By Julius Melnitzer | August 14, 2024
UK PROSECUTORS CONSIDERING TERRORISM CHARGES AGAINST RIOTERS TARGETING IMMIGRATION LAW FIRMS
Practice Source reports that in the wake of recent right-wing riots stemming from false Internet allegations that a Muslim was responsible for the mass stabbing attack on children in Southport, the UK’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, has stated that publicizing immigration law firms as disorder targets could amount to terrorism, and that one such case is “actively under consideration”. Sir Mark Rowley, head of the Metropolitan Police, said threats against immigration lawyers were “at the centre of our planning” and vowed that his force “will not let the immigration asylum system be intimidated.”
Related Article: Lawyer forgives client who stabbed him in court
THREE YEARS FOR RIOTER WHO INCITED VIOLENCE AGAINST LAW FIRM
A Northampton UK, man received a 38-month sentence after pleading guilty to publishing material intending to sir up racial hatred. His Twitter posts called for the burning of hotels housing asylum seekers and advocated violence against a named local immigration firm. According to Practice Source, right wing rioters falsely blaming the recent mass attack on children in Southport on Muslims and asylum seekers have targeted several law firms.
Related Article: “Unfounded attacks” on lawyer merit substantial indemnity costs against client: Div. Ct.
NEW PRACTICE AREA SEEKS RIGHTS FOR INANIMATE OBJECTS
An emerging area of law is seeking rights for natural formations and other inanimate objects. According to Practice Source, New York University School of Law led the way in 2022 with its More Than Human Life Project, and Harvard University is planning a course titled Rights of Nature. Critics argue that the movement cheapens human rights by bestowing rights on virtually everything.
Related Article: Non-humans can be patent ‘inventors’
BLAKES BEEFS UP IP LITIGATION PRACTICE
Fiona Legere has joined Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s Toronto office as a partner and head of the firm’s IP litigation practice. Her practice focuses on pharmaceutical, life sciences and telecommunications clients, whom she advises on complex patent, trademark, copyright and regulatory issues. Her background includes a B.Sc. in biochemistry from the University of Western Ontario and a stint clerking at the Federal Court.
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STUART WOOD TO LEAD IPH IN CANADA
IPH Limited, an international intellectual property services network of member firms working throughout ten IP jurisdictions with clients in more than 25 countries, which in the last two years has acquired Canadian IP firms Smart & Biggar, ROBIC and Ridout & Maybee to become the market leading IP business in Canada, has appointed Stuart Wood as Canadian Regional CEO. Wood’s 20-year track record in the legal profession includes his most recent posting as Caravel Law’s CEO and a previous tenure leading Torys LLP’s marketing and public relations efforts.
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Julius Melnitzer is a Toronto-based legal affairs writer, ghostwriter, writing coach and media trainer. Readers can reach him at [email protected] or https://legalwriter.net/contact.