UK starts consultations process on cameras in court News
UK starts consultations process on cameras in court

[JURIST] Britain's Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) opened a public consultation Monday on whether court proceedings in England and Wales should be broadcast. Additionally, a five-week trial installation of cameras will begin Tuesday in the Court of Appeal in the Royal Courts of Justice in London, where criminal appeals and civil cases will be filmed, but not broadcast. Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor, has argued that justice is better served when it is seen to be done, but has expressed concern about televising criminal trials due to the need to protect "victims, witnesses, jurors and the justice process in general." Read the DCA's consultation paper [PDF] on court broadcasting. The DCA has additional resources, including an on-line questionnaire and on-line discussion forum. JURIST's Paper Chase has a background report. BBC News has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.