Chambers in “widespread non-compliance” with diversity rules, study finds – Legal Futures

‘Large numbers of barristers’ chambers are flouting an obligation to publish diversity data and the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has been “unsophisticated” in its implementation of Legal Services Board (LSB) diversity rules, an influential academic has charged.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 23rd May 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Council appeals to Court of Appeal in dispute over houses in multiple occupation and bedroom sizes – Local Government Lawyer

‘Nottingham City Council has applied to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal after the Upper Tribunal dismissed its challenge to terms of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licences that restricted the occupation of bedrooms to a particular type of occupier.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 23rd May 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Inside the special prison unit where rehabilitation rules the roost – The Guardian

Posted May 25th, 2016 in bills, mental health, news, prisons, rehabilitation, statistics, women by sally

‘HMP New Hall pioneers care and support for women with complex needs. The justice minister, Michael Gove, should sit up and take notice for his prison reforms.’

Full story

The Guardian, 24th May 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Money down the drain – Nearly Legal

Posted May 25th, 2016 in costs, easements, housing, local government, news, nuisance, waste, water by sally

‘Nuisance cases are tricky. There is a lot to establish for causation, for liability and for loss. This case is perhaps a cautionary tale about the need to be constantly alert to changes in the facts and expert opinion as they emerge over the course of the case. It is also an object example of litigation between neighbours that got completely, astonishingly, out of hand in relation to the initial objectives.’

Full story

Nearly Legal, 25th May 2016

Source: www.nearlylegal.co.uk

Judges who viewed porn at work rebuked by SRA – Legal Futures

‘One of three judges removed from the bench last year for viewing pornography from a work computer, along with another who resigned before he was removed, have accepted rebukes from the Solicitors Regulation Authority for their conduct.’

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Legal Futures, 25th May 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

State aid ruling will help inform future investment of public funds, say experts – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 25th, 2016 in appeals, competition, EC law, loans, local government, news, sport, state aids by sally

‘A recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in London will help public bodies invest public funds into business ventures without breaching state aid rules.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 23rd May 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

FCA warns banks on use of anti-money laundering rules to close accounts – The Guardian

Posted May 25th, 2016 in banking, charities, competition, EC law, fines, money laundering, news by sally

‘UK banks have been told by the City regulator they should not use anti-money laundering rules as an excuse to close accounts for charities, politicians and other clients just because they perceive them as risky.’

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The Guardian, 24th May 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New drainage guidance for lawyers published – Legal Futures

‘New guidance is released today [24 May] for lawyers on drainage requirements for new build developments.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 24th May 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Independent Monitoring Board slams Heathrow Immigration Removal Centres – Free Movement

‘What were Harmondsworth and Colnbrook Detention Centres have been brought under the same management, and are now called Heathrow Immigration Removal Centres. Nonetheless, as the Independent Monitoring Board’s report shows, detention centres by another name still have their same old problems. The Board’s recommendations focus on treatment of vulnerable people, both mentally and physically.’

Full story

Free Movement, 23rd May 2016

Source: www.freemovement.org.uk

Father of Eleanor de Freitas loses battle for fresh inquest – The Guardian

Posted May 25th, 2016 in coroners, Crown Prosecution Service, families, inquests, news, rape, suicide by sally

‘The father of a woman who killed herself days before she was due in court on suspicion of making a false rape claim has lost his legal battle for a new inquest into her death.’

Full story

The Guardian, 24th May 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Judge throws out CPS challenge to innocence of protesters who blockaded London arms fair – The Independent

Posted May 25th, 2016 in appeals, Crown Prosecution Service, demonstrations, inquiries, news, weapons by sally

‘A judge has thrown out an appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service against a decision to acquit protesters who tried to blockade the world’s biggest arms fair.’

Full story

The Independent, 24th May 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Doctor cleared of failing to tell cancer patient her condition was terminal – The Guardian

‘A doctor at the centre of sports doping allegations has been cleared of failing to tell a cancer patient her condition was terminal.’

Full story

The Guardian, 24th May 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

What happens when you’re deported to Britain? – BBC News

‘A widowed mother-of-five who has lived in Australia for most of her life is facing deportation to the UK. What awaits her when she gets off the plane, asks Claire Bates.’

Full story

BBC News, 24th May 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Benefit sanctions lead claimants to suicide, crime and destitution, warns damning report – The Independent

Posted May 25th, 2016 in benefits, delay, local government, mental health, news, sanctions, self-harm, suicide by sally

‘Benefit sanctions are “devastating” for claimants and can lead to destitution, crime, suicide, and throw up barriers to employment, a wide-ranging report probing the effects of removing payments from Salford’s residents has claimed.’

Full story

The Independent, 25th May 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Expats lose Supreme Court bid for EU referendum vote – BBC News

‘Two Britons living abroad have lost their Supreme Court battle over the right to vote in June’s EU referendum.’

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BBC News, 24th May 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Modern slavery’ family jailed for Cardiff forced labour – BBC News

Posted May 25th, 2016 in assault, conspiracy, forced labour, kidnapping, news, sentencing by sally

‘Three family members have been jailed for forcing a man to do heavy labour for tiny amounts in Cardiff.’

Full story

BBC News, 24th May 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Theresa May agrees to review of snooper’s charter powers – The Guardian

‘Labour has edged closer to supporting the “snooper’s charter” after the home secretary, Theresa May, agreed to order an independent review of proposed state surveillance powers.’

Full story

The Guardian, 24th May 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New Act – legislation.gov.uk

Posted May 24th, 2016 in housing, legislation, planning by tracey

Housing and Planning Act 2016

Jackson: fixed costs grid is “starting point for debate” – Litigation Futures

Posted May 24th, 2016 in civil justice, costs, judges, negligence, news, personal injuries, speeches by sally

‘Lord Justice Jackson has sought to calm fears raised by the “grid of fixed costs” he proposed in January this year for all civil claims worth up to £250,000.’

Full story

Litigation Futures, 24th May 2016

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted May 24th, 2016 in legislation by tracey

The Welfare Reform Act 2012 (Commencement No. 13, 14, 16, 19, 22, 23 and 24 and Transitional and Transitory Provisions (Modification)) Order 2016

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Pensions Guidance) Regulations 2016

The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016

The Banking Act 2009 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2016

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk