‘The first judgment has now been reported on the effect of COVID-19 on a forthcoming trial. In Re One Blackfriars Ltd, Hyde v. Nygate [2020] EWHC 845(Ch), John Kimbell QC, sitting as a Deputy High Court judge, refused to adjourn a trial due to start in June but ruled that it should proceed remotely by video-link.’
4 New Square, 14th April 2020
Source: www.4newsquare.com
‘At the weekend the government updated the terms of its job retention scheme, and provided clarity about what furloughed employees may do for the business. Helen Gardiner looks at the options.’
Coronavirus: Guidance for Lawyers and Businesses, 15th April 2020
‘The Working Time Regulations (“WTR”) are being amended to allow workers with outstanding holiday leave entitlement in the current holiday year to be able to carry that over for two years.’
Thomas More Chambers, 16th April 2020
Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk
‘A claim of a public right of way under section 31(1) of the Highways Act 1980 requires use by the public as of right and without interruption for 20 years. Similarly, a claimed private right of way by prescription under the Prescription Act 1832 requires 20 years’ uninterrupted use. To make good a prescriptive claim, whether under the 1832 Act, by the doctrine of lost modern grant or at common law, the use must be of such a character, degree and frequency as to indicate an assertion of a continuous right. The issue we discuss is whether an interruption to use as a result of Covid-19 would count for either of these two purposes.’
Landmark Chambers, 3rd April 2020
Source: www.landmarkchambers.co.uk
‘There will have been many cottages lying empty over the Easter period. Many of them will have been booked and the person who booked will have paid a deposit. What is the position? Are they liable to pay the balance? Can they recover the deposit? A cursory search of such guidance as there is online suggests that the doctrine of frustration may have been overlooked.’
Tanfield Chambers, 14th April 2020
Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk
‘With the UK’s coronavirus lockdown extended for three more weeks, some people are looking towards a planned NHS phone app as “holding the key” to easing restrictions. But how realistic is this expectation and could there be unexpected consequences? EachOther examines.’
Each Other, 16th April 2020
Source: eachother.org.uk
‘We are plotting a course through unchartered waters. Never before has the family justice system had to deal with such a wide-reaching challenge as the COVID-19 epidemic. The issue of contact with children in care presents one of the most turbulent seas to cross. This article explores the legal principles that will give family practitioners their bearings and guide the court’s approach through the coming weeks and months.’
5SAH, 6th April 2020
Source: www.5sah.co.uk
‘In a paper published today Lord Sandhurst QC and Benet Brandret QC follow up on the previous paper co-authored by Lord Sandhurst QC by making concrete proposals for addressing the issues identified previously (see the previous paper here and our post on it here). It sets out a more concluded position on the doubts as to the vires for SI 2020/350 by explaining why the Statutory Instrument is, indeed, ultra vires, and the need for new legislation. It also sets out routes to put legislation and Guidance on a sound footing.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 16th April 2020
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘During the COVID-19 pandemic, much concern has focussed on the impact on public health and the economy. Most people would understandably place data protection lower down on their priorities. It has become clear, however, that the pandemic has prompted a variety of legal concerns in this area.’
Thomas More Chambers, 14th April 2020
Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk
‘Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the coming into force of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 (the Regulations) much ink has been spilled about the frustration of leases. While the rapidly expanding body of literature makes interesting reading, it is largely irrelevant for real-world landlords and tenants. No one really wants to argue frustration. Tenants may not want to pay rent, but (unless quitting their business altogether, in which case they may not be overly concerned about past rent) they certainly don’t want to be out on their ear: a necessary corollary of a successful frustration plea.’
Falcon Chambers, 15th April 2020
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
‘The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued a statement setting out its regulatory approach during the coronavirus pandemic, saying it will focus on those areas likely to cause the greatest public harm.’
Local Government Lawyer, 16th April 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘A man has been jailed for coughing in the face of a police officer and claiming he had coronavirus.’
BBC News, 16th April 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘At the best of times there are disputes between commercial landlords and retailers in England and Wales. Over the last month the effect of the Covid 19 public health crisis has laid waste to the high street. Most shops cannot now open, and the ones that can must implement stringent social distancing measures. All pubs, restaurants, cinemas and so on are closed. Where there is no footfall there is no spending by customers and no income generated to pay rent. No one at the time of writing knows exactly when this position will change. The present scenario presents an unattractive vista for commercial landlords. Nothing operates in a vacuum; the rent these landlords were expecting will be income for investors who may own a small retail building and have no other source of income. Large pension funds, who often invest in the high street, will continue to have the normal financial obligations to the members of their fund. Some landlords will be reliant on their commercial rental income to service a loan secured on the building they rent out.’
33 Bedford Row, 9th April 2020
Source: www.33bedfordrow.co.uk
‘Increased funding for children’s helplines is among the urgent measures being demanded by a group of cross-party MPs to tackle child sexual abuse during the coronavirus pandemic.’
The Guardian, 16th April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Driving to the countryside and walking – where more time is spent doing the latter than the former – is among a list of reasonable excuses for Britons leaving their home during the coronavirus lockdown, according to advice issued to police.’
The Guardian, 16th April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘With the courts shutting their doors to the majority of litigants following the outbreak of Coronavirus, now more than ever parties and their lawyers are turning their minds to alternative dispute resolution (ADR). From virtual mediations to remote ENEs and arbitrations, there are plenty of forms of ADR which can be conducted effectively during this crisis. ADR remains a powerful tool for concluding cases swiftly and at comparatively minimal cost which in this time of economic uncertainty is crucial. In this blog we would look at the different forms of ADR and how to they might continue to operate practically during the lockdown and social distancing measures associated with the pandemic.’
Pump Court Chambers, 14th April 2020
Source: www.pumpcourtchambers.com
‘The UK is currently grappling with what is hoped to be the peak of the Coronavirus crisis. Landlords and tenants have both been hit: government guidance and legislation has prevented many tenants from using premises as they expected, and prevented landlords from forfeiting leases or seeking possession. Both may feel that they are locked into a bargain that they could not have anticipated and want to escape from. But can they?’
Falcon Chambers, April 2020
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
‘As the coronavirus pandemic progresses, a recent indication of the development of funeral practices was given by The Guardian headline “UK councils begin to ban funeral ceremonies due to coronavirus“. Although dated 4 April, changes were being introduced by Leeds City Council as early as 20 March when it was announced that new funeral bookings (in Leeds) would be “cremation only”’ with no attendees.’
Law & Religion UK, 15th April 2020
Source: www.lawandreligionuk.com
‘Disability campaigners have threatened the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care and NHS England with a potential judicial review challenge over the failure to publish guidance on how NHS treatment for COVID-19 will be prioritised if demand outstrips supply.’
Local Government Lawyer, 14th April 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The family court have put arrangements in place so that it can continue to process applications for child arrangements during the coronavirus pandemic.’
5SAH, 6th April 2020
Source: www.5sah.co.uk
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