UK to tighten laws on ‘abhorrent’ ivory trade – The Guardian

Posted April 3rd, 2018 in animal cruelty, artistic works, consultations, news, sale of goods by sally

‘A UK ban on ivory sales, which the government claims will be the toughest in Europe and one of the strictest in the world, is to be introduced after the proposals were overwhelmingly backed in a public consultation.’

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The Guardian, 3rd April 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK government confirms changes to discount rate calculation method – OUT-LAW.com

Posted March 29th, 2018 in bills, consultations, insurance, news, personal injuries by tracey

‘The way in which the discount rate applied to lump sum personal injury payments is calculated will be changed in order to “better reflect evidence of actual investment habits”, the UK government has confirmed.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 28th March 2018

Source: www.out-law.com

Statement from the Justice Secretary on judgment re: John Worboys – Ministry of Justice

Posted March 29th, 2018 in consultations, disclosure, parole, press releases, victims by tracey

‘Statement from the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, David Gauke, in response to today’s judgment.’

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Ministry of Justice, 28th March 2018

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

No call for evidence in AG’s disclosure review – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 27th, 2018 in attorney general, consultations, disclosure, news, select committees by tracey

‘The day before MPs begin hearing evidence on challenges around the disclosure of evidence in criminal cases, the Attorney General’s Office has announced it will not be issuing a call for evidence to inform its wider review.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 26th March 2018

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Arson and criminal damage – consultation launched on sentencing guideline – Sentencing Council

Posted March 27th, 2018 in arson, consultations, criminal damage, press releases, sentencing by tracey

‘The Sentencing Council has published proposed new guidelines covering arson and criminal damage offences. The guidelines, for courts in England and Wales, will help ensure consistent and proportionate sentencing for these offences.’

Full press release

Sentencing Council, 27th march 2018

Source: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk

Sentencing Code considers additional youth sentencing laws – consultation – Law Commission

Posted March 26th, 2018 in consultations, press releases, sentencing, young offenders by tracey

‘The Law Commission has launched a short consultation on youth sentencing as part of its work to create a single Sentencing Code.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 23rd March 2018

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk/

Statement from the Chair of the Bar on AGFS – The Bar Council

Posted March 26th, 2018 in barristers, consultations, criminal justice, fees, legal aid, press releases by tracey

‘Statement from the Chair of the Bar on AGFS.’

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The Bar Council, 24th March 2018

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

BSB agrees approach on the role of the Inns of Court in the future of Bar training – Bar Standards Board

‘Following its recent consultation, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has agreed in principle how it should prescribe the future role of the Inns of Court in the training and qualification of barristers.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 23rd March 2018

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.

BSB seeks views on modernising its regulatory decision-making – Bar Standards Board

Posted March 9th, 2018 in barristers, consultations, press releases, professional conduct by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today launched a new consultation seeking views on the final phase of the Governance Reform outlined in its 2016-19 Strategic Plan. The BSB now proposes to change how it deals with the information it receives as the regulator and to revise its decision-making structures in relation to professional conduct issues.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 8th March 2018

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Considerations for care homes on the charging of fees after death – Family Law

Posted March 8th, 2018 in care homes, competition, consultations, elderly, fees, news by tracey

‘In the first of a regular Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) column for Family Law Claire Davis, Director of SFE, considers the issue of care homes charging fees after death.’

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Family Law, 5th March 2018

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Domestic abusers could be electronically tagged in government crackdown – Daily Telegraph

‘Domestic abusers could be banned from drinking alcohol and electronically tagged under a Government crackdown. New civil orders will expand the potential restrictions courts and police can impose on criminals who torment partners, spouses and other family members.’

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Daily Telegraph, 8th March 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

140-year-old law preventing river fishing during spring likely to be scrapped following Government review – Daily Telegraph

‘140-year-old law that prevents river fishing for three months a year could be scrapped following a Government review.’

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Daily Telegraph, 6th March 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Whatever happened to the judiciary’s McKenzie Friends consultation? – Transparency Project

‘In February 2016, the then Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, and the Judicial Executive Board issued a consultation entitled “Reforming the courts’ approach to McKenzie Friends”. It followed an internal report by a judicial working group and sought responses to a number of proposals in relation to McKenzie Friends, including changing their name to ‘court supporter’, replacing existing practice guidance with rules of court, introducing a Code of Conduct for them, and imposing a bar on recovery of fees.’

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Transparency Project, 27th February 2018

Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk

Working Together to Safeguard Children: revisions to statutory guidance – Home Office

Posted February 26th, 2018 in child abuse, child neglect, consultations, reports by tracey

‘Summary of responses we received, along with the government’s response outlining the next steps.’

Full guidance

Home Office, 26th February 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Home-ownership call for evidence – help make commonhold more common – Law Commission

Posted February 23rd, 2018 in consultations, Law Commission, leases, press releases, sale of land by tracey

‘The Law Commission is asking flat owners, housebuilders, mortgage lenders and lawyers to help shape a law which could help people own their flats outright. The independent legal body wants views on a little-known and little used home ownership status called commonhold, which provides an alternative to residential leasehold.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 22nd February 2018

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk/

Housing complaints overhaul targets rogue landlords – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 19th, 2018 in complaints, consultations, housing, landlord & tenant, news by sally

‘Tenants left fighting with private landlords over shoddy accommodation will be consulted on a new complaints system, the Government has announced.’

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Daily Telegraph, 18th February 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Government agrees to further discussion of clinical negligence costs regime, amid concerns – Litigation Futures

Posted February 15th, 2018 in consultations, costs, hospitals, negligence, news by sally

‘Four out of five respondents to the government’s consultation on fixed recoverable costs (FRC) in low-value clinical negligence cases have echoed Civil Justice Council (CJC) concerns about a single joint expert being used, it has emerged.’

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Litigation Futures, 15th February 2018

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Planning policy consultation to finally begin a year after Government housing paper was published – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 12th, 2018 in construction industry, consultations, housing, news, planning by tracey

‘Changes to England’s planning policy could finally come into effect this summer, more than a year after initial legislation was published, as housebuilders pin difficulties getting more homes built on the complicated system.’

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Daily Telegraph, 12th February 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

GPOC – Local Government Law

Posted February 8th, 2018 in consultations, contracting out, housing, local government, news by tracey

‘The General Power of Competence (“GPOC”) in Section 1 of the Localism Act 2011 (“LA 2011”) and its exclusion, by Section 4 of LA 2011, when an authority is acting “for a commercial purpose”, but not through a limited company, has been considered in Peters v Haringey LBC (2018) EWHC 192 (Admin). The case is concerned with the Haringey Development Vehicle (“the HDV”). The purpose of the HDV is to create a partnership, by way of a limited liability partnership (“LLP”), between the Defendant Council, and a private sector body, Lendlease, and to bring private sector finance, experience and expertise to the task of developing the Council’s land for its better use, and so achieving the Council’s strategic aims in housing, affordable housing and employment. The Claimant challenged by way of judicial review a decision made by the Council through its Cabinet, on 20 July 2017, to confirm Lendlease after a procurement process as the successful bidder to become the Council’s partner in the HDV, and also approved the structure of the HDV.’

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Local Government Law, 8th February 2018

Source: local-government-law.11kbw.com

Institute of Licensing consults on guidance on suitability of taxi, PHV applicants – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 5th, 2018 in consultations, licensing, local government, news, taxis by sally

‘The Institute of Licensing (IoL) has launched a consultation on proposed guidance on determining the suitability of applicants and licensees in the hackney and private hire trades.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 2nd Februaru 2018

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk