Business as usual? Early lessons learnt in handling litigation remotely – Hardwicke Chambers

‘The phrase “business as usual” has become cliché overnight. Hardwicke’s CDR team is attending hearings, drafting and advising and just as before. But, as regards litigation, the phrase is not wholly accurate. The courts are not operating as usual, solicitors and barristers are working remotely, and it’s not yet clear how the current crisis will impact the commercial litigation market. From that perspective the situation is very unusual.’

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Hardwicke Chambers, 20th April 2020

Source: hardwicke.co.uk

Judges warn over parties’ conduct in remote hearings – Litigation Futures

‘Courts and tribunals have made “remarkable” progress in dealing with remote hearings during the coronavirus crisis, but there are concerns about the behaviour of parties, the senior judiciary has said.’

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Litigation Futures, 15th April 2020

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Woman’s attraction to chandeliers not a sexual orientation, Ipso says – The Guardian

‘A woman in a long-term relationship with a 92-year-old German chandelier has been told that her attraction to historic light fittings is not considered to be a protected sexual orientation.’

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The Guardian, 14th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government issues guidance on how local authorities can use Care Act ‘easements’ – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Department of Health & Social Care has published guidance setting out local authorities can use the new ‘easements’ under the Coronavirus Act 2020 that mean they no longer need to meet certain duties under the Care Act.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 1st April 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Guidance issued on remote access to Court of Protection – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Vice-President of the Court of Protection has today (31 March) issued updated guidance on remote access to the court.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 31st March 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

UK police warned against ‘overreach’ in use of virus lockdown powers – The Guardian

‘Police chiefs are drawing up new guidance warning forces not to overreach their lockdown enforcement powers after withering criticism of controversial tactics to stop the spread of coronavirus, the Guardian has learned.’

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The Guardian, 30th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Is Covid-19 Changing How We Think About Criminal Justice Reform? – Each Other

‘Barrister Tim Kiely examines the unexpected changes taking place within the criminal justice system amid the Covid-19 outbreak.’

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Each Other, 26th March 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

Vice-President of Court of Protection issues further guidance for judges and practitioners on hearings – Local Government Lawyers

‘No hearings in the Court of Protection which require people to attend are to take place unless there is a genuine urgency and it is not possible to conduct a remote hearing, the Court’s Vice-President has said.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 24th March 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

A new code of audit practice – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 24th, 2020 in auditors, codes of practice, local government, news by sally

‘‘Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote/ The droghte of March hath perced to the roote’. So, in 1387, opened the prologue to Canterbury Tales. But if April inspired Chaucer’s characters to begin their famous pilgrimage, local authority lawyers and auditors will soon also find a new spring in their steps. For on 1 April 2020 there will be a new Code of Audit Practice.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 23rd March 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Coronavirus: What Happens To Prisoners? – Each Other

‘The UK government has urged the country to maintain “social distancing” as the coronavirus death toll rises. How does this work for the more than 83,000 people in Britain’s often overcrowded prisons?’

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Each Other, 19th March 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

COVID-19: Managing health and risk whilst in police custody – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 18th, 2020 in codes of practice, coronavirus, detention, health, health & safety, news, police by sally

‘At the time of this article, according to officials, the criminal justice system continues to operate “as normal”. Whilst it is to be expected that non-essential trials will likely be delayed, certain components of the justice system cannot simply be deferred – crime happens no less in times of pandemic. Police custody is one such area where the wheels will need to continue to turn regardless of COVID-19.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 18th March 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Secret policy change by CPS cut number of rape trials, high court told – The Guardian

‘A legal challenge over alleged changes to Crown Prosecution Service policy on bringing charges in rape cases has been dismissed by the high court.’

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The Guardian, 17th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Presidential Guidance in Connection with the Conduct of Employment Tribunal Proceedings During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Tribunals Judiciary

‘This Guidance is issued in accordance with Rule 7 of the Employment Tribunals Rules of Procedure (“the Rules”). The Rules are set out in Schedule 1 of the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2013.’

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Tribunals Judiciary, 18th March 2020

Source: www.judiciary.uk

HMCTS issues guidance for courts and tribunals users during coronavirus outbreak – Local Government Lawyer

‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service has today (13 March) issued guidance for all court and tribunal users during the coronavirus outbreak.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 13th March 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Information watchdog warns of dangers of school photos and wrongful disclosure of personal data – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued two reprimands, or legal warnings, to schools for wrongly disclosing the personal data of children.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 11th March 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Court approval needed to start CoP litigation, says judge – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Deputies acting for incapacitated clients should seek permission from the court if they want to start litigation on their behalf, a judge has indicated.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 9th March 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Police to reform approach to search warrants following backlash to failed Operation Midland paedophile investigation – The Independent

‘Police are overhauling the way they handle search warrants following the botched Operation Midland investigation into what was wrongly thought to be a Westminster paedophile ring.’

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The Independent, 6th March 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Victims given right to challenge attackers’ release from prison in new code – The Independent

‘Victims of violent and sexual offences are being given the automatic right to challenge their attackers’ release and apply for restrictions to protect themselves.’

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The Independent, 5th March 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Civil Justice Council proposes rule changes to ensure consideration of vulnerability of people in civil proceedings – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Civil Justice Council has proposed rule changes that would further ensure that all civil judges, parties and advocates consider vulnerability of people involved in civil proceedings.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 24th February 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Financial Remedies Courts – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Financial Remedies Courts (FRCs) have been established as a subsidiary structure within the Family Court. In November 2019, two documents were published: Overall Structure Of The Financial Remedies Courts And The Role And Function Of The Lead Judge, and Financial Remedies Courts Good Practice Protocol. It is the protocol which is essential reading for family law practitioners.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 24th February 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk