funded legal services in public law and mental health.

Bindmans partner Saimo Chahal represents "locked-in" syndrome sufferer Tony Niklinson who wants his wife Jane to be allowed to help him die without the risk of being prosecuted for murder.

The legal and ethical status of assisted dying in our society continues to be an unresolved public policy issue.

Equitable Members Action Group will ask its 40,000 membership to renew their support to force a fairer compensation deal from the Government.

Psychotherapists win the right to challenge health professions council plans for statutory regulation

Success for high profile journalist stopped from reporting by police who say “we can do anything under the terrorism act

Scotland Yard has forced the closure of an anti-police blog which was being used to disseminate advice to protesters pictured at the student fees demonstration last week.

In Great Britain, 20 000 people are squatting in someone else property. How protected are you against squatters? Do squatters’ rights really exist?

The inquest into the death of 23 year old graffiti artist Tom Collister in Camp Hill prison will begin on Monday 22 November.

Legal history was made when two law firms with nine law firms standing behind them are granted a protective costs order even though they have financial interest in the litigation, because they are litigating in the public interest.

Joe Hashman, a professional gardener, published author and lifelong animal rights campaigner has issued proceedings against Orchard Park Garden Centre claiming that it terminated his contract with them because of his belief in the sanctity of life and in particular his opposition to hunting.

Former Bindmans client Mende Nazer is a human rights activist and author of the worldwide bestseller “Slave”. Her work is mostly based on a former life as a slave in Sudan.

Another great year of reviews from the Legal 500

Official historian of Malayan emergency withdraws his account of 1948 massacre, as lawyers are “poised to take legal action”

Two partners from Bindmans LLP, one of the UK’s top Human Rights law firms, have been included in the new 2010 edition of Black Letter Law, published by the Black Lawyers Directory.

The 2011 edition of Chambers UK has been published and once again Bindmans has received excellent reviews. The firm has maintained its position as a leader in providing legal services and many of its lawyers are rated as leading individuals within the legal profession.

The Law Society is taking legal action against the Legal Services Commission (LSC) over the outcome of the family legal aid tender round, which will see the number of firms assigned to family law work reduced from 2,400 to 1,300.

Bindmans LLP has climbed five places in the league tables published this week in The Lawyer UK 200 Annual Report 2010. This year we are ranked at 188th, based on the annual turnover of UK law firms, compared with 193rd position 12 months ago.

Another great year of reviews from the Legal 500

Stephen Grosz, Saadia Khan and Clare Jennings of Bindmans LLP represented the Law Society in its successful High Court challenge to the Legal Services Commission’s family legal aid tender process.

Cameroonian journalist and NUJ member Charles Atangana has been released from detention after he was granted bail on 12 August. Mr Atangana was detained on the 25 June and served with removal directions to Cameroon after the UK Border Agency (UKBA) refused to recognise his claim for asylum.

Law firm Bindmans LLP will be issuing a Judicial Review on behalf of clients challenging the Metropolitan Police Service's decision not to release information to potential victims of the News of the World phone-tapping scandal.

"The Church of England's governing body is trying to find a way to introduce women bishops without dividing Anglicans. Selena Masson (LexisNexis) speaks to Shazia Khan, an Associate in the employment team at Bindmans who specialises in race and sex discrimination cases.

Cameroonian journalist and NUJ member Charles Atangana has been released from detention after he was granted bail on 12 August. Mr Atangana was detained on the 25 June and served with removal directions to Cameroon after the UK Border Agency (UKBA) refused to recognise his claim for asylum.

Locked in Syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson has today called on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to issue new guidelines which would mean his wife Jane would know whether a prosecution for murder is always in the public interest, in circumstances where Tony has a clear and settled wish to terminate his life and the killing would be with his consent but where he can not implement his decision by reason of his disabilities.

Why is a race discrimination case that the Crown Prosecution Service lost being dragged into a tenth year by the public body?

Mike Schwarz of Bindmans LLP and Lydia Dagostino from Kellys Solicitors in Brighton represented campaigners who were tried at Lewes Crown Court sitting at Hove. They were acquitted of conspiracy to cause criminal damage at EDO MBM Technology Ltd (a company owned by ITT Integrated Structures), a business said to have supplied weapons components used during Israel's military activity in Gaza in January 2009.

In 2008, six Greenpeace campaigners were acquitted for an action at Kingsnorth power station, whereas in the following year, 29 environmentalists were convicted after an action at DRAX power station.

Accepting that the Trust had real prospects of success in its challenge to the proposed badger cull, Lord Justice Elias granted leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal, ordered an urgent hearing of the matter and put in place a protective costs regime.

London Mayor Boris Johnson lost the first round in seeking to evict peace protesters camped in Parliament Square Gardens.

Voters who were turned away from polling stations last night may bring legal claims for denial of their constitutional and human rights. Claims may overturn election results in constituencies where the majority was very slim.

After hearing evidence over a week, the High Court found that South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust had violated its positive obligation to protect the life of Carole Savage under Article 2 (the right to life) of the ECHR. £10,000 was awarded to Anna Savage for the breach.

The Evening Standard has agreed to clarify claims made about Kumar Murshid in an article by Andrew Gilligan published in 2007 during its coverage of the LDA grants scandal.

Senior Executive and Environmentalist Tim Nicholson claimed he was unfairly dismissed and discriminated against by his employer Grainger Plc because of his ‘philosophical belief about climate change and the environment’.

This morning, the High Court, sitting in Cardiff, handed down judgment in the Badger Trust’s judicial review challenge to the Welsh Assembly Ministers’ decision to press ahead with a mass badger cull in May 2010.

A father in Hague Convention abduction proceedings was not given permission to appeal Mrs Justice Black’s finding that an 8 year old and a 6 year old had reached such an age and level of maturity at which it was appropriate to take account of their views.

London Law firm Bindmans LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of Associate Siobhan Kelly to Partner on 1st April 2010, bringing the firm to a total of 15 Partners.

The High Court has held that a man held in immigration detention for 40 months was unlawful detained.

2010 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award Recipients Announced

Bindmans' Head of Employment Shah Qureshi was interviewed by the Black Lawyers Directory (BLD) and features as BLD’s Lawyer of the month for February. The Directory was launched in 2006 to highlight, promote and champion diversity within the legal profession in England, Wales and internationally.

Bindmans Partner Katie Wheatley, is acting for Frances Inglis, the mother who was convicted to serve a minimum of nine years after having administered a fatal dose of heroin to her severely disabled son, ‘to release him from a living death’.

Following the news yesterday that Frances Inglis has been given a life sentence, her solicitor Katie Wheatley from London law firm Bindmans LLP commented today:

Frances Inglis is a mother who gave her catastrophically brain-damaged 22-year-old son Tom a fatal overdose to put an end to the living death he was suffering.

The High Court set a tariff sentence for Samantha Orobator which should see her set free in a matter of weeks. A court in Laos had sentenced Ms Orobator to life imprisonment for drug trafficking, and she was repatriated to Britain earlier this year. In a judgment handed down today, Lord Justice Dyson and Mr Justice Tugendhat accepted Ms Orobator’s claim that threats and coercion had led her to carry a quantity of heroin to Wattay airport in Laos on 5th August 2008. Taking account of a number of other mitigating factors, they set a term of 18 months, equivalent to the amount of time she has already spent in custody.

Saimo Chahal, Head of Civil Liberties and Social Welfare at Bindmans LLP features in the 2010 edition of The Lawyer's Hot 100 report as one of the UK's leading Campaigning Lawyers. The Lawyer's annual Hot 100 recognises a group of lawyers who have been at the top of their games during the past 12 months.

Najma Rasul, a Solicitor in Bindmans’ Public Law and Human Rights team was highlighted in The Law Society Gazette as a “Lawyer in the News”

Janet Broadley of the Family Law team at Bindmans LLP successfully represented the Appellant mother in the first family case to be heard in the Supreme Court, the case of Re I (A Child). Judgment was handed down today. This is the first time the Court at this level has had an opportunity to consider the scope of Brussels II Revised and its impact on domestic law.

Tim Nicholson, the Senior Executive and Environmentalist who has claimed he was unfairly dismissed and discriminated against because of his ‘philosophical belief about climate change and the environment’ has succeeded in defending a Tribunal decision that his views are protected by the UK’s anti-discrimination legislation.

Bindmans' Partners Saimo Chahal and Shah Qureshi have been listed in the 2009 edition of Black Letter Law's "Showcasing Achievement in Law". The publication highlights the achievements of those from ethnic minorities who have been making legal history as well as those who are regarded as trailblazers in the legal profession.

Bindmans’ Gwendolen Morgan was 'highly commended' in the category of Junior Lawyer of the Year at the Law Society Excellence Awards 2009 which took place in London last night. The Law Society Excellence Awards recognise and reward the most outstanding practitioners in the legal profession.

A group of students with learning difficulties has issued High Court proceedings for judicial review against the Learning and Skills Council following its summary decision to terminate its contract with Coleg Elidyr, a well established, popular specialist residential college in Wales. This unlawful decision has had a devastating impact on those who attend the college. As there are no other suitable places for most of the claimants, there is a serious risk that this decision spells the end of their education. This is a group for whom the chance to cultivate their independence and social skills is crucial for the rest of their lives.

: against successive Heads of 4 New Square Barristers' Chambers

In response to the House of Lord Judgment in Debbie Purdy’s case on 30th July 2009, the Director of Public Prosecutions has today issued an interim policy for prosecutors in dealing with cases of assisted suicide.

Shah Qureshi, Mr Nicholson’s lawyer and Head of Employment Law at Bindmans has been quoted in The Guardian regarding a case that will establish whether environmentalism or strong views on climate change are protected by UK discrimination legislation.

Bindmans is pleased to announce that it is supporting an innovative internet and phone service offering legal advice specifically to young people, currently being piloted by The Children’s Society in three areas in the South-East.

Shah Qureshi, Head of Employment law at Bindmans, was featured on the Channel 4 News last night giving his comments in a news piece about the Equality and Human Right’s commission challenge to the BNP’s discriminatory membership criteria.

Police officers' notebooks lodged at the High Court tell how they punched people in the face and beat others with riot shields during the G20 demonstrations in April.

The reality of using London-style taxis for many wheelchair users is challenged as unsafe and discriminatory. John Halford of Bindmans LLP represents Mrs Lunt and the co-claimant, Allied Vehicles, which manufacture the E7. He said today: “Liverpool blithely expects Mrs Lunt and many others like her to take risks when travelling that no-one should be expected to run. That this case should need to be brought at all is remarkable. Worse still, to defend itself Liverpool is arguing for an interpretation of the DDA so narrow it would make the anti discrimination rights disabled people enjoy quite meaningless. We trust the Court will reject that and firmly indicate that wheelchair users can expect equality under the law like everyone else.”

Their lawyer, Ms Chez Cotton, Head of the Police Misconduct Department at leading London law firm Bindmans LLP said: "A free press is fundamental in a democratic society and the increasingly oppressive and intimidating way in which the police appear to be treating journalists reporting at protests is unacceptable and of great concern. My clients hope the Commissioner will swiftly give a full apology for this incident, and confirm that he and his officers understand and accept that they have no legal power or moral responsibility to prevent or restrict what journalists record and are fully committed to actively helping them carry out their reporting duties."

Debbie Purdy has won a landmark victory in the House of Lords, making new law on Art 8, ECHR the right to respect for private and family life. The DPP must issue a prosecution policy.

Bindmans' Chief Executive Nick Martin has left his position with the firm to take a career break. He departed at the end of June.

Bindmans advised the 29 environmentalists who, out of concern for coal's contribution to CO2 emissions and therefore climate change, obstructed a train carrying coal to DRAX power station and who were prosecuted in Leeds Crown Court last week.

Senior Executive and Environmentalist who has claimed he was unfairly dismissed and discriminated against because of his ‘philosophical belief about climate change and the environment’ will defend a Tribunal decision that his views are protected by the UK’s anti-discrimination legislation.

Debbie Purdy’s case will be heard in the House of Lords on 2nd and 3rd June, in Committee Room 1.

