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Personal Injury

Personal Injury Lawyer in Peabody, MA

A personal injury lawyer is one who represents people that have been injured physically, mentally, emotionally or psychologically as the result of another person’s, organization’s, company’s, government’s etc., negligence. In fact, a lot of people get into legal trouble each year due to negligent actions of others. Personal Injury can be caused by a car accident, a defective product, a birth injury, malpractice, wrongful death, assault and many other such incidents. Peabody personal injury lawyers are lawyers who can handle your personal injury case.

So, lawyers who deal with personal injury or accident cases have devised an alternative payment method in which they take as their fees not a cent from a potential client up front, and rather take a percentage of that client’s final settlement / award. This payment, commonly known as contingent fees, is an agreement between the lawyer and the individual that the lawyer will charge them if the case is lost. But if they win the case, then the lawyer gets their fee. Most lawyers feel this is a better arrangement than taking any of their fees up front. If you have been injured and seeking some sort of compensation, then perhaps looking at your state Bar Association could help you locate a qualified personal injury lawyer.

In order to ensure you get the proper compensation, your lawyer must know exactly what your rights are as well as knowing what the regulations are regarding the case. For instance, most states have rules about how personal injury claims must be handled, and how those rules must be enforced. Your lawyer must also know what the various types of damages are and what the compensation entitlements are for each type of damage. The injured party may also sue the party who has caused them personal injury, including any company who was responsible for the accident that injured them.

One good example of how a personal injury lawyer in Massachusetts can help you get the right compensation is if you were injured by a drunk driver. In the state of Massachusetts, personal injury claims involving drunk driving are frequently settled out of court, but this does not usually happen. If you were injured because of this, then your lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf in order to receive compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, past and future medical expenses, as well as loss of earning capacity.

Another situation where your personal injury lawyer in Massachusetts can help you is if you or someone you know has been injured due to faulty manufacturing. In this situation, your lawyer may have a different approach than your insurance company. Your lawyer might suggest that you have a personal injury claim because the defective product has caused you permanent physical damage. Your lawyer will also use this argument in order to try and get your insurance company to settle out of court. Usually, the insurance company does settle out of court, but your lawyer will make sure that you do not lose too much money and that the company makes enough money to make up for their bad luck.

Whether you have been involved in a car accident in Massachusetts or whether you work in an office that was recently destroyed by fire, you need to seek legal advice from an attorney as soon as possible. Personal injury attorneys handle cases all throughout Massachusetts. If you have been injured in any way, there is a good chance that you will want to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You might even find that your case is better handled by a personal injury lawyer than by your insurance company’s attorney! For Peabody, we recommend Jason Stone Injury Lawyers. Find their info below.

Jason Stone Injury Lawyers

84 Newbury St, Peabody, MA 01960, United States

Phone: (978)-241-7133

Categories
Personal Injury

Why Should You Hire a Car Accident Attorney?

If you have been in a car accident and you were not at fault, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your pain and suffering. In the state of New York, the law is pretty simple on this matter. You can file a personal injury claim with the help of an experienced car accident law firm in the city of Cherry Hill. What exactly is a PIP claim and how does it work? How do you find a car accident law firm in New Jersey that will give you the personal injury protection you deserve?

If you were in a car accident, you are entitled to get monetary compensation for your suffering, physical disability, medical bills and other possible losses that resulted from the collision. The first things that you should do if you have been injured in a traffic mishap is call the police and the fire department. Even if you were not the one at fault, you should still call the first responders to give your statement and to provide you with any photos or official reports that may pertain to the event.

The next thing that you should do if you were not at fault in the car crash is to grab any documents, insurance reports, and other information that may pertain to the crash. Gather all the information quickly so that you do not lose it. One of the first things that the car accident law firm will do if you were not at fault is to go to the hospital and meet with the medical staff of the scene. You will need to grab any documentation that pertains to your health condition as well as any information that pertain to your injuries and how long you have been unable to return to work or normal life. Make sure to grab any x-rays, prescriptions, tickets, and other forms of documentation that you may have as well.

After the police has given you all the information they have, the next step that the car crash injury attorneys will do is to contact your personal injury attorneys. Your personal injury attorneys should be willing to at least meet with you in person so that they can give you some updates on your case. The reason why you want to meet with them is so you will be able to voice out your concerns and ask questions that you may have about how the accident was resolved. It is important to keep in mind that your injury attorneys need to investigate everything about the accident so that they will be able to properly represent you. You will also want to discuss your case with them so that they can tell you what options you have available.

Once the car accident attorney has met with you and gave you your results, they will immediately begin working on your case. Your attorneys will begin to gather documents and gather evidence so that they can present it to the judge in court. The majority of most cases do not end up going to trial, which is why it is very important for you to hire a reputable car accident attorney to help you get your deserved compensation.

When it comes to being fully compensated for your injuries, you are probably not going to recover anything on your own. In order for you to receive the full compensation that you deserve, you need to hire a car accident attorney who has years of experience dealing with similar cases. These highly experienced professionals know the laws and regulations that govern these cases and they know exactly what it takes to win your case. With their knowledge, experience, and determination, they can ensure that you receive the full compensation for the injuries that you have sustained as well as the financial loss that you have experienced as a result of the accident.

Take a look at The Rothenberg Law Firm LLP in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Categories
Personal Injury

How To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer

A personal injury attorney is basically a lawyer that offers legal representation to individuals who claim to be injured, emotionally or physically, due to the negligence of another individual, business, organization or any other entity. Personal injury attorneys primarily practice in the field of personal injury law, which is otherwise known as tort law. Tort law is one area of law in which compensation and/or justice can sometimes take a long time to obtain.

Personal injuries are caused due to a breach of contract, negligence, or recklessness on the part of another individual, entity or business. An individual who has suffered an injury due to any of these reasons can file a claim at the personal injury law firm he/she is consulting with. Personal injury law firms offer personal injury attorneys to handle such cases.

The best way to start a case with a personal injury attorney is to contact a firm that specializes in this kind of law. After all, the law firm you choose to hire will not only handle your case but will also advise you on how you can proceed. If the personal injury law firm you hire refuses to talk with you, consider another firm.

When hiring an injury attorney, make sure that the attorney you hire is licensed to practice law in your state. Some states require personal injury attorneys to be licensed in order to provide legal representation. In addition to being licensed, personal injury lawyers should also be experienced in personal injury law to properly handle cases like yours.

Once you have decided on a personal injury attorney to represent you, the attorney should start by meeting with you and finding out if you are a client he/she can work with. After talking with you, the personal injury attorney will then go through your case papers, documents and make sure you have everything that is needed for your case. The attorney should also get to know the details of your case in order to make sure that he/she is knowledgeable enough about what needs to be done to help you.

The next step of the attorney-client relationship is that the attorney will ask you for a fee in exchange for their time and services. You will then be expected to pay them after the attorney has dealt with everything that needs to be handled. regarding your case.

Categories
Personal Injury

The Benefits Of Hiring An Auto Accident Lawyer

car-accident-lawyer

Auto accident attorneys are familiar with various kinds of car accidents. Whether your auto accident has taken place in a state other than Florida, you will need an auto accident lawyer to help you win your case. This is especially true if the accident has resulted in serious injury. For instance, in most states, the court will award substantial damages in a lawsuit that involves an auto accident that resulted in the death of one person or serious injuries to another person or persons. In fact, the majority of car accidents will result in at least some type of legal claim, and if you are injured because of a car accident in Florida, your auto accident lawyer can help you to secure the amount of compensation that you deserve.

Auto accident attorneys, and the insurance company of the automobile involved, will conduct a detailed preliminary investigation to determine if you were at fault or not. If the car, or the driver’s car, had an obvious defect that was responsible for the accident, your injured party can potentially receive a lawsuit against the owner of the automobile or one of the many parts that make up the car. You will also be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses and loss of wages caused by your injury. In the case of car accidents in Florida, the laws pertaining to this type of injury vary from state to state. In general, a person who is injured in an auto accident must file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of the date of the accident. However, in many cases, this law may be waived when a victim files the suit after an extended time has passed since the accident took place.

While car accidents in Florida are commonplace, they are unfortunately very common, as well. If you were involved in an accident in the state of Florida, there are various options that you have to recover the amount of money that you deserve for your injuries. For instance, you may be eligible for a personal injury lawsuit. Although this option is only available in Florida, you can pursue it anywhere else in the country that suits may be filed. Your auto accident lawyer will determine how much money is appropriate to help with medical bills and other compensation issues. In most cases, the money that you receive is not enough to cover all of your pain and suffering, but can be used to pay for your lost wages and other losses, as well as some court fees.

Another option that you have in the event that you suffered an auto accident is the claim by the party at fault. This type of claim requires you to file a lawsuit against the company that was at fault for the auto accident. This lawsuit will require you to prove that the other party caused your accident.

In the event that you are injured due to another person’s car, you can receive compensation through medical bills and other losses. Some people opt to sue the driver of their car and the insurance company for any damages done to them, and they may receive compensation for loss of wages and other medical expenses. Additionally, if you are a pedestrian injured due to another car, the insurance company may offer you compensation in the form of an auto accident attorney, who can help you pursue compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages.

No matter what type of car accident you suffer, you will want to seek the services of a qualified car accident lawyer immediately to ensure that your situation is properly handled. Your attorney can provide valuable information regarding car accidents that occur on a regular basis and can help you establish a proper compensation policy to suit your needs. They will be able to assess your personal injury case and help you decide whether or not to file a lawsuit against a car driver, if you choose. You do not need to hire an attorney just because you are a victim of a car accident; however, your attorney can assist you in determining the best course of action when it comes to fighting the case.

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Personal Injury

How To Hire The Best Personal Injury Lawyer In Myrtle Beach

If you have been injured in a car accident, a slip and fall, or any other type of injury, it is imperative that you retain the services of a Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer. When you hire a professional to defend your case, the insurance industry knows that you are prepared to fight for what is right. You can count on the professional team of  the law office of William J. Luse to:

* Investigate the facts surrounding your accident – If you have been involved in an accident and have received medical attention, it is a good idea to speak with an experienced injury attorney. By gathering facts from an unbiased source, your personal attorney can help assess the details of the accident and the situation that may have led to it. An attorney will be able to tell you what the likely outcome of your case will be, as well as whether you have a strong case or not. If you are seeking compensation for pain and suffering or emotional distress, your lawyer will be able to help you determine if you qualify.

* Assess the extent of the damage caused to you – If you were seriously injured, an attorney will need to review the information provided to the insurance company by the hospital where you received treatment. It is also a good idea to speak with other patients who were injured at the same time as you, if possible. These individuals will be able to provide you with relevant information about the experience they had with the same insurance company.

* Prepare a thorough medical report – When it comes to filing a claim, an experienced personal injury lawyer will need to review the details of the accident report and medical record to make sure everything was properly reported. By reviewing these reports, your attorney can help you better understand what the facts surrounding the accident are and if there are any underlying health issues you should be aware of. A skilled attorney will also be able to assist you with collecting information necessary to present your case to your insurance company in a thorough and organized manner.

* Ask for the help of an expert – If your injury is serious or if you need additional support in presenting your case, a legal professional may be able to give you advice or even take over handling your case until your attorney has a chance to deal with it on your behalf. This is especially helpful if you find yourself unable to fully focus or concentrate on the details of your own case. In some cases, even with a strong case, your attorney may need to step in to help manage the case in your absence.

* Keep your attorney informed – If you find yourself unable to provide the personal injury lawyer with the best information possible, make sure that they are informed on all developments. After all, they will need to know the details of your case, and it is important that they are updated as much as possible to help you make sure that your case is handled professionally and fairly.

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Legal Trials

What Is A Trial Lawyer?

Trial lawyers are attorneys that defend and provide legal assistance to people who are being accused of a crime. There are two types of trial attorneys: criminal lawyers and civil lawyers. A criminal attorney deals with individuals facing criminal charges, while a civil lawyer is typically hired to help individuals who are facing civil cases.

As the name indicates, a criminal defense lawyer will represent the person being accused of a crime. A criminal attorney will then present their case to the jury, which will be comprised of one or more people.

The most common areas of the country that are covered by a trial lawyer’s practice are city and state laws, criminal defense, and civil rights. This means that your lawyer can work on any type of criminal case, whether it is a felony, misdemeanor, or even a traffic violation.

Criminal cases are more difficult to prove than civil or traffic cases. In some instances, it may be difficult to obtain enough evidence to prove that the person you are being accused of is guilty of the charges against them. In this case, you would need the services of a skilled criminal lawyer.

In other cases, a criminal defense attorney will be able to bring enough evidence against the accused to make them admit guilt. If this happens, then the lawyer will be able to recommend that you go to trial, in which you will be able to present your case to the jury.

In many cases, a criminal defense lawyer will also be able to help you receive bail, if necessary. In most cases, if they feel that you will not be able to post bail, you will be forced to be released from jail by an officer from the local law enforcement usually hired to help those who are being accused of civil rights violations or discrimination. This means that they are hired to fight for their client, so that they will not have to suffer any physical or financial damages. You can always turn to Brach Eichler trial lawyers to make sure you have the most professional help by your side.

Each type of attorney has different types of services that are offered to their clients. Some specialize in criminal cases, while others are hired to help their clients with civil cases.

As you can see, hiring a trial lawyer can be an extremely important decision. It can either save you from a lot of trouble or could end up costing you thousands of dollars in a court case.

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Immigration

Why It Is Important to Meet With an Immigration Attorney

In terms of finding the right immigration attorney, the process is not always as straightforward as it may seem. Many people will hire an attorney to assist them with getting their immigration paperwork filed with the Department of Homeland Security. While it is a good idea to use an attorney, it is not a necessity for your immigration case.

Before you ever even meet with an attorney, make sure that you do your homework. This means that you will want to find out what the process is like before you even sit down with one. Even if you are able to find a good one, it is a good idea to take a little bit of time to see what it is like to actually be represented by someone who specializes in this type of work.

As mentioned before, there are many advantages to hiring an immigration lawyer to help you with your immigration paperwork. The first is that they can give you the best advice possible on which type of attorney is best for your situation. You can also expect to have access to more resources and legal support than if you did not have any legal representation at all.

If you are going to meet with a good immigration attorney, make sure that you get a clear picture of the process you will have with him or her. You should be able to discuss everything from what to do to get a green card to what to do after you get your immigration papers approved. It is important for you to know what you are getting into before you start dealing with any of it.

Although this is a great benefit to meeting with a lawyer, another reason that it is a good idea to consult someone when it comes to seeking legal advice is because they can make sure that your personal information and personal financial information are up to date. It is not unusual for immigration documents to be delayed if there is a mistake. By hiring someone to look over your documents, you can ensure that your information is up to date.

A final reason that it is important to meet with an immigration attorney is the fact that they can provide you with the type of support that is necessary in your particular situation. While it may not seem like a big deal at first, the last thing you want to do is feel overwhelmed with all of the paperwork involved in your immigration process. It is also important to make sure that you find the best person to represent you in order to make sure that you are getting the best results possible. While there may not be a shortage of immigration lawyers in the United States, there are definitely many individuals that specialize in this type of work.

Find out how long they have been practicing in the field. It is a good idea to ask what their success rate is so that you can get an idea of how quickly you can expect to see results.

Hire someone who you can trust to get the best result. There are many ways to get help when it comes to filling out immigration documents, but you may find that meeting with an immigration attorney is the best way to go about it.

Make sure that you find someone who specializes in immigration law. Many people may take on this type of work because they are new to the world of immigration. You should make sure that you find someone who has done this work before so that you are not wasting your time or having to pay out money to get a hand job on the immigration paperwork.

The best immigration lawyer is a person who will be able to answer all of your questions, tell you the truth, and keep you informed about everything. The most important thing that you need is to get an honest opinion of whether or not your paperwork will pass the legal standards by your attorney. The last thing you want to do is waste your time or waste money trying to make sure that your paperwork is correct.

The last thing that you need to do is to have to hire somebody who is going to charge you for his or her services. This means that you are taking a chance on paying to get an opinion that you will never get.

Categories
Personal Injury

Orlando Florida Auto and Car Accident Attorneys

In case you or a family member has suffered a car accident, it is imperative to seek the services of an Orlando Florida auto accident lawyer. An experienced attorney will not only be able to provide you with the best possible legal representation, but can also assist in rebuilding your financial standing following an accident that left you injured and unable to work.

It is important to understand the laws and regulations that govern auto accidents so as to receive fair compensation. It should not be difficult to learn about Florida automobile accident laws through your local library. You can also find out more about the legal system in the state by visiting the State Bar website and searching for information about car accident attorneys.

The insurance companies and law enforcement are also required to adhere to certain procedures and guidelines in their handling of auto accidents. These laws have been enacted in order to protect victims, their property, and the rights of auto accident victims. Therefore, they do not allow for too much discretion in cases involving injuries or property damage caused by a car accident. A good attorney can help you file a claim against the insurance company and the person who caused the accident.

Another thing that makes auto accident and car accident attorneys different from ordinary lawyers is that they provide a more personal and professional approach. Most law firms offer free consultations. You will receive a free initial consultation to discuss your claim. During this initial meeting, a car accident lawyer Orlando, Fl will review all of the documents related to your case and can advise you regarding the best way forward.

There is nothing worse than having an attorney tells you that he or she has “little experience” with cases like yours. If the attorney has no personal experience in handling cases like yours, you will want to find someone else. There are numerous Florida auto accident law firms who offer a number of years of experience in dealing with auto accidents.
Some people may choose to hire a law firm that handles a specific type of case. If this is your case, you can also ask to speak to some of their clients before choosing one. The firm can help you research the company and see how the firm handles cases like yours. The firm should also be able to provide you with information about the experience they have with handling your particular case.

Auto accident lawyers are an important part of the legal process. Although the laws surrounding automobile accidents differ from state to state, it is possible to obtain fair compensation if you choose to use a reputable auto accident attorney. These lawyers can help to negotiate for reasonable compensation for you and your loved ones from the people who caused you to suffer injury. It is crucial to find the right lawyer, because you do not want to do business with an inexperienced one that only focuses on representing insurance companies.

You can find Orlando Florida law firms by performing an online search. Using the Internet you will find information about law firms in your area, as well as reviews by previous clients of these firms.
Many lawyers specialize in accident law, but you should never assume that just because a lawyer is an accident lawyer that he or she specializes in accident law. Many lawyers specialize in a different area such as business law, family law, wills and trusts, etc. Therefore, before hiring a lawyer, it is important to do research to make sure that the attorney has dealt with your case in the past.
There are a variety of Florida auto accident law firms to choose from. Before you choose one, it is important to ask friends and family who have used the same firm for any past legal issues or concerns they may have experienced.

You can find many Orlando Florida auto accident law firms in your local phone book or on the Internet. However, it is important to take time to thoroughly research each one of the firms to make sure you find the best possible auto accident lawyer for your case. A reputable law firm will work diligently to help you with every step of your case.

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International News

Margaret Owen on the 9 Days of Curfew in Cizire, S.E. Turkey

Margaret Owen on the 9 Days of Curfew in Cizire, S.E. Turkey

By Margaret Owen

Our UK delegation of two human rights barristers, myself (patron of Peace in Kurdistan), and Melanie Gingell, with health practitioner, Dr. Shatha Besarani were Invited by the Kurdish Women’s Council of Diyarbakir to visit Cizire, the mainly Kurdish town in Southeastern Turkey, and Sur, a poor district in Diyarbakir where there has been such violence in recent weeks.

Our brief was to investigate and report on what actually happened during the 9 days of curfew in Cizire, (September 4th till 12th) and the two days in Sur (September 14th and 15th) when the inhabitants were attacked by the police and the army. This rendered them unable to leave their homes, even to bury their dead.

We wanted also to learn about how the curfews, bombardments, killings, and deprivations had particularly affected women and children.

It is a violent and unpredictable time. From the moment the pro Kurdish HDP party gained its 81 seats in the June presidential election and deprived President Erdogan of winning the mandate to gain more executive power, the AKP party has resorted to ever more violent repression of its Kurdish citizens, not just in the Southeast but all over Turkey.

There is a great fear in the population that the violence will increase as the date for the snap election on November 1st approaches. However all is unpredictable, in the hands of President Erdogan who now risks plunging Turkey into a civil war, a return to the violence of the 1990s.

The peace process shattered this summer, which makes it vital that the UK government and the international community in general urge Turkey to stop this violence, and respect international law, including humanitarian law.

Towns and cities where 80% of the citizens voted for the HDP, declared “self-administrated democracy”, or protested about the arbitrary dismissal and arrests of their elected (Kurdish) mayors became targets for the most horrific bombardments. Unarmed civilians were killed with no evidence that any of them were armed members of the terror-tagged PKK. These atrocities have been committed by (Turkish) Governors and police who are using the draconian powers given to them under the Anti-Terror act.

We met with the Free Women’s Congress (an umbrella Organization for women from all political parties), the women’s lawyers association in Diyarbakir, and with the human rights association. We were also able to talk freely with the civilian survivors of the bombardments, walked through the broken, gutted streets of their districts, clambered over the remains of family houses and spoke to grieving relatives.

Here is a short-list of some of the things we learnt:

1. Collective punishment, such as that taken against the civilian men, women and children, as revenge for the killing of two policemen by the PKK (and that was as a consequence of other Turkish state acts against Kurds) is a violation of Article 33 Geneva Convention.

2. The curfew was in breach of international law. For nine days in Cizre, water, electricity and mobile phone connections were cut off.

3. During the curfew, Cizre was surrounded by 5,000 police, and army tanks, during which police officers were ordered (by the Governor) to ” shoot to kill”. Tanks and rockets fired shells and bombs into Cizire killing 21 people. Relatives could neither bury their dead nor take the wounded to hospital. Bodies were kept in freezers and fridges (including one which belonged to a baby).

4. One of the saddest cases was the murder of 10 year old Cemike Cagirga, on September 7th, the fourth day of the siege. She had simply opened the door of her family compound when she was shot in the chest by police snipers from a building across the street from her house.Once the curfew was lifted, her family took her body out of the freezer and took it to the hospital. The police collected the body for autopsy and in utter disregard of fundamental rights the body was then labeled “no family”. Resultantly, when Cemike’s father attempted to obtain the report, his request was refused because the family had not been represented by a lawyer or a doctor. This was just one of many similar cases.

5. The constant bombardment, lack of food and water caused several miscarriages. One of the casualties was a 5 week old baby.

6. Further evidence of the deliberate policy to harm the Kurdish population, using means that are in gross breach of international law,was the order for doctors to remain in their houses. Attempts by Kurdish doctors to offer their services at the local hospital and in the stricken districts was refused by the Governor and the Police.

7.The AKP and the Police claimed that the PKK was responsible for the killings.

8. In Sur, the police also sprayed with bullets a notable 16th century mosque and an ancient church. Such desecration of antiquities are crimes we associate with ISIS as opposed to government forces.

9. As we were leaving Cizire, the woman who had been co-mayor before her dismissal, and who had met us upon our arrival, was informed that the police were searching to arrest her. She made her very rapid goodbyes saying ” I must go and hide.”

 

The women lawyers here are in the process of documenting all these abuses, with the intention of bringing prosecutions against those responsible for these human rights violations. However, in the current state of the Turkish justice system, not only is it unlikely that such a prosecution would be successful, but these lawyers themselves could be arrested under articles 301 – 305 of the Penal Code for insulting the State.

Who is responsible ultimately for orders to “shoot to kill”? It is difficult to find the command chain. What is clear is that this is now the most dangerous period in Turkey’s history. Since 2013, the PKK has asked for a peaceful resolution and put down its arms. Turkey broke the ceasefire this summer, and is hurtling along a disastrous path.

It is imperative that we persuade the UK and all UN Members to come together to use all possible diplomatic and other means to resurrect the peace process. It also must be insured that all international observers are in Turkey to monitor the snap election procedures on November 1st.

What we witnessed these last few days in Cizre and Sur should act as a serious warning that there could well be a return to the conflict which, two decades ago, killed over 40,000 people. If civil war returns to Turkey it will engulf the whole region.

We hope to speak about what we learnt in a public forum. All the lawyers we spoke to at the İHD (Human Rights Association, Diyarbakir) and at the KJA (Kurdish Women’s Congress) stressed the importance of having international observers in Turkey to monitor the presidential November 1st election.

Categories
International Courts and Tribunals International Criminal Law News

Prosecution and Defence Clash Over Standards of Procedural Fairness at the Bangladesh International Criminal Tribunal

Prosecution and Defence Clash Over Standards of Procedural Fairness at the Bangladesh International Criminal Tribunal

By Caroline Macpherson

During the 11th session of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court at The Hague, No Peace Without Justice (NPWJ) convened a side event on “The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal” (ICT) on 21 November 2012 at the World Forum.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the current challenges faced by the ICT in fulfilling its mandate through an independent, fair and impartial judicial process. The meeting was moderated by NPWJ Secretary-General, Niccolo Figa-Talamanca, and speakers included: Advasiful Islam, Prosecutor at the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal; Schona Jolly, Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales; Ahmed Ziauddin, Professor of International Criminal Law; Mr. Rayhan Rashid from the International Crimes Strategy Forum and Oxford University; and Toby Cadman, Defence Counsel from 9 Bedford Row.

Toby Cadman provides a detailed overview in his paper, The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Complementarity and National Prosecutions- The International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh, which touches upon, inter alia: lack of transparency; discriminatory intent of the legislation and tribunal; lack of clear definitions of crimes; absence of rules of disclosure; and investigations being conducted under a cloak of secrecy.

A statement entitled Their Backup is million dollar but 3,000,000 is our force was released by members of the International Crimes Strategy Forum following the conference. This statement claims that Toby Cadman’s statements were all false.

Following the conference, NPWJ issued a press release which called on the ICT urgently “to demonstrate its ability and willingness to conduct proceedings with fairness, impartiality and strict adherence to due process and to apply the highest international standards in the enforcement of crimes under international law”. Further, it requested the Government of Bangladesh “immediately and categorically to exclude the death penalty for individuals accused by the ICT and apply in full all due process guarantees, including protection of defence witnesses, potential witnesses and counsel from harassment and intimidation, full application of the presumption of innocence, and all other due process rights, to the highest international standards.”

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