The government seems to realise the difficulties: Ed Balls, the children's secretary, poured cold water on the idea of criminal prosecutions for parents, although the possibility of kicking children out if deception is uncovered was left open.

ECONOMIST: Ministers want to make the great schools game harder to play

The Irish dislike the idea that their system of criminal law could move towards the continental European model.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne

President Bashir of Sudan is also attending the summit and he may baulk at the idea of agreeing that the establishment of the International Criminal Court is important for peace and justice.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | EU-Africa: The key issues

In the last election many Republicans scoffed at the idea of giving them amnesty, saying that would reward criminal behaviour.

BBC: Could Congress act on immigration reform?

Bringing a sketchy criminal past to a multi-million lawsuit against a corporate giant is just as bad an idea.

FORBES: Facebook Says There's Even More Fraud in Paul Ceglia's Past

Kano Governor Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso disputes the idea that banning the bikes is only going to deepen poverty and drive recruits into the hands of criminal groups, including Boko Haram.

BBC: Nigeria: Kano reels after emir attack