Demonstrators represented by Bindmans have put the Metropolitan Police on formal notice of a pending legal challenge to the policing of the G20 ‘Climate Camp in the City’ protest on 1st April. A ‘pre action protocol’ letter sent to the Met’s commander, Sir Paul Stephenson challenges:

Bindmans LLP is pleased to announce that it is the first human rights firm to join the Black Lawyers Directory’s (BLD) Legal Gateway Scheme. It will be offering students from ethnic minority backgrounds work placements in its Employment and Discrimination departments. BLD was launched in 2006 to highlight, promote and champion diversity within the legal profession in England and Wales and internationally.

Eleven year old twins attending their first political event and veteran campaigner Dave Morris have won permission to challenge Kent Police’s practice of stopping and searching virtually everyone attending the Climate Camp protest near Kingsnorth power station last August. Giving permission for their judicial review to proceed to a full hearing, the Divisional Court commented: "Large demonstrations are a feature of our democracy, and the proper policing of them is itself a matter of some public importance."

On Friday, 1st May 2009 the jury hearing the Inquest touching upon the circumstances of the death of Nick Wheatley, a resident of Ryde, Isle of Wight, delivered a highly critical verdict of the care he received at HMP Camphill in 2007.

2009 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award Recipients Announced

Leading public law firm Bindmans LLP is acting for EMAG, the Equitable Members Action Group, in a High Court challenge to the Treasury’s failure to pay compensation recommended by the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

3 April 2009 - London Law firm Bindmans LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of Associates Mark Emery, Martin Rackstraw and Katie Wheatley to Partner on 1st April 2009.

3 March 2009 - This firm is instructed by Asad Saeed, a Muslim PCSO who is suing the Met Police for racial discrimination.

16 February 2009 - Bindmans LLP is delighted to continue its support of Index on Censorship (Index) at this year's annual Freedom of Expression Awards through the sponsorship of the Bindmans Law and Campaigning Award. Index is Britain's leading organisation promoting freedom of expression. The Awards honour those battling censorship, or those bringing to light stories that would otherwise be forgotten.

9 January 2009 - Bindmans represented environmental campaigners connected with 'Plane Stupid' - concerned about airport expansion's contribution to climate change - who took part in the occupation of Stansted airport in 2008.

13 January 2009 - Leading London law firm Bindmans LLP has promoted partner Shah Qureshi to Head of its Employment Law team. Shah joined the firm in September 2008 to strengthen its employment team. He is recommended as a leader in his field in the Legal 500 (2008 edition) and Chambers UK (2009 edition).

30 January 2009 - Frances Gibb, Legal Editor for The Times quoted Stephen Grosz, Bindmans Partner and Head of Public Law, in an article examining the use of Human Rights laws in commercial disputes. 

11 February 2009 - The Employment Law department at leading London law firm Bindmans LLP is pleased to welcome two new team members.  Solicitors Emilie Cole and Shazia Khan recently joined the firm, bringing the department to a total of seven employment specialists.

9 December 2008 - Bindmans obtains Order for the return of a client who was unlawfully removed to Italy.

20 November 2008 - Bindmans Solicitor Gwendolen Gwynn Morgan has been shortlisted for the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) Awards – in the category of Young Solicitor. The awards have been running since 2003 and seek to "celebrate the work of solicitors and barristers and other legal aid practitioners who have dedicated their careers to the service of some of the most vulnerable members of society”.

24 November 2008 - Bindmans is acting for the Claimant, an ex-member of MI5 who has issued JR proceedings in relation to the decision to refuse permission for him to publish his memoirs.

U Gambira was announced as the winner of the Bindmans Law and Campaigning Award at the Index on Censorship awards ceremony, which took place in London on 21st April 2008. The award was accepted on his behalf by U Uttara, the highest ranking Burmese monk in the UK.

Leading firm Bindmans LLP has strengthened its team of lawyers with expertise in advising executives and professionals with the recruitment of partner Shah Qureshi, formerly head of Webster Dixon’s City Executive Support Unit. Mr Qureshi’s appointment, which coincides with a period of unprecedented uncertainty for professional employees, means that Bindmans is strongly placed to offer those affected by sudden change, such as that experienced by Lehman Brothers and AIG, with a full range of advice.

Mark Emery, Associate at Bindmans LLP, successfully acted for Halima Aziz, the CPS lawyer wrongly accused of inciting a riot, expressing anti-American views, and associating herself with Osama bin Laden.