‘A judge sitting in the Family Court has highlighted the successful use of the Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) model in a case where the main presenting difficulty was domestic abuse.’
Local Government Lawyer, 6th March 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘A Family Court judge has made a supervision order for a period of 12 months in order for a baby boy to remain in the care of his parents, in light of the progress they have made through participation in the Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) programme.’
Local Government Lawyer, 14th February 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘Kyle v Coventry City Council (2023) EWCA Civ 1360. Mr K was homeless and addicted to class A drugs. During the relevant period for this second appeal, he was on a methadone treatment prescription. He had applied to Coventry as homeless. He had been given s.188 Housing Act 1996 accommodation in hostel supported accommodation (a “halfway house”).’
Nearly Legal, 11th February 2024
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
‘When it is disputed whether a person uses drugs, the family court can – and often does – order hair strand testing to determine the issue. This article draws upon the work of lawyer Sarah Branson and drug tester Paul Hunter, who have explored the limitations of hair strand testing and highlighted the need for caution in relying on hair strand test results (See Recent scientific developments in hair strand testing and racial bias in current practices of hair strand testing. I’m going to call this ‘the Fam Law article’). Even so, hair strand testing continues to be the ’go-to’ when there is a question over drug use. Despite an increasing recognition of the possibility of mistakes and errors in the production and reporting of hair strand test evidence, this evidence is still regularly relied upon by the courts as evidence of substance use. These problems are often underestimated, which can have disastrous consequences.’
Transparency Project, 24th January 2024
Source: transparencyproject.org.uk
‘A recent Court of Appeal authority is a useful case for family practitioners to have in their toolkit, particularly those representing parents facing applications for interim removal of their children, writes Malvika Jaganmohan.’
Local Government Lawyer, 5th January 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The enforcement of laws around class B and C drugs has been “pathetically weak” for years and tougher action needs to be taken nationally against cannabis, a police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said.’
The Independent, 17th November 2023
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Possession of “laughing gas” is now illegal with repeat serious users facing up to 2 years in prison and dealers up to 14 years.’
Home Office, 8th November 2023
Source: www.gov.uk
‘The Court of Appeal has allowed a father’s appeal against interim care orders made in respect of his three children.’
Local Government Lawyer, 8th November 2023
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘A man described as a “monster” and “ticking timebomb” has been found guilty of murdering his four-month-old baby son.’
The Guardian, 1st November 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has published his second annual report on the Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDACs), of which he states he has “long been a supporter”.’
Local Government Lawyer, 26th October 2023
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘Possession of nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas”, will be illegal from 8 November 2023.’
Home Office, 18th October 2023
Source: www.gov.uk
‘A van driver who smoked crack cocaine before crashing into a nine-year-old boy and killing him has been jailed.’
BBC News, 19th October 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A former MP jailed for expenses fraud has lost a Court of Appeal bid to challenge his four-year prison sentence.’
The Independent, 26th September 2023
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas, is to become an illegal class C substance by the end of the year, the government has said.’
The Guardian, 5th September 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A fugitive has been found guilty of stabbing an Afghan asylum seeker to death over a £10 debt nearly six years ago.’
The Independent, 1st August 2023
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Criminals serving community orders for low level offences will be closely monitored by judges as part of a new pilot forcing offenders to clean up their acts or be put behind bars.’
Ministry of Justice, 28th June 2023
Source: www.gov.uk
‘A man who bludgeoned his neighbour to death with a bag full of Pokemon cards because he was angry about being insulted has been jailed for life.’
BBC News, 9th May 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A man who died two days after being released from prison should have had a scheduled probation appointment, an ombudsman found.’
BBC News, 24th April 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘G4S’s running of the prison failed to meet the standards of public service required, such that HMP Birmingham was put in special measures, and its running was taken over by the Ministry of Justice. The Chief Inspector of Prisons at the time, Peter Clarke, invoked the Urgent Notification process in respect of the prison.’
Garden Court Chambers, 23rd March 2023
Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk
‘A ban on laughing gas will not stop people using it and will drive it into criminal hands, say experts.’
BBC News, 27th March 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
© Inner Temple Library 2024