18/04/2024 – Current Awareness

‘A circuit judge has attacked the “little micro-industry of unknown and unknowable commissions or referral or arrangement fees” in personal injury claims.’

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Legal Futures, 18th April 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Paul F Scott: Spying on Parliamentarians -UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted April 18th, 2024 in interception, investigatory powers, news, parliament, telecommunications by sally

‘The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill was introduced into Parliament before Christmas, starting in the House of Lords, to which it will shortly return for consideration of Commons amendments. Generally, the progress of the Bill, much of which implements recommendations made by Lord Anderson of Ipswich in his review of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 of June 2023, has been smooth. This post considers an issue which has been the focus of a large portion of the attention the Bill has received during the Parliamentary process – the change being made to the law permitting the surveillance of parliamentarians – and the logic it might be thought to reflect.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 17th April 2024

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

From low-level drug dealer to human trafficker: are modern slavery laws catching the wrong people? – The Guardian

Posted April 18th, 2024 in drug trafficking, forced labour, news, trafficking in human beings, young offenders by sally

‘When armed police burst through his front door in Tottenham, north London, at 5am in September 2014, Glodi Wabelua knew things looked bad. The house was full of drug paraphernalia, including a hydraulic press, scales and mixing bowls, as well as a mobile phone full of incriminating texts advertising deals for crack cocaine and heroin.’

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The Guardian, 18th April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

DWP warns carers they could face greater penalties if they appeal against fines – The Guardian

Posted April 18th, 2024 in appeals, benefits, carers, fines, news, penalties by sally

‘Government officials have been accused of using “threatening and cruel” tactics towards unpaid carers by saying they could face even greater financial penalties if they appeal against “vindictive” benefit fines.’

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The Guardian, 17th April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Human rights protections inhibit employer sanctions over lawful strike action, rules Supreme Court – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 18th, 2024 in disciplinary procedures, employment, human rights, industrial action, news, Supreme Court by sally

‘UK legislation allowing employers to take disciplinary action against employees for their participation in lawful strike action is in breach of those employees’ human rights, according to a new Supreme Court ruling.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 17th April 2024

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Council wins Court of Protection appeal over ruling on capacity of 20-year-old man – Local Government Lawyer

Posted April 18th, 2024 in Court of Protection, learning difficulties, local government, news by sally

‘The Court of Protection has allowed an unnamed local authority’s appeal against a court decision that a 20-year-old man, ZZ, has capacity to make decisions about residence, engage in sexual relations and marriage.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 18th April 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Banning ritual prayers in school: Michaela Schools Trust – Law & Religion UK

Posted April 18th, 2024 in equality, human rights, Islam, judicial review, news, religious discrimination, school exclusions by sally

‘In R (TTT, by her mother and litigation friend UUU) v Michaela Community Schools Trust & Anor [2024] EWHC 842 (Admin), the school’s governing body decided in 2023 to prohibit its pupils from performing prayer rituals on its premises after the Headteacher had banned them as an interim measure. That policy applied to all prayer rituals, regardless of religion, but there was no evidence that pupils of any religion other than Islam wished to perform prayer rituals during the school day. Muslims are required to pray five times a day. The claimant, a Muslim, accepted that the requirements of the school day meant that she would not always be able to fulfil that obligation during the appropriate period; however, she wished to be allowed to perform the midday prayer [Duhr], which during the autumn and winter months would be possible during the school lunch break – which, she argued, was “free time”.’

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Law & Religion UK, 17th April 2024

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Whistleblower protection and proposals for reform – Kingsley Napley Criminal Law Blog

Posted April 18th, 2024 in bills, employment, news, whistleblowers by sally

‘When an individual raises concerns regarding suspected wrongdoing, important legal considerations arise for organisations: it can lead to an internal investigation, the interest of regulatory authorities or litigation. A huge range of issues can arise in such situations and the rights of the whistleblower and available protections are key considerations. In addition, the approach and expectations of the authorities in the UK are changing, particularly with support being voiced for the idea of introducing financial rewards for whistleblowers.’

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Kingsley Napley Criminal Law Blog, 17th April 2024

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

CrossCountry Trains advert banned over ‘insufficient’ free food and drink claims – The Independent

Posted April 18th, 2024 in advertising, complaints, food, news, railways, standards by sally

‘An ad for CrossCountry Trains has been banned for over-promising on the availability of complimentary food and drink for passengers.’

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The Independent, 17th April 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Mohammed Abbkr sentenced for setting worshippers alight – BBC News

Posted April 18th, 2024 in attempted murder, hospital orders, mental health, news, sentencing by sally

‘A man who set two worshippers on fire as they left mosques has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order.’

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BBC News, 17th April 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk