‘The first judgment has now been reported on the effect of COVID-19 on a forthcoming trial. In Re One Blackfriars Ltd, Hyde v. Nygate [2020] EWHC 845(Ch), John Kimbell QC, sitting as a Deputy High Court judge, refused to adjourn a trial due to start in June but ruled that it should proceed remotely by video-link.’
4 New Square, 14th April 2020
Source: www.4newsquare.com
‘On Monday 6 April 2020, the Government brought into force new legislation in England to ban the commercial third-party sale of puppies and kittens, under six months old, by anyone other than a registered breeder.’
Pump Court Chambers, 7th April 2020
Source: www.pumpcourtchambers.com
‘At the weekend the government updated the terms of its job retention scheme, and provided clarity about what furloughed employees may do for the business. Helen Gardiner looks at the options.’
Coronavirus: Guidance for Lawyers and Businesses, 15th April 2020
‘The Working Time Regulations (“WTR”) are being amended to allow workers with outstanding holiday leave entitlement in the current holiday year to be able to carry that over for two years.’
Thomas More Chambers, 16th April 2020
Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk
‘Recent high-profile extradition cases have breathed new life into the old question of whether extradition relations between the US and the UK are imbalanced. On 12 February 2020, the Leader of the Opposition stated in Parliament “this lopsided treaty means the US can request extradition in circumstances that Britain cannot”. The Prime Minister replied: “to be frank, I think the right honourable Gentleman has a point in his characterisation of our extradition arrangements with the United States”. It is a question that has arisen time and again since the UK ratified the US/UK Extradition Treaty 2003 (‘the 2003 Treaty’). So, where does the truth of the matter lie?’
6KBW College Hill, 9th April 2020
Source: blog.6kbw.com
‘Drawing on extensive experience of working with different types of e-Bundle, David Turner QC has created a guide setting out the advantages and disadvantages of different types of standalone e-Bundle, a step-by-step approach to their compilation and how to get the most out of them.’
4 New Square, 14th April 2020
Source: www.4newsquare.com
‘Changes to reporting and tax payment requirements on the disposal of UK residential property affecting both UK and non UK tax residents. A brief summary of the main features appears below.’
Radcliffe Chambers, 2nd April 2020
Source: radcliffechambers.com
‘A claim of a public right of way under section 31(1) of the Highways Act 1980 requires use by the public as of right and without interruption for 20 years. Similarly, a claimed private right of way by prescription under the Prescription Act 1832 requires 20 years’ uninterrupted use. To make good a prescriptive claim, whether under the 1832 Act, by the doctrine of lost modern grant or at common law, the use must be of such a character, degree and frequency as to indicate an assertion of a continuous right. The issue we discuss is whether an interruption to use as a result of Covid-19 would count for either of these two purposes.’
Landmark Chambers, 3rd April 2020
Source: www.landmarkchambers.co.uk
‘The courts are getting harder on parties who fail to follow directions to try alternative dispute resolution (ADR), with judges imposing indemnity costs in two cases in recent weeks.’
Litigation Futures, 16th April 2020
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
‘There will have been many cottages lying empty over the Easter period. Many of them will have been booked and the person who booked will have paid a deposit. What is the position? Are they liable to pay the balance? Can they recover the deposit? A cursory search of such guidance as there is online suggests that the doctrine of frustration may have been overlooked.’
Tanfield Chambers, 14th April 2020
Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk
‘With the UK’s coronavirus lockdown extended for three more weeks, some people are looking towards a planned NHS phone app as “holding the key” to easing restrictions. But how realistic is this expectation and could there be unexpected consequences? EachOther examines.’
Each Other, 16th April 2020
Source: eachother.org.uk
‘We are plotting a course through unchartered waters. Never before has the family justice system had to deal with such a wide-reaching challenge as the COVID-19 epidemic. The issue of contact with children in care presents one of the most turbulent seas to cross. This article explores the legal principles that will give family practitioners their bearings and guide the court’s approach through the coming weeks and months.’
5SAH, 6th April 2020
Source: www.5sah.co.uk
‘In Freehold Properties 250 Ltd v Field and others [2020] EWHC 792 (Ch) (Marcus Smith J) the court considered: (i) whether a tenant has a right to enfranchise under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 (“the 1967 Act”) where the structural parts (i.e. the roof, foundations and load-bearing walls) of the house are excluded from the demise; and (ii) whether the exclusion of the structural parts is void under s.23(1) of the 1967 Act.’
Each Other, 14th April 2020
Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk
‘In a paper published today Lord Sandhurst QC and Benet Brandret QC follow up on the previous paper co-authored by Lord Sandhurst QC by making concrete proposals for addressing the issues identified previously (see the previous paper here and our post on it here). It sets out a more concluded position on the doubts as to the vires for SI 2020/350 by explaining why the Statutory Instrument is, indeed, ultra vires, and the need for new legislation. It also sets out routes to put legislation and Guidance on a sound footing.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 16th April 2020
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘During the COVID-19 pandemic, much concern has focussed on the impact on public health and the economy. Most people would understandably place data protection lower down on their priorities. It has become clear, however, that the pandemic has prompted a variety of legal concerns in this area.’
Thomas More Chambers, 14th April 2020
Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk
‘Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the coming into force of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 (the Regulations) much ink has been spilled about the frustration of leases. While the rapidly expanding body of literature makes interesting reading, it is largely irrelevant for real-world landlords and tenants. No one really wants to argue frustration. Tenants may not want to pay rent, but (unless quitting their business altogether, in which case they may not be overly concerned about past rent) they certainly don’t want to be out on their ear: a necessary corollary of a successful frustration plea.’
Falcon Chambers, 15th April 2020
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
‘The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued a statement setting out its regulatory approach during the coronavirus pandemic, saying it will focus on those areas likely to cause the greatest public harm.’
Local Government Lawyer, 16th April 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has been tasked with reviewing the guideline hourly rates (GHR), it has emerged, with costs specialists urging it to revert to the old system of setting them locally.’
Litigation Futures, 17th April 2020
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
‘A man has been jailed for coughing in the face of a police officer and claiming he had coronavirus.’
BBC News, 16th April 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘At the best of times there are disputes between commercial landlords and retailers in England and Wales. Over the last month the effect of the Covid 19 public health crisis has laid waste to the high street. Most shops cannot now open, and the ones that can must implement stringent social distancing measures. All pubs, restaurants, cinemas and so on are closed. Where there is no footfall there is no spending by customers and no income generated to pay rent. No one at the time of writing knows exactly when this position will change. The present scenario presents an unattractive vista for commercial landlords. Nothing operates in a vacuum; the rent these landlords were expecting will be income for investors who may own a small retail building and have no other source of income. Large pension funds, who often invest in the high street, will continue to have the normal financial obligations to the members of their fund. Some landlords will be reliant on their commercial rental income to service a loan secured on the building they rent out.’
33 Bedford Row, 9th April 2020
Source: www.33bedfordrow.co.uk
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