Review of whiplash tariff concluded – but may not be published – Legal Futures

‘The Lord Chancellor has completed his review of the whiplash tariff but it is unclear whether the plan to publish it in early June will now happen because of the election.’

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Legal Futures, 24th May 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

What laws can the Conservative government pass before the general election? – The Independent

‘The Conservatives and Labour have held talks to work out what outstanding legislation can be rushed through parliament to become law before the Commons closes for the general election.’

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The Independent, 23rd May 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

No-fault evictions bill now unlikely to pass – BBC News

‘The Conservatives’ promise to abolish no-fault evictions before the election will not happen, sources have told the BBC.’

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BBC News, 24th May 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Lift-off for the Safety of Rwanda Act? – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 22nd, 2024 in asylum, bills, deportation, government departments, human rights, news, Rwanda by sally

‘On 25 April, the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 received royal assent and passed into law. This is the latest development relating to the government’s policy to stop small boat crossings via the implementation of a Rwanda asylum seeker removals scheme. After rounds of parliamentary ping-pong between the Commons and Lords, the government was able to push through the legislation. The final version of the act does not include any of the amendments passed by the Lords, such as a carve-out exemption to prevent removal to Rwanda of people who served with or for the British Armed Forces, such as Afghan translators.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 21st May 2024

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

UK to introduce new offence of causing death or injury by dangerous cycling – The Guardian

Posted May 17th, 2024 in bicycles, bills, criminal justice, dangerous driving, homicide, news by sally

‘A new offence of causing death or serious injury by dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling is to be introduced.’

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The Guardian, 15th May 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Bailiff evictions of renting households at six-year high, says MoJ – The Guardian

‘Bailiffs are evicting more renting households than at any time in the last six years, the Ministry of Justice has said, as protesters chanted for rent controls outside the HQ of Britain’s biggest listed private landlord.’

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The Guardian, 16th May 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ministers to amend Criminal Justice Bill in bid to address concerns over ‘nuisance rough sleeping’ provisions – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 16th, 2024 in amendments, bills, criminal justice, homelessness, news, nuisance, repeals, vagrancy by sally

‘The Government has tabled amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill tightening the definition of ‘nuisance rough sleeping’ after MPs expressed concerns about the breadth of the legislation’s provisions.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 15th May 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Peers support widening SRA’s fining and investigative powers – Legal Futures

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) needs more powers to prevent misconduct by law firms involved in strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPPs), peers have urged.’

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Legal Futures, 15th May 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act – Landmark Chambers

Posted May 7th, 2024 in asylum, bills, chambers articles, deportation, immigration, news, Rwanda by sally

‘The evening of 22 April 2024, the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill completed its passage through Parliament. The Act received royal assent on 25 April 2024 (“the Rwanda Act”/“the Act”).’

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Landmark Chambers, 30th April 2024

Source: www.landmarkchambers.co.uk

Government backs amendment to better protect victims’ counselling records – Ministry of Justice

‘New legislation will provide extra protections for victims’ counselling notes during criminal investigations.’

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Ministry of Justice, 23rd April 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

After Rwanda: Statement from church leaders – Law & Religion UK

‘The Archbishops of Canterbury and York and Bishop of Southwark have joined with leaders of the Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist and United Reformed Churches in England and issued a joint statement; the Church’s Press Release is reproduced below.’

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Law & Religion UK, 23rd April 2024

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Reforms in UK Data Protection Law: Potential Impacts on Individuals’ Rights Protection and AI Transparency – Oxford Human Rights Hub

Posted April 26th, 2024 in artificial intelligence, bills, brexit, data protection, news by sally

‘The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (DPDI Bill) was re-introduced into the UK Parliament in March 2023 and is currently being debated at the Committee stage in the House of Lords. Since Brexit, the UK can unilaterally decide to reform its legal framework on personal data regulation so that data power can be further unlocked. This objective is also tightly related to the pro-innovation approach aimed at spurring AI development in the UK. The DPDI Bill seeks to provide organisations with greater flexibility and stability in data processing while maintaining high standards of data protection. Nevertheless, there is considerable debate whether proposed changes in the DPDI Bill may dilute essential rights to data protection for individuals and undermine transparency in data processing related to AI.’

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Oxford Human Rights Hub, 23rd April 2024

Source: ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk

James Robottom: The Safety of Rwanda Act, Slavery and the Common Law – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘Commentary on the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act (“RA”), which is shortly to receive Royal Assent, has concentrated principally on its deeming of Rwanda as a safe country whilst ousting the supervision of courts. This post considers a separate issue – section 4 of the Act as it applies to victims of slavery (“VOS”). Section 4 provides a carve out from the Act’s deeming provisions where the Home Secretary considers Rwanda is unsafe for an individual “based on compelling evidence relating specifically to their particular individual circumstances”. It also provides courts with a power of review of that question.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 25th April 2024

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Criminal injuries compensation and “Daisy’s Law” – 12 KBW Personal Injury Law Blog

‘Jessica Muurman, pupil barrister at 12KBW, analyses the recent judgment in R (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority) v First-tier Tribunal v GHI [2024] UKUT 3 (ACC), which concerns the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 and its interaction with ‘Daisy’s Law’ in the Victims and Prisoners Bill.’

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12KBW Personal Injury Law Blog, 10th April 2024

Source: pilawblog.com

Council of Europe human rights watchdog condemns UK’s Rwanda bill – The Guardian

‘The Council of Europe’s human rights watchdog has condemned Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda scheme, saying it raises “major issues about the human rights of asylum seekers and the rule of law”.’

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The Guardian, 23rd April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK passes bill to send asylum seekers to Rwanda – The Guardian

Posted April 23rd, 2024 in asylum, bills, deportation, news, Rwanda by sally

‘Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation bill will become law after peers eventually backed down on amending it, opening the way for legal battles over the potential removal of dozens of people seeking asylum.’

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The Guardian, 22nd April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Failure to address ‘ludicrous’ injustice of indefinite jail terms is ‘political cowardice’, peer warns – The Independent

‘MPs have been accused of “political cowardice” for failing to back the resentencing of thousands of prisoners trapped under abolished indefinite jail terms.’

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The Independent, 20th April 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Government faces JR claim over litigation funding legislation – Legal Futures

‘The Ministry of Justice is being threatened with judicial review over the draft legislation that aims to reverse the impact of the Supreme Court’s PACCAR ruling.’

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Legal Futures, 19th April 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Rwanda bill: what does the latest delay mean? – The Guardian

‘Rishi Sunak’s plan to fly people seeking asylum to Rwanda this spring appears to have been put back to the summer after House of Lords insisted on changes to the scheme.’

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The Guardian, 19th April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.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