‘It is a brave new world. The lockdown brought about by the coronavirus crisis is forcing the hand of our infamously old-fashioned profession to adapt quickly or lose myriad court dates; leaving our clients without satisfactory and timely resolutions to their disputes.’
3PB, 14th April 2020
Source: www.3pb.co.uk
‘We are in unprecedented times with COVID-19 and its impact on provision of specialist domestic abuse services. Organisations’ like Solace have had to completely change how they operate, moving services online or provided via telephone as well as ensuring that refuge and other supported accommodation services can stay open to support the most vulnerable victim/survivors and their children. Under normal circumstances, spending time indoors is often unsafe for those experiencing domestic abuse, and other forms of VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls). However, during lockdown the danger to women is exacerbated as they are unable to leave their homes. Survivors are likely to be subject to higher rates of violence and abuse and, as they are increasingly isolated by perpetrators, will find it increasingly difficult to obtain support from family, friends and access local services.’
5 SAH, 7th April 2020
Source: www.5sah.co.uk
‘Unexplained Wealth Orders (“UWOs”) have frequently been in the headlines since they came into force on 31 January 2018. They have been described in the media as, “McMafia Orders” and advertised as a new weapon in the war on illicit assets, creating an impression that they would single-handedly tackle the reputation of the United Kingdom as a haven for dirty money. The reality, as most lawyers recognise, is that UWOs are simply a type of disclosure order which have, as Lang J was keen to stress in her judgment in the case of NCA v Baker [2020] EWCA 822 (Admin) at para. 61 a, “relatively limited purpose”. They can “fill in the gap” when investigators cannot rely on full co-operation from other jurisdictions (e.g. the former Soviet states and the Caribbean tax havens).’
5SAH, 10th April 2020
Source: www.5sah.co.uk
‘In these unprecedented times, we are already seeing companies collapsing, Flybe ceased operating at the start of March stating that COVID-19 was the final nail in the coffin. Widespread media coverage in early April states that Debenham faces administration and clothing giant Arcadia is preparing to close a huge number of stores as the effect of the lockdown tears through the high street. The global pandemic could lead to a great depression and the adverse economic effects seem almost certain to outweigh the impact of the 2008/2009 world-wide recession. We will look at how COVID-19 may impact the UK economy in the coming months and how ADR may be used in order to address business disputes in an expeditious and cost-effective manner.’
33 Bedford Row, 6th April 2020
Source: www.33bedfordrow.co.uk
‘In a much-anticipated decision, the Supreme Court addresses the scope of an employer’s vicarious liability for acts by its employees, in particular the “misunderstandings” that have arisen since its previous landmark decision in Mohamud v WM Morrison Supermarkets plc [2016] UKSC 11.’
12 King's Bench Walk, 2nd April 2020
Source: www.12kbw.co.uk
‘The recent judgment of Mrs Justice O’Farrell in Ohpen Operations UK Ltd v Invesco Fund Managers Ltd [2019] EWHC 2246 (TCC) provided a boost for anyone entering a contract who would prefer to utilise a pre-agreed dispute resolution process in the event of a future contractual disagreement. Specifically, the case provides valuable guidance on the court’s approach if asked to enforce a contractual dispute resolution clause providing for alternative dispute resolution (ADR).’
Falcon Chambers, April 2020
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
‘This document is intended to draw your attention to the serious risk to life that solicitors and suspects, in police stations, are facing during the COVID-19 crisis and to suggest ways to reduce them. It is not intended to be a definitive statement of what needs to be done. You may have other ideas which are equally or more valid. What is certain is that action needs to be taken if lives are to be saved. The protocol below is intended to assist solicitors to give appropriate legal advice to suspects, at the interview stage, when working remotely.’
Garden Court Chambers, 1st April 2020
Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk
‘Snowden J gives urgently sought directions to administrators in respect of furlough arrangements with employees following a remote video hearing in the matter of Carluccio’s Limited (in administration) [2020] EWHC 886 (Ch).’
Exchange Chambers, 15th April 2020
Source: www.exchangechambers.co.uk
‘The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Viagogo’s $4bn (£3.2bn) purchase of ticket resale website StubHub, heaping fresh misery on a deal already thrown into turmoil by the Covid-19 crisis.’
The Guardian, 15th April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘With the JRS there are precious few known knowns, plenty of known unknowns and one suspects a few unknown unknowns; that is to say, things we only realise we didn’t know when the detailed rules of the scheme are published.’
Littleton Chambers, 2nd April 2020
Source: www.littletonchambers.com
‘While the range of parties before tribunals has globalised, the typical composition of those tribunals has not. The international arbitrator community has long been said to comprise a club of “elderly white men”. If that was ever quite true, it is certainly less true now, but the international arbitrator community still lags well behind its users when it comes to diversity. Does this matter?’
Radcliffe Chambers, 15th April 2020
Source: radcliffechambers.com
‘This case, although legally technical in nature, provides an interesting illustration of the way that the courts grapple with interpreting statutory powers in real-world situations.’
No. 5 Chambers, 8th April 2020
Source: www.no5.com
‘Charles and Diana Ingram will ask the court of appeal to overturn their convictions for cheating on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? – arguing that new audio analysis casts serious doubt on the evidence used to prosecute them.’
The Guardian, 15th April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The government has now provided details of the ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ which was first announced on 20 March 2020.’
3PB, 7th April 2020
Source: www.3pb.co.uk
‘Covid 19: the current situation is so fast moving that anything written will almost inevitably be out of date by the time it is typed. However, following the effective “lock down” from 8.30pm on 23 March 2020 it may be that there are fewer further changes until restrictions can be eased, and it is useful to reflect on the effect so far.’
6KBW College Hill, 30th March 2020
Source: blog.6kbw.com
‘A Parole Board is not only entitled to consider unproven criminal allegations made against the prisoner, but is expected to do so. The 2019 ‘Guidance on Allegations’ issued by the Secretary of State for Justice (SSJ) is consistent with decided authority and is not unlawful. ‘Mere allegations’ with no evidential basis whatsoever should not be considered. However, where there is sufficient evidential material for a Board to make ‘at least some findings of fact’, an unproven allegation should be taken into account as part of the Board’s overall risk assessment. The strength or weakness of the supporting material will go to the weight that a Board is entitled to place on the allegation in that assessment. Consideration of unproven allegations is subject to relevance and the overriding requirement that a Parole Board must act fairly.’
5SAH, 8th April 2020
Source: www.5sah.co.uk
‘Supermarket workers should be trained to identify and help domestic abuse victims during the pandemic through a code word system, MPs have been told.’
BBC News, 15th April 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘What happens where a contracting party no longer wishes to perform their obligations because of COVID-19? This is likely to be a major source of disputes in the near future as contracts become uneconomic or difficult to perform because of the virus and the unprecedented disruption it is causing. What are the rights of the parties where an event has been cancelled because of COVID-19 but one of the parties has paid a deposit and the other has spent money preparing for it?’
4 New Square, 2nd April 2020
Source: www.4newsquare.com
‘The High Court has held that a Court of Appeal judgment in a Civil Contempt sentence appeal involving the Respondent although it did not increase the Respondent doctor’s sentence for contempt but led to a finding of undue lenience should have been put before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal (MPT) when considering the sanction for the admitted Contempt. This is despite the General Medical Council (GMC), which exercised its right of appeal under section 40A of the Medical Act 1983 to bring the case before the High Court, having agreed not to put the judgment before the MPT prior to and during the MPT proceedings.’
Old Square Chambers, 8th April 2020
Source: www.oldsquare.co.uk
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