Can the courts stop a prime minister from suspending Parliament? [Part-1: Johnson prorogues Parliament]

They can – as did the UK Supreme Court on 24 Sept 2019. The Court ruled that the PM Johnson’s advice to the Queen to suspend (‘prorogue’) Parliament had been unlawful. The Court declared that Parliament could resume its work. This case is historic. The effect of this case will be felt for centuries. Why? Read on ...

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Is it time to regulate online legal services offered by non-lawyers?

The Internet is a Great Connector. On the one side are non-lawyers offering 'legal services'. On the other, unsuspecting consumers. If the consumer is given wrong advice, who will protect him? Is it time for ‘web-legal’ services to be regulated? Should only registered legal practitioners be allowed to give advice, even if it is done through the internet? Can the web be regulated? Is it possible? If so, how?

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Could we eliminate electoral fraud by improving election laws?

Could we eliminate electoral fraud by improving election laws? An election petition is a difficult thing. The law has ring-fenced it with several impenetrable technical rules.  Combating electoral corruption under the current, antiquated laws is impossible. After the results of the 13th General elections results were announced on 5 March 2013, I was asked, with a dozen others, to file election petitions for 22 constituencies in Perak. The petitions alleged that the winners ...

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