Injuries and Part 25 experts – Local Government Lawyer

‘Matthew Timm analyses a Family Court ruling that a local authority had failed to discharge the burden of proof in asserting that injuries to a child when he was eight months old were inflicted by one or other of his parents.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 20th November 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Public’s understanding of paedophiles has not improved, says charity boss – The Guardian

‘Public understanding of paedophiles has not improved over the past 30 years, according to the founder of the pioneering charity Circles, which offers support to some of society’s most reviled offenders.’

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The Guardian, 19th November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Lessons from Lieven J – Local Government Lawyer

‘Holly Hilbourne-Gollop looks at a High Court judge’s realistic approach to obtaining evidence from children.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 15th November 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Girl and mum awarded £14k over education failures – BBC News

‘A council that did not provide a girl who has special educational needs with suitable schooling for two years will pay her and her mother £14,300 in compensation.’

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BBC News, 18th November 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Why didn’t police prosecute ‘brutal’ abuser linked to Church of England? – BBC News

‘John Smyth’s death in 2018 meant an “appalling abuser” associated with the Church of England escaped justice for crimes stretching back decades. Smyth used his role in a Christian charity to assault over 100 children and young men – and the Archbishop of Canterbury resigned after being criticised in a scathing report earlier this month. Now, an advocate for the victims of John Smyth tells the BBC the police were not “sufficiently curious” when told about him.’

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BBC News, 17th November 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

The Supreme Court prioritises substance over form in protecting the welfare of children in an immigration context. Explicit reference to guidance is neither sufficient nor necessary – UK Human Rights Blog

‘In their co-authored judgment, Lord Sales and Dame Siobhan Keegan provide a rich analysis of how the courts should consider the welfare of children in an immigration context. In doing so, they clarify the meaning and effect of Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 (“Section 55”) and its interaction with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (“Article 8”). The judgment provides a guide for how the appellate courts should assess decision-making by the Secretary of State, her officials, and the First-tier Tribunal.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 15th November 2024

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

A new Cafcass Domestic Abuse Practice Policy – Becket Chambers

‘On 9th October 2024 Cafcass published a new policy document that outlines what actions ‘practitioners’ (Family Court Advisers and Guardians) and their managers should undertake when working with children and adults who have experienced domestic abuse. The policy is a direct response to the 2020 Harm Panel report and it sets out a clear intention of further protecting child and adult victims of domestic abuse.’

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Becket Chambers, 31st October 2024

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

Case Law on Covert Recordings – Becket Chambers

‘Covert recordings are any recording made without the express knowledge and permission of the person recorded, whether by audio or video: Family Justice Council.’

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Becket Chambers, 31st October 2024

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

Speech by the PFD: Suspected Physical Abuse of Children – Experts in the Family Court – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

‘Speech by the PFD: Suspected Physical Abuse of Children – Experts in the Family Court.’

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Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 7th November 2024

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Children taken away from parents due to misreporting of drug tests, say experts – The Guardian

‘Children are at risk of being wrongly removed from their parents’ care by the family courts because drug tests are being misinterpreted, experts have warned.’

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The Guardian, 9th November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Great Britain ‘lags behind’ Europe on betting ad regulation, says gambling charity – The Guardian

Posted November 11th, 2024 in advertising, charities, children, gambling, government departments, news, statistics by tracey

‘Great Britain “lags behind” Europe on measures to restrict betting adverts, according to a report released days after official data showed a sharp increase in the number of children with a gambling problem.

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The Guardian, 11th November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Woman who brought 11-year-old to riot at asylum seeker hotel fumes as she is jailed – The Independent

Posted November 8th, 2024 in asylum, children, hotels, immigration, imprisonment, news, sentencing, violent disorder by michael

‘A woman has been jailed after taking a young boy to a summer riot in which a far-right mob attacked a hotel housing asylum seekers.’

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The Independent, 7th November 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Church covered up ‘abhorrent’ abuse, report finds – BBC News

Posted November 8th, 2024 in barristers, child abuse, children, Church of England, news, sexual offences by michael

‘A British barrister’s “horrific” and violent abuse of more than 100 children and young men was covered up within the Church of England for decades, according to the conclusion of a damning report.’

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BBC News, 7th November 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court case over closure of nurseries dropped – BBC News

Posted November 7th, 2024 in children, consultations, judicial review, local government, London, news by tracey

‘A High Court challenge over plans to close children’s centres in east London has been dropped after the council accepted its consultation was “unlawful”.’

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BBC News, 7th November 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ban to stop children from ever smoking a cigarette to be introduced in Parliament – The Independent

Posted November 6th, 2024 in bills, children, health, news, smoking by tracey

‘A ban to stop children from legally smoking tobacco when they become adults is set to be introduced in Parliament.’

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The Independent, 5th November 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Boy ‘filled with resentment and jealousy’ jailed for stabbing 15-year-old ex-girlfriend 36 times – The Independent

‘An obsessed ex-boyfriend who stabbed a 15-year-old girl 36 times in an alleyway after school has been sentenced to life with a minimum of 17 years in prison.’

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The Independent, 2nd November 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Mothers to take DWP to court over ‘inhumane’ benefit rules on non-consensual conception – The Guardian

‘Two mothers who had children as a result of rape or coercion by former partners have been given permission to take the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to court for being denied exception to the two-child limit on universal credit.’

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The Guardian, 4th November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Air pollution death settlement is not a win – mum – BBC News

‘A mother whose nine-year-old daughter became the first person in the UK to have air pollution recognised as a factor in her death said she was “never going to win” despite settling legal action with the government.’

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BBC News, 31st October 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Appeal judges reiterate that it is for the court – not local authorities or any other person – to determine in adoption cases whether there should be ongoing contact with birth family – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Court of Appeal has allowed a local authority’s appeal against a judge’s refusal to make placement orders in respect of two young children.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 31st October 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Integrated care board breached duty to provide lawful health care plan: High Court – Local Government Lawyer

‘North Central London Integrated Care Board was in breach of its duty to ensure a severely disabled boy has a lawful health care plan, the High Court has found.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 31st October 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk