Government delays clinical negligence fixed costs consultation – Litigation Futures

Posted November 19th, 2015 in consultations, costs, delay, fees, negligence, news by sally

‘The government has delayed launch of its consultation on introducing fixed recoverable costs in low-value clinical negligence claims.’

Full story

Litigation Futures, 19th November 2015

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

MPs to assess technological feasibility of requirements under proposed new surveillance laws – OUT-LAW.com

‘MPs at the UK parliament will assess whether it is technologically feasible for companies to comply with new communication surveillance laws that have been proposed.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 13th November 2015

Source: www.out-law.com

Gove admits the UK sentencing framework needs to be more sensitive, & 7 more things we learned at the 2015 Howard League AGM – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

‘Since his appointment as Justice Secretary & Lord Chancellor in May this year, the Rt Hon Michael Gove has maintained a fairly low profile. Aside from his Making Prisons Work speech in July, Mr Gove’s plans for the future of the Criminal Justice System have not been very clearly outlined. Although since his swearing in, to the delight of many, Gove has managed to overturn the previous Lord Chancellor, Chris Grayling’s ban on books for prisoners; scrapped plans to create a super youth prison; and halted massively controversial plans for the UK to undertake Saudi Arabian prison training contracts.’

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 6th November 2015

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Police chiefs threaten Home Office with legal action over reforms – BBC News

Posted November 3rd, 2015 in budgets, consultations, local government, news, police by sally

‘Six police and crime commissioners have threatened the Home Office with legal action over changes to the way police forces in England and Wales are funded.’

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BBC News, 3rd November 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Consultation on extradition and transit codes of practice – Home Office

Posted November 2nd, 2015 in codes of practice, consultations, extradition, police by sally

‘This is a consultation on revised codes of practice for extradition and new codes of practice for transit cases.’

Full press release

Home Office, 2nd November 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Reforming intellectual property law – Government consultation – Law Commission

Posted October 29th, 2015 in bills, consultations, intellectual property, Law Commission, news by sally

‘The Intellectual Property Office has opened a consultation to assess whether there would be sufficient stakeholder support to introduce our Intellectual Property (Unjustified Threats) Bill into Parliament using the special procedure reserved for uncontroversial Law Commission Bills.’

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Law Commission, 23rd October 2015

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Protecting retirement flat owners from hidden fees – a consultation – Law Commission

Posted October 29th, 2015 in consultations, fees, housing, Law Commission, leases, news, retirement by sally

‘In a consultation opening today we look at what can be done to protect owners of retirement flats and their families from unexpected charges hidden in leases.’

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Law Commission, 29th October 2015

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Insisting on a 2:1 degree for barristers “could discriminate against BAME students” – Legal Futures

‘Insisting on an upper second class degree for future barristers could impose a “discriminatory burden” on BAME students, who are less likely to obtain them, a leading academic has argued in response to a Bar Standards Board (BSB) consultation that raises the possibility.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 29th October 2015

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

UK courts to define ‘grossly unfair’ payment terms, says government – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 28th, 2015 in consultations, contracts, EC law, news, small businesses by sally

‘Difficult questions around whether supply chain payment terms and practices are “grossly unfair” should ultimately be settled by the courts or the new Small Business Commissioner, the UK government has said.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 27th October 2015

Source: www.out-law.com

Council to consider costs pursuit after judgment issued in libraries dispute – Local Government Lawyer

‘Lincolnshire County Council has said it will consult its lawyers about the recovery of its costs after a High Court judge set out why in July she rejected a legal challenge to the authority’s plans for its libraries services.’

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 22nd October 2015

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Review of coroner services launched – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 21st, 2015 in bereavement, codes of practice, consultations, coroners, inquests, news, time limits by sally

‘Major reforms which have put bereaved people at the heart of the coroner system will be reviewed to see what further improvement can be made, Justice Minister Caroline Dinenage has announced.’

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 15th October 2015

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

Uber wins high court case over taxi app – The Guardian

Posted October 16th, 2015 in competition, consultations, internet, news, taxis, telecommunications by sally

‘The taxi-booking service Uber has received a boost after the high court ruled that its app was legal in London. Had it lost the case, the company would have been forced to change its service to comply with rules that protect black-cab drivers.’

Full story

The Guardian, 16th October 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Barristers set for freedom to operate through corporate vehicles and agencies – Legal Futures

Posted October 15th, 2015 in barristers, consultations, employment, news by sally

‘Barristers are to be allowed to operate through agencies and corporate vehicles under proposals released today by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).’

Full story

Legal Futures, 13th October 2015

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Bar regulator wants to remove restrictions on employed barristers, seeking views – Bar Standards Board

Posted October 14th, 2015 in barristers, consultations, employment, law firms, press releases by sally

‘The regulator is seeking to broaden the definition of employment for barristers working in-house for organisations that are not authorised law firms, in a new consultation launched today.’

Full press release

Bar Stadards Board, 13th October 2015

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Appealing energy price controls: guidance for beginners from the CMA – Competition Bulletin from Blackstone Chambers

Posted October 12th, 2015 in appeals, competition, consultations, energy, judicial review, news by sally

‘The CMA recently published its final determinations in two appeals brought by British Gas and Northern Powergrid against Ofgem’s electricity price controls for the next 8 years (decisions here and here). The appeals were the first under section 11C of the Electricity Act 1989 and the CMA’s decisions will therefore be the first port of call for any practitioners considering appeals against not only price controls but also any modifications made by Ofgem to electricity distributors’ licences.’

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Competition Bulletin from Blackstone Chambers, 9th October 2015

Source: www.competitionbulletin.com

Court estate consolidation plans based on flawed data – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 12th, 2015 in consultations, courts, delay, Law Society, local government, news, solicitors, statistics by sally

‘Lawyers and justice campaigners have raised fresh concerns about the government’s court closure programme, alleging that the proposals are based on out-of-date travel times and other dubious data.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 12th October 2015

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Finance & Divorce Update October 2015 – Family Law Week

‘Edward Heaton, Principal Associate and Jane Booth, Associate, both of Mills & Reeve LLP analyse the news and case law relating to financial remedies and divorce during September 2015.’

Full story

Family Law Week, 11th October 2015

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Court closure consultation in England and Wales ends – BBC News

Posted October 8th, 2015 in consultations, courts, news, tribunals by sally

‘A government consultation on plans to close 91 courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and integrate or merge another 31, is closing.’

Full story

BBC News, 8th October 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Gambling operators would face practical difficulties in implementing proposed crime controls, says expert – The Guardian

Posted October 8th, 2015 in consultations, crime, EC law, gambling, licensing, money laundering, news by sally

‘Gambling operators would face practical difficulties in adhering to new anti-crime controls proposed by the British Gambling Commission, an expert has said.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 7th October 2015

Source: www.out-law.com

Guidance first on theft offences – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 6th, 2015 in consultations, news, sentencing, theft by sally

‘Courts have today received comprehensive sentencing guidance for all theft offences for the first time.’

Full story

Law Society Gazette, 6th September 2015

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk