High Court hears judicial review challenge over proposed closure of day care centre – Local Government Lawyer

‘The High Court in Leeds is this week (13-14) hearing a judicial review challenge to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council’s decision to close a day care centre for adults with learning disabilities.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 14th May 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Military prosecutions: ‘Unfair’ investigations to be barred – BBC News

‘British troops and veterans will be given stronger legal protections against prosecution, Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt will announce.’

Full Story

BBC News, 15th May 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Councils to have statutory duty to deliver support in secure accommodation for survivors of domestic abuse – Local Government Lawyer

‘Councils are to be legally required for the first time to deliver support in secure accommodation for survivors of domestic abuse, the Government has announced.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 13th May 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Licensed conveyancers set for practising fees cut – Legal Futures

Posted May 14th, 2019 in consultations, conveyancing, fees, licensing, news, probate by sally

‘The body that regulates licensed conveyancers is looking at steep reductions in the cost of practising, arguing that “good regulation does not have to come with an onerous price tag”.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 14th May 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Promoting cyber security for Internet of Things devices – Technology Law Update

‘The roll-out of 5G networks is ramping up with limited services available in parts of the US and South Korea. 2019 will see the launch of 5G in selected cities across the UK. This new, much faster, mobile connectivity will support a proliferation of internet-enabled devices. With expected benefits in terms of reduced latency and much greater capacity, many expect to see a proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices as 5G becomes a reality.’

Full Story

Technology Law Update, 10th May 2019

Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk

PM vows to end postcode lottery for domestic abuse victims

‘The prime minister has vowed to end the postcode lottery for those escaping domestic abuse.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 13th May 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Written pupillage agreements to reduce “inappropriate behaviour” – Legal Futures

‘Making written pupillage agreements compulsory could reduce the risk of pupil barristers being subjected to “inappropriate behaviour”, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has said.
It signalled the move in an informal consultation that also proposes to make it compulsory for chambers and other training providers to bring their pupillage recruitment timetables into line with the Pupillage Gateway.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 9th May 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Rape victims demand a say in official review of criminal justice failings – The Guardian

‘Victims’ organisations are to press for closer involvement in the government’s review of falling rape prosecutions, warning that complainants’ credibility and sexual history are increasingly being made the focus of trials.’

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The Guardian, 8th May 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Meet The Campaigners Behind The UK’s First Social And Economic Rights Bill – Rights Info

Posted April 26th, 2019 in bills, brexit, consultations, EC law, education, health, housing, human rights, news by sally

‘Two years ago, human rights campaigners Koldo Casla and Peter Roderick first discussed creating a bill enshrining social and economic rights in the UK. With a draft version now out for consultation, their vision is creeping closer to reality. Ella Braidwood finds out more.’

Full Story

Rights Info, 25th April 2019

Source: rightsinfo.org

Parish councils win High Court challenge over abolition after borough misinterpreted guidance – Local Government Lawyer

‘Slough Borough Council misinterpreted government guidance and so an order providing for the abolition of two parish councils in its area must be quashed, a High Court judge has ruled.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 23rd April 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Towards clarity on reporting obligations – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Last month the Solicitors Regulation Authority published its response to its ‘Reporting Concerns’ consultation, launched last year. You could be forgiven for missing the fanfare but this was big news in the world of law firm and lawyer regulation.’

Full Story

Law Society's Gazette, 11th March 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Not Knowing the Amount of Compensation Award (EXB (A Protected Party by his Mother and Litigation Friend) v FDZ and Others) – 39 Essex Chambers

‘Emily Formby, barrister at 39 Essex Chambers, considers the case of EXB (a protected party by his mother and litigation friend) v FDZ and others concerning the overlap in jurisdiction between the civil courts and the Court of Protection (CoP). Despite the overlap being commonplace in daily practice, reported cases giving guidance on how to navigate issues thrown up by the different procedures are rarer than one might think.’

Full Story

39 Essex Chambers, 8th February 2019

Source: www.39essex.com

Sentencing Council to include expanded explanations in guidelines – OUT-LAW.com

Posted March 13th, 2019 in codes of practice, consultations, judiciary, news, sequestration by sally

‘Plans to require judges and magistrates to consider additional contextual information when weighing up aggravating and mitigating factors during the sentencing process for particular offences have been published for consultation by the Sentencing Council.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 13th March 2019

Source: www.out-law.com

Mixed fortunes for UK government in planning rulings – OUT-LAW.com

‘The UK government has successfully defended a legal challenge against its decision to adopt a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England last year, but guidance contained in that framework concerning ‘fracking’ has been ruled to be unlawful.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 8th March 2019

Source: www.out-law.com

An updated driverless testing code for the UK recognises remote operators – Technology Law Update

Posted March 8th, 2019 in codes of practice, consultations, health & safety, news, road traffic by sally

‘The UK Government has published a revised Code of Practice on trials of automated vehicles. This is open for comments until 6 May 2019.’

Full Story

Technology Law Update, 8th March 2019

Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk

No Fault divorces: a new reality? – Family Law

Posted March 7th, 2019 in consultations, divorce, families, marriage, news, reasons by sally

‘Following mounting criticism from campaigners, the UK could witness the arrival of ‘no-fault divorces’ in the coming months, writes LexisNexis’ Catherine Gleave. The government is preparing a consultation to review the current divorce system, with a view to introduce a reform offer to estranged couples and give them the opportunity to end their marriage without the acrimony of fault-finding divorce proceedings. With such monumental change on the horizon, we discuss the impact of no-fault divorces and make predictions about what the change could mean for the legal world.’

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Family Law, 6th March 2019

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Fracking: Government guidance ‘unlawful’ rules High Court – BBC News

‘New government guidance on fracking is unlawful, the High Court has ruled.’

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BBC News, 6th March 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Unethical’ use of NDAs prompts consultation on laws to protect victims – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The government today indicated it will legislate to stop employers from using confidentiality clauses to intimidate victims of harassment into silence.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 4th March 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Is social media harming our criminal justice system? – Attorney General’s Office

‘Publication of the government’s response to its Call for Evidence on the impact of social media on the administration of justice.’

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 5th March 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Commercial Court “should better enforce witness statement rules” – Litigation Futures

‘Early results from a survey on witness statements has found that that most Commercial Court users want judges to be tougher in enforcing the rules, it has emerged.’

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Litigation Futures, 28th February 2019

Source: www.litigationfutures.com