‘It just doesn’t stop!’ Do we need a new law to ban out-of-hours emails? – The Guardian

Posted June 29th, 2021 in coronavirus, electronic mail, employment, news, working time by sally

‘During the pandemic many workers have felt more under siege than ever from work emails that arrive at all hours. Could the legal right to disconnect help?’

Full Story

The Guardian, 29th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Court of Protection case update – Local Government Update

‘Aaqib Javed and Holly Littlewood review the latest cases of interest to Court of Protection practitioners.’

Full Story

Local Government Update, 25th June 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Crown court backlog hits record high of 60,000 cases as victims wait years for justice – The Independent

‘The backlog of crown court cases in England and Wales has hit a record number of almost 60,000 as waiting times rocket for victims and defendants.’

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The Independent, 24th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Public inquiry into Covid must begin now, says senior judge – The Guardian

‘A public inquiry into Covid should be launched immediately, a senior retired judge has said with a warning that if it does not report back for four or five years “it ceases to form a useful function”.’

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The Guardian, 24th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mediation – Don’t panic in the Pandemic – be prepared – 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square

‘The coronavirus pandemic and the current and continuing lockdown imposed by government has led to a number of consequences for the resolution of commercial disputes, and the administration of justice. First is where trials are being adjourned to uncertain dates, currently unable to take place due to the inability or unwillingness of people to attend court. Second is what is going to happen when the lockdown is eased or lifted, and disputes, which have been building up in the normal course, enter the system creating a backlog. Judges are understandably concerned that the courts and arbitral tribunals could face and potentially be overwhelmed by a wave of commercial cases. A number of these disputes will have arisen due to the parties’ inability to honour their contractual obligations due to the lockdown with complicated issues of law as to the remedies available.’

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4-5 Gray's Inn Square, 21st June 2021

Source: www.4-5.co.uk

Revise sickness policies ahead of UK winter flu – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 24th, 2021 in coronavirus, employment, flexible working, news, sick leave, vaccination by sally

‘UK employers should revise their sickness policies before an anticipated increase in seasonal flu cases this winter to ensure lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic are reflected, an employment law expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 23rd June 2021

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

What employees need to know about their rights during COVID – Oxford Human Rights Hub

Posted June 24th, 2021 in coronavirus, employment, flexible working, news, remuneration by sally

‘Since the start of the global COVID pandemic, many employees have experienced upheaval, uncertainty, and disruption within their jobs. Some employees have experienced worry about their own personal safety when they are present at their place of work. For others, being furloughed might have put their long-term career aspirations into doubt. With COVID restrictions now easing and the UK firmly following the roadmap out of lockdown, new questions are emerging about employee rights. However, it is important to remember that all employees still have significant rights during COVID.’

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Oxford Human Rights Hub, 21st June 2021

Source: ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk

Three in four domestic abuse cases end without charge in England and Wales – The Guardian

‘Three in four domestic abuse offences reported to the police are closed without a perpetrator being charged, a watchdog has said, amid fears the figures have worsened during the pandemic.’

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The Guardian, 23rd June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

What Are The Rights-Based Implications Of Vaccine Passports? – Each Other

Posted June 23rd, 2021 in coronavirus, equality, holidays, human rights, news, passports, vaccination by sally

‘Following news that 15 EU countries are issuing Covid-19 vaccine passports for travel, the debate over whether vaccine passports are fair is growing.’

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Each Other, 21st June 2021

Source: eachother.org.uk

Were Do Not Resuscitate Orders Illegally Placed on Disabled People? – Each Other

‘Throughout the pandemic, unlawful do not resuscitate orders (DNRs) were placed upon people in the United Kingdom. Did it unfairly target disabled patients?’

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Each Other, 22nd June 2021

Source: eachother.org.uk

High court ruling leaves refused asylum seekers at risk of homelessness – The Guardian

‘A high court judge has quashed a ruling that said refused asylum seekers who are destitute must be given accommodation during the pandemic until all Covid restrictions are lifted.’

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The Guardian, 22nd June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Councils issue £1m in penalties against businesses for breach of Covid restrictions – Local Government Lawyer

‘Local authorities have issued 1,201 penalties to businesses for violating Covid business restrictions, to a value of £1,076,820, research has revealed.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 21st June 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Binding arbitration to settle Covid commercial rent disputes – Litigation Futures

‘The government is to introduce mandatory, binding arbitration to settle disputes between landlords and businesses struggling to pay their rent because of the pandemic.’

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Litigation Futures, 17th June 2021

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Speech by the Master of the Rolls at the London School of Economics – Recovery or Radical Transformation: the effect of COVID-19 on Justice Systems – Courts & Tribunals Judiciary

‘Speech by the Master of the Rolls at the London School of Economics – Recovery or Radical Transformation: the effect of COVID-19 on Justice Systems.’

Full speech

Courts & Tribunals Judiciary, 17th June 2021

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Giving staff legal right to work from home will ‘cause corporate chaos’, businesses warn – The Independent

‘Businesses have warned Boris Johnson’s government that any attempt to give employees the legal right to work from home would cause “chaos” in offices across the country.’

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The Independent, 17th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Covid: Deaf campaigner takes legal action over No 10 briefings – BBC News

‘A deaf campaigner is taking legal action against the government, after complaining that it failed to provide in-person British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters at No 10 Covid briefings.’

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BBC News, 16th May 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Frustrated Contracts and Wedding Venues – article by Harry Dyson – Park Square Barristers

Posted June 17th, 2021 in contracts, coronavirus, hotels, marriage, news, regulations, repayment by sally

‘Harry Dyson discusses what appears to be the first judgment at Circuit Judge level in relation to what monies can be retained or claimed by wedding venues when the contract has been frustrated by Covid-19 regulations. Harry has been exposed to this issue whilst working as a paralegal prior to commencing pupillage. He gained experience in dealing with both these claims and issues surrounding venues’ business interruption insurance.’

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Park Square Barristers, 15th June 2021

Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk

Covid jabs to become mandatory for care home staff in England – The Guardian

‘Covid vaccinations are to become mandatory for care home staff under plans to be announced by ministers, as they consider extending the move to all NHS staff.’

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The Guardian, 15th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Research Briefing: Coronavirus: the lockdown laws – House of Commons Library

Posted June 11th, 2021 in coronavirus, news, parliament by tracey

‘This Library briefing paper explains the types of coronavirus restrictions and requirements imposed by the UK’s lockdown laws.’

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House of Commons Library, 10th June 2021

Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Wide-ranging concerns’: Law Society opposes remote juries – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 11th, 2021 in barristers, bills, coronavirus, juries, Law Society, news, remote hearings by tracey

‘Remote juries could jeopardise the security of court proceedings, alienate participants, and prove more expensive than in-person hearings, the Law Society has warned.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 10th June 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk