NHS trust accused of cover-up is refusing to release report into deaths – The Guardian

‘An ambulance trust accused of hiding information from a coroner about patients that died is keeping a damning internal report about the deaths secret, the Guardian can reveal. A consultant paramedic implicated in the alleged cover-ups continues to be involved in decisions to keep the report from the public.’

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The Guardian, 24th July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

R (on the application of Maguire) v HM Senior Coroner for Blackpool & Fylde and another – Inquests and Inquiries Law Blog

‘In this post, Alex Carington considers the Supreme Court’s decision in an appeal by the family of the Deceased who sought to challenge the Coroner’s decision that Art. 2 of the Human Rights Act 1998 did not require an expanded conclusion having heard all of the evidence at the inquest such that the jury were requested to return a short form conclusion only. The appeal also raised issues about the boundary of the systems duty and operational duty (and the content of both) as well as the boundary between the enhanced procedural obligation on one hand and basic procedural obligation together with the redress procedural obligation on the other.’

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Inquests and Inquiries Law Blog, 18th July 2023

Source: inquestsandinquirieslawblog.com

Court of Appeal finds deficient reasoning from Family Court judge when making findings of fact – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Court of Appeal has set aside a family court judgment, after finding an “absence of recorded analysis” in the oral judgment that was delivered in only an hour.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 18th July 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Woman jailed for taking abortion pills after time limit to be freed from prison – The Guardian

Posted July 19th, 2023 in abortion, appeals, families, imprisonment, news, sentencing, time limits, women by tracey

‘A woman who was jailed for terminating her pregnancy after the legal time limit during lockdown will be released from prison and reunited with her children, after winning a court of appeal effort to reduce her sentence.’

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The Guardian, 18th July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ryan Giggs ‘deeply relieved’ after domestic abuse charges dropped- The Guardian

Posted July 19th, 2023 in coercive & controlling behaviour, domestic violence, families, news, sport by tracey

‘Ryan Giggs is “deeply relieved” that domestic abuse charges against him have been dropped after his former partner declined to give evidence, his barrister has said.’

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The Guardian, 18th July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Met Police apologise over Daniel Morgan murder probe – BBC News

Posted July 19th, 2023 in bereavement, corruption, damages, families, inquiries, murder, news, police by tracey

‘The Met Police has apologised to the family of private detective Daniel Morgan, who was murdered in 1987.’

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BBC News, 19th July 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Chichester: Wife and carer jailed for enslaving disabled husband – BBC News

‘The wife and carer of a disabled man who they enslaved and left in squalid conditions have been jailed.’

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BBC News, 15th July 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Dylan Scanlon: Mum who poisoned and beat son, 5, guilty of murder – BBC News

‘A mother who “deliberately poisoned” her son on New Year’s Eve by giving him her medication before she beat him to death has been convicted of murder.’

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BBC News, 13th July 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

“Women will suffer” warning as CA hears divorce costs funding case – Legal Futures

Posted July 12th, 2023 in appeals, costs, divorce, families, family courts, law firms, news, statistics, women by sally

‘The future of litigation funding in divorce cases – which new figures from law firms show mainly benefits women – is in the balance as the Court of Appeal hears a crucial appeal.’

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Legal Futures, 12th July 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

New report calls for transformative change to child services – UK Administrative Justice Institute

Posted July 12th, 2023 in benefits, care homes, children, families, human rights, news by sally

‘Creating a social security system that guarantees the essentials in life, regulating for-profit children’s homes, and extending peer-parent support are among a list of recommendations researchers believe could help to eradicate the “toxic culture” of England’s Child Protection Services.’

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UK Administrative Justice Institute, 12th July 2023

Source: ukaji.org

Metropolitan Police investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence – House of Commons Library

‘On 22 April 1993, Stephen Lawrence, an 18-year-old Black man, was stabbed to death at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London by a group of White youths in an unprovoked, racist attack. Stephen’s friend, Duwayne Brooks, was with him at the time and witnessed the attack.’

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House of Commons Library, 9th July 2023

Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Fairness versus Certainty – Should the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 be Amended to Restrict the Duration of Spousal Maintenance? – Financial Remedies Journal

‘As part of the Law Commission’s review of the law concerning financial division upon divorce, announced on 4 April 2023, it will consider “how maintenance payments for an ex-spouse or civil partner should work”. The terms of reference set out that the Law Commission is to consider specifically potential maximum periods for spousal periodical payment orders.’

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Financial Remedies Journal, 3rd July 2023

Source: financialremediesjournal.com

Nottingham maternity review set to become UK’s largest – BBC News

Posted July 10th, 2023 in bereavement, birth, children, families, hospitals, inquiries, news, pregnancy by sally

‘A review into failings in maternity care in hospitals in Nottingham is set to become the largest in the UK, the BBC understands.’

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BBC News, 10th July 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Adoption of babies – ss 19 and 20 consent and Re A, B, and C – Family Law

Posted July 7th, 2023 in adoption, children, families, news by tracey

‘The making of an adoption order changes a child’s family law status and legal identity forever, and only in the most exceptional circumstances is an adoption order ever revoked; most likely, if at all, as a result of serious procedural unfairness or irregularity, or misrepresentation. It is a well-established legal principle that, therefore, all “realistic” options need to be explored before adoption is endorsed as a child’s care plan. That is no different when it comes to the voluntary relinquishment of a child for adoption, by both parents, or more likely, by one parent, the mother.’

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Family Law, 6th July 2023

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Appeal allowed despite ‘disastrously handled’ litigation – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 7th, 2023 in appeals, child support, children, costs, dispute resolution, families, news by tracey

‘A High Court judge has “with a very heavy heart” allowed an appeal while making clear his dismay at the conduct of the successful party.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 6th July 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Stephen Lawrence’s mother says decision not to charge police over murder inquiry ‘disgraceful’ – The Independent

‘Stephen Lawrence’s mother says a decision not to charge four retired officers over their handling of the original murder investigation has caused her immense distress and she will challenge it.’

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The Independent, 6th July 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Thoroughly Modern Will Disputes – 5SAH

‘What is behind the recent increase in will & inheritance disputes? Niamh Wilkie & Stephanie Coker consider the complications caused by cohabitation & blended families.’

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5SAH, 3rd July 2023

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

Man who befriended UK families jailed after failing to reveal rape conviction – The Guardian

‘A 71-year-old man convicted of raping an orphaned boy in Albania has been jailed in the UK for befriending families and children without telling them of his past.’

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The Guardian, 4th July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

2023 c. 28 – Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023

2023 c. 25 – Offenders (Day of Release from Detention) Act 2023

2023 c. 24 – Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act 2023

2023 c. 23 – Co-operatives, Mutuals and Friendly Societies Act 2023

2023 c. 22 – Shark Fins Act 2023

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

What is the Tipstaff and what is their role? – Family Law

Posted June 30th, 2023 in child abduction, children, courts, families, family courts, news by tracey

‘The Tipstaff is often one of the first topics of discussion raised by new clients who have been accused of abducting their children. Questions that I am regularly asked are “What is the Tipstaff?” “What is their role in my case?” “Why did they send the police to visit me?” and “why do I have to provide them with my passports?” ‘

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Family Law, 26th June 2023

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk