Category: coronavirus

Mother sends letter before action to government over coronavirus and strategy for needs of younger disabled people, lack of testing of health and social care workers – Local Government Lawyer

Posted March 19th, 2020 in children, coronavirus, disabled persons, news, social services by sally

‘Claimant law firm Simpson Millar has sent a letter before action on behalf of the mother of a child with a number of complex health and learning disabilities calling on the UK government to confirm its strategy for “meeting the needs of younger disabled people (children and working age adults) in the context of the current pandemic”.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 18th March 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Housing associations body says no one should be evicted because of coronavirus – Local Government Lawyer

Posted March 19th, 2020 in coronavirus, housing, news, repossession by sally

‘No one should lose their home because of coronavirus, the National Housing Federation has said.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 18th March 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Quarter of criminal trials in England and Wales face disruption – The Guardian

Posted March 19th, 2020 in coronavirus, criminal justice, Crown Court, news by sally

‘A quarter of crown court trials will be disrupted due to restrictions unveiled overnight by the most senior judge in England and Wales to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the justice secretary has said.’

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The Guardian, 18th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

COVID-19: Managing health and risk whilst in police custody – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 18th, 2020 in codes of practice, coronavirus, detention, health, health & safety, news, police by sally

‘At the time of this article, according to officials, the criminal justice system continues to operate “as normal”. Whilst it is to be expected that non-essential trials will likely be delayed, certain components of the justice system cannot simply be deferred – crime happens no less in times of pandemic. Police custody is one such area where the wheels will need to continue to turn regardless of COVID-19.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 18th March 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Will my hearing go ahead? Civil Procedure, Human Rights and the Coronavirus – Blackstone Chambers

Posted March 18th, 2020 in chambers articles, civil justice, civil procedure rules, coronavirus, courts, human rights, news by sally

‘In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and the protective measures which the UK government has introduced, litigators across the country are asking one burning question: will hearings go ahead, and if so how?’

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Blackstone Chambers, 18th March 2020

Source: www.blackstonechambers.com

“Outrage” as only partners are allowed to work from home – Legal Futures

Posted March 18th, 2020 in coronavirus, equality, flexible working, health, health & safety, law firms, news, trade unions by sally

‘A union representing legal workers has expressed outrage at the “classist allocation of risk” that is seeing law firm partners work from home while other staff are forced into the office during the coronavirus pandemic.’

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Legal Futures, 18th March 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Housing associations under pressure to offer Covid-19 rent holidays – The Guardian

Posted March 18th, 2020 in coronavirus, health, housing, landlord & tenant, news, rent, repossession by sally

‘Housing associations are under pressure to offer rent holidays after only one pledged not to evict any tenant in arrears due to self-isolating because of the coronavirus.’

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The Guardian, 17th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Hostile Environment Immigration Policy ‘Undermining’ Coronavirus Response – Each Other

Posted March 18th, 2020 in coronavirus, health, human rights, immigration, medical treatment, news by sally

‘The government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic is being undermined by immigration policies which deter migrants from accessing healthcare, campaigners have warned.’

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Each Other, 17th March 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

Presidential Guidance in Connection with the Conduct of Employment Tribunal Proceedings During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Tribunals Judiciary

Posted March 18th, 2020 in codes of practice, coronavirus, employment tribunals, health, health & safety, news by sally

‘This Guidance is issued in accordance with Rule 7 of the Employment Tribunals Rules of Procedure (“the Rules”). The Rules are set out in Schedule 1 of the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2013.’

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Tribunals Judiciary, 18th March 2020

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Rights in a time of quarantine – an extended look by Niall Coghlan – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted March 18th, 2020 in coronavirus, freedom of movement, health, human rights, news by sally

‘Quarantines and lockdowns are sweeping Europe: Italy, France, Spain. Through them, states seek to contain Covid-19 and so save lives. It is difficult to imagine higher stakes from a human rights perspective: mass interferences with whole populations’ liberties on one side; the very weighty public interest in protecting lives on the other; and all this under the shadow of uncertainty and disorder. What, if anything, do human rights have to say?’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 17th March 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Coronavirus: Jury trials, message from the Lord Chief Justice – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted March 18th, 2020 in coronavirus, courts, health, health & safety, juries, news, trials by sally

‘The impact of the public health emergency on the operation of the courts has been under constant review. In all jurisdictions steps are being taken to enable as many hearings as possible to be conducted with some or all of the participants attending by telephone, video-link or online. Many court hearings will be able to continue as normal with appropriate precautions being taken. We must make every effort to maintain a functioning court system in support of the administration of justice and rule of law.’

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Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 17th March 2020

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Emergency bill to strengthen coronavirus (COVID-19) response plans – GOV.UK

Posted March 18th, 2020 in bills, coronavirus, health, hospitals, news by sally

‘New laws will be introduced to protect public health, increase NHS capacity, strengthen social care and support the public to take the right action at the right time.’

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GOV.UK, 17th March 2020

Source: www.gov.uk

Coronavirus: Stop jury trials, says Bar Council – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 17th, 2020 in barristers, coronavirus, criminal justice, juries, news by sally

‘Jury trials should be stopped immediately, the Bar Council said today, likening court cases to playing Russian roulette with participants’ health.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 17th March 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Law in the Time of Covid – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted March 17th, 2020 in coronavirus, criminal justice, emergency powers, news by sally

‘The Covid-19 pandemic gives rise to such a volume of material as to justify a slightly more detailed examination of its consequences. In time, the response of governments across the globe to the disease will no doubt be the subject of detailed study by academics across the fields of biology, history and law.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 16th March 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Legal aid lawyers call for government support over Covid-19 – Legal Futures

Posted March 17th, 2020 in coronavirus, law firms, legal aid, news, rates by sally

‘Criminal defence solicitors have called for expedited legal aid payments and an extension of the business rate holiday to law firms with contracts to combat the impact of Covid-19.’

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Legal Futures, 17th March 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

HMCTS issues guidance for courts and tribunals users during coronavirus outbreak – Local Government Lawyer

Posted March 16th, 2020 in codes of practice, coronavirus, courts, health, health & safety, HM Courts Service, news, tribunals by sally

‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service has today (13 March) issued guidance for all court and tribunal users during the coronavirus outbreak.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 13th March 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Coronavirus/COVID-19 – the impact on contracts – Technology Law Update

Posted March 16th, 2020 in contracts, coronavirus, health, insurance, news by sally

‘The COVID-19 outbreak is now causing widespread disruption in many countries, with increasing impact on supply chains and transport. What can you do if you or your counterparties are prevented from normal contractual performance by the disease?’

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Technology Law Update, 13th March 2020

Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk

UK bed firm’s advert banned for associating migrants with coronavirus – The Guardian

Posted March 11th, 2020 in advertising, complaints, coronavirus, health, immigration, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘A newspaper ad promoting British-made mattresses that warned of “nasty imports” alongside an image of a surgical mask has been banned by the advertising watchdog for associating immigrants with the spread of the coronavirus.’

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The Guardian, 11th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Corona-vires: Has the Government exceeded its powers? – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted February 14th, 2020 in coronavirus, detention, government departments, health, legislation, medical treatment, news, parliament, ultra vires by sally

‘One can appreciate the desire to bypass the cumbersome mechanics of Parliament to save the country from a potentially deadly virus. But in the fullness of time, the resulting Regulations might well be held up as an excellent advertisement for Parliamentary scrutiny.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 13th February 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com