Defence QC’s accusation against prosecutor was not misconduct – Legal Futures

‘A QC who accused prosecution counsel of bad faith without reasonable grounds was in breach of Bar Standards Board rules but not to the level of professional misconduct, a tribunal has ruled.’

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Legal Futures, 25th September 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Partner fired for ‘topping up’ fees overturns tribunal ruling – Legal Futures

‘The Employment Appeal Tribunal has overturned a ruling that a law firm was entitled to fire a partner who was accused of “topping up” legal aid fees with cash from a client’s father.’

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Legal Futures, 7th August 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Lawyers must be able to report “mini-bullying moments” – Legal Futures

‘Lawyers must be able to report “mini-bullying moments” without fear that things will “go nuclear”, the global director of inclusion at Clifford Chance has said.’

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Legal Futures, 31st July 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Religious fostering service given permission on one ground to appeal rejection of judicial review challenge over Ofsted report – Local Government Lawyer

‘A High Court judge has given a Christian fostering service permission to appeal on one ground following his dismissal earlier this month of its judicial review challenge to a report by Ofsted.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 29th July 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

New penalties proposed for rule-breaking MPs – BBC News

‘MPs could be banned from foreign trips or made to take anger management classes under a proposed revamp of Parliament’s sanctions regime.’

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BBC News, 21st July 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Clearer guidelines issued in UK for sentencing offenders with mental health disorders – The Guardian

‘Clearer guidelines have been published for courts sentencing offenders who have schizophrenia, depression or other mental disorders.’

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The Guardian, 22nd July 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Housing Ombudsman publishes new Complaint Handling Code – Local Government Lawyer

Posted July 9th, 2020 in codes of practice, complaints, housing, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The Housing Ombudsman has published its new Complaint Handling Code in preparation for its assumption of greater powers at the end of the year.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 8th July 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Peers call for tougher regulation of digital and social media in UK – The Guardian

‘Ministers are being urged to toughen up the regulation of digital and social media because “a pandemic of misinformation and disinformation” is eroding trust in politics and public institutions.’

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The Guardian, 29th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

An analysis of the Sentencing Code – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 23rd, 2020 in bills, codes of practice, news, sentencing by sally

‘The Sentencing Bill has begun its passage through parliament, having received its first reading in the House of Lords in March. The Bill contains a “Sentencing Code”. Once in force, the Sentencing Code will provide a single reference point for the law on sentencing and will apply to all offenders convicted of an offence after 1 October 2020.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 18th June 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

News About Special Guardianship Orders – Transparency Project

‘Two documents about special guardianship were published in mid June: A Public Law Working Group/Family Justice Council report and a Nuffield Family Justice Observatory research briefing on special guardianship orders (SGOs). The President of the Family Division has described practice guidance contained in the report as comprehensive and authoritative and has published this with his complete endorsement. He says on the Judiciary website that the guidance should now be applied and used in every case where a SGO is an option.’

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Transparency Project, 21st June 2020

Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk

Termination of a Code Agreement by Operators – Falcon Chambers

‘In this article we intend to examine the continuation of a Code agreement falling within the terms of the Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”) and the ability of an operator to terminate it permanently, such that the agreement may be treated as at an ended at the specified break date without any ongoing continuation of the operator’s contractual liability. We shall also consider the issue of renewal following termination.’

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Falcon Chambers, June 2020

Source: www.falcon-chambers.com

Retailers and social distancing – what does the latest guidance say? – Six Pump Court

‘We all know what the “2 metre” rule is – how does that translate to retailers and what does the latest guidance say?’

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Six Pump Court, 8th June 2020

Source: www.6pumpcourt.co.uk

Justice Secretary seeks to block decision to release rapist serving life sentence – Daily Telegraph

‘The Justice Secretary is seeking to block the decision to release a rapist serving a life sentence from prison, after the victim’s family only learned of the plans through a journalist.’

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Daily Telegraph, 5th June 2020

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Resumption of jury trials: an open justice “toolkit” – Doughty Street Chambers

‘For seven weeks Covid-19 shut the doors of jury trials in England and Wales. On 11th May 2020, the Lord Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor announced the resumption of new jury trials in “certain courtrooms under certain conditions” from 18th May 2020. In the interim, two guinea pig trials resumed at the Old Bailey.’

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Doughty Street Chambers, 18th May 2020

Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk

Chancery Lane calls for ‘best practice’ document on remote hearings in family courts, warns of “guidance fatigue” – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Law Society has urged the President of the Family Division to issue “best practice” and “top tips” rather than full prescriptive guidance on remote hearings.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 27th May 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

BSB to review rules on barristers’ conduct outside practice – BBC News

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is to review its approach to policing barristers’ conduct outside of practice, Legal Futures can reveal.’

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Legal Futures, 28th May 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Shut-down firm ordered to pay former staff £375,000 – Legal Futures

‘A law firm shut down by its regulator last year has been ordered to pay former staff £375,000 for multiple employment law breaches.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd May 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

ABE 2016/19 has gone AWOL – Counsel

‘Shortcomings and legal anachronisms: how can we achieve best evidence if current guidance is dangerously out of date on the law on special measures? asks Laura Hoyano.’

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Counsel, May 2020

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

The UK Government’s guidance on combating coronavirus in care homes is inconsistent with WHO standards – Doughty Street Chambers

‘This paper contributes a combined human rights perspective and an infection prevention and control perspective to the COVID-19 situation in long-term care homes in the UK.’

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Doughty Street Chambers, 21st April 2020

Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk

Met police face legal action over death of PC Keith Palmer – The Guardian

Posted April 21st, 2020 in bereavement, codes of practice, families, inquests, negligence, news, police, terrorism by sally

‘The Metropolitan police are facing legal action over the death of PC Keith Palmer, murdered during a terrorist attack on parliament.’

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The Guardian, 20th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com