Max Taylor: A Role for Parliament in Independent Judicial Appointments: A Comparison with the Comptroller and Auditor General – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted February 19th, 2025 in judiciary, news, parliament, recruitment by tracey

‘The Starmer ministry plans to “…deepen our democracy by reforming Parliament…”, but missing from its proposals is any reconsideration of whether Parliament should adopt a role in judicial appointments somewhat analogous to that of the US Senate in federal judicial appointments (US Constitution, Art II, s 2). Debate about such a proposal has recurred from time to time (for example, in the wake of the Miller II judgment in 2019), but has invariably been rejected for reasons well encapsulated by the House of Lords Constitution Committee.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 19th February 2025

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Devon man jailed for sending ‘utterly deplorable’ email to Jess Phillips MP – The Guardian

‘A 39-year-old man has been jailed for sending an “utterly deplorable” email to safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, one day after she was criticised by X owner Elon Musk.’

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The Guardian, 18th February 2025

Source: www.theguardian.com

Starmer in public row with most senior judge over Gaza immigration decision – The Independent

Posted February 19th, 2025 in appeals, government departments, immigration, Israel, judges, judiciary, news, parliament by tracey

‘Sir Keir Starmer has found himself in a row with the most senior judge in England and Wales after criticising an immigration decision at last week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.’

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The Independent, 19th February 2025

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ben Yong: What—and Who—is Parliament? – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted February 13th, 2025 in constitutional law, news, parliament, repairs by sally

‘The Palace of Westminster is a symbol of British democracy, and it is falling apart. It is a serious danger to those who work within it: a recent news report suggested the Palace could be the next ‘Notre Dame inferno’. For years parliamentarians have repeatedly argued over what to do about this grim state of affairs, because fixing the Palace involves a very serious and painful investment of money—billions of pounds; and because it potentially means parliamentarians will have to leave the Palace—for decades. Observers watch this dire state of affairs with increasing dread. Thinking about the Restoration and Renewal (‘R&R’) of the Palace, therefore, raises questions of responsibility, both legal and moral, but it also prompts us to ask more metaphysical questions: what—and who—is Parliament?’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 13th February 2025

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Mark K Heatley: The Disadvantages of Local Legislation – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted February 11th, 2025 in constitutional law, legal history, legislation, local government, news, parliament by tracey

‘The term Private Acts of Parliament (PA) is widely used to include local Acts, that benefit organizations such as local authorities or authorize major infrastructure projects and are often of limited geographical extent, or personal Acts that benefit individuals. This post considers the reasons for the decline in the enaction of Local Acts of Parliament (LAs), which began in the nineteenth century with the process of enacting local legislation by provisional order. Provisional orders were introduced as a substitute for LAs and were issued by a Minister following a local inquiry, under the authority of an Act of Parliament, but required a later individual and specific confirmatory Act of Parliament. Although their occasional use has persisted, they in turn were largely replaced by Special Procedure Orders following the passing of the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act in 1945.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 11th February 2025

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Assisted dying bill amendment aims to close potential ‘anorexia loophole’ – The Guardian

‘MPs will look to close a potential anorexia loophole in the assisted dying bill that psychiatrists fear could result in people with severe eating disorders using it to end their lives. The Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney, who sits on the committee of MPs that will scrutinise the proposed law, is tabling an amendment to tighten the language around mental capacity.’

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The Guardian, 21st January 2025

Source: www.theguardian.com

MPs meet to scrutinise assisted dying bill for first time – The Independent

‘The crucial committee which will scrutinise the assisted dying bill was told to be “civil and courteous” as members met for the first time ahead of expert evidence hearings at the end of January. The 23-member committee has a majority of MPs who are supportive of assisted dying, including two government ministers Stephen Kinnock and Sarah Sackman. The MPs, who will test the proposed legislation line by line, met on Tuesday to set out the timetable for the inquiry process.’

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The Independent, 21st January 2025

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

Posted January 22nd, 2025 in legislation, parliament, Russia, Ukraine, war, women by tracey

Financial Assistance to Ukraine Act 2025 c. 3

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Act 2025 c.2

Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Act 2025 c.1

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Alyssa Nathanson-Tanner: The Irresistible Temptations of Patronage: Prime Ministerial Appointment of Crossbenchers – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘Among the many questions raised by the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury in November 2024, the peerage which has customarily been awarded by the Prime Minister hangs in the balance. The Prime Minister enjoys an unlimited discretion to appoint new peers, and since the Life Peerages Act 1958 has granted a life peerage on retirement from certain public offices, the Archbishop of Canterbury among them. Every Prime Minister in the 21st century has exercised their significant power of patronage in relation to these office holders, who join the Crossbenches of the House of Lords.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 21st January 2025

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Research Briefing: A short introduction to equality law and policy – House of Commons Library

Posted December 4th, 2024 in equality, human rights, news, parliament by tracey

‘This briefing provides an overview of equality law, summarising the main concepts and the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.’

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House of Commons Library, 2nd December 2024

Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Assisted dying bill passes after vote paving the way for historic change – The Independent

Posted November 29th, 2024 in assisted suicide, bills, government departments, health, news, parliament, suicide by michael

‘After five hours of intense and heartfelt debate, in which some members of parliament were brought to tears, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was passed in the House of Commons with 330 voting in favour and 275 against.’

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The Independent, 29th November 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Assisted dying bill will not be adopted as government bill if it passes vote – The Guardian

Posted November 29th, 2024 in assisted suicide, bills, government departments, news, parliament, suicide by michael

‘Civil servants and ministers will begin work on implementing the assisted dying bill if it passes its first stage in parliament on Friday, but the Guardian understands it will not be adopted as a government bill.’

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The Guardian, 28th November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

FCA is ‘incompetent at best, dishonest at worst’, claim MPs and peers – The Guardian

Posted November 26th, 2024 in financial regulation, news, parliament, reports by tracey

‘Britain’s financial sector watchdog is “incompetent at best, dishonest at worst”, according to a damning report by MPs and Lords which called for a big shake-up.’

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The Guardian, 26th November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Assisted dying – a tale of three Bills – Mental Capacity Law and Policy

Posted November 22nd, 2024 in assisted suicide, bills, news, parliament, suicide by sally

‘During the pandemic, everyone had a crash course in constitutional theory, learning what was law and what was merely guidance when it came to what they could and could not do inside and outside their homes. In similar vein, people are now having a crash course in what Private Members’ Bills are, thanks to the introduction of Kim Leadbeater MP’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Social media is now full of extensive discussions about precisely what such Bills are, what level of scrutiny they give rise to, what prospects there are for amending them, and what the role of the House of Lords is in relation to such Bills. It can be somewhat bewildering, but some might find this from the Institute for Government quite helpful.’

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Mental Capacity Law and Policy, 22nd November 2024

Source: www.mentalcapacitylawandpolicy.org.uk

MPs to summon Elon Musk to testify about X’s role in UK summer riots – The Guardian

Posted November 21st, 2024 in inquiries, internet, news, parliament, violent disorder by sally

‘MPs are to summon Elon Musk to testify about X’s role in spreading disinformation, in a parliamentary inquiry into the UK riots and the rise of false and harmful AI content, the Guardian has learned.’

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The Guardian, 20th November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Law Commission and Law Commission Bill Procedures – House of Commons Library

Posted November 13th, 2024 in bills, Law Commission, news, parliament, statute law revision by sally

‘This briefing outlines the work of the Law Commission of England and Wales and describes the parliamentary procedures used to implement Law Commission recommendations.’

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House of Commons Library, 12th November 2024

Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25 – House of Commons Library

Posted October 25th, 2024 in assisted suicide, bills, health, news, parliament, suicide by sally

‘The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25 has its second reading on 29 November 2024. The text of the bill has not yet been published.’

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House of Commons Library, 24th October 2024

Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Labour peer at centre of Starmer donations scandal found to have breached Lords rules – The Independent

Posted October 24th, 2024 in codes of practice, news, parliament, political parties by tracey

‘Labour peer Waheed Alli has been found to have committed four breaches of Lords rules over his declarations in the register of interests.’

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The Independent, 23rd October 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK immigration laws ‘cannot be uncoupled from racism’, say minority ethnic MPs – The Guardian

‘Twenty-five black, Asian and minority ethnic MPs have written to the home secretary telling her that the framing of Britain’s immigration legislation “cannot be uncoupled from racism and the exclusion of people of colour”.’

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The Guardian, 8th October 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Paterson v UK: Parliament and Human Rights in Strasbourg – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted October 8th, 2024 in families, human rights, immunity, news, parliament, political parties, standards by sally

‘The name ‘Chris Pincher’ has become synonymous with Boris Johnson’s downfall, but it was the case of Owen Paterson that precipitated the unrest in the Conservative Party that ultimately led to the former Prime Minister’s resignation.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 8th October 2024

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com