Category: codes of practice

Defensive Advising Strategies 2: Know Your Client – Wilberforce Chambers

Posted July 27th, 2021 in barristers, chambers articles, codes of practice, conflict of interest, financial dispute resolution, legal profession, legal services, money laundering, news, solicitors by sally

‘With a history in the world of financial services regulation, “know your customer/client” or “KYC” is a cornerstone of professional practice. What does it mean for legal professionals? In this instalment of my series on defensive advising strategies, I consider three aspects of KYC which are particularly relevant to lawyers, with an emphasis on the interface between solicitors and other professionals and the barristers they instruct. This perspective is based on my own experience as a practitioner and raises issues which crop up relatively frequently.’

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Wilberforce Chambers, 22nd July 2021

Source: www.wilberforce.co.uk

CPS publishes updated guidance for handling of illegal entry cases via small boats – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted July 12th, 2021 in asylum, codes of practice, Crown Prosecution Service, immigration, news, prosecutions, trafficking in human beings, victims by tracey

‘Prosecutors and law enforcement agencies have agreed a consistent approach to the handling of cases involving illegal entry to the UK via small boats and lorries.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 8th July 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Rape victims still face police phone trawl, says commissioner – BBC News

Posted July 7th, 2021 in bills, codes of practice, Crown Prosecution Service, evidence, investigatory powers, news, police, privacy, prosecutions, rape, sexual offences, telecommunications, victims by sally

‘Proposals for England and Wales mean people who claim to have been raped will still face pressure to hand over their phones to police and prosecutors, says the victims’ commissioner.’

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BBC News, 17th July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Have confidence to speak up’: whistleblowing policy for judges unveiled – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 25th, 2021 in codes of practice, judges, judiciary, news, whistleblowers by tracey

‘The lord chief justice and senior president of tribunals want all judges to feel confident to speak up about any wrongdoing, according to a new whistleblowing policy unveiled this week. The 12-page Judicial Whistleblowing Policy: How to report wrongdoing document was published on the judicial intranet on Wednesday.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 25th June 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

New minimum standards for rape and sexual assault victim support – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted June 18th, 2021 in codes of practice, criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, news, rape, sexual offences, victims by tracey

‘We know that when victims have good emotional and practical support from our excellent ISVA partners, and close liaison with police and prosecutors, the criminal justice process becomes more manageable for them and justice outcomes improve. Currently there is a gap on setting out what best practice looks like – this framework aims to close that gap. New minimum standards for the support of rape and sexual violence victims have today (Friday 18 June) been published by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 17th June 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

A new ABPI Code for 2021 – Mills & Reeve

Posted June 8th, 2021 in agreements, codes of practice, medicines, news by sally

‘The 2021 version of the ABPI Code will come into effect on 1 July. This brings in important changes to the self-regulatory system for the UK pharma industry. It amounts to the most substantial refresh of the Code since the 1990s.’

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Mills & Reeve, 4th June 2021

Source: www.mills-reeve.com

UK guide on data transfer codes and certification anticipated – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 3rd, 2021 in codes of practice, data protection, EC law, news by sally

‘New guidance on how businesses might use codes of conduct and certification schemes to demonstrate their compliance with rules governing international data transfers could be issued by the UK’s data protection authority in a matter of weeks, Out-Law has learned.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 2nd June 2021

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Police and prosecutors must focus on actions of alleged rapists not victims, new guidance says – The Independent

Posted May 21st, 2021 in codes of practice, consultations, Crown Prosecution Service, news, police, prosecutions, rape, sexual offences, statistics, victims by tracey

‘Police and prosecutors are to place greater focus on the actions of alleged rapists rather than their victims, after charges hit a record low. New legal guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says investigators must use an “offender-centric” approach and look closely at the actions of suspects before, during and after reported attacks.’

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The Independent, 21st May 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

CPS updates rape legal guidance to reflect rapid growth in digital evidence – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted May 21st, 2021 in codes of practice, consultations, Crown Prosecution Service, news, police, prosecutions, rape, sexual offences, victims by tracey

‘The CPS has published refreshed rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) legal guidance, delivering on our ongoing commitment to make the prosecution of these crimes reflect today’s rapidly changing society.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 21st May 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Universities could face fines over free speech breaches – BBC News

Posted May 12th, 2021 in bills, codes of practice, compensation, fines, freedom of expression, human rights, news, ombudsmen, universities by sally

‘Universities in England could face fines under new legislation if they fail to protect free speech on campus.’

