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...Oh - and one point of interest that you made Sagi - relating to 'bias' in judges statements / judgments: Currently, judges can say literally anything they want during the course of a trial they are hearing as they have what's known as judicial immunity. Even if the judge has commented with malice that usually wouldn't be enough to make them liable for their words - usually there would have to be evidence of actual corruption (ironic given the subject matter of the trial), and even then it might not be enough. I've been carrying out research on biased judicial statements from judges in court cases since 2007 and am in the process of preparing a paper for publication based on it, hopefully in the next 6 months or so.
After the agony of defeat, success will be sweet!
from memory (I might be wrong I am sure ZA will say if I am)
Judges are above the law dates back to capitol punishment. So they could not get tried for murder, I suppose unlawful imprisonment if the person is later found innocent.
Actually, anyone under oath in the witness stand has the same kind of protection. You can say and allege anything about anyone in the stand. You cant be sued for slander if already in court.
Bernie Ecclestone has said that not only does he "completely agree" with Vladimir Putin’s anti-gay propaganda laws, but that he believes "90 per cent of the world" do too.
In an ill-advised move, the Formula One boss lent his support for Russia’s controversial legislation, which prohibits the publicity of what it calls "homosexual behaviour" in the country.
"He [Putin] hasn't said he doesn't agree [with homosexuality] just that he doesn't want these things publicised to an audience under the age of 18," Ecclestone told CNN in an exclusive interview.
"I completely agree with those sentiments and if you took a world census you'd find 90% of the world agree with it as well."
"I've great admiration for him and his courage to say what he says," the 83-year-old added. "[It] may upset a few people but that's how the world is. It's how he sees [the world] and I think he's completely right."
The legislation, which was introduced last year, caused widespread outrage around the world, especially surrounding the current Sochi Winter Olympic Games, which has so far seen many members of the international sporting community rally together in protest.
Ecclestone's sudden show of support for the leader may have been influenced by his recent contact with the Russian regime. He first met Putin in February of last year when he flew to Sochi to check out the construction progress ahead of Russia’s very first grand prix in the city in October.
The Black Sea location will stage round 16 of this year’s world championship on a circuit that is set to run around the current Olympic Park facilities.
The F1 billionaire is also no stranger to controversy. During the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2012, while pro-democracy protests were being staged, Ecclestone told reporters questioning the ethical issues behind holding the event on the Middle Eastern island: "Go to Syria and write about those things there because it’s more important than here."
Ecclestone is due to face trial in Germany in April charged with making corrupt payments to a banker who worked alongside him on the sale of Formula 1 in 2006. The motorsports mogul denies all charges, as well as those brought against him in a civil case in London. There, he stood accused of undervaluing the sport in connection with the same deal.
He won the civil action in a court case on Thursday. Although his evidence was labelled "not reliable or truthful" by the judge presiding, it was ruled that German company Constantin Medien’s claim for compensation was without merit.
Ecclestone's daughters, Tamara and Petra Ecclestone, were approached by The Independent for comment on whether they agree with their father's views and what sort of impact his opinions could have on the rest of the family. Both, however, declined to comment.
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