Government to consider options for equal civil marriage for same-sex couples – Home Office

Posted September 30th, 2011 in consultations, homosexuality, marriage, press releases by tracey

“A public consultation to consider how to make civil marriage available to same-sex couples will begin in March 2012, the government announced today.”

Full press release

Home Office, 26th September 2011

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Simplifying the law of kidnapping – Law Commission

Posted September 28th, 2011 in consultations, fraud, kidnapping, news by sally

“In a consultation opening today, the Law Commission is seeking views on its provisional ideas for reform of the common law offence of kidnapping. The existing definition of kidnapping is unclear and leaves room for confusion. The Commission aims to clarify the definition of kidnapping, rectify the problems associated with the current law and ensure that all types of kidnapping can be dealt with efficiently by the courts.”

Full story

Law Commission, 28th September 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Warning over kidnap legal loophole – BBC News

Posted September 28th, 2011 in consultations, fraud, kidnapping, news by sally

“A loophole means some people guilty of kidnap may not face the full force of the law, the government’s law reform experts have warned.”

Full story

BBC News, 28th September 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Regulator warns of secret app charges and proposes industry guidance – OUT-LAW.com

Posted September 27th, 2011 in consultations, consumer protection, news, telecommunications by sally

“Some makers of mobile phone apps are secretly charging phone users for services they never asked for, premium rate phone regulator PhonepayPlus (PPP) has said. It has proposed guidance that it hopes would prevent consumers being harmed.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 27th September 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

Environmental regulations come under spotlight in ‘red tape challenge’ – The Guardian

Posted September 5th, 2011 in consultations, environmental protection, news, planning by sally

“The government is seeking advice from the public on which pieces of regulation could be made more transparent.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Non-trial advocates to be excluded from court work – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted August 25th, 2011 in advocacy, consultations, news, quality assurance, rights of audience by sally

“Non-trial advocates will be excluded from higher court work by the quality assurance scheme for advocates (QASA), a leading solicitor advocate has warned.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 25th August 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Distance selling advertising rules should be more limited, advertising body says – OUT-LAW.com

Posted August 16th, 2011 in advertising, consultations, consumer protection, news by sally

“Broadcasters should only have to vet advertisers of goods and services sold online or over the phone if their adverts are targeted at consumers, the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) has said.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 15th August 2011

Source: www.out-law.com

Joint Advocacy Group consultation paper on regulatory changes to support the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (Crime) – Bar Standards Board

Posted August 16th, 2011 in advocacy, barristers, consultations, news, quality assurance by sally

“We seek your views on proposed regulatory amendments required to embed the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (Crime) within the regulatory framework.”

Full story

Bar Standards Board, 15th August 2011

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Bar Council Responds to MoJ Funding Order Consultation – The Bar Council

Posted August 10th, 2011 in barristers, consultations, legal aid, news by sally

“The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has today responded to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on amendments to the funding of civil and criminal defence work.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 9th August 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Does Britain need a bill of rights? – The Guardian

Posted August 9th, 2011 in consultations, human rights, legislation, news by sally

“A British bill of rights may complicate human rights law further, and that would help nobody but lawyers.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th August 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘Red-tape challenge’ to liberate retailers from archaic regulations – The Guardian

Posted July 28th, 2011 in consultations, consumer protection, news, regulations by tracey

“Retailers will no longer have to hand over addresses of TV buyers to TV licensing authorities due to a red-tape overhaul. Nearly two-thirds of regulations specifically aimed at shop owners will be scrapped or reformed, as part of a bureaucratic tidying-up exercise by ministers.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th July 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Draft National Planning Policy Framework – Communities and Local Government

Posted July 26th, 2011 in consultations, planning by tracey

“We have published the draft National Planning Policy Framework for consultation. This is a key part of our reforms to make the planning system less complex and more accessible, and to promote sustainable growth. We are keen to hear views from all interested parties on the draft and how it might be improved.”

Full consultation

Communities and Local Government, 25th July 2011

Source: www.communities.gov.uk

New planning laws threaten green belt – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 26th, 2011 in consultations, environmental protection, news, planning by tracey

“The biggest shake up in the planning system for 50 years will allow sprawling out of town developments on the green belt, campaigners have warned.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 26th July 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Consultation on secure estate for young offenders – Ministry of Justice

Posted July 20th, 2011 in consultations, detention, press releases, young offenders by tracey

“A public consultation on the future shape of the youth secure estate was launched today by the Ministry of Justice and the Youth Justice Board.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 19th July 2011

Source; www.justice.gov.uk

Government launches consultation on family migration – UK Border Agency

Posted July 14th, 2011 in consultations, families, forced marriages, immigration, press releases by tracey

“The government has today announced proposals to crack down on sham and forced marriages, as part of a new consultation on better family migration.”

Full press release

UK Border Agency, 13th July 2011

Source: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

Options for dealing with squatters – Ministry of Justice

Posted July 14th, 2011 in consultations, homelessness, housing, news, squatting by tracey

“Options for dealing with squatters – impact assessment.”

Full text

Ministry of Justice, 13th July 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Solicitors and others remain divided over desirability of the government’s civil justice reforms – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 7th, 2011 in civil justice, consultations, legislation, news by sally

“In The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, the government conceded remarkably little following extensive – though hardly protracted – periods of consultation.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 7th July 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Media needs to get facts straight on immigrants’ rights – The Guardian

Posted July 7th, 2011 in consultations, families, immigration, media, news by sally

“The news that the government is about to undertake a public consultation on family reunion policies for immigrants has been greeted with a barrage of inaccurate media reports. This is especially true when it comes to reporting on the current state of play in UK law and the use of article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which sets out a right to privacy and family life.”

Full story

The Guardian, 6th July 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Increasing efficiency in the Court of Protection – Ministry of Justice

Posted June 28th, 2011 in consultations, Court of Protection, news by sally

“The Government has today published a consultation paper proposing that some decisions on straightforward applications to the Court of Protection are taken by authorised court officers.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 28th June 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Chancery Lane urges government to fund family justice reforms – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 23rd, 2011 in consultations, divorce, family courts, Law Society, legal aid, news by sally

“The Law Society has backed the Family Justice Review’s ‘far-reaching’ proposals for reform, but urged the government not to proceed with the changes unless it can provide the money to implement them properly.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 23rd June 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk