Government admits defeat in bid to introduce fixed costs in clinical negligence on 1 October – Litigation Futures

‘The government has admitted that it will not be able to introduce fixed recoverable costs for clinical negligence cases on 1 October as planned.’

Full story

Litigation Futures, 31st May 2016

Source: www.litigationfutures.co.uk

Drug counsellors, how could drug legislation be improved? – The Guardian

Posted June 1st, 2016 in consultations, drug abuse, drug offences, news, social services by sally

‘As an annual survey finds MDMA is making a comeback, we want to hear from those who work with addiction about reducing the damage of drug misuse.’

Full story

The Guardian, 31st May 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

LSB responds to the Judicial Executive Board’s McKenzie Friends consultation – Legal Services Board

‘The Legal Services Board (LSB) has submitted its response to the Judicial Executive Board (JEB) consultation on the approach courts should take to McKenzie Friends.’

Full press release

Legal Services Board, 26th May 2016

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Response to Ministry of Justice consultation: Proposals to reform fees for grants of probate – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted May 26th, 2016 in consultations, fees, judiciary, news, probation by tracey

‘Response to MoJ Consultation by Sir James Munby: Proposals to Reform Fees for Grants of Probate.’

Full text

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 24th May 2016

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Competition watchdog objects to Land Registry sell-off – The Guardian

Posted May 24th, 2016 in competition, consultations, data protection, land registration, news by sally

‘The competition watchdog has objected to government plans to privatise the Land Registry, warning that allowing a private firm to take possession of property ownership information could cause problems for other businesses.’

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd May 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Civil Justice Council decides against new housing court – Litigation Futures

‘The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has decided not to back a new housing court to deal with all property disputes, despite support for the move among lawyers in the sector.’

Full story

Litigation Futures, 23rd May 2016

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

UK competition authorities to be given ‘more powers’ – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 23rd, 2016 in auditors, bills, competition, consultations, EC law, enforcement, news by sally

‘Competition authorities in the UK are to be given new powers to combat anti-competitive behaviour, according to plans set out in the Queen’s Speech on Wednesday.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 19th May 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Senior judges oppose singling out clin neg for fixed costs as consultation nears – Litigation Futures

‘The senior judiciary agrees with Lord Justice Jackson that fixed recoverable costs should not be introduced in clinical negligence cases in isolation, but as part of their extension across the entire fast-track and ‘lower’ end of the multi-track, it has emerged.’

Full story

Litigation Futures, 23rd May 2016

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Sentencing guidelines to reflect influence of technology – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The influence of technological developments on offending – such as sharing photos and videos on social media, and online grooming – have been factored into new sentencing proposals for young offenders.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 12th March 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Young offenders who film crimes for social media could face tougher punishments – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 12th, 2016 in consultations, news, sentencing, video recordings, young offenders by sally

‘Young offenders could face tougher punishments if they film their crimes in order to post them on social media under new sentencing proposals.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 12th May 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Legal Services Board makes the case for regulatory independence – Legal Futures

‘The lack of independence between the legal regulators and representative bodies risks undermining the credibility of regulation and allows the likes of the Law Society and Bar Council to delay reforms that would benefit competition, the Legal Services Board (LSB) said yesterday.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 11th May 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

APIL 2016: no retreat on personal injury reform, says justice minister – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 5th, 2016 in consultations, damages, insurance, news, personal injuries, small claims by tracey

‘Justice minister Lord Faulks today indicated that there will be no retreat on far-reaching and controversial plans to reform the personal injury sector.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 4th May 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Restaurant staff ‘should keep their tips’ – BBC News

Posted May 3rd, 2016 in consultations, employment, news, remuneration, service charges by tracey

‘Waiting staff should receive their tips in full and it should be clearer to customers that gratuities are optional, the business secretary has said.’

Full story

BBC News, 2nd May 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judiciary consults on the Defendant’s Duty of Candour and Disclosure in Judicial Review Proceedings – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted April 28th, 2016 in consultations, disclosure, duty of candour, judiciary by tracey

‘The Lord Chief Justice has issued a Discussion Paper by Mr Justice Cranston and Mr Justice Lewis, which considers the defendant’s duty of candour and disclosure in judicial review proceedings.’

Full Discussion paper

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 28th April 2016

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

New ‘unexplained wealth orders’ among UK anti-money laundering reforms – OUT-LAW.com

‘Those suspected of money laundering could be required to explain the origins of any unexpected wealth or risk forfeiture as part of a package of measures put forward for consultation by the UK government.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 25th April 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Money laundering: New law planned to target corrupt officials – BBC News

‘MPs, councillors and civil servants suspected of corruption are to be targeted by a new law proposed by the home secretary.’

Full story

BBC News, 21st April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Asylum and immigration court fees set to rise by over 500% – The Guardian

‘Asylum and immigration tribunal fees are set to increase by more than 500% in order to help pay off the Ministry of Justice’s funding deficit.’

Full story

The Guardian, 21st April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Fears over credit for guilty plea – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Criminal defence solicitors are expected to oppose proposed replacement guidelines on sentence reductions for early guilty pleas.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 25th April 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Raising funds to modernise the Probate Service – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted April 14th, 2016 in consultations, fees, internet, news, probate by sally

‘A banded approach to probate fees has been proposed by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Views are sought on proposals to impose fees of between £300 and £20,000, depending on the value of the estate. The value of an estate below which no fee is payable would rise from £5,000 to £50,000. The consultation is open until 1 April 2016.’

Full story

Hardwicke Chambers, 29th March 2016

Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk

Plans to change animal welfare codes abandoned by government – BBC News

Posted April 8th, 2016 in animal cruelty, animals, codes of practice, consultations, news, standards by tracey

‘The government has abandoned a controversial plan to repeal animal welfare codes.’

Full story

BBC News, 7th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk