tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85125750491506424042024-03-05T10:24:46.310+00:00A(nother) lawyer writesLaw Journal articles, Legal blogs, information on my books, letters to the Times and a few other thingsJames Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05200860773221870979noreply@blogger.comBlogger247125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-42273544034217054712017-09-14T15:31:00.005+01:002017-09-14T15:31:48.684+01:00New WebsiteI am no longer updating this blog. I now have a website at <a href="http://jamesrjw.wixsite.com/jamesrjwilson">http://jamesrjw.wixsite.com/jamesrjwilson</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-44551517877568684232015-04-26T12:08:00.003+01:002015-04-26T12:08:35.348+01:00Review of Court & Bowled Cricket web has reviewed my book Court & Bowled <a href="http://www.cricketweb.net/books/court-and-bowled-tales-of-cricket-and-the-law/" target="_blank">here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-15160982698595134412015-04-25T16:15:00.001+01:002015-04-25T16:15:15.848+01:00Wisden 2015 book review of Court & Bowled: tales of cricket and the lawWisden 2015 has reviewed my book Court & Bowled:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jWdnYOYZtjnVUdec3HlIzS089o4OS13omx4XbJqd5wUNxGsnfS26Wb1WGfRxvL11PPDiPtSN_7f7BrYe65Fc14bqBW_w4JSQx3zGy77WsR5Xr38XF6UhSZ3q0LcKkOEQNOE0-ZSPsu0/s1600/f48ed5_99fc0e02c4604024afd6182861d65e0e.jpg_850.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jWdnYOYZtjnVUdec3HlIzS089o4OS13omx4XbJqd5wUNxGsnfS26Wb1WGfRxvL11PPDiPtSN_7f7BrYe65Fc14bqBW_w4JSQx3zGy77WsR5Xr38XF6UhSZ3q0LcKkOEQNOE0-ZSPsu0/s1600/f48ed5_99fc0e02c4604024afd6182861d65e0e.jpg_850.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-36888887486327415032015-04-25T16:10:00.000+01:002015-04-25T16:10:19.324+01:00Stone & Rolls v Moore Stephens [2009] 1 AC 1391 - 'not to be looked at again'<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In my book <i>Cases, Causes & Controversies: fifty tales from the law</i> I was critical of some of the undecided issues in the case of <a href="" name="para79"><i>Stone & Rolls v Moore Stephens</i> </a><a href="http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/redirect.cgi?path=/uk/cases/UKHL/2009/39.html" title="Link to BAILII version">[2009] 1 AC 1391</a>. I warned that the confusion in the judgment might lead to another case going all the way to the Supreme Court, with a lot of costs incurred as a result. That has now happened, with the Supreme Court recently giving judgment in <i>Jetivia v Bilta</i> [2015] UKSC 23 (<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKSC/2015/23.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s linear, background-color 0.3s linear; border: 0px; color: #265e15; font-style: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s linear, background-color 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">read judgment</a><span style="border: 0px; color: #444444; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; line-height: normal;">)</span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">. There was a particular irony in them having to reconsider the case since the leading counsel for the auditors in <i>Stone & Rolls</i> was </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Jonathan Sumption QC, now Lord Sumption and a judge of the Supreme Court. One of the dissenting judges in<i> Stone & Rolls</i> was Lord Mance, who was known to have opposed Sumption's appointment to the Supreme Court. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="border: 0px; color: #444444; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;">I would refer readers to a </span></span>good<span style="color: #444444;"> summary on the <i>UK Human Rights Blog</i> <a href="http://ukhumanrightsblog.com/2015/04/23/supreme-court-the-common-law-working-out-illegality-defence/#more-25790" target="_blank">here</a> and to the press summary issued by the Court itself <a href="https://www.supremecourt.uk/decided-cases/docs/UKSC_2013_0206_PressSummary.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. In the meantime, I would simply record what Lord Neuberger said at para 30 of the judgment about the <i>Stone & Rolls</i> case: </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">"</span></span></span><a href="" name="para30">Subject to these points, the time has come in my view for us to hold that the decision in <i>Stone & Rolls </i>should, as Lord Denning MR graphically put it in relation to another case in <i>In re King </i></a><a href="http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/1963/1.html" title="Link to BAILII version">[1963] Ch 459</a>, 483, be "put on one side and marked 'not to be looked at again'". Without disrespect to the thinking and research that went into the reasoning of the five Law Lords in that case, and although persuasive points and observations may be found from each of the individual opinions, it is not in the interests of the future clarity of the law for it to be treated as authoritative or of assistance save as already indicated.<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So it may be that Lords Mance and Sumption can put aside at least some of their differences ... </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-8616147041413109032015-03-27T23:08:00.000+00:002015-03-27T23:08:14.245+00:00Prince Charles' letters: R (on the application of Evans) and another v Attorney General The Supreme Court <a href="https://www.supremecourt.uk/decided-cases/docs/UKSC_2014_0137_Judgment.pdf" target="_blank">has now given judgment</a> in <i>R (on the application of Evans) and another v Attorney General</i>, the case brought by the <i>Guardian</i> seeking access to Prince Charles' letters under the Freedom of Information Act. The Court ruled in favour of the <i>Guardian</i> and therefore at some point in the future disclosure will now have to be made.<br />
<br />
I wrote about the case at an earlier stage in the process <a href="http://timesandotherthings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/prince-charles-and-his-letters.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It was not an uncontroversial opinion, as the comments section indicates, though I stand by the view that the Prince should not have been writing letters lobbying for change. This is not because I disagree with all of his views - though I certainly disagree with his support of homeopathy and his more general unscientific pronouncements (brutally dissected by the late Christopher Hitchens <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/fighting_words/2010/06/charles_prince_of_piffle.html" target="_blank">here</a>). The problem is the more general principle that the monarchy is supposed to reign, not rule. The late Tony Benn used to have four questions for any man or woman with power he met. They were along these lines:<br />
<br />
1. What power do you have?<br />
<br />
2. How did you obtain it?<br />
<br />
3. In whose interests do you exercise it?<br />
<br />
4. How can I get rid of you?<br />
<br />
In the case of the Monarchy, the answer to question (1) has traditionally been 'not very much', and hence the rest were of not so great importance. By seeking to influence government policy, Charles would change that answer and hence cause significant embarrassment to his position. The Attorney-General almost admitted as much in his decision and his pronouncements on the letters earlier in the case. <br />
<br />
It is true that the Queen grants the Prime Minister a weekly audience, at which she presumably shares her views on a wide range of matters. But no Prime Minister (and the Queen has been on the throne since Winston Churchill occupied No. 10 Downing St) has ever said she lobbies for any particular course of action, only that she offers advice here and there. For ardent republicans - and there is no doubt that the <i>Evans</i> case was a flanking attack on the entire monarchy by the Guardian - the mere fact of her meeting politicians in a different capacity from an ordinary citizen is objectionable of itself. But they would still concede that Charles' letter-writing is of a different order of magnitude, and much more damaging to the monarchy accordingly. <br />
<br />
I do not buy the argument based on privacy - the notion that Charles is entitled to private correspondence like anyone else. He is indeed entitled to privacy - on matters appropriately private. Thus, if he wrote to a friend, or if he wrote a private journal (which he did, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cases-Causes-Controversies-Fifty-Tales/dp/0854901256/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426518030&sr=1-1&keywords=cases%2C+causes+and+controversies" target="_blank">and which I argued in one of my books</a> should be confidential) then that would be no-one else's business. But if he is seeking to influence an important matter of policy, whether in regard to the environment, human rights, architecture, alternative medicine or whatever, then that is properly something of public concern, given his constitutional position. No-one could pretend that his letters on such subjects would be no different from those of Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells.<br />
<br />
In my earlier blog, a commentator referred to the German president, who is supposed to be neutral in party politics, but who still intervenes and takes positions on contentious political matters. There are two responses: first, the positions are not identical - the German constitution is a carefully crafted arrangement, not easily compared with the British one; and secondly, the German president is elected, and thus there is a ready answer to Tony Benn's question (4) which does not apply in the case of Charles.<br />
<br />
There is also the question of one of Charles' letters concerning a ministerial decision which is later made subject to a judicial review challenge. Would a letter from the Prince amount to an irrelevant factor? Or would it otherwise breach natural justice, on the basis that no-one would have had a chance to respond to it?<br />
<br />
I should stress that none of the above actually fell for decision in the legal proceedings. The court did not need to consider whether Charles should be writing the letters in the first place, what consequences there might be for him, and what consequences there might be for anyone else. Instead, it was concerned primarily with the separate but equally interesting issue of whether, and in what circumstances, the Attorney-General might overturn a decision of a judicial tribunal. There is a short note on the UK Supreme Court Blog <a href="http://ukscblog.com/new-judgment-r-evans-v-information-commissioner-2015-uksc-21/" target="_blank">here</a> and I will link to a longer discussion when one appears.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-16571621652570515872015-02-10T14:48:00.000+00:002015-02-10T14:48:08.556+00:00Book review in the Law Society Gazette of Court & BowledA review has been published of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Bowled-Tales-Cricket-Law/dp/085490140X" target="_blank">Court & Bowled</a></i> in the Law Society Gazette, <a href="http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/analysis/reviews/book-review-court-and-bowled-tales-of-cricket-and-the-law/5046589.fullarticle" target="_blank">here</a>. The review states that the book '<span style="color: #575757; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">is an interesting and entertaining collection of stories and cases involving cricket as it interacts with the law.'</span><span style="color: #575757; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-83238364020890903622015-01-28T17:05:00.002+00:002015-01-28T17:05:54.038+00:00Jesse Ryder trialThe remaining defendant in the trial arising out of the assault on Jesse Ryder, the New Zealand cricketer, <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11393042" target="_blank">has pleaded guilty</a>.<br />
<br />
I wrote about the assault in my book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Bowled-Tales-Cricket-Law/dp/085490140X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422438735&sr=1-1&keywords=james+wilson+court+and+bowled+cricket" target="_blank">Court and Bowled</a></i>. The other prosecution that has been brought regarding the incident concerns the <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11388577" target="_blank">uploading of a video on YouTube</a>; that case is proceeding to trial. It will have interesting wider implications, given the prevalence of smartphones nowadays. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-85203427764752408282015-01-17T16:15:00.001+00:002015-01-17T16:15:34.038+00:00Chris Cairns in court again<br />
Chris Cairns has made another appearance in court. It was only a routine case management hearing. Cairns and his co-defendant, the barrister Andrew Fitch-Holland pleaded not guilty once again and it seems that the trial will proceed in October of this year. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The case is reported on a number of websites including <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/chris-cairns-pleads-not-guilty-to-perjury/story-fni0xqll-1227187759959?nk=f1a2025a4f9aff758c2d4990b7947576" target="_blank">this Australian paper</a>. One mistake a lot of the media are making is to assume that Fitch-Holland was Cairns' barrister during the 2012 libel trial, on which the criminal case is based. Fitch-Holland is a friend of Cairns, and gave him some assistance in the trial. He did not, however, represent Cairns, in part because he is not a libel specialist. He is a co-defendant because (as I understand it) it is alleged he improperly pressured a witness to sign a false statement for Cairns. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is important to reiterate that both defendants pleaded not guilty. I shall keep an eye on the case as it progresses, and depending on other commitments, will attend as a journalist/observer in October when the trial takes place. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-91220849308043900722014-12-13T22:47:00.000+00:002014-12-13T22:47:24.113+00:00Review for the Supreme Court Library for QueenslandMy book Court & Bowled has now been <a href="http://www.sclqld.org.au/news-and-events/new-titles/browse/11/2014" target="_blank">reviewed for the Supreme Court Library of Queensland</a>. The review states among other things:<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"><i>This book delivers on its promise, serving the reader with a collection of tales about cricket broadly related in some way or another to the law. This book will be of interest not only to those with a keen interest in cricket, but to any reader who will enjoy a well written and lively collection of tales often as much about human failings and politics as about cricket</i></span>"</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-51208580649357063552014-12-11T14:52:00.000+00:002015-01-17T16:05:32.128+00:00Review in the TimesMy book is chosen in the Times today by the former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, as his recommended read for the festive season. His review can be found at p 63 of the print edition and online (££) here: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/law/article4293452.ece<br />
<br />
He describes the book as "thoughtful and well-written" and says that it is "an interesting, serious study of problems arising beyond the boundary ropes". He also says "Most intriguing is the meticulous analysis of incidents or events of high drama when cricket assumed an importance far more than a beloved game. The writer addresses all these with judicial impartiality, carefully maintaining a distinction between his narrative account of facts and personal and acute observations".<br />
<br />
More details of the book can be found on the sidebar on the left of this blog. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-50355316196294669062014-12-10T16:13:00.001+00:002014-12-10T16:13:11.346+00:00Sport and the courtsAn interesting story <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2014/12/10/should-an-oklahoma-judge-order-a-high-school-football-game-replayed/" target="_blank">here</a> about whether a sporting referee's decision can be reviewed in the courts, something I have considered at greater length in my <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Bowled-Tales-Cricket-Law/dp/085490140X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418227958&sr=1-1&keywords=james+wilson+court+and+bowled+cricket" target="_blank">book</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-74202595838447062102014-12-01T17:24:00.002+00:002014-12-01T17:24:42.564+00:00Book review of Court & BowledThe current issue of the <i>New Law Journal</i> has a review of my book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Bowled-Tales-Cricket-Law/dp/085490140X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417454656&sr=1-1&keywords=james+wilson+court+and+bowled+cricket" target="_blank">Court & Bowled</a></i>. The review is available <a href="http://www.newlawjournal.co.uk/nlj/content/book-review-court-bowled-tales-cricket-law" target="_blank">behind a paywall here</a>.<br />
<br />
The free extract on the site provides: "<i>Wilson uses the traditional skills of the lawyer to dissect the intricacies of the laws of cricket and the spirit of the game</i>"<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-76971937601152620902014-11-25T13:52:00.001+00:002014-12-07T12:39:13.666+00:00The risk of cricket<div style="text-align: justify;">
The question that almost inevitably follows any form of human tragedy is whether the law should be changed. The natural reaction is to demand that the activity in which the tragedy took place should be more tightly regulated, if not banned altogether. And so in cricket, following the terrible loss of Phil Hughes, there will be those who argue that better helmets should be developed, that they should be mandatory, or that short-pitched bowling should be outlawed altogether. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I do not believe that Hughes' loss, shocking though it was, justifies either of the last two of those steps. This is in no way disrespectful towards his loss, or belittling the scale of the tragedy. Instead, it is because I believe that it is neither possible nor even desirable to remove all risk from activities such as top level cricket, and that we should legislate for the probable rather than the extremely remote. To seek to restrict bouncers in cricket would be to fall foul of the old legal maxim that hard cases make bad law, or indeed its converse that bad law makes hard cases. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The Hughes accident </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In late November 2014, Hughes was playing in the Sheffield Shield for South Australia against his old side of New South Wales. He was just short of his 26th birthday and had played 26 tests for Australia. His average of 32, with three centuries, showed that he certainly had the ability to play at the highest level, though it had not been enough to secure a consistent place in the Australian side. As ever, there was no dearth of competition (even Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh struggled at times in their careers to justify their place). Nevertheless, Hughes was making a strong case for his recall. On the day in question, he had batted authoritatively for 63 runs as Sean Abbott came in to bowl. Abbott was a promising young seam bowler, aged just 22, who had already represented Australia in T20 matches and a solitary 50 over match, though he had yet to be chosen for the test side. He was categorised as fast-medium - no slouch, but not in the same league as express bowlers like Brett Lee or Malcolm Marshall. He dropped the ball in short. Hughes tried to pull the delivery, but missed it and it hit him on the side of his head, just below his helmet. It was immediately apparent to the players and the umpires that it was no ordinary injury - the footage of the incident made for haunting viewing as all on the field called desperately for help. A qualified doctor attended Hughes almost immediately, before he was taken to hospital, but he never regained consciousness and died not long afterwards. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A series of heartfelt tributes followed from around the world, showing the high regard in which Hughes was held as a player and a person, and also showing how every cricket player and fan felt the game itself had been shaken by the tragedy. Among other things, the match itself was abandoned; bats were left outside doors as a sign of solidarity; silences were observed at matches across the world; and social media was awash with messages of support. One touching example was a tweet with a photoshopped picture showing Hughes walking out to bat with Don Bradman, and a caption explaining that Hughes was resuming his innings elsewhere with a new batting partner. The touring Indian side agreed to the cancellation of its next match and chose to train indoors, in private. It released a statement which was measured, sincere and appropriate:<br />
<br />
<i>"The touring Indian team joins the cricketing fraternity across the world in offering condolences to the family of Phil Hughes, who has departed from our midst. In this moment of grief, we pray that they are bestowed with divine strength to overcome this unfortunate tragedy.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>As fellow cricketers we cherish the memories of playing along with him and deeply respect his contribution to the game of cricket."</i><br />
<br />
The finest tribute of all came from the Australian captain Michael Clarke, in his eulogy at Hughes' funeral. <br />
<br />
Appropriately, many of the messages of support also included words for Abbott, whom it was agreed universally had done nothing wrong, and should not be blamed in any respect for what was correctly described as a tragic accident. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The injury</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to the doctors who treated him, Hughes suffered a vertebral artery dissection, which caused a subarachnoid haemorrhage - in other words, a serious bleed on the brain. As can be seen in the footage of the incident, Hughes was initially stunned, but still on his feet, then a few seconds later he fell to the ground as he lost consciousness, and hence suffered a second blow as there was nothing to mitigate his fall. Apparently the type of injury <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-27/phillip-hughes-doctors-say-injury-extremely-rare/5923282" target="_blank">was virtually unknown generally</a>, let alone in cricket. For a good illustration, it should be recalled that Shane Watson was hit below the helmet on his head in a fashion very similar to Hughes during the 2013 Ashes in England, from a bowler at least as fast (and probably faster) than Abbott. Watson was stunned, and in considerable pain, but was able to resume his innings after just a few minutes and went on to score a century. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is not to say that serious and occasionally fatal injuries have never occurred before. Nor indeed since: an umpire in a game in Israel was killed shortly after Hughes in <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/30/sport/cricket-israeli-umpire-hughes/index.html" target="_blank">another freak accident</a>, albeit of a different nature.<br />
<br />
Earlier incidents include the death of Darryn Randall, a former first-class cricketer, in South Africa in 2013. Randall was killed in very similar circumstances to Hughes, being hit on the head when attempting a pull shot. Of interest is the fact that it was a club game, showing that it does not necessarily take a ball bowled by a first class cricketer, let alone an international one, for a very serious injury to be inflicted. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also in 2013, Zulfiqar Bhatti of Pakistan was killed in a club match, by a ball that hit him on the chest while he was batting. A year earlier, Richard Beaumont, a club player in England, suffered a heart attack after a spell of fast bowling which had netted him five wickets. In 2009, Alcwyn Jenkins, an umpire, was killed when a ball returned by a fielder struck him on the head accidentally. The fielder was never named and the incident rightly recorded as an appalling accident. Ian Folley, an English club player, died in 1993 after being struck playing a hook shot, but in his case the hospital where he was treated immediately afterwards eventually admitted negligence, which at least lessens the causal link with cricket. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A better known name than any of the above is Wasim Raja, a former test cricketer and match referee. He died in 2006 during a match for over-50s in England. It seems he suffered a heart attack with no particular connection to the fact he was playing cricket. Another former test cricketer, Raman Lamba of India, died in 1998 when fielding at short leg. He might have worn a helmet but chose not to. Wilf Slack, a third test cricketer, died in England in 1989 though the cause of death was not determined (again, the connection with cricket may therefore have been entirely coincidental). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If one then goes back as far as 1870, one finds the death of George Summers, who died in a similar fashion to Hughes. Summers was playing for Nottinghamshire against MCC at Lord's when he received a head injury, from which he died some days later. Some caution is needed with Summers' death, since he had apparently ignored medical advice to seek treatment for the blow, and in any event such treatment as he might have received would have been a world away from twenty-first century medicine. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Those incidents aside, the number of bouncers bowled over the years at a reasonable speed (say, over 70 mph) in all forms of the game must exceed a million, though admittedly accurate statistics are impossible. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until the late 1960s, the no-ball rule was different, allowing what was known as the 'fast bowlers' drag', under which the ball could be delivered as close as 18 yards to the batsman. Then, more than a century on from Summers' death, helmets were finally introduced. They followed a spate of unpleasant injuries and incidents, beginning perhaps with the assault of Lillee and Thomson on a wholly unsuspecting in England in 1974/5, the near-death of Ewen Chatfield later in the same tour (when England had moved to New Zealand), the brutal assault meted out by Holding and others on Brian Close and John Edrich during the 'grovel' series of 1976, and then - as the final cause perhaps, the breaking of David Hookes' jaw during the World Series Cricket tournament. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Helmets did not stop all injuries - Andy Lloyd's blow from Malcolm Marshall being a good example of what risk still existed - but there is no doubt that by and large they have made a serious injury much less likely. Bouncer restrictions were also brought in during the 1990s and umpires given the power specifically to curb their use, leading many to opine that things had gone too far in the other direction, with the game softened to the point where something important had been lost. That argument will not gain much traction in the wake of Hughes' death, though the statistical improbability of serious cricket injuries remains. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>How far to go? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is a plausible argument to say that the Queensbury Rules in boxing - providing for limited rounds, reduced striking areas and the use of gloves - actually made the chance of serious head injuries worse, because previously fighters' hands would be damaged early in the fight. Hence the contests that dragged on for an hour or more - neither was in any condition to land a knock-out blow. Deaths were comparatively rarer in those days too, though that might have something to do with modern fighters being stronger and hence punches more powerful. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Could the same be said for helmets? Macho gratification at the spectacle of batsmen in danger aside, there are those who consider that helmets have discouraged players from (a) keeping their eyes on the ball, (b) only hooking when sure of success, and (c) ensuring they keep in line. This may be true, but even if so, it is an argument for better coaching rather than removing a basic safety device. It might be that drivers have become worse since cars with better roadholding and anti-lock brakes became the norm, but I do not think the best course of action would be to try and reverse technology. Stricter driving tests would be a better option. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Instead, I think three things mean that drastic action is not called for in the wake of the Hughes tragedy (and I stress that this involves no disrespect for his loss or belittling of its seriousness). First, the use of bouncers has already been restricted to one per over. Secondly, the technology behind helmets will doubtless continue to improve, and already there is talk of a new design extending coverage. Thirdly, the umpires have more power now to restrain fast bowlers from irresponsible conduct (say, peppering tail enders on questionable pitches). <br />
<br />
The freakish nature of Hughes' injury is of a piece with the extremely infrequent air travel disasters in the twenty-first century. The loss of the two Malaysian Airlines planes in 2014 rightly did not lead to wholesale changes in air travel, still less banning it altogether. Hughes' death will always remain one of cricket's darkest days, but all probability suggests it will be thankfully of the greatest rarity. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-13498885911140466472014-11-11T21:14:00.002+00:002014-11-11T21:14:42.341+00:00Modi v Cairns: the next roundPredictably, Lalit Modi is now <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/newzealand/11222615/Lalit-Modi-issues-legal-proceedings-against-Chris-Cairns-to-claw-back-2.4m-for-Indian-Cricket-League-libel-case.html" target="_blank">lining up to apply to the High Court</a> to set aside the judgment Chris Cairns obtained against him in a libel action in 2012, which at the time was upheld on appeal (the appeal related only to quantum. Apparently, taking into account interest and costs, the amount Modi will be seeking will be in the region of £2.4m.<br />
<br />
The application will be separate from the criminal proceedings Cairns is facing for perjury, which is due to be heard next October (the reason for the long delay is that many witnesses are current players, who have commitments until then). Realistically, though, the result of the criminal action will dictate the result of Modi's civil application. If Cairns is found guilty, it is inconceivable that he will resist the application. If he is found not guilty, then theoretically Modi could press ahead but I cannot see that happening. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-10041052345507386452014-10-24T15:13:00.002+01:002014-10-24T15:13:29.092+01:00Cricket and a High Court Judge<div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Bowled-Tales-Cricket-Law/dp/085490140X" target="_blank"><img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is a story on cricket and law <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-29742797">from the BBC</a>: </div>
<br />"<i>A High Court judge presiding over a planning battle involving a cricket ground demonstrated a lack of knowledge of the sport by asking: "What are sixes and fours?"<br /><br />Mrs Justice Beverley Lang was hearing a challenge to a plan to extend a former forge beside a Hampshire cricket pitch.<br /><br />She asked the question when she was told that balls crossed the boundary line at East Meon's cricket ground.<br /><br />A lawyer at the hearing explained the rules of the game to the baffled judge.<br /><br />East Meon Forge and Cricket Ground Protection Association is challenging East Hampshire District Council's decision to grant planning permission for an extension with a residential first floor over the single-storey former blacksmith's workshop.<br /><br />Robert Fookes, appearing for the association, told Mrs Justice Lang that one of the grounds of objection to the development was that the forge was very close to the cricket square and "sixes and fours are frequently hit by batsmen on to forge land, including the roof of the building itself".<br /><br />The judge said: "I don't play cricket - what does that mean?</i>"<br /><br />Well, different strokes for different folks, if I can be excused the pun. But it is perhaps as well that the learned judge was not the one who heard <i>Miller v Jackson</i>, which features as the cover above ... Perhaps I should send <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Bowled-Tales-Cricket-Law/dp/085490140X" target="_blank">a copy of the book </a>to the Judicial Studies Board?<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-24492699842756892752014-10-06T16:33:00.000+01:002014-10-08T10:35:25.640+01:00Kevin Pietersen revelations<a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/787621.html" target="_blank">Much press interest in cricket</a> at the moment is being given to Kevin Pietersen's new book and his complaints about his former England teammates. <br />
<br />
Just as with the match fixing allegations which continue to plague cricket, <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/787889.html" target="_blank">some confidential material has apparently been leaked</a>. A third incident in recent times concerned the leaking of confidential emails from Darryl Hair after the ICC disowned him over the Pakistani forfeit test. All three incidents are unrelated, but one does wonder why no-one in cricket seems to be able to keep a secret. The implications for the management of cricket are severe: no commercial organisation can continue to function successfully if confidential information is leaked every time there might be some press interest in it. I wrote about this in a bit more detail in <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Bowled-Tales-Cricket-Law/dp/085490140X" target="_blank">Court & Bowled</a>.<br />
<br />
As to who is telling the truth, it is not easy for outsiders to determine. As Nasser Hussain pointed out, team spirit is always high when a team is winning and tends to collapse when a team is losing. And once Mitchell Johnson returned as a bowler of the very highest class, no amount of team spirit was going to help the English tail play him (the main difference between the home and away Ashes in 2013/14 was that in England the English tail wagged often enough in a low scoring series to make a difference; in Australia Haddin scored crucial lower order runs in almost every innings whilst the English tail was destroyed by Johnson). <br />
<br />
I would observe though that KP was a genuinely great player, and I don't doubt there were other villains in English cricket during his time, but he still has to ask himself why he fell out with so many of the teams for whom he played. And the management and former teammates have to ask themselves why they were not able to deal with a player who had played 100 tests despite his sins.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-38072382880270334232014-10-02T11:09:00.001+01:002014-10-03T09:15:57.462+01:00Chris Cairns appears in Westminster Magistrates Court<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris Cairns appeared today in Westminster Magistrates
Court. The hearing was to set a date for
trial and terms for bail (should it be granted). The fact that Cairns voluntarily travelled to
England to face the charges would count very heavily in his favour for granting
bail, as would the fact that New Zealand and England have an extradition treaty
in force.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday I contacted the Crown Prosecution Service, who
replied:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Chris Lance Cairns is charged with 1 x perjury.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- The trial
date has not yet been set, however Chris Lance Cairns is due to appear at
Westminster Magistrates' Court on 2 October 2014.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- The
co-defendant is Andrew Fitch-Holland, who has been charged with 1 x perverting
the course of justice<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- On 12
September 2014 the CPS confirmed the below to the media:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘<i>We can confirm that we have authorised police to charge
Chris Cairns with one count of perjury, which arises from a libel trial held in
the UK in March 2012. We have also authorised police to charge Andrew
Fitch-Holland with one count of perverting the course of justice, which arises
from actions taken relating to the same trial. Both suspects will be formally
charged by police in due course’</i>."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11335196" target="_blank">NZ Herald reports the charges </a>were read out as follows. Against Mr Fitch-Holland: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>"On March 23rd, 2011, he perverted the course of public
justice in asking Lou Vincent to provide a false witness statement in the libel
case between Chris Cairns and Lalit Modi.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Against Cairns:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>"And Mr Cairns, the allegation against you is that
between October 1st and March 31st, 2012, having been a witness in the libel
trial, you wilfully made a statement that you knew to be false when you said
you never cheated at cricket and would never contemplate it."<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Both defendants have maintained their innocence throughout and maintained that they will fully contest all charges. <br />
<br />
What is of particular interest to cricket fans is the way the charge against Cairns is framed. It is not that he made some specific, detailed claims in the Modi case that were wrong, say about which country he was in at any particular time or that he was involved in X game and so on. Instead, it is that he made a total denial of any match fixing anywhere, ever. Trivial examples - such as Cairns merely raising the subject with players in a general conversation - would not suffice, it would have to be concrete evidence beyond reasonable doubt that he had actually taken money to underperform or had made a definite, unambiguous offer to another player. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-49444315792926613822014-09-25T11:31:00.001+01:002014-09-25T20:47:13.392+01:00Chris Cairns formally chargedAccording <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11331524" target="_blank">to the NZ Herald, Chris Cairns has now been formally charged</a>.<br />
<br />
The article is slightly confused, as it mentions the offence of perverting the course of justice and the offence of perjury. The two offences are not the same, although from Cairns' point of view it is a distinction without a difference. Either way his conduct in the libel trial against Lalit Modi is being challenged and thus the credibility of his denials about match fixing is in issue.<br />
<br />
Both perjury and perverting the course of justice concern whether or not the process of justice has been obstructed. Perjury is committed when a person lies under oath, either while giving evidence in court or in sworn statements presented to the court. Perverting the course of justice can be committed by actions such as hiding or destroying evidence material to a case. <br />
<br />
In many trials perjury is technically committed: judgments often state that a witness' evidence was 'not credible', or that the witness was clearly trying to tailor their evidence to suit their side of the case. Prosecutions do not automatically follow, especially if the evidence was not material to the case or at least the lie did not affect the outcome (say because the witness' side lost the case, or won on grounds independent of the dodgy evidence). <br />
<br />
A prosecution is usually only brought where there has been a very serious breach. Jeffrey Archer's case was a classic example: his entire case was brought on a lie - abusing the very notion of justice, as well as wasting millions of pounds of both public and private money. <br />
<br />
Much the same applies to perverting the course of justice: a prosecution would only follow in serious cases. <br />
<br />
I would expect therefore that the charges against Cairns will be based on serious allegations. But it is important to stress - as I have before and will continue to do - that that does not mean they have been proven yet. Especially where the squalid world of match-fixing is concerned, the truth will always be difficult to ascertain. Cairns is innocent until proven guilty, and if nothing else, as he himself has stated, at least he now has the chance to defend himself in a proper legal forum, with full disclosure of evidence and cross-examination of all witnesses. <br />
<br />
Moreover, although there is no material difference between English law and New Zealand law in this area, it seems to me to be an advantage that the trial is taking place in England, where it is likely none of the jury will have heard of Cairns (unless they are cricket fans). The story has been reported in England but only on the sports pages. Thus, Cairns will at least get a fair trial instead of the trial by media he has had to endure for the past few months in New Zealand. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-37777509404223287012014-09-23T15:51:00.001+01:002014-09-23T15:51:14.008+01:00Lou Vincent Radio InterviewHere is Lou Vincent's confessional interview on match-fixing given to a New Zealand radio station. I intend to write another piece on match fixing in sport shortly:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tPmRUGxRCXU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-47543403410549418902014-09-18T12:58:00.000+01:002014-09-18T12:58:16.126+01:00"Some gentle autumn reading" Lincoln's Inn Library has said a few words about <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Bowled-Tales-Cricket-Law/dp/085490140X" target="_blank">Court & Bowled</a></i>:<br />
<br />
"This book might provide some diversion for those
who have stowed away their kit for the season or have had to revert to <i>The
Archers </i>rather than <i>Test Match Special</i> on Radio 4. <i>Miller v Jackson n</i>aturally
finds a place here, and indeed Lintz cricket ground, where, as Lord Denning
pertinently observed, ‘the wicket area is well rolled and mown’ and ‘the
outfield is kept short’, features as the cover illustration. But the author
covers a wide range of other cases where cricket has found its way into the
courts."<br />
<br />
The review can be found online <a href="http://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/index.php/11-linn/library/569-library-update-september-2014?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=September%20Newsletter&utm_content=September%20Newsletter+CID_29f9c054b3b86d4b6fff000183e2623d&utm_source=Email%20Communications&utm_term=Click%20here" target="_blank">here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-64268155077031774642014-09-12T09:53:00.002+01:002014-09-12T09:53:26.339+01:00Chris Cairns charged with perjury<br />
<img src="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/multimedia/archive/00701/150622248_cairns_701976c.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
It has now been announced that Chris Cairns <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11323497" target="_blank">has been charged with perjury</a>, concerning his 2012 libel trial against Lalit Modi. In that <a href="http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2012/B1.html&query=Cairns+and+v+and+Modi&method=boolean" target="_blank">case</a>, which I have discussed in some detail in <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Bowled-Tales-Cricket-Law/dp/085490140X" target="_blank">Court & Bowled</a></i>, Cairns recovered £90,000 damages because of allegations Modi had made about match fixing. The damages were upheld on appeal (the decision on liability was not appealed).<br />
<br />
The charge is apparently to be laid formally on 25 September, and the police will not comment until that point. Cairns for his part has said:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri, Candara, Segoe, 'Segoe UI', Optima, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri, Candara, Segoe, 'Segoe UI', Optima, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;"><i>"I'm obviously extremely disappointed. However, at least there will now be an opportunity to face my accusers in an open forum, with some rigor and proper process around that, so that I can clear my name once and for all"</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri, Candara, Segoe, 'Segoe UI', Optima, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><br />
<br />
NZ Cricket will await the outcome of proceedings before making any comment. In the old days, people would use the Latin <i>sub judice</i> - subject to justice - to indicate that because a trial was under way or forthcoming, nothing should be said before its outcome (partly because it might prejudice the trial, and partly because it might be made redundant anyway depending on the outcome of the trial).<br />
<br />
Cairns is of course innocent until proven guilty. Other than that, there is not much else to say pending at least any statement by police on 25 September. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-65218134882305118152014-09-11T11:55:00.001+01:002014-09-11T11:55:27.075+01:00Cases that Changed Our Lives vol 2<img src="http://www.wildy.com/static/lexisnexis_butterworths/2014/9781405791458.jpg" /><br />
The book is now on sale at Lexis <a href="http://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/store/uk/Cases-That-Changed-Our-Lives/9781405791458/product" target="_blank">here</a>, at Wildy <a href="http://www.wildy.com/isbn/9781405791458/cases-that-changed-our-lives-volume-2-paperback-lexisnexis-butterworths" target="_blank">here</a> and on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cases-That-Changed-Our-Lives/dp/1405791454/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410432892&sr=1-4&keywords=cases+that+changed+our+lives" target="_blank">here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-51538753050854441472014-09-05T11:13:00.001+01:002014-09-08T16:21:43.898+01:00The umpire's lot is not a happy one<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYmS2s9pETDLp9e3AVaobuj3o1FKTGdvn57qMNNPWOOitn6P0vp9oRgCmdzBJhKognxaby6aY4aTKFYyTdR3p6vxuKvPijv1Vsb6lUKbkAXZ7hByXGxUNRXgOtLp8bkePDe8ibhuAgmeg/s1600/father-time-icon-x400-39377.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
Two recent press stories show that the lot
of a cricket umpire is not always a happy one off the field, any more than it
can be on it. Two respected umpires of many years standing have been told they
are too old to continue, while another faces the unusual charge that he is too
Church of England. Both propositions will have satirists reaching for their
keyboards, but in both cases there is a serious legal issue that has much wider
implications than the foibles of flanned fools in whites. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<b>The
elders<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
According to the <i>Times</i> (28 August 2014), the umpires Peter Willey (an iron-willed
batsman for England a few years ago) and George Sharp are about to bring a
complaint against the England and Wales Cricket Board in the employment
tribunal, alleging age discrimination. Both Willey and Sharp are about to reach
65 years of age, and under present ECB rules both face compulsory retirement
accordingly. They may have the law on their side: since 2011, mandatory
retirement at 65 is no longer automatically legally defensible. Instead, employers
are required to show an "objective justification". <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
The role of an umpire requires an extensive
knowledge of cricket, together with the ability to deal with at least mildly stressful
situations. If anything, both qualities are likely to be enhanced by age. On
the other hand, umpiring also requires stamina, concentration, sharp eyesight
and acute hearing, and it is not being ageist to observe that all of those abilities
erode with time (and that erosion comes to us all). Cricketing history has more
than a few tales of once-respected umpires stubbornly carrying on well beyond
the point where their senses had dulled too far, yet apparently remaining unsackable
because of their earlier reputation or because of ineffective officialdom. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
Then again, all individuals age at
different rates, and different jobs require different skills, some of which
will decline quicker than others. Both those considerations suggest a fixed
figure is inappropriate for determining retiring ages across all spheres of
employment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
The only problem with a more flexible
approach is that it leaves room for argument (and ultimately litigation) in
individual cases, with the resultant expense and uncertainty. Yet even if one
decides, for reasons of certainty, that a fixed age for retirement (and
collection of superannuation) is appropriate, the long-standing figure of 65
might need to be revised in light of substantially improved living standards. The
average life expectancy has increased markedly in the past few decades, and a
person of 75 today might well be just as fit and capable as the average person of
65 fifty years ago. (Whether one agrees or not, the parlous state of our public
finances might soon require the raising of the pensionable age out of economic
necessity.) It follows that Willey and Sharp have an arguable case at least. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<b>The
churchman <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
The Daily Telegraph (7 September 2014)
reported that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i>“</i><i><span style="color: #282828; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A councillor and cricket enthusiast has been told he
cannot umpire a church match because of fears he may not be ‘theologically
neutral’ as his great-great grandfather was a bishop.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #282828; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Michael Claughton, who has 18 years’ experience as a cricket
umpire, offered to officiate the match between the Church of England XI and
Vatican XI, due to take place later this month.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #282828; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But he said he was left baffled after officials said he could
not be considered for the charity because they wanted to ensure it was
theologically “neutral” and they feared his ancestry could make him biased
against the Catholic team.”</span></i><span style="color: #282828; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
Assuming the report to be accurate, the officials’
reasoning seems slightly odd – if one could trace Claughton’s ancestry further
back than Henry VIII, it would be a racing certainty that he would have Catholic
forebearers too. Moreover, both XI’s seem to share the same head office
theologically, even if the branch management differs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
More seriously, natural justice requires
that a judge recuse him or herself if there is any suggestion that he or she
shares any form of relationship or common interest with the litigants. There
have been some interesting disputes over the years as to whether a common
religion between judge and litigant amounts to such a relationship, the answer
probably being that it will do so only where the dispute actually involves the
religion in some material respect, with the usual qualification about each case
turning on its facts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
Secondly, what about social events such as
Claughton’s cricket match? Should the
law bother getting involved? One might
instinctively suggest no, but there have been occasions in which human rights
fingers have been pointed accusingly towards a social event: a long-standing
married couples’ golf tournament was an early victim of human rights
legislation in New Zealand, for example. Then there were the private clubs
which clung to their men-only membership policies until very late in the
twentieth century (the Marylebone Cricket Club prominent among them). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
Such questions would be more pertinent in Claughton’s
case if umpiring was his professional career and the game a remunerative
fixture. As it stands, I assume that he will not be much obstructed by the
slight. But the moral principle remains. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
One of the match’s organisers said “<span style="color: #282828; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>There's absolutely no question of Michael Claughton's skill as
an umpire or his honesty. We just thought it would be a nice way of showing
everybody this is neutral</i>.</span>”
Well, I imagine it wasn’t very nice for Claughton. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-80326428727800234922014-09-03T22:57:00.001+01:002014-09-05T10:05:26.301+01:00Match fixing developments An interesting story in the Daily Telegraph: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/news/11073824/Chris-Cairns-lawyers-call-for-confessed-match-fixer-Lou-Vincent-to-face-criminal-charges.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/news/11073824/Chris-Cairns-lawyers-call-for-confessed-match-fixer-Lou-Vincent-to-face-criminal-charges.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512575049150642404.post-29819315253456221552014-08-29T10:18:00.000+01:002014-08-29T10:18:24.225+01:00c & b Ryan HindsA nice picture here of a fine cricketer, <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/52055.html" target="_blank">Ryan Hinds</a>, with my book:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGRAdZzkZ1qraFoXMBeFFhxiN5Yc1zUuRj9JiGrC7z27YTzsMC1hb2LPOMPMWUkWDx4hJ6DMn0YZom2eZIuHju2VGSEaiCNoYUTZAUvm9JylyI0qgguIqj_jgKJwSjFsUdXKuivr1G2U/s1600/Ryan+Hinds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGRAdZzkZ1qraFoXMBeFFhxiN5Yc1zUuRj9JiGrC7z27YTzsMC1hb2LPOMPMWUkWDx4hJ6DMn0YZom2eZIuHju2VGSEaiCNoYUTZAUvm9JylyI0qgguIqj_jgKJwSjFsUdXKuivr1G2U/s1600/Ryan+Hinds.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
From <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WildyandSons/photos/a.191526100973296.40306.189557431170163/559572510835318/?type=1" target="_blank">Wildy's facebook page</a>. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786615026894978874noreply@blogger.com0