‘The legislation to introduce restrictions on corporation tax deductions for interest payments will not be included in the UK Finance Bill that will become law before the general election. The government tabled amendments to the bill withdrawing most of its provisions before it went through the remaining House of Commons stages on 25 April.’
OUT-LAW.com, 27th April 2017
Source: www.out-law.com
‘Plans to force millions of businesses and self-employed people to file multiple tax returns each year have been shelved by the Government.’
Daily Telegraph, 25th April 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Debates about the regulation of encryption technologies and surveillance have been around for decades. It is in unfortunate circumstances that these debates have now been thrust back into the public eye. Following the horrifying Westminster attack which occurred on 22nd March 2017 Amber Rudd, the UK’s Home Secretary, has been very vocal in suggesting that in order for the police and security services to be able to effectively investigate and prevent future terrorist acts they must be given access to over-the-top messaging services that utilise end-to-end encryption, such as WhatsApp. (End-to-end encryption services can generally be described as those which allows for conversations to be read only by the sender and recipient of individual messages, meaning that such messages cannot be intercepted and read by a third party.) Her comments appeared to have been driven by the fact that Khalid Masood, the perpetrator of the attack, had used WhatsApp shortly before commencing his appalling actions. In particular, Rudd has claimed it is “unacceptable” that governmental agencies were unable to read messages protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, and in an interview given to the BBC on Sunday 26th March, intimated that she would consider pursuing the enactment of new legislation which would require the providers of encrypted messaging services to grant access to the UK intelligence agencies. This sentiment has since broadly been endorsed by the UK government.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 25th April 2017
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘Legislation that would radically change the personal injury market and overhaul the courts has been dropped in the runup to the general election.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 20th April 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘In the White Paper published in February this year (“The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union” Cm 9417), the very first point made was that the “Great Repeal Bill” will “remove the European Communities Act 1972 from the statute book and convert the ‘acquis’ – the body of existing EU law – into domestic law”. It was said that “[t]his means that, wherever practical and appropriate, the same rules and laws will apply on the day after [the United Kingdom] leave[s] the EU as they did before”.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 12th April 2017
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘The UK government is seeking a time-limited power to “correct the statute book” by way of secondary legislation ahead of the country’s departure from the European Union.’
OUT-LAW.com, 30th March 2017
Source: www.out-law.com
‘Offenders who send “revenge porn” images to victims’ family members could face up to two years in jail under new sentencing plans.’
Daily Telegraph, 30th March 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘The government would certainly prefer a “great” repeal, but they would be wise to make it an ordinary one. Four years ago I published an analysis piece in Public Law (April 2013) about the need to prevent political language in legislation, and especially in relation to statutory titles. In short, I could find little guidance in a host of official Parliamentary and drafting documents that would curtail overtly political statutory language, and especially in the presentational aspects of bills and statutes, such as short titles. When it came down to it, if a minister desired a particular title for their Bill, they could strong-arm drafters into getting their way—although, there could be pushback from House Authorities, such as the Speaker. The most recent version of Erskine May (2011) notes that short titles must “describe the bill in a straightforwardly factual manner. An argumentative title or slogan is not permitted” (p 526). In reality, however, ministers “may for presentational reasons have strong views about the short title and the structure of the bill”, and attempt to assert their authority (Cabinet Office Guide to Making Legislation, 9.71). Indeed, it is this unique convergence of law and policy that makes the process of drafting so interesting.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 28th March 2017
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘Amended draft legislation to restrict tax relief for interest payments includes changes to a new ‘public infrastructure’ exemption which will be helpful for infrastructure and real estate companies, according to a tax expert.’
OUT-LAW.com, 21st March 2017
Source: www.out-law.com
‘Plans to revolutionise the courts to make them more straightforward and efficient, and deliver swifter justice for victims.’
Ministry of Justice, 20th March 2017
Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
‘The increase in whiplash claims at a time of falling road traffic accidents and improving car safety means that “cases are obviously exaggerated to some extent, and perhaps fraudulent”, justice minister Sir Oliver Heald said yesterday as he defended the government’s “moderate” personal injury reform proposals during the second reading of the Prisons and Courts Bill.’
Legal Futures, 21st March 2017
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
‘MPs on the justice select committee have launched a “short” inquiry into the personal injury reforms contained in the Prisons and Courts Bill. The announcement comes ahead of the bill’s second reading – during which the principles behind it will be debated – on Monday.’
Legal Futures, 17th march 2017
Source: www.legalfutures.com
‘Just over six years ago, a taxpayer funded independent study of a pilot “virtual court” concluded that: “A rollout based on the pilot’s performance and parameters is likely to cost more money than it saves. A break-even scenario may be achieved, but this is still likely to be a challenge.” ‘
Law Society’s Gazette, 20th March 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘New offence of sexual communication with a child will be introduced, and measures to support victims of sex crimes accelerated.’
Ministry of Justice, 19th March 2017
Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
‘Home Secretary’s keynote speech at event on role of financial institutions in disrupting human trafficking.’
Home Office, 15th March 2017
Source: www.gov.uk/home-office
‘Government plans for virtual court hearings and online guilty pleas for criminal offences are poorly costed, based on weak evidence and have not been subjected to proper consultation, a national justice charity says today.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 15th March 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘MPs have won the right to introduce a bill to parliament which would decriminalise abortion for the first time by repealing a law that dates back to Victorian times.’
The Guardian, 13th March 2017
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Parliament has passed the Brexit bill, paving the way for the government to trigger Article 50 so the UK can leave the European Union.’
BBC News, 14th March 2017
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
© Inner Temple Library 2025