tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post6393883509333797690..comments2024-03-29T12:58:06.213+00:00Comments on The Justice Diaries: Spies Like Us : Scottish Govt say ‘No plans to review Council snooping powers in Scotland’ as Home Secretary announces UK anti-terror reviewUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-79738600585213195612010-07-16T10:59:42.662+01:002010-07-16T10:59:42.662+01:00The Santander victory would never have happened if...The Santander victory would never have happened if we had Class Actions - something consumer organisations have been campaigning to have introduced for years...and not just limited to banks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-22630827121773641542010-07-16T09:57:43.953+01:002010-07-16T09:57:43.953+01:00http://www.rip-off.co.uk/complain.htm
How to Com...http://www.rip-off.co.uk/complain.htm <br /><br />How to Complain<br /><br />Up until a few years ago we Brits rarely complained. 'It just wasn't the done thing to do'. We'd grit our teeth, look passive and then go quietly about our business!<br /><br />But things have changed. Consumers are on the march as never before, and when they've been overcharged, receive poor service or they feel they've been 'ripped-off', they want to complain.<br /><br />Sadly, few people actually know HOW to successfully complain or HOW to go about it.<br />=================================<br />Visit the site to learn more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-28259904490058166912010-07-15T23:08:09.822+01:002010-07-15T23:08:09.822+01:00Thanks for all your comments & contacts on thi...Thanks for all your comments & contacts on this article.<br /><br />For the avoidance of doubt anyone who feels they have been subject to surveillance by their local authority or a public body with powers under RIPSA can request through Freedom of Information legislation "information contained in documents, material or discussions relating to ..." <br /><br />An individual who has been through a long campaign by his local authority apparently to discredit him did just that and sent me a copy of documents showing the kinds of surveillance used by his local authority on him.<br /><br />The more people who ask, the more people who question the use of such laws .. there will inevitably have to be change.<br /><br />I certainly agree with all those who expressed the position such powers of surveillance should be stripped from local authorities and most public bodies, for as we have seen over the past year & longer .. it is those very public bodies & public authorities who watch us, deserve a lot more public scrutiny themselves ...Diary of Injusticehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00697476580161690118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-88918993540679801042010-07-15T20:52:25.147+01:002010-07-15T20:52:25.147+01:00Good reporting Peter.
I think you caught the civi...Good reporting Peter.<br /><br />I think you caught the civil servants before they were able to study the London announcement hence the "We have no plans etc" approach.<br /><br />Of course if they do change their minds and launch a similar review for Scotland as I'm sure they will be forced to do at some stage then it may all be down to you or at least it will look that way.<br /><br />Someone extra to stick in the gullet of your critics at Saughton House.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-5908388052481516872010-07-15T18:35:06.637+01:002010-07-15T18:35:06.637+01:00Hi Peter
Someone else asked earlier on and I woul...Hi Peter<br /><br />Someone else asked earlier on and I would also like to know how do we find out if RIPSA has been used against us and what do we do to get the evidence ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-29987925886172638422010-07-15T15:03:05.909+01:002010-07-15T15:03:05.909+01:00I dont pretend to understand everything about snoo...I dont pretend to understand everything about snooping laws but I do agree councils should not be able to do it.What if they use it for malicious purposes as Peter says ?<br />Who investigates it ? <br />Any talk of independent investigation is rubbish as we all know with the lawyers so they will just whitewash again if someone complains they are being spied on by hangers on in the local council.Really terrible stuff we should all be campaigning against thisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-55785812154594089492010-07-15T11:27:14.893+01:002010-07-15T11:27:14.893+01:00Another failure for the exalted Mike Dailly and hi...Another failure for the exalted Mike Dailly and his dear Govan Law Centre !<br /><br />http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/customers-hit-by-death-blow-in-bid-to-sue-banks-1.1041325<br /><br />Customers hit by ‘death blow’ in bid to sue banks<br /><br />David Leask<br /><br />15 Jul 2010<br /><br />Banks are said to have delivered a “death blow” to thousands of Scots attempting to sue them over unfair overdraft charges.<br /><br />In a landmark case, high-street giant Santander yesterday convinced a Glasgow sheriff that such actions were too complex for consumer-friendly small claims courts.<br /><br />The bank’s victory means any customer who wishes to fight for their money back will face unlimited costs at a sheriff court – rather than the cheap proceedings of small claims.<br /><br />The ruling affects about 800 people in Scotland whose cases are currently going through the courts, as well as thousands who are considering action.<br /><br />Santander was being sued for £3000 by NHS worker Allison Walls for what she believes were six years’ worth of unwarranted overdraft charges.<br /><br />Walls, a married mother-of-two from Glasgow, was one of some 800 Scots waiting to sue their banks through small claims. Yesterday she said she would have to drop her case after it was switched to the ordinary roll of the sheriff court – where she could face costs of £10,000 in her bid to get her £3000 back. “That is not a risk I can afford to take,” she said.<br /><br />Walls’s lawyer is Mike Dailly of the Govan Law Centre, one of the solicitors at the forefront of a UK-wide bid to reclaim bank charges.<br /><br />Dailly said the Walls case would have huge repercussions for the thousands of other customers who were hoping to get their money back.<br /><br />He said: “I understand that banks across the UK are now trying to get unfair bank charge claims removed from the claims system. I have no doubt this is a premeditated strategy to kill off all such claims before the courts because legal expenses are only capped for small claims.”<br /><br />The effect of leaving the small claims system in Scotland is that consumers become exposed to potentially unlimited expenses in the event of losing. For those eligible for legal aid there will be a contribution to pay that may exceed the value of the dispute, making it pointless.<br /><br />Dailly added: “For those ineligible for legal aid it would be crazy to proceed. The strategy is clearly designed to deliver a death blow to consumers’ claims.”<br /><br />The Scottish Parliament raised the ceiling for small-claims actions from £750 to £3000 just three years ago. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill explicitly said that move would help those fighting banks over charges.<br /><br />The sheriff who backed Santander – Andrew Cubie of Glasgow – cited MacAskill’s views in his judgment. But he said “there could well be exceptional complexity” in the Walls action, adding: “I consider that there are difficult questions of law to be resolved in this case.”<br /><br />A spokesman for MacAskill yesterday declined to comment on any individual case, but said: “It was always understood that, if a sheriff deemed the matters under discussion to be complex, such cases could be treated as an ordinary action.”<br /><br />Santander said its lawyers regarded the case as far too complicated to be heard under small-claims procedures.<br /><br />Dailly believes that tens of thousands of Scots – and more people elsewhere in the UK – would have used the small-claims system to sue their banks if they could.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-27034762028405554652010-07-15T10:41:46.874+01:002010-07-15T10:41:46.874+01:00Anonymous said...
Now we know what the "...Anonymous said...<br /><br /> Now we know what the "S" stands for in SNP<br /><br /> "SINISTER"!<br /><br /> 14 July 2010 19:49<br /><br />No.It stands for SICKENING or SELF INTERESTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-74455094803120825572010-07-15T01:07:20.772+01:002010-07-15T01:07:20.772+01:00"The use of the Act is subject to independent..."The use of the Act is subject to independent oversight from the Office of Surveillance Commissioners, who carry out regular inspections of all relevant Scottish public bodies, including local authorities.”<br /><br />The spokesman went onto say : “The use of communications data by public authorities is reserved and is therefore a matter for the UK Government.”<br /><br />So typical of politicians no matter which party they are from and their civil servant minders - blame it on someone else and do nothing as usual.<br /><br />The entire Scottish political system is just as rotten and corrupt as the legal system - that much is proved by the way they treat the people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-19954110710002297412010-07-14T23:15:31.947+01:002010-07-14T23:15:31.947+01:00I dont subscribe to the Scottish Government's ...I dont subscribe to the Scottish Government's line its all reserved to Westminster.After all we've had the First Minister intervening in asylum issues (also a reserved matter for Westminster) so why are his Scottish Government Ministers now playing dumb over surveillance powers ?<br /><br />Too much pick & choose for the Scottish Government proving easily they are not a real Government at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-89552795433884428512010-07-14T22:48:17.241+01:002010-07-14T22:48:17.241+01:00-1 for the Scottish Govt again-1 for the Scottish Govt againAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-77226678266354172672010-07-14T21:58:15.711+01:002010-07-14T21:58:15.711+01:00I genuinely admire your writing Mr Cherbi especial...I genuinely admire your writing Mr Cherbi especially on political issues.A man is judged by the quality of his enemies so I think you must rank up there in lights considering who your enemies are !<br /><br />Keep up the good work !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-44687079809375974752010-07-14T21:38:02.288+01:002010-07-14T21:38:02.288+01:00Hope the family involved in the 2 year spying batt...Hope the family involved in the 2 year spying battle get some justice against those bastards who spied on them and SHAME on the SNP for doing nothing about itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-40057858585734652222010-07-14T20:47:45.323+01:002010-07-14T20:47:45.323+01:00Peter a good story - it looks like you are the fir...Peter a good story - it looks like you are the first to get the admission they are doing sod all about snooping laws so a good scoop for you !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-69080587745953050332010-07-14T20:03:04.213+01:002010-07-14T20:03:04.213+01:00"Councils will argue "if you have nothin..."Councils will argue "if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear" then try asking them for their councillor's expenses claims and you get to find out zilch!"<br /><br />Edinburgh City Council have plenty to hide - even their use of RIPSA !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-59362901045822763742010-07-14T19:49:01.078+01:002010-07-14T19:49:01.078+01:00Now we know what the "S" stands for in S...Now we know what the "S" stands for in SNP<br /><br />"SINISTER"!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-7321537093802391832010-07-14T18:43:17.172+01:002010-07-14T18:43:17.172+01:00Reading that story in the Herald linked earlier th...Reading that story in the Herald linked earlier there doesn't seem to be much doubt Councils are abusing their surveillance powers.<br /><br />The Scottish version of this English Act should be scrapped immediately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-68194645593828485062010-07-14T18:08:35.693+01:002010-07-14T18:08:35.693+01:00I am intrigued by your references to RIPA being us...I am intrigued by your references to RIPA being used on journalists as I have heard similar allegations from a colleague.Will have to pay more attention next time to your blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-65602233883793789842010-07-14T17:32:09.817+01:002010-07-14T17:32:09.817+01:00Councils will argue "if you have nothing to h...Councils will argue "if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear" then try asking them for their councillor's expenses claims and you get to find out zilch!<br /><br />Personally I think RIPA was put in place to keep us in fear of Councils so they could do as they pleased.Anyone agree with me ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-2298857366934037612010-07-14T16:42:19.943+01:002010-07-14T16:42:19.943+01:00Good work.If you highlight/Block capitals the word...Good work.If you highlight/Block capitals the words "no plans" in your opening it will sound better.<br /><br />The comment in the Herald story posted by someone from an SNP spokesman says “Rather than such powers, the SNP has always believed that the most effective way to make Scotland safer is to invest in more police on the beat – that’s why we’ve put more than 1000 extra officers on Scotland’s streets since 2007.”<br /><br />What a load of tosh.What has putting more police on the beat got to do with Councils spying on Council Tax payers ?<br />Very amateurish this SNP lot you'd be better rid of!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-60403953485693843692010-07-14T16:03:11.593+01:002010-07-14T16:03:11.593+01:00lol
another foot in mouth for the SNP
get real Mr ...lol<br />another foot in mouth for the SNP<br />get real Mr Salmond - everyone wants rid of RIPSA except YOURSELF and the COUNCIL SPIES and those who bend it for their own ends!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-44787564772718030262010-07-14T15:44:01.936+01:002010-07-14T15:44:01.936+01:00I dont agree Councils should be allowed to spy on ...I dont agree Councils should be allowed to spy on anyone because as you already write they have probably abused it against anyone who complaints about their services or criticises them.Its just like these Community Wardens (pretend Police) walking around who are not well regulated and just a substitute for proper policing.<br />Take all these snooping powers away from all Councils English and Scottish and let them get on with providing us with local services instead of us paying them to spy on us!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-80527451542890083342010-07-14T15:30:28.818+01:002010-07-14T15:30:28.818+01:00There is no justification for retaining council sp...There is no justification for retaining council spying powers in Scotland if what is implied in the review will take place.<br /><br />I wish the family who were harassed over their child's school place best wishes and hope they get more than just an apology from their council.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-73127605146845698822010-07-14T15:24:21.326+01:002010-07-14T15:24:21.326+01:00Very interesting
How can I find out if I have been...Very interesting<br />How can I find out if I have been affected by Council spies ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-42174552698267422912010-07-14T15:04:27.036+01:002010-07-14T15:04:27.036+01:00Stasi-Scotland ?Stasi-Scotland ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com