Sally Bercow’s infamous tweet about Lord McAlpine was libellous, Mr Justice Tugendhat has ruled in the High Court. The tweet, “Why is Lord McAlpine trending. *innocent face*.” was posted by the wife of the House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, two days after a BBC programme linked a “leading Conservative politician” to claims of sex abuse at … Continue reading »
It is reported that two men have been arrested for making alleged offensive comments on social media sites following the attacks in Woolwich, London this week. Following complaints from members of the public, a 23-year-old and a 22-year-old, from the Bristol area have been held by Avon and Somerset Police on suspicion of inciting racial or religious hatred … Continue reading »
A trainee accountant who has achieved nationwide noteriety after allegedly hitting then tweeting about “#bloodycyclists” is reported to have been suspended from her job. Emma Way tweeted that she had ‘definitely knocked a cyclist off his biker earlier – I have right of way he doesn’t even pay road tax #bloodycyclists’. As a result of her tweet, … Continue reading »
Following a freedom of information request by think tank Parliament Street, it has been reported that a DVLA civil servant has been dismissed for breaching the ban on using social media whilst at work, even though he was using his own phone. Details have also been disclosed about 3 other employees from the Swansea based Driver and … Continue reading »
PODCAST: Alex Aldridge and Kevin Poulter discuss alternative routes with Rhys Bevan Is Rhys Bevan (pictured) crazy? Why would anyone in their right mind reject a place at one of the top universities in the country to go and do an unglamorous legal apprenticeship at a local authority? Actually, though, when 24 year-old Bevan explains his career … Continue reading »
PODCAST: Kevin Poulter and Alex Aldridge discuss blogging with Leon Glenister As Hardwicke Building found out last week, lawyers who enjoy writing in their free time can sometimes cause problems. But, on balance, most barristers’ chambers and law firms look favourably on applicants with a few bylines to their name – and as the Barbara … Continue reading »
I spoke on Arise global news on 18 April 2013 on the increasing use of information taken from social media sites by the broadcast media. The interview followed news that CNN and other agencies falsely reported that an arrest had been made in the 24 hours following the Boston bombings. View the segment below: Continue reading »
A poll of 1,200 office workers has found that half of employees never consider the risks presented to companies by downloading data to their office computers or smartphones. In the survey carried out by IT staffing provider Modis, 40 per cent of those surveyed said they were not aware of their employers IT security policies. … Continue reading »
The rise of social media is having ’devastating consequences’ on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who are suffering reputational damage when communities turn against them. The BBC has reported that one such business has been damaged by comments made in an ”untrue and misleading” social media campaign over hygiene standards. Takings are said to have dropped … Continue reading »
Kevin Poulter sees solicitors adapting to austere times and firms nurturing the very best of our future lawyers, but is the Bar prepared to do the same? Last month saw the sixth National Apprenticeship Week and the formal launch of the Higher Apprenticeship in Legal Services, supported by Skills for Justice and the National Apprenticeship … Continue reading »
