Joint enterprise ruling has not led to fewer homicide charges, report finds – The Guardian

‘A landmark UK judgment that was expected to lead to a reduction in joint enterprise prosecutions and convictions for homicide has had no discernible effect, while the number of Black people convicted of murder under the controversial doctrine has risen, research suggests.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 27th April 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Actor Ricky Tomlinson opposing bid to have ‘hacking’ claim thrown out of court – The Independent

‘Actor Ricky Tomlinson has described an attempt by a newspaper publisher to have his claim against it over unlawful information gathering thrown out of court as “outrageous and disgusting”.’

Full Story

The Independent, 28th April 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Former Lib Dem MP and campaigner formally settles phone hacking claim – The Independent

‘Dr Evan Harris accepted “substantial damages” from NGN, publisher of the now-defunct News of the World and The Sun, to settle his claim for unlawful information gathering.’

Full Story

The Independent, 28th April 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New English witness evidence rules likely to influence wider best practice – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 29th, 2022 in courts, evidence, news, practice directions, witnesses by tracey

‘Businesses involved in disputes before a wide range of courts and tribunals should expect their factual witness evidence to be closely scrutinised and should be aware of best practice principles recently set out by one of the main branches of the English courts.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 28th April 2022

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Online safety: work needed to improve UK Bill – OUT-LAW.com

‘There is broad consensus that a greater degree of regulation of online content is necessary, but the aims of the proposed new Online Safety Bill in the UK could be undermined by a lack of clarity over the way the legislation is to be implemented and enforced.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 28th April 2022

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

EV charging infrastructure – landlord and tenant issues – Practical Law: Construction Blog

‘In the second blog in our series looking at common questions we receive on the roll out of EV infrastructure, we focus on two queries we regularly see in the context of landlord and tenant relations.’

Full Story

Practical Law: Construction Blog, 26th April 2022

Source: constructionblog.practicallaw.com

EV charging infrastructure – Practical Law: Construction Blog

‘The EV infrastructure roll out to meet the government’s 2030 target of ending sales of all new petrol and diesel cars is well underway with the private sector rolling out digital charging “at pace”. At the end of March, the government published plans to supercharge progress (more on this below) with promises to do more to encourage private investment so activity in what is already a thriving sector looks likely to intensify. With this is mind, we thought it would be interesting to look at some common queries we receive from clients already active in this sector.’

Full Story

Practical Law: Construction Blog, 20th April 2022

Source: constructionblog.practicallaw.com

County council defends High Court claim brought after driver killed by falling tree – Local Government Lawyer

‘Hampshire County Council was not in breach of its duty, nor was it negligent when a tree fell onto a road killing a father of three, the High Court has ruled.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 29th April 2022

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Children law cases and parents with learning disabilities – Local Government Lawyer

‘Eleanor Suthern reports on a recent Family Court ruling where a judge considered the international elements of the case and also gave guidance on proceedings involving a parent with a learning disability.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 29th April 2022

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Borders Act to overhaul asylum system becomes law – Home Office

Posted April 29th, 2022 in asylum, bills, government departments, immigration, news, refugees by tracey

‘The Nationality and Borders Act passed today (Thursday 28 April 2022) will deliver the biggest overhaul of our asylum system in decades.’

Full Story

Home Office, 28th April 2022

Source: www.gov.uk

Randhawa v Randhawa: set aside of Decree Absolute on the finding of forged divorce document – Family Law

Posted April 29th, 2022 in divorce, families, family courts, forgery, married persons, news, service, setting aside by tracey

‘The case of Randhawa v Randhawa (Divorce: Decree Absolute, Set Aside, Forgery) [2022] EWFC B7 which came before HHJ Moradifar is most definitely an interesting case, and whilst the facts of this case might not represent many family situations, with increasing numbers of international couples, the issue of whether a divorce is valid is far more common than many think.’

Full Story

Family Law, 28th April 2022

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Some practical pitfalls with England’s new divorce law – Family Law

Posted April 29th, 2022 in divorce, families, family courts, marriage, married persons, news by tracey

‘From 6 April 2022 England and Wales has a new divorce law, so-called no-fault. It is the most significant divorce law change since 1969. It introduces an entirely new basis of obtaining a divorce and a new timetable. It will have different consequences for the applicant and the respondent. It allows joint petitions and joint applications for the final divorce. Service will be invariably by email as default service method. In any event, divorce itself is now an almost entirely online process. Nevertheless, however welcome this new law, there are significant flaws in its operation and application, particularly with the adverse impact on the respondent. This note looks at some of these pitfalls in practice.’

Full Story

Family Law, 28th April 2022

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Speech by the Master of the Rolls to the Socio-Legal Studies Association Conference – Courts & Tribunals Judiciary

Posted April 29th, 2022 in computer programs, internet, rule of law, speeches by tracey

‘The Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, has spoken at the Socio-Legal Studies Association Conference in York. His lecture was entitled: “The proper place of the law in a digital society”.’

Full speech

Courts & Tribunals Judiciary, 28th April 2022

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Boost for public safety as four justice bills receive Royal Assent – Ministry of Justice

‘The government delivers on its pledge to protect the public better and restore confidence in the criminal justice system as four major bills became law today (28 April).’

Full Story

Ministry of Justice, 28th April 2022

Source: www.gov.uk

Laurence Fox seeks first libel jury trial for a decade – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 29th, 2022 in defamation, interpretation, juries, news, racism by tracey

‘Actor Laurence Fox is seeking the first jury trial in a libel case for a decade over a social media spat between him and three public figures he called “paedophiles” on Twitter.’

Full Story

Law Society's Gazette, 28th April 2022

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

UK’s visa schemes ‘creating and heightening’ trafficking and exploitation risks – The Independent

‘The UK’s visa schemes for Ukrainian refugees are “lacking in clarity, resourcing and accountability” and are heightening the risk of trafficking and exploitation, according to a report.’

Full Story

The Independent, 29th April 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Report calls for primary school exclusions to be banned by 2026 – The Independent

‘Exclusions from primary school should be banned by 2026, a new report has said.’

Full Story

The Independent, 29th April 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Woman sentenced to 20 years in prison over death of asthmatic son – The Guardian

‘A heroin addict convicted of fatally neglecting her seven-year-old son, who died alone in a garden from an asthma attack, has been jailed for 20 years.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 28th April 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Three Lancashire men jailed over male escort blackmail plot – BBC News

Posted April 29th, 2022 in blackmail, imprisonment, news, sentencing by tracey

‘Three men who tried to extort up to £40,000 from victims in a “callous” blackmail plot have been jailed.’

Full Story

BBC News, 28th April 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted April 28th, 2022 in legislation by tracey

SI 2022/466 – The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2022

SI 2022/470 – The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Automated Vehicles) Order 2022

SI 2022/467 – The Emissions Performance Standard (Amendment) Regulations 2022

SI 2022/474 – The International Tax Compliance (Amendment) Regulations 2022

SI 2022/465 – The Taxation of Securitisation Companies (Amendment) Regulations 2022

SI 2022/464 – The Securitisation Companies and Qualifying Transformer Vehicles (Exemption from Stamp Duties) Regulations 2022

SI 2022/491 – The Export Control (Amendment) Order 2022

SI 2022/486 – The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Authorisations) (England) Regulations 2022

SI 2022/484 – The Phytosanitary Conditions (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022

SI 2022/481 – The Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk