The Director of Public Prosecutions, Kier Starmer, has now published its final guidelines stating how offensive a comment must be to justify police and prosecution time. There are already concerns that the guidance will not go far enough to prevent the growing phenomenon of online ‘trolls’. Starmer has said that prosecutors must respect and recognise freedom … Continue reading
A student who tweeted that people wearing Help for Heroes T-shirts “deserved to be beheaded” in the wake of the fatal attack on Lee Rigby in Woolwich, has narrowly avoided a jail term. The 21-year old English and politics student from Harrow had complained to Police about hundreds of threatening messages she had received … Continue reading
Ten years on from joining his local Trainee Solicitors Group, Kevin Poulter believes supporting young lawyers is more important than ever Some might say that life for junior lawyers has changed immeasurably over the past decade. But has it? The price of education has certainly ballooned, in terms of university costs, LPC/GDL fees and living … Continue reading
Research conducted by OnDevice Research has found that young people in the UK are being rejected by employers for inappropriate comments and photos posted on social media sites. The Young People’s Consumer Confidence (YPCC) Index covers 6,000 16-34 year olds across six countries in both developed and growth markets. It has been designed to help businesses … Continue reading
I was invited to Arise News to discuss the impact of social media following the attack in Woolwich earlier this week. The alleged terrorists encouraged members of the public passing by to take photos and videos of them and the immediate aftermath of the attacks. Social media has been used all over the world by … Continue reading
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 has been widely reported that more people 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 were held by Avon and Somerset Police on suspicion of inciting … 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
Kevin Poulter 