‘MPs are to be urged to outlaw the practice of ‘catfishing’, which refers to online predators using fake dating profiles to trick victims into sexual relationships.’
The Independent, 17th July 2017
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Theresa May has ordered an investigation into intimidation experienced by candidates during the last election after a barrage of complaints by MPs about death threats and harassment.’
The Guardian, 12th July 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to raise funds for a potential legal challenge to Theresa May’s parliamentary deal with the Democratic Unionist party, on the grounds that it breaches the Good Friday agreement.’
The Guardian, 9th July 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The Law Commission welcomes plans outlined in today’s Queen Speech to close a legal loophole which means buyers of second-hand vehicles are at risk of having them repossessed due to unfair logbook loans.’
Law Commission, 21st June 2017
Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk
‘Fresh reforms to personal injury claims are back on the agenda following today’s Queen’s speech. The government’s slimmed-down wishlist of legislation includes a Civil Liability Bill to address the ‘compensation culture’ around motor insurance claims.’
Law Society's Gazette, 21st June 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘The Chief Inspector of Prisons has expressed fury and disappointment after the Government’s commitment to prison reform, which was given high prominence in 2016, was omitted from the Queen’s Speech.’
The Independent, 21st June 2017
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Full text of the speech given by the Rt Hon David Lidington at his Lord Chancellor swearing-in ceremony in June 2017.’
Ministry of Justice, 19th June 2017
Source: www.gov.uk
‘On 29 March 2017, Theresa May’s Article 50 letter of notice was delivered to Donald Tusk, thereby formally triggering the Treaty-based process for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The question remains: is this trajectory irreversible, or can the UK rescind its notification?’
UK Human Rights Blog, 14th June 2017
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘With the Supreme Court handing down its judgment in Miller v Secretary of State for Exiting the EU on 24 January this year, one might have been forgiven for thinking that the issues around the legality of the triggering of Article 50 had been settled. As we all now know, the Supreme Court decided that Parliament had to give legislative authority for UK ministers lawfully to notify the UK of its intention to withdraw from the EU. The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Act 2017 was enacted and the Prime Minister duly wrote President Tusk her Article 50 letter.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 14th June 2017
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘The conditions for when a snap election can be called were significantly restricted by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act of 2011. The Act of Parliament, which was part of the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition agreement produced after the 2010 general election, was introduced fixed-term elections to the Westminster parliament.’
Daily Telegraph, 31st May 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Was there ever a more hollow and impotent piece of legislation than the UK’s Fixed Term Parliaments Act? Trumpeted by the Conservative-led coalition as a way of stopping opportunist prime ministers ever again calling snap elections to capitalize on hefty poll leads – by complicating simple confidence votes in ways that prompted Labour to condemn it as a constitutional “stitch-up” – within six short years of receiving Royal Assent it has proved itself wholly incapable of doing any such thing. When it suited David Cameron to build a protective cordon around his unholy alliance with the Liberal Democrats, the Act was a useful confection: a road-block solid enough to stop either partner provoking an early return to the polls, by swerving out of the ministerial motorcade in a petulant huff. But the fact it could be so casually swept aside as soon as the Tories’ stars were back in the ascendancy – like a trifling traffic cone in the residents’ parking bay otherwise reserved for them outside Number 10 Downing Street – shows it wasn’t worth the statute-book it was written on. We should repeal this zombie law at the earliest opportunity.’
OUP Blog, 31st May 2017
Source: blog.oup.com
‘In the light of widespread dissatisfaction with the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (‘FTPA’), the Conservative party manifesto states, at page 43, “We will repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act”. This post explores the constitutional implications if, as seems likely, the Conservative Government continues to command a majority in the House of Commons after the election and seeks to convince Parliament to repeal the Act.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 24th May 2017
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘The “legislative tsunami” unleashed by Brexit will deliver the “greatest challenge” in history to the integrity of parliament’s procedures, a former lord chief justice has said. Lord Judge raised his concerns that by the time Brexit is completed and the “great repeal bill” enacted, MPs and peers will have effectively given away their powers to pass laws.’
The Guardian, 3rd May 2017
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘The Supreme Court in Miller set out the model that ‘the dualist system is a necessary corollary of Parliamentary sovereignty’ (para 57), or in the words of Campbell McLachlan in his admirable Foreign Relations Law, cited by the Supreme Court:
“If treaties have no effect within domestic law, Parliament’s legislative supremacy within its own polity is secure. If the executive must always seek the sanction of Parliament in the event that a proposed action on the international plane will require domestic implementation, parliamentary sovereignty is reinforced at the very point at which the legislative power is engaged (para 5.20).”‘
UK Constitutional Law Association, 28th April 2017
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘Policing and the justice system are too often failing cyclists, making the roads too dangerous for people to ride on them, and then not properly prosecuting or banning motorists who commit offences, a cross-party group of MPs and peers has warned.’
The Guardian, 2nd May 2017
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘The ease with which Theresa May was able to secure an early dissolution last week has led to suggestions that the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 serves no useful purpose and should be scrapped. Drawing on wider evidence of how fixed-term parliaments legislation works in other countries, Robert Hazell argues that there is a danger that it is being judged prematurely, on the basis of a single episode. Future circumstances in which a Prime Minister seeks a dissolution may be different, and in these cases the Fixed-term Parliaments Act may serve as more of a constraint.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, April 2017
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘The government has been ordered back to the high court to explain its last-minute bid to delay publication of the UK’s clean air plan.’
The Guardian, 25th April 2017
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Delivered to the fifth Annual Intelligence Community (IC) Women’s Summit.’
Home Office, 21st April 2017
Source: www.gov.uk/home-office
‘Legislation that would radically change the personal injury market and overhaul the courts has been dropped in the runup to the general election.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 20th April 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Theresa May has deftly launched a gambit to get around the core purpose of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011 – and all signs are that it will succeed without delay. The purpose of that Act (for a tidy summary of resources see here) was to stop prime ministers from calling an election at a time that suited the Government’s rather than the country’s political future. The Coalition Government formed between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in 2010 gave effect to the insistence by the Liberal Democrats that legislation put an end to the Prime Minister’s power to call an election at will. The Act prescribes five year periods between elections, alterable only by (1) the passing by the House of Commons of a motion of non-confidence without subsequent withdrawal, or (2) the passing by the House of Commons of a motion calling for an early election by a majority of two-thirds. The election that follows an early election will occur in May of the fifth calendar year following the early election.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 19th April 2017
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
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