It’s been a busy week in the law clinic as in addition to our client workload we ran a Speed Networking evening in the university on Tuesday and attended the Scottish Legal Awards last night. We were nominated in the Pro Bono category and made it all the way to the final four. Unfortunately we didn’t win but there’s always next year and there will be posts up soon on both events. Anyway, these are the legal stories which caught our volunteers attention this week.
Hulk Hogan Wins Damages Case Against Gawker
Last week’s review linked to the Hulk Hogan v Gawker showdown in the US Courts. The decision was reached this week and The Hulkster will be very happy with the result! He has been awarded $115m in damages and the size of the award has led to questions regarding the impact it will have across the publishing industry and also on the future of Gawker.
Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/business/media/gawker-hulk-hogan-verdict.html?_r=0
Call For Worldwide Decriminalisation Of Drugs
Medical experts believe that current drug policies are leading to deaths, violence, the spread of disease and in addition harm both health and human rights. Should drug use be treated as a health issue rather than a criminal one?
Read more at: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/mar/24/medical-experts-call-for-global-drug-decriminalisation
Faculty of Advocates Pro Bono Scheme Praised
Mr Justice Langstaff has praised the Faculty of Advocates for a scheme which helps claimants at hearings of the Employment Appeal Tribunal. For people without legal experience to appear on their own behalf can be a frightening prospect so the assistance of the Faculty in addressing this unmet legal need is of massive benefit.
Read more at: http://www.scottishlegal.com/2016/03/24/senior-judge-praises-facultys-pro-bono-scheme/
Who Regulates The Robot Lawyers
An artificial intelligence designed by a 19 year old student is estimated to have save people £2m and rising in parking fines. The site which provides legal advice is not regulated by a legal regulatory body so who actually oversees it if it goes wrong?
Read more at: http://www.legalcheek.com/lc-journal-posts/compliance-and-the-robot-lawyer-what-happens-when-it-all-goes-wrong/