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BBC News, 12th May 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New inquiry to be launched into civil servants taking second jobs – The Guardian

Posted April 26th, 2021 in civil servants, codes of practice, employment, government departments, inquiries, lobbying, news by tracey

‘A new inquiry will be launched into civil servants taking second jobs, likely leading to officials facing tougher scrutiny after the Greensill scandal, the Guardian has learned.’

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The Guardian, 25th April 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ban on unsolicited approaches ‘hits access to justice’ – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 12th, 2021 in codes of practice, news, solicitors, Solicitors Regulation Authority by tracey

‘The blanket ban on solicitors making unsolicited approaches to clients could act as a barrier to access to justice, according to a solicitor campaigning for a relaxation of the rule. Tobias Haynes, a dispute resolution specialist at Midlands firm Martin Kaye Solicitors, last week opened an online petition for solicitors to be allowed to contact potential clients by email or letter.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 9th April 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Police watchdog accused of skewing report to back protests clampdown – The Guardian

Posted April 1st, 2021 in civil servants, codes of practice, complaints, demonstrations, news, police, reports, whistleblowers by tracey

‘The official policing inspectorate showed repeated bias in favour of the police and against peaceful protesters as it compiled a report which backed a government clampdown, a whistleblower has alleged. The complainant says a report on protest released in March this year was skewed in favour of the government view, with conclusions reached before evidence was gathered and assessed.’

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The Guardian, 31st March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Forensic Science – Codes of Practice and Joint Statements – 2 Hare Court

Posted March 5th, 2021 in chambers articles, codes of practice, criminal procedure, forensic science, news by sally

‘Two new publications were issued by the Forensic Science Regulator (“FSR”) in February 2021.’

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2 Hare Court, 25th February 2021

Source: www.2harecourt.com

High court dismisses case on ‘failure to give guidance on prioritising patients’ – The Independent

Posted March 1st, 2021 in codes of practice, coronavirus, doctors, government departments, hospitals, medical treatment, news by tracey

‘A legal challenge to the government’s alleged failure to issue national guidance on how to prioritise patients during the Covid-19 pandemic has been dismissed by the High Court.’

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The Independent, 28th February 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Victims’ law call amid falling confidence in criminal justice – BBC News

Posted February 24th, 2021 in codes of practice, criminal justice, Ministry of Justice, news, victims by sally

‘The victims’ commissioner for England and Wales has called for a law to ensure people affected by crime are treated properly as they wait for justice.’

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BBC News, 24th February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Civil servants union launches legal challenge over decision by PM that Home Secretary did not breach ministerial code in ‘bullying’ case – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 23rd, 2021 in bullying, civil servants, codes of practice, harassment, ministers' powers and duties, news by tracey

‘Civil servants union launches legal challenge over decision by PM that Home Secretary did not breach ministerial code in “bullying” case.

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Local Government Lawyer, 22nd February 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

London Fire Brigade has only acted on four of 29 recommendations from first stage of Grenfell Inquiry – The Independent

Posted February 12th, 2021 in accidents, codes of practice, delay, emergency services, fire, news by tracey

‘The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has only implemented four of the 29 recommendations suggested to it by the first part of the Grenfell inquiry, a new report has found.’

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The Independent, 12th February 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Criminal Law Update – Devon Chambers

Posted February 11th, 2021 in chambers articles, codes of practice, criminal procedure, disclosure, news by sally

‘The new 2020 versions of the Disclosure Code of Practice issued under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) 1996 (“the Code”) and Attorney General’s Guidelines on Disclosure (AGG) are probably not lockdown reading of choice for anybody. Nevertheless, they contain new procedures and a sea change in some respects and it will be essential for criminal practitioners to get to grips with the new requirements. There is a new emphasis on a thoughtful, rather than a prescriptive approach. Disclosure is to be integral to an investigation and not an adjunct.’

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Devon Chambers, February 2021

Source: www.devonchambers.co.uk

Victims of crimes ‘re-traumatised’ by system – BBC News

Posted February 9th, 2021 in bills, codes of practice, crime, criminal justice, families, news, victims by tracey

‘When Tracey Hanson’s son, Josh, was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack in 2015, it was the start of a tough journey through the criminal justice system. She said she was “passed from pillar to post” throughout and the impact stays with her today. Experiences like hers – and others who have been victims of crime – is driving a fresh call from Labour for a “Victims’ Law” to strengthen their rights.’

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BBC News, 8th February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk