The Open University

Why the unlawful use of personal data matters

4 April 2018

Data, and its misuse, has become commonplace in the media headlines recently. Anne Wesemann, Lecturer in Law at The Open University Business School takes a look at one recent data privacy storm, and explains the implications on democracy of the unlawful use of personal data. A complex data storm “The Cambridge Analytica whistleblowing storm is […]

I befriend women detained at Yarl’s Wood: their life in immigration limbo is excruciating

12 March 2018

“Why am I still here?” This is the question I’m most frequently asked by detained women who I’ve befriended at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre in Bedfordshire. The centre is mainly for women, but also holds families with children over 18-years-old and has a short-term holding facility for men. For nearly two years, I’ve been […]

OU celebrates 20 years of teaching law

7 March 2018

The Open University (OU) is this year marking the 20th anniversary of welcoming its first ever in-take of law students. On the 7th February 1998, 861 students started the first ever Open University law course – W200 Understanding Law – which was delivered through a partnership with the College of Law. It was the first […]

Why a blockchain startup called Govcoin wants to ‘disrupt’ the UK’s welfare state

27 November 2017

The UK chancellor’s recent Budget reminded us that systemic problems continue to plague the government’s delayed roll-out of universal credit – a single monthly welfare payment that will replace six separate benefits. Philip Hammond also spoke of the UK government’s commitment to innovation, with the chancellor calling for a new tech startup to be founded […]

It’s time to modernise the UK’s road rules – but adding offences for cyclists is no place to start

4 October 2017

The UK is set to review the criminal laws and safety issues relating to cycling. This announcement came shortly after 20-year-old Londoner Charlie Alliston was found guilty on the little known charge of “wanton and furious driving”, having collided with 44-year-old pedestrian Amanda Briggs causing serious head injuries, which led to her death in 2016. […]

If a brain can be caught lying, should we admit that evidence to court? Here’s what legal experts think

2 August 2017

A man is charged with stealing a very distinctive blue diamond. The man claims never to have seen the diamond before. An expert is called to testify whether the brain responses exhibited by this man indicate he has seen the diamond before. The question is – should this information be used in court? Courts are […]

Still too many holes in Theresa May’s promise to EU citizens

24 June 2017

A full year after the EU referendum, the British prime minister has finally issued a statement on the status of the 3m European citizens living in the UK. These people have spent the year lobbying governments, parliaments and relevant organisations all over Europe for clarity about their post-Brexit rights – as well as those of […]

(from left-to-right) Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, Professor Rebecca Taylor; Cate Turner; Karie Matthews; Sir Nicholas Forwood QC; Head of The Open University Law School, Paul Catley

OU announces Law Students of the Year 2016

5 May 2017

Cate Turner and Karie Matthews were presented with their awards for being the highest achieving students of 2016 by leading EU judge, Sir Nicholas Forwood QC, and Head of The Open University Law School, Paul Catley. The event, hosted recently at Church House Conference Centre, Westminster, provided alumni, students, and their guests the opportunity to hear from Sir Nicholas […]

Home Office rule change adds to febrile atmosphere for EU nationals in Britain

3 March 2017

The House of Lords may have backed an amendment to protect the rights of EU nationals after Brexit, but the level of fear among nationals of other EU countries about their future has hit new highs. On March 1, the Lords voted by 358 to 256 in favour of an amendment to the Brexit bill, […]

England Rugby’s ‘ruckgate’: when playing by the rules is seen as unfair

2 March 2017

The Six Nations match between England and Italy at Twickenham on February 26 created quite a stir. Not so much for the quality of the rugby, but for a tactic adopted by the Italian team which appeared to catch England completely off guard for the best part of the first half. The tactic involved a […]

OU News

Category: Law