Can Your Employer Cut Your Pay For Working Remotely? – Each Other

Posted August 26th, 2021 in coronavirus, disabled persons, employment, flexible working, news, remuneration by sally

‘As the UK eases back into in-person work environments, some employers are considering pay cuts for employees who elect to work remotely.’

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Each Other, 25th August 2021

Source: eachother.org.uk

Sentences for violent and sexual crimes fall sharply in England and Wales – The Guardian

‘Average sentence lengths for violent and sexual offences in England and Wales fell steeply last year as the Covid pandemic also led to a huge slowdown in the number of people dealt with by the criminal justice system.’

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The Guardian, 19th August 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judge to decide if Covid patient should be allowed to die – BBC News

‘A judge has been asked to decide if a woman left brain damaged and paralysed from the neck down after contracting Covid-19 should be allowed to die.’

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BBC News, 18th August 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Expert witnesses “prefer preparing in-person for virtual hearings” – Legal Futures

Posted August 18th, 2021 in coronavirus, cross-examination, expert witnesses, news, remote hearings by sally

‘Expert witnesses prefer to travel to prepare themselves for a trial in person with their legal teams even when the trial itself is to be conducted remotely, a report has found.’

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Legal Futures, 18th August 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Court of Protection approves Covid vaccine for man lacking capacity, but declines to authorise booster dose without another hearing – Local Government Lawyer

‘A Court of Protection judge has approved the giving of the first and second dose of a Covid-19 vaccination to a man who lacks capacity, but has declined to authorise in advance the administration of a booster dose.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 16th August 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

COVID-19 vaccine fraudster jailed – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted August 16th, 2021 in assault, coronavirus, fraud, guilty pleas, news, sentencing, vaccination by tracey

‘A fraudster has been jailed at Kingston Crown Court today for pretending to offer a 92-year-old victim a COVID vaccine in exchange for money.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 13th August 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Covid: Watchdog to immediately investigate Covid PCR test cost – BBC News

Posted August 13th, 2021 in competition, consumer protection, coronavirus, holidays, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘The competition watchdog has said it will investigate the price of PCR Covid tests “immediately”. The health secretary had called for a review into “excessive” pricing and “exploitative practices” among test providers.’

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BBC News, 12th August 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Quarantine hotel rules face legal challenge – BBC News

‘A law firm representing travellers is challenging the UK’s quarantine hotel policy and seeking a judicial review.’

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BBC News, 12th August 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Chaos as more than a dozen people taken off deportation flight from UK to Jamaica – The Guardian

‘The hours before a controversial Home Office charter flight to Jamaica was due to take off were mired in chaos and confusion as more than a dozen people were removed from the flight after legal challenges. The original Home Office “long list” for the flight is believed to have had 90 names on it. But the fate of the deportation flight hung in the balance on Tuesday evening as only about one tenth remained on the schedule. Tweets from a campaign group in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and flight tracker data, suggested the plane did eventually depart.’

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The Guardian, 11th August 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Covid PCR costs can be excessive and exploitative, says Javid – BBC News

‘The health secretary has asked the competition watchdog to investigate “excessive” pricing and “exploitative practices” among PCR Covid test firms.’

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BBC News, 8th August 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Bosses battle over rights and wrongs of ‘no jab, no job’ – The Guardian

Posted August 9th, 2021 in coronavirus, employment, human rights, news, unfair dismissal, vaccination by tracey

‘While big-name US firms can compel their staff to be vaccinated against Covid, in the UK the issue is a legal and moral minefield.’

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The Guardian, 8th August 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

The COVID-19 Inquiry: Some potential issues – Structure of a public inquiry – Doughty Street Chambers

Posted August 6th, 2021 in chambers articles, coronavirus, government departments, inquiries, news by sally

‘This series of short articles reflects on some matters that may arise in relation to a public inquiry (or inquiries) into the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, set to be launched in Spring 2022. While little is publicly known about the details of the inquiry, these articles consider the relevant legislative framework and some possible questions of scope, structure and participation.’

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Doughty Street Chambers, 2nd August 2021

Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk

Lawyers pledge to boycott extended court hours – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Almost 400 solicitors and barristers have signed an open letter to HM Courts & Tribunals Service, refusing to attend a ‘single court listing outside of regular court hours’. The Ministry of Justice responded today by denying the existence of any plan for weekend sittings.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 5th August 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Lawyers pledge to boycott extended court hours – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Almost 400 solicitors and barristers have signed an open letter to HM Courts & Tribunals Service, refusing to attend a ‘single court listing outside of regular court hours’. The Ministry of Justice responded today by denying the existence of any plan for weekend sittings.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 5th August 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Compulsory Vaccination for Care Home Workers – legislation coming into force in November – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted August 3rd, 2021 in care homes, care workers, coronavirus, news, regulations, vaccination by sally

‘The government has passed legislation compelling care homes to ensure almost all workers are vaccinated against Covid-19. It comes into force on 11 November 2021, and applies to England only.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 3rd August 2021

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations in the health sector: the position across Europe – OUT-LAW.com

‘The UK government will require people working in care homes in England to have been vaccinated against Covid-19, subject to limited exemptions.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 28th July 2021

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

The rise of ‘fire and rehire’ strategies in retail – Parklane Plowden Chambers

Posted July 29th, 2021 in chambers articles, company law, coronavirus, employment, news by sally

‘Richard Ryan, specialist employment barrister at Parklane Plowden Chambers, explains the legalities around fire and rehire strategies.’

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Parklane Plowden Chambers, 21st July 2021

Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk

Downing Street Covid briefings excluded deaf BSL users, judge finds – The Guardian

‘Downing Street’s failure to provide British Sign Language interpreters during live Covid briefings was discriminatory and breached equality legislation, a high court judge has ruled.’

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The Guardian, 28th July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Fury as Buckland brings back extended court operating hours – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The government could face legal and strike action over its decision to resurrect extended court operating hours as part of the widely-trailled “Beating Crime Plan” unveiled today.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 27th July 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Longer court hours re-emerge despite concerns over impact – Legal Futures

Posted July 28th, 2021 in barristers, coronavirus, courts, delay, Ministry of Justice, news, pilot schemes by sally

‘Extended operating hours in the courts – bitterly opposed by the legal profession – have returned, at least for now, in the guise of “temporary operating arrangements” (TOA).’

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Legal Futures, 27th July 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk