Digital Freedom: Are Your Rights At Risk? – Rights Info

Posted March 15th, 2019 in bills, copyright, data protection, EC law, human rights, internet, news, privacy by sally

‘As propaganda, ‘fake news’ and other forms of disinformation become increasingly common from governments, individuals and powerful organisations across the world, it’s become harder than ever for the average person to discern facts from fiction.’

Full Story

Rights Info, 14th March 2019

Source: rightsinfo.org

Spousal maintenance orders: a meal ticket for life? – Family Law

‘According to Sara Hunt, a knowledge lawyer at Farrer & co, the recent decision of the Supreme Court in Mills v Mills has highlighted the current debate regarding spousal maintenance in England and Wales. Press headlines have focused on the apparent “meal ticket for life” that such orders are said to provide.’

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Family Law, 25th February 2019

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Police to get more stop and search powers to tackle acid attacks – Home Office

‘Home Secretary Sajid Javid will give police new powers to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying a corrosive substance in public.’

Full press release

Home Office, 20th February 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Jihadists could face up to 10 years in prison if they return to the UK under new laws – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 13th, 2019 in bills, Islam, news, prosecutions, terrorism by sally

‘Around 350 British jihadists suspected to be in Syria could face up to 10 years in jail if they return to the UK under new anti-terror laws that ban travel to designated areas.’

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Daily Telegraph, 12th February 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

‘Upskirting’ now a specific crime as bill receives Royal Assent – Ministry of Justice

Posted February 12th, 2019 in bills, outraging public decency, photography, press releases, sexual offences by sally

‘‘Upskirting’ perpetrators face two years in prison and being placed on the sex offenders register, as a new law making the act a specific criminal offence is expected to receive Royal Assent today.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 12th February 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

The Domestic Abuse Bill: a long-awaited overhaul or flawed legislation with an implementation problem? – Family Law Week

‘Hannah Gomersall, barrister at Coram Chambers, explores the proposed reforms set out in the government’s Domestic Abuse Bill: its scope, workability and whether the Family Court will be able to cope with the ensuing workload.’

Full Story

Family Law Week, 7th February 2019

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

A draft domestic abuse bill Domestic abuse in 2019 – David Burrows – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted February 4th, 2019 in bills, domestic violence, news, non-molestation orders by sally

‘Domestic abuse is endemic in UK society. The law’s response has consisted of sporadic police prosecutions, a Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (rarely used), and uncoordinated remedies in family proceedings mostly under Family Law Act 1996 Part 4 (the non-molestation and the occupation order). Each is governed by a different set of procedural rules; and different means of enforcement. Views vary as to what is the legal definition of ‘domestic violence’ – still used by the Legal Aid Agency: see Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 – and ‘domestic abuse’, which is now defined by a family proceedings practice direction which deals only with children proceedings (yes, really): Family Procedure Rules 2010 PD12J.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 31st January 2019

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Proposed UK law could expose journalists’ emails, say critics – The Guardian

Posted January 30th, 2019 in bills, data protection, disclosure, electronic mail, media, news, privacy by sally

‘British police forces could find it easier to access journalists’ private emails as a result of legislation making its way through parliament, according to freedom of speech campaigners, who are urging politicians to make a last-minute intervention to secure journalistic freedom.’

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The Guardian, 30th January 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

MPs pass counter-terror bill amendments to protect aid workers – The Guardian

Posted January 23rd, 2019 in bills, charities, freedom of expression, media, news, terrorism by sally

‘MPs have passed amendments to the government’s latest counter-terrorism bill to try to protect British aid workers and journalists from facing criminal charges in conflict zones.’

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The Guardian, 23rd January 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘This is not love’: victim of coercive control says she saw red flags from start –

‘Natalie Curtis decided to leave her husband when he marched her to a pawn shop to sell her wedding and engagement ring.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 21st January 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Landmark’ overhaul for domestic abuse laws – BBC News

Posted January 21st, 2019 in bills, domestic violence, news by sally

‘Domestic abuse victims will receive a wide range of new measures to protect them in what ministers say will be landmark legislation.’

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BBC News, 21st January 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Upskirting to be crime after Lords back bill – BBC News

Posted January 16th, 2019 in bills, news, outraging public decency, photography, sexual offences by sally

‘A woman who launched a campaign against upskirting after being targeted at a festival 18 months ago has said “we did it!” after legislation was passed to make it a crime in England and Wales.’

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BBC News, 15th January 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Criminalising imams will not solve the problem of unregistered marriages – Family Law

Posted January 15th, 2019 in bills, Islam, marriage, news, registrars by sally

‘In this post Russell Sandberg, Professor of Law at Cardiff University, questions the current proposal for celebrants to face criminal penalties if they fail to ensure the marriage is also civilly registered. He argues that this will not cure concerns about unregistered religious marriages but rather underlines the need for comprehensive reform.’

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Family Law, 15th January 2019

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Man wrong to think kisses in estranged wife’s texts were ‘flirtatious’, judge rules – The Independent

Posted January 14th, 2019 in bills, divorce, domestic violence, families, family courts, news, telecommunications by sally

‘A woman who ended text messages with a kiss was not being “flirtatious” with her estranged husband, a judge has ruled.’

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The Independent, 13th January 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Trio of justice bills become law – Ministry of Justice

Posted December 20th, 2018 in bills, compensation, courts, judiciary, personal injuries, press releases, prisons by sally

‘Justice Secretary David Gauke today spoke of his pride in a department “delivering real change”, after 3 important justice bills all became law on the same day (20 December 2018).’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 20th December 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Home Secretary announces new skills-based immigration system – Home Office

Posted December 20th, 2018 in bills, brexit, EC law, freedom of movement, immigration, news by sally

‘The Home Secretary announces a new route for skilled workers, strengthened border security and an end to free movement as part of a new immigration system.’

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Home Office, 19th December 2018

Source: www.gov.uk

MoJ calls for evidence on new personal injury discount rate – Litigation Futures

‘The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has issued a call for evidence on the new personal injury discount rate to be set under what will soon be the Civil Liability Act.’

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Litigation Futures, 10th December 2018

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Government agrees to bring in new Mental Health Bill after independent review – Local Government Lawyer

Posted December 11th, 2018 in bills, detention, mental health, news by sally

‘The government has unveiled plans to introduce a new Mental Health Bill after accepting two key recommendations from an independent review of the Mental Health Act 1983.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 10th December 2018

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Government-commissioned review recommends legal aid for bereaved families – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The government has announced that it will introduce a new mental health bill following today’s publication of the findings of an independent review into the Mental Health Act 1983. However it is silent on the review’s recommendation that bereaved families should receive non-means tested legal aid – despite already pledging to accept two other recommendations.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 6th December 2018

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Court service call centres “improving justice”, says minister – Litigation Futures

Posted December 6th, 2018 in bills, civil justice, courts, criminal justice, judiciary, news by sally

‘Justice minister Lucy Frazer has defended the role of call centres in the justice system during the committee stage of the Courts and Tribunals (Judiciary and Functions of Staff) Bill.’

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Litigation Futures, 6th December 2018

Source: www.litigationfutures.com