Government retracts ‘unlawful’ pollution guidance for England’s farms – The Guardian

‘Guidance that would have allowed farmers to spread manures and slurry on land in a way that would overload it with nutrients and risk pollution of rivers, lakes and coastal waters has been changed by Defra, after a challenge over its lawfulness.’

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The Guardian , 20th June 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme guidance published – Family Law

Posted June 6th, 2022 in codes of practice, disclosure, domestic violence, families, news, police by tracey

‘The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), often referred to as “Clare’s Law”, was implemented across all police forces in England and Wales in March 2014. It means members of the public can ask the police for information on their partner’s criminal history and therefore know if their partner poses a risk to them.’

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Family Law, 27th May 2022

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

CPS guidance ‘makes things worse’ for rape survivors, victims’ commissioner says – The Guardian

‘New guidance designed to give rape victims confidence to get therapy before their trial “makes things worse” for survivors and lessened their protections, according to the victims’ commissioner, Vera Baird.’

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The Guardian, 26th May 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Media reporters’ Charter – open justice, but only for some – Transparency Project

Posted May 23rd, 2022 in codes of practice, courts, HM Courts Service, media, news by sally

‘A new “Reporters’ Charter” outlining the rights and responsibilities of court reporters has been launched to boost transparency in the justice system, according an announcement by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. The charter, part of the General guidance to staff on supporting media access to courts and tribunals, was developed by the Media Lawyers Association and HM Courts and Tribunals Service and unveiled at the Society of Editors Annual Conference on 11 May 2022.’

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Transparency Project, 22nd May 2022

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Priti Patel accused of ‘power grab’ over new policing proposals – The Guardian

Posted May 16th, 2022 in codes of practice, government departments, news, police by tracey

‘Police leaders have accused Priti Patel of a “power grab” that would allow the home secretary to intervene in local law enforcement matters and silence chiefs who want to speak out on issues deemed politically sensitive.’

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The Guardian, 16th May 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Off into the Somerset – Local Government Lawyer

‘The President of the Family Division has issued new guidance on remedying breaches of the Adoption Agency Regulations 2005. Jess Purchase sets out the key points.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 6th April 2022

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Ombudsmen release joint guidance to tackle common mistakes in aftercare of mental health in-patients – Family Law

‘The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) and the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) have released new guidance to tackle common and repeated mistakes seen in the aftercare of patients receiving support under the Mental Health Act.’

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Family Law, 5th May 2022

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

UK watchdog will have power to impose huge fines on big tech firms – The Guardian

‘A new tech watchdog will be given the power to impose multibillion-pound fines on major firms such as Google and Facebook if they breach rules designed to protect consumers and businesses.’

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The Guardian, 5th May 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Re H [2022]EWFC 10: Guidance in Learning Disability Cases – Transparency Project

‘The Good Practice Guidance for working with parents with a learning disability was first published in 2007 by the Department of Health / Department for Education and Skills. Fifteen years and two revisions later, awareness of it remains patchy. In Re H [2022] EWFC 10 (19 January 2022), where the mother’s learning disability was a central feature of the case, the children’s social worker admitted that she was unfamiliar with the Guidance.’

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Transparency Project, 26th April 2022

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Doctors could soon face action over ‘misleading’ social media posts – The Guardian

‘Doctors who share “misleading” information on social media could face regulatory action, according to planned new guidelines.’

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The Guardian, 26th April 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

FCA finalises ‘comply or explain’ diversity rules for listed companies – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 27th, 2022 in codes of practice, company law, diversity, news by sally

‘The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has finalised rules requiring UK listed companies to set out in their annual reports whether they have met board diversity targets.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 26th April 2022

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Stephen Port victims’ families ‘sceptical’ of police reforms – The Independent

‘A lawyer representing the victims of Stephen Port has said they remain sceptical about proposed policing reforms to how unexplained deaths are reported.’

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The Independent, 21st April 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Death classifications expanded after serial killer inquests – BBC News

‘The national police approach to investigating unexplained deaths is to be reformed following the inquests for victims of serial killer Stephen Port.’

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BBC News, 20th April 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ombudsmen release joint guidance to tackle common mistakes in aftercare of mental health in-patients – Family Law

‘The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) and the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) have released new guidance to tackle common and repeated mistakes seen in the aftercare of patients receiving support under the Mental Health Act.’

Full Story

Family Law, 11th April 2022

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

New Highway Code rules for phone usage come into force – everything you need to know – The Independent

‘Drivers could face a fine for just touching a mobile phone while behind the wheel – and the same goes for passengers in certain circumstances under tough new rules.’

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The Independent, 29th March 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Child Q: Black professionals urge education secretary to take action following strip-search – The Independent

‘The education secretary must take immediate action to tackle institutional racism within the education sector following the “dehumanising” strip-search of a black child in London, a collective of black professionals has demanded.’

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The Independent, 26th March 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Rule will require solicitors to challenge colleagues’ improper behaviour – Legal Futures

‘Solicitors will have a regulatory obligation to challenge colleagues who treat others unfairly or without respect as part of a plan to beef up the rules on health and wellbeing at work.’

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Legal futures, 7th March 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Senior judge recommends scaling back of Commons standards tsar’s dual role – The Independent

Posted March 4th, 2022 in codes of practice, disciplinary procedures, news, parliament by tracey

‘Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone should have her decision-making powers stripped back and the Commons be banned from amending reports into MPs’ rule breaches, a review of the standards system has recommended.’

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The Independent, 4th March 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Returning instructions a “last resort”, Bar Council tells criminal barristers – Legal Futures

Posted February 16th, 2022 in appeals, barristers, codes of practice, criminal procedure, news by sally

‘Criminal defence barristers should recognise that returning instructions where they are not under a professional duty to do so “should always be a matter of last resort”, the Bar Council has said.’

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Legal Futures, 16th February 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Private parking fines to be capped at £50 – BBC News

Posted February 7th, 2022 in codes of practice, fines, government departments, news, parking by tracey

‘Private car parks will have to display prices more clearly, introduce a fairer system for appeals and give drivers a grace period for lateness as part of a government crackdown.’

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BBC News, 7th February 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk