UK high court to look at legal battle over WhatsApp evidence for Covid inquiry – The Guardian

‘A legal battle between the Cabinet Office and Covid public inquiry will be considered by the high court on Friday, amid wrangling over the issue of redacted documents, including Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages.’

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The Guardian, 30th June 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ethical veganism, COVID vaccine and employment: Owen v Willow Tower – Law & Religion UK

Posted June 27th, 2023 in coronavirus, employment tribunals, equality, news, vaccination, veganism by sally

‘Ms Owen was an employee of Willow Tower OPCO 1 Ltd, which runs residential nursing care facilities including the Sunrise home at which she worked. In 2017, she had asked to relinquish her contracted hours and asked to be placed on the “bank”, from which she could cover as many shifts as were available. She also worked for herself as a Foot Health Practitioner, often providing services to the respondent.’

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Law & Religion UK, 26th June 2023

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Pandemic experience has given lawyers more confidence in tech – Legal Futures

‘The experience of the pandemic has given lawyers greater confidence in innovation and technology, leading to a “step change” in their use over the past three years, major new research has found.’

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Legal Futures, 7th June 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Time from issue to trial in county court hits record high of 80 weeks – Legal Futures

‘The number of claims lodged at the county court has returned to near pre-Covid levels but the time between issue and trial has reached a new all-time high, according to the latest government figures.’

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Legal Futures, 2nd June 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist found guilty of plotting to destroy 5G masts – The Independent

‘An anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist has been found guilty of plotting to destroy 5G masts after subscribing to an ideology that they were linked to the Covid-19 vaccine.’

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The Independent, 1st June 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Black people were three times more likely to receive Covid fines in England and Wales – The Guardian

Posted June 1st, 2023 in coronavirus, fines, minorities, news, police, statistics by sally

‘Fines for breaking Covid rules were three times more likely to be handed to black people than white people, and seven times more likely to be issued in the poorest areas than the richest, research commissioned for Britain’s police chiefs has revealed.’

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The Guardian, 31st May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK students seek compensation for Covid-affected tuition – The Guardian

Posted May 25th, 2023 in compensation, complaints, coronavirus, fees, news, universities by tracey

‘Lawyers representing almost 1,000 current and former students whose studies were affected by Covid and strike action told the high court in London their clients felt “cheated” by their educational experience and should be entitled to seek compensation through the courts.’

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The Guardian, 24th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Court upholds Covid will witnessed through car window – Legal Futures

Posted May 22nd, 2023 in coronavirus, news, wills, witnesses by tracey

‘The High Court has praised the “ingenious arrangement” of witnessing a will through a car window in the early days of the pandemic.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd May 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

GB News broke rules over Covid jab claims – Ofcom – BBC News

‘A GB News programme which broadcast claims that the Covid-19 vaccination programme amounted to “mass murder” has been found to have broken Ofcom rules.’

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BBC News, 9th May 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Covid and Free Speech in the High Court – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted April 11th, 2023 in coronavirus, doctors, freedom of expression, news, vaccination by sally

‘On 5 April 2023 the High Court handed down judgment in Adil v General Medical Council [2023] EWHC 797 (Admin). The case examined the extent to which a professional regulator can interfere with the right to freedom of expression of an individual subject to its regulation, as well as the circumstances in which the Court should accept challenges to decisions made by regulators in the performance of their duties. It is the first case decided by the High Court concerning anti-vaccination statements made by a doctor in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the actions of the General Medical Council (“GMC”) in response.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 11th April 2023

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

4 New Square Chambers Insurance Law Review – Spring 2023 – 4 New Square

‘In our spring 2023 insurance law review we look at cases across a range of areas with no standout theme. We review cases ranging from Covid 19 business interruption claims to recovery of professional fees; from reservation of rights to subrogation; from insurable interest to damages for late payment. We look at cases on the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Acts 1930 and 2010, aggregation and exclusion clauses. And we note the continuing lack of significant case law on presentation of risk under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 and the Insurance Act 2015.’

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4 New Square, 28th March 2023

Source: www.4newsquare.com

Two-thirds of UK workers with long Covid have faced unfair treatment, says report – The Guardian

‘UK ministers should act to ensure long Covid sufferers receive the support they need from employers, with as many as two-thirds claiming they have been unfairly treated at work, a report argues.’

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The Guardian, 27th March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judicial review applications in 2022 down more than a quarter on pre-Covid baseline of 2019: Ministry of Justice – Local Government Lawyer

Posted March 7th, 2023 in coronavirus, judicial review, Ministry of Justice, news, statistics by sally

‘There were 2,400 judicial review applications received in 2022, up 5% on 2021 (2,300) but down 28% on 2019 (from 3,400) as a pre-Covid19 baseline, the Ministry of Justice has revealed.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 3rd March 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Woman single-handedly takes on BA and wins – BBC News

Posted February 28th, 2023 in airlines, contracts, coronavirus, litigants in person, news by sally

‘A woman who represented herself in court by using 80-year-old contract legislation has beaten British Airways (BA) in a row over flight vouchers.’

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BBC News, 28th February 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Universities rebuked over academic misconduct cases in England and Wales – The Guardian

Posted February 28th, 2023 in complaints, coronavirus, examinations, news, ombudsmen, penalties, reports, universities by sally

‘Universities have been reprimanded over unfair treatment of students accused of academic misconduct in a report by the higher education ombudsman for England and Wales.’

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The Guardian, 27th February 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Covid clinical negligence protocol cut number of litigated claims – Legal Futures

Posted February 28th, 2023 in coronavirus, hospitals, negligence, news by sally

‘A protocol agreed in the wake of Covid-19 to better manage clinical negligence claims during the pandemic is remaining in place after it appeared to reduce the number of contested cases.’

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Legal Futures, 28th February 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

High Court to hear first stage of ‘partygate’ challenge against Met Police – The Independent

Posted February 22nd, 2023 in coronavirus, government departments, inquiries, judicial review, news, police by tracey

‘The High Court will hear the first stage of a challenge against the Metropolitan Police over the force’s investigation into former prime minister Boris Johnson’s attendance at Number 10 parties during lockdown.’

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The Independent, 22nd February 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Lord Pannick: Meet the lawyer representing Boris Johnson and Manchester City – BBC News

‘How often does a member of the House of Lords get cheered from the football terraces?’

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BBC News, 14th February 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Covid: Powys doctor given nine-month ban for false claims – BBC News

Posted January 31st, 2023 in coronavirus, disciplinary procedures, doctors, news, standards, tribunals by tracey

‘A private doctor who put false claims about Covid-19 treatments online has been banned from practising for nine months after a medical tribunal.’

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BBC News, 30th January 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Top Discrimination Decisions of 2022: five cases education lawyers should know – 3PB

‘Discrimination law is a complex and constantly evolving area of practice. Cases this year have provided clarification, enforcement and development of the legal principles underpinning claims under the Equality Act 2010 (“EqA”).’

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3PB, 13th December 2022

Source: www.3pb.co.uk