Applications for deprivation of liberty under MCA up by less than 1% compared to same quarter in 2022, but orders nearly double – Local Government Lawyer

‘There were 1,655 applications relating to deprivation of liberty under the Mental Capacity Act made in the most recent quarter (July to September 2023), an increase of less than 1% on the number made in the same quarter in 2022, government data has revealed.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 4th January 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Fathers Without PR – Where Do They Stand? Re S (A Child) [2023] Civ 706 – Pump Court Chambers

Posted January 3rd, 2024 in appeals, chambers articles, children, families, news, parental responsibility by sally

‘As public law practitioners we are rarely tasked with really delving into the law relating to fathers without parental responsibility. It is common knowledge (although not necessarily logical) that a father without PR is not an automatic party to proceedings involving his child. They are, however, entitled to be given notice of the proceedings and if they wish to be involved are invited to make an application for joinder which is usually granted without opposition.’

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Pump Court Chambers, 3rd November 2023

Source: www.pumpcourtchambers.com

Schools in England ‘face legal risks if they follow new transgender guidance’ – The Guardian

‘Schools in England could face legal action if they follow new guidance on how to treat transgender children, ministers’ own lawyers have reportedly warned.’

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The Guardian, 20th December 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

High Court allows judicial review against council over failure to support child trafficking victim – Local Government Lawyer

‘The High Court has ruled that the London Borough of Barnet failed to meet its duties towards a victim of child trafficking after he received no specialist support from either the council or the Home Office for several years.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 21st December 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

James Bulger killer refused prison release by Parole Board – The Independent

‘Child killer Jon Venables has lost a Parole Board bid to be freed from jail. The 41-year-old, who tortured and murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, still poses a danger to children and could go on to offend again, the Parole Board concluded.’

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The Independent, 14th December 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Singleton Hospital maternity unit unsafe, says report – BBC News

Posted December 15th, 2023 in birth, children, families, hospitals, kidnapping, midwives, news by tracey

‘A maternity unit has failed to meet safe staffing levels for four years and had insufficient measures to stop baby abductions, a report says. A regulator highlighted “significant patient safety concerns” at the unit at Singleton Hospital in Swansea.’

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BBC News, 15th December 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Convicted child serial killer Lucy Letby struck off nursing register – The Guardian

Posted December 13th, 2023 in children, disciplinary procedures, murder, news, nurses, professional conduct by sally

‘Child serial killer Lucy Letby has been stripped of her nursing credentials after a panel ordered she be struck off from the register at a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing.’

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The Guardian, 12th December 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Tier 4 CAMHS, detainability under the Mental Health Act 1983 and (righteous) judicial frustration – Local Government Lawyer

Posted December 11th, 2023 in children, detention, local government, mental health, news by tracey

‘Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon) analyses a recent High Court ruling on whether a 15-year-old should continue to be deprived of her liberty in a hospital.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 8th December 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

High Court finds council in breach of duties to disabled child – Local Government Lawyer

Posted December 8th, 2023 in children, disabled persons, families, local government, news, statutory duty by michael

‘In TS, R (on the application of) v The London Borough of Hackney [2023] EWHC 3063 (Admin), Jonathan Glasson KC, sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court, quashed the council’s assessment and care planning decision, concluding that the decision making in relation to the care package was “flawed”.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 7th December 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Police still victim blaming in grooming gang cases, watchdog finds – The Guardian

Posted December 8th, 2023 in child abuse, children, inquiries, news, ombudsmen, police, sexual grooming, sexual offences, victims by michael

‘The inquiry by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) comes more than a decade after scandals in Rotherham and Rochdale came to light, revealing failings by the authorities that left gangs of men free to attack vulnerable young girls.’

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The Guardian, 8th December 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Colin Pitchfork: Double child murderer denied prison release – BBC News

Posted December 7th, 2023 in children, dangerous offenders, murder, news, parole by michael

‘[The Parole Board] had ruled Pitchfork could be released in June, but concerns about the danger he posed caused Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to intervene, making what is known as an “application for reconsideration” in July.’

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BBC News, 7th December 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Met Police officer cleared after Tasering girl, 10 – BBC News

Posted December 1st, 2023 in children, disciplinary procedures, firearms, news, police, professional conduct by tracey

‘A Met officer who Tasered a 10-year-old girl twice after she threatened her mother with garden shears has been cleared of gross misconduct.’

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BBC News, 30th November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Father who saw toddler daughter killed by runaway Range Rover fighting to close legal loophole – The Independent

‘The father of a one-year-old girl killed by a runaway car says he’ll never stop fighting for a change in the law after the driver was not prosecuted due to a “loophole” in the legal system.’

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The Independent, 29th November 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

High Court grants permission for legal challenge over lack of legal aid for school exclusion appeals – Local Government Lawyer

‘The High Court has granted permission for a claimant to challenge the lack of legal aid for appeals before an Independent Review Panel (IRP), the independent body that reviews the lawfulness of permanent exclusions.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 29th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Medics quitting jobs over ‘distress caused by rightwing Christian group’ – The Guardian

Posted November 29th, 2023 in appeals, children, Christianity, doctors, families, intimidation, medical treatment, news by sally

‘Medics treating critically ill babies are quitting their jobs owing to “considerable moral distress” caused by a rightwing Christian group behind a series of end-of-life court cases, the Guardian has been told.’

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The Guardian, 27th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Lucy Letby public inquiry formally opened by judge – BBC News

Posted November 23rd, 2023 in birth, children, hospitals, inquiries, murder, news, nurses by sally

‘The public inquiry into serial killer Lucy Letby’s crimes has formally begun although hearings may not begin until next autumn.’

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BBC News, 22nd November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Workington parents jailed for death of baby Dallas Kelly – BBC News

‘A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his four-month-old son.’

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BBC News, 21st November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Home Office publishes new policy instruction on lifting NRPF conditions for those on student leave following concession in test case – Garden Court Chambers

‘Following judicial review proceedings brought by a destitute woman and her one-year-old daughter who were denied access to public funds, the Home Office has published a new policy instruction setting out the circumstances in which no recourse to public funds (‘NRPF’) conditions will be lifted for those on student leave.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 10th October 2023

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

‘I paid £30k to protect my child from her paedophile dad’ – BBC News

‘When her daughter’s father was sent to prison for child sexual abuse, Bethan was horrified to discover he could still be allowed access to their child after he was released. It was a risk she wasn’t willing to take. Outside a Cardiff courtroom, a smartly dressed young woman sits waiting, anxiously. Bethan has never been inside a family court before, but she is here to try to protect her child – whose father has been convicted of paedophile offences and is currently in jail.’

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BBC News, 20th November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ofcom provides detail on Online Safety Act ‘illegal harms’ regime – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 17th, 2023 in children, codes of practice, internet, news by tracey

‘Online content platforms operating in the UK should study recent publications issued by Ofcom to get a better handle on how the Online Safety Act will apply to them, and what they can do to meet the new legal requirements around addressing illegal content.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 16th November 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com