It has been some time since I had The Queen over to Charon TV. Tonight she talks turkey about government and then talks about the cricket, Slumdog Millionaire and Sir Allen Stanford, the Texan Billionaire. Watch the movie

Read more from the original source: 
Charon interviews H M The Queen about Government and cricket

I began my day early this morning, well before the sun was up and, as is often the case, went on to Twitter after clearing the work side of my life. My first post on Twitter came as dawn was breaking.  It read: “Bonjour…another day begins in London… not many people about. All is quiet. Waiting for the sea gulls and cormorants to fly by.” The gulls did come… many hundreds, possibly over a thousand of them, like wave after wave of bombers from the war over British skies, save that their mission was peaceful.  They were on their way towards the West to have their breakfast on the river further upstream. I watched them, sipping a mug of hot tea and smoked a few cigarettes.  It was a good way to spend fifteen minutes or so. Breakfast for me was a toasted chicken sandwich - a rather bizarre choice you may think and you would be right to think that.  I am now on a chicken sandwich obsession.  Months ago I depleted the seas of smoked mackerel fillets until I could not face another mackerel for months to come. Soon, I shall tire of chicken sandwiches and move on to some other fad. Be that as it may… there are serious matters to report in my letter to you this week. I don’t give interviews very often, not that I get asked that often. I suffer from cyber-schizophrenia… never entirely sure whether I am my alter ago and pseudonym Charon QC or the other bloke.  But.. tonight I was interviewed by Natasha Phillips of the Divorce Manual Blog and I managed to try and be sensible for part of it, at least.  If you would like to listen to me be being *Tango’d* - Natasha did a very good job. In defence of our Civil Liberties… Where does one start? Like many, I have had enough of the erosion of civil liberties which continues remorselessly under Prime Mentalist Brown’s unlected tenure of the office of Prime Minister and First Lord of the Empty Treasury. So… I have started doing a series of podcasts (or Lawcasts as I like to call them now after my early morning Rioja.. more of this later)… on civil liberties. I began with  *Lawcast* with Ian Parker-Joseph, leader of the UK Libertarian Party and tomorrow I do a lawcast with Roger Smith, Director of Justice, the human rights and law reform organisation.  I intend to invite othe commentators with a view on Civil Liberties and who knows… maybe a politician or two may be prepared to be interviewed?  One can but ask. Today, I set up a spin-off website to my Insite Law mag site - LAWCASTS.net as a site for my own “Lawcasts” and podcasts from other bloggers and lawyers.  If you are a blogger, academic or lawyer and you would like to promote your podcasts - please let me know and I will give you your own space/link on Lawcasts.net On the subject of podcasts… the modern Rake’s progress continues in West London Man with George in custody at La Guardia airport, New Yoork. He is visited by his lawyer who turns out to be a serious real criminal defense lawyer, Scott Greenfield, author of the excellent Simple Justice Blog. Lawyer Greenfield puts up with no nonsense from George.  The script was largely written for this episode by Colin Samuels of the Infamy of Praise blog with advice and guidance being given by Scott and ‘Charon’. Gonzo journalism gone mad?  Possibly. Listen to West London Man 25: The La Guardia Archipelago Insite Law newswire My weekly newswire seems to be of some use to users.  Although I publish it each week on both Insite Law and the Insite Law Blog - you may find it useful to have your own copy by email.  If you would like a copy of the newswire delivered to your in-box - please sign up here. If you would like to see what #4 contained - click here I’m orf for a chicken sandwich. I may be back later.  Have a good week. Regards as always,

See the rest here: 
Letter from London: 22 February 2009

Daily legal news, podcast and major update to UK blogs is now up on Insite Law. Story of The Day “ The Independent reports that The full extent of state powers to detain people without charge, cover up Government errors, hold the DNA of the innocent and share personal data between public bodies has been revealed in a devastating analysis of the erosion of civil liberties in Britain over the past decade. Almost 60 new powers contained in more than 25 Acts of Parliament have whittled away at freedoms and broken pledges set out in the Human Rights Act and Magna Carta, according to a new audit of laws introduced since Labour came to power in 1997. The dossier, compiled by the Convention on Modern Liberty, criticises police powers to detain terror suspects for 28 days without charge, new stop-and-search powers handed to police (allowing them to stop people without reason at airports and other designated areas), and restrictions on the right of peaceful protest. It is the first time such a picture of the erosion of rights under Labour has been published. The rise in surveillance in Britain is also documented, including new laws allowing individuals to be electronically tagged, and the legal interception of letters, emails and phone calls.”

View original post here:
20th February: Daily Legal news etc up on Insite Law

Daily news and news podcast up on Insite Law Sign-up for a free email weekly newswire | Read Newswire #3: 15 February

Originally posted here: 
19th February: News and daily podcast up on Insite Law

Daily legal news and podcast up on Insite Law.  New Law Reports section (Click link on header) Issue #3 of the Insite Law Newswire is also up on Insite Law |  S ign up to get your Free email version.

More:
16th February: Daily News Podcast up on Insite Law

Curiously, I was at a loss for something to do this morning so I took a trip to the Moon , fully reported on Twitter - where else! Frankly, we would all probably be freer if we were on the Moon these days given the present governments taste for CCTV cameras, ID cards, promulgating new criminal offences and Robocop thinking when it comes to controlling the British people. The latest stunt being pulled by the government in the dying days of their 12 year “Protectorate” ( taste precluded me from using the rather more emotive “Reich”)  is the plan in the Welfare Reform Bill in the House of Commons committee stage this to week to allow the newly renamed Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission to take away the driving licences and passports of parents who refuse to pay for their children - without a court order. As The Law Society Gazette reported: ” Justice Director Roger Smith described the ‘disproportionate’ sanctions as the thin end of the wedge.  They are sure to creep into others areas of dispute once the link between the method of enforcement and what’s at stake is broken.” Another stunt pulled by the government was to jail parents for the truancy of their children. The BBC reported this week: “A parent is jailed for their child’s truancy once a fortnight every school term in England and Wales, analysis of court statistics shows.” This plan was a big FAIL. One wonders if this idea was dreamed up when half the Cabinet were smoking cannabis. Child doesn’t go to school. Jail parent.  Child goes into care if from a one parent family, possibly brutalised by the experience and less receptive to school than before and taxpayer picks up bill for high cost of imprisoning parents. Clever stuff. The BBC dredges up ex-minister Estelle Smith and sundry Lib-Dems to wring their hands and undergo ritual atonement and exculpation.  I can’t even be bothered to quote from the report. I’m with the ex-Chief Justice, Lord Phillips, on this one.  We have far too many criminal laws, far too much political interference with the Judiciary, way too many CCTV cameras, irritating regulations, cash raising fine schemes and interferences in our lives in this once green and pleasant land. So…pouring a libation to my taste… on to the other matters of the week… At a loss for something to do this Sunday morning, I decided to make a moon landing. This was reported fully on Twitter of course - where else? I was also able to do my 100th podcast with my friend Dan Hull, a lawyer in the United States , who can be relied upon to be robust, controversial and to the point. We talked of many things including the future of lawyers post recession. Geert Wilders tried to hit our shores to show his film to a group of peers in The House of Lords. He was frustrated in this endeavour by the Home Secretary who banned him from entry on grounds, inter alia, that Lord Ahmed had indicated there would be 10,000 muslims on the streets.  Wilders ignored the letter and arrived at Heathrow to be excluded by Immigration and Border Agency officers. I did a podcast with Carl Gardner who believes that the Home Secretary acted unlawfully .  I agree with his analysis.  Rather more worrying….  this exclusion was yet another example of our government believing they know best.  It was a shameful decision;  riding roughshod, whatever one may think of Wilders, over the reputation of this country to handle difficulty with debate, with reason, with parody, ridicule and mockery - rather than the blunt bludgeon of the law - misunderstood, possibly, in this case.  10,000 muslims did not turn up at Heathrow or stampede on our streets -  possibly because they are more rational than Lord Ahmed. It is not Thunderbirds are GO for Alistair Darling on the banks lending front , nor, it would seem, on the issue of his own expenses.  Guido Fawkes jumps on the story with his usual enthusiasm. I quote: “When the man in charge of the nation’s finances, Alistair Darling, has been caught fiddling his expenses , and Jacqui Smith, the woman who is in charge of crime prevention is accused of corruption , you have a government which is a kleptocracy. The New Labour promise to be “whiter than white” is like a sick joke now.” Another week begins tomorrow.  I shall be at my post, watching our shores, checking the Thames for U-Boats and French Ships of the Line… I shall be back.  Have a good one. Regards as always

Continued here:
Sunday 15th February: Postcard from The Moon

Welcome to my 100th Podcast interview with movers, shakers, practitioners and pundits from  the wonderful world of law… practice and academe. Today I am talking to Dan Hull, founder of Hull McGuire PC with Julie McGuire. Dan, A litigator and lobbyist with life-long professional ties to Washington, D.C practices in the areas of commercial litigation (primarily U.S. federal courts and ADR abroad), environmental law, employment practices law, and legislative affairs.  He is also the founder of the well known and well regarded WhatAbout Clients? Blog which, at weekends turns itself into the WhatAboutParis? Blog. We talk about The credit-crunch - law firm redundancies - the ‘knowledge gap’ - the Billable hour v Flat fee controversy and even talk about Geeklawyer. Listen to Podcast 100 *** Podcast version for iTunes

View original post here: 
Podcast 100: Podcast 100: Dan Hull the credit-crunch, law firms and the future

Podcast 98: Neville Hobson on Communication, PR, Twitter and other social media. Today I am talking to Neville Hobson, a communicator, blogger and podcaster, one of the leading European early adopters and influencers in social media communication for business. He is an IABC-accredited communication practitioner with over 25 years’ experience in public and media relations, marketing communication, employee, compensation and benefits communication as well as investor and financial relations. He helps companies use effective communication to achieve their business goals. I’m going to ask him how communication can help companies and law firms in today’s climate. We talk about Twitter, Facebook, Linked-in and the future… Listen to Podcast 98 *** Podcast version for iTunes       

Go here to see the original: 
Podcast 98: Neville Hobson on Communication, PR, Twitter and other social media.

Today I am talking to Alexander Learmonth, Chairman of The Young Barristers Committee of the Bar Council. Called in 2000, Alex is a member of NewSquare Chambers . I talk to Alex about the realities facing  young members of the bar and his advice for students contemplating a career at the bar or who are doing the BVC now and the prospects for pupillage and tenancy. [Pic: Marcus Lyon] Listen to Podcast 96: Alexander Learmonth, Chairman, Young Barristers Committee of The Bar Council *** Podcast 96 link for iTunes       

Excerpt from: 
Podcast 96: Alexander Learmonth, Chairman, Young Barristers Committee of The Bar Council

Daily news update and news podcast up on Insite Law. Well… it is unlikely to be *Sir* Jeremy Clarkson at any time in the near future after Clarkson began his State Visit to Australia by slagging off the Prime Mentalist, Gordon Brown.  Clarkson, a national treasure who drives fast cars like a hooligan on too many e-numbers (to the delight of the nation’s petrol heads), described Brown as a “one eyed Sottish idiot” and accused him of lying to the British public about the world economy.  Various Scots MPs were pulled from their beds/offices etc to express outrage.  All this… and more is covered today on Insite Law’s news update…. Read I am able to report that I had a great lunch yesterday with John Bolch , Jacqui Gilliat from 4 Brick Court and her pupil Ella Shaw yesterday in Maidstone. The meet up - or should I say *Tweet Up* was arranged over Twitter.  It was a civilised affair.  Jacqui ( Author of the Bloody Relations blog ) , having completed her court case at the Maidstone Law Courts, suggested that we might take of the wines of the Gods.  It will come as no surprise to readers that I was easily persuaded to this course of action and Rioja arived, as if by magic, at our table… several bottles of the stuff, as it happens. I am doing a podcast at high noon today with Alexander Learmonth, Chairman of The Young Barrister’s Committee to talk about the realities facing young barristers in today’s financial climate and to talk about prospects for students seeking pupillage and tenancies over the next couple of years.  With this in mind, I invited Jacqui Gilliatt’s pupil, Ella Shaw, to do a podcast on this very theme.  I’m pleased to report that she accepted the invitation and I will record the podcast with her on Sunday. And finally… I’ve got my accounts sorted… by using an excellent accounts package I found online called KashFlow. It works on both Mac and PC, works online for Mac users (Important for me) and is astonishingly easy to use - even for a law blogger.  So… if you are a lawyer, blogger, freelance lecturer or just a bon viveur whose accounts are in a  black plastic bin bag - may I encourage you to try the 60 day FREE trial and get your accounts sorted to professional standards.  It also has a most useful *Email the invoice* function - joy!.  I make no apology for being an opportunist.  Noticing that the CEO of Kashflow is on Twitter, I asked Duane Jackson  if he would care to sponsor my daily news podcasts and support my free online magazine by buying a small, modestly priced, advert.  I work on the principle for my free onlne mag that if *You don’t ask, you don’t get*.  Duane Jackson was prepared to do this - which I appreciate. If you need to sort your acounts - I have no hesitation in commending Kashflow to you - and did so on Twitter even before I came up with the idea of asking Duane to sponsor my daily news podcasts! Try Kashflow FREE for 60 days?       

Continued here: 
6th February: News up and Jeremy Clarkson starts state visit to Australia…