Code aims to improve standard of private prosecutions – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 18th, 2019 in codes of practice, news, private prosecutions, solicitors, standards by tracey

‘Lawyers advising clients in the controversial area of private prosecutions have published a code that aims to improve the standard of prosecutions and increase judicial understanding of the process.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 18th July 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Civil remedies will remain vital for companies despite new fraud code – OUT-LAW.com

Posted July 17th, 2019 in codes of practice, fraud, injunctions, news by tracey

‘Civil recovery remedies will remain a vital tool for defrauded companies seeking recovery of stolen funds regardless of new industry initiatives such as the authorised push payment (APP) fraud code, according to an expert at Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 16th July 2019

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

New rights for victims of crime – Ministry of Justice

Posted July 17th, 2019 in codes of practice, criminal justice, press releases, victims by tracey

‘Victims of crime will receive greater support under government plans to boost their rights at every stage of the justice system.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 17th July 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Social housing: changes to intervention and enforcement – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Regulator of Social Housing is running a consultation on changes to its guidance on intervention, enforcement and use of powers. Sarah Greenhalgh analyses the proposals.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th July 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

The Warwick ‘rape chat’ case exposes universities’ failings on sexual violence – The Guardian

‘A series of mishandled sexual assault cases have shown how university policies aren’t supporting students.’

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The Guardian, 11th July 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

SRA: ‘Independent solicitors’ could come together in chambers – Legal Futures

‘The new breed of freelance solicitor – or what will officially be called an ‘independent solicitor’ – could join forces with others in a chambers-style arrangement, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has suggested.’

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Legal Futures, 5th July 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

University conducted flawed disciplinary proceedings in removing MA student from social work over disapproval of homosexual acts: Court of Appeal – Local Government Lawyer

‘A university conducted flawed disciplinary proceedings when it removed an MA student from a social work course for fitness to practice reasons, after he expressed religions views on a public social media platform disapproving of homosexual acts.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 5th July 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

The New Electronic Communications Code clarified – Falcon Chambers

Posted July 5th, 2019 in codes of practice, contracts, news, telecommunications, valuation by sally

‘The Upper Tribunal has recently provided helpful clarification of the workings of several aspects of the new Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”) introduced by the Digital Economy Act 2017, which came into force on 28 December 2017.’

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Falcon Chambers, June 2019

Source: www.falcon-chambers.com

Courts to consider wider consequences of arson and criminal damage – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 4th, 2019 in arson, codes of practice, courts, criminal damage, criminal justice, news by sally

‘Courts are expected to get tougher on people who vandalise listed buildings, start a fire at a school or cause criminal damage at a train station under guidelines unveiled today. The Sentencing Council says its arson guidelines, which come into force in October, acknowledge that harm can include psychological effects and damage to property can be about more than just the financial value.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 3rd July 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Court of Protection issues ruling in test case on appointment of personal welfare deputies – Local Government Lawyer

‘A Court of Protection judge has clarified the circumstances in which family members may become personal welfare deputies for people aged over 18, calling for the Code of Practice under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to be redrafted.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 2nd July 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Guidelines “preserve GCs’ independence amidst corporate tension” – Legal Futures

‘Comprehensive guidelines to boost the roles of, and relationships between, in-house lawyers (IHLs) and non-executive directors (NEDs), have been drawn up in the hope of minimising the chances of an ethical lapse damaging both the companies they serve and the public interest.’

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Legal Futures, 28th June 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Reasonable Expenses and intentional homelessness – Nearly Legal

‘Samuels v Birmingham City Council (2019) UKSC 28. The Supreme Court, finally, has delivered its judgment on the issue of the assessment of “reasonable expenses” when considering the affordability of rent in homelessness decisions.’

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Nearly Legal, 16th June 2019

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

New guidance needed to improve anti-money laundering regime – Law Commission

‘A new advisory board and statutory guidance would reduce wasted time and improve the UK’s ability to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing, the Law Commission has announced.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 18th June 2019

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Pension code of practice updated as industry cracks down on scammers – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 12th, 2019 in claims management, codes of practice, complaints, fraud, news, ombudsmen, pensions by tracey

‘The updated Pensions Scam Industry Group (PSIG) code of practice (107 page / 2.6MB PDF) includes a number of changes, such as guidance designed to help trustees and providers deal with claims management companies and updates on how to notify the UK’s fraud reporting centre Action Fraud of scams.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 10th June 2019

Source: www.out-law.com

Call for Evidence to help improve BSB Handbook – Bar Standards Board

Posted June 6th, 2019 in barristers, codes of practice, consultations, news by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is today calling for evidence to help it scope a planned review of the BSB Handbook – the document which includes the Code of Conduct for barristers and the rules with which they must comply.’

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Bar Standards Board, 6th june 2019

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Law Society’s defence of NDA guidance draws heavy fire – Legal Futures

‘The Law Society’s defence of its practice note on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) has not silenced its critics, with the leading academic in the field accusing Chancery Lane of “putting PR before principles”.’

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Legal Futures, 3rd June 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Family Justice Council issues interim guidance on special guardianship and extensions to 26-week time limit – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Family Justice Council has published interim guidance on special guardianship, with the primary purpose of addressing cases where an extension to the statutory 26-week time limit is sought in order to assess potential special guardians, more fully, within public law proceedings.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 28th May 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Munby’s concerns prompt fresh guidance on special guardians – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Potential special guardians put forward late in care proceedings should be realistic prospect and not merely the result of a ‘trawl through all possible options’, fresh guidance published by the judiciary has said.’

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary press release

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Law Society's Gazette, 28th May 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Banking code to protect victims tricked into transferring money to fraudsters – The Independent

Posted May 28th, 2019 in banking, codes of practice, fraud, news, victims by tracey

‘Blameless scam victims who are tricked into transferring money directly to a fraudster should find they are better protected under a new voluntary industry code that comes into force from Tuesday.’

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The Independent, 27th May 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Police ordered to use bail to protect victims after suspected rapists and murderers freed – The Independent

‘Police officers have been told to use bail conditions to protect the public after new rules saw thousands of suspected sex attackers and violent criminals released without any restrictions. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has released guidance to all officers and staff emphasising that pre-charge bail is a “legitimate tool” in the wake of government changes in 2017.’

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The Independent, 27th May 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk