House of Lords to debate reducing number of peers after David Cameron’s ‘profligate’ appointments – The Independent

Posted December 5th, 2016 in news, parliament, peerages & dignities by sally

‘While Lord Cormack refused to place a number on the amount of peers the Lords should have, he said the upper chamber ‘should be no bigger than the Commons’.’

Full story

The Independent, 3rd December 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Everything you need to know about the Supreme Court judgment on Brexit – The Independent

Posted December 5th, 2016 in brexit, EC law, news, parliament, prerogative powers, referendums, Supreme Court, treaties by sally

‘The Government’s challenge against the High Court ruling that parliamentary approval is required to start the process of leaving the European Union will be hard tomorrow.’

Full story

The Independent, 4th December 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

The judges protect us. It’s time to stand up for them – The Guardian

‘Brexiteers and their media allies have declared war on our judiciary. On behalf of the people, the supreme court must push back.’

Full story

The Guardian, 5th December 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Senior judges prepare to hear Brexit supreme court appeal – The Guardian

Posted December 5th, 2016 in brexit, EC law, news, parliament, prerogative powers, referendums, Supreme Court, treaties by sally

‘All 11 of the UK’s most senior judges will take their seats on the supreme court bench on Monday to decide whether parliament or the government has the authority to trigger Brexit.’

Full story

The Guardian, 5th December 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Art 50: the clash of the Brexit case arguments – New Law Journal

‘Michael Zander QC reviews the written cases of the government & the lead claimants in next week’s Supreme Court hearing.’

Full story

New Law Journal, 1st December 2016

Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk

Thomas Poole: Losing our Religion? Public Law and Brexit – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘Prerogative is the enemy of the people. This has been settled as matter of law for a very long time. The constitutional settlement of 1688 made a decision for responsible and representative government. We have had no constitutional moment of similar magnitude since. All constitutional changes – some very significant – have taken place within that foundational structure. The Bill of Rights treats prerogative as the antithesis of good government. Its primary target is a range of extra-legal powers hitherto asserted by the King, pride of place being given to the power to dispense with laws and the power to suspend Acts of Parliament.’

Full story

UK Constitutional Law Association, 2nd December 2016

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

Why our 21st century democracy needs the spirit of 1647 – The Guardian

Posted December 2nd, 2016 in EC law, news, parliament, prerogative powers, referendums, treaties by sally

‘The article 50 supreme court hearings won’t solve our systemic crisis. We need a new way to connect people and state.’

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd December 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Eric King and Daniella Lock: Investigatory Powers Bill: Key Changes Made by the Lords – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted December 1st, 2016 in bills, investigatory powers, media, news, parliament, privacy, warrants by sally

‘What was formerly known as the Investigatory Powers Bill has received Royal Assent and is now the Investigatory Powers Act. The Bill was first published in draft form in November 2015 (- for a very helpful analysis of the Bill at this stage, please read Dr Tom Hickman’s blog). The passage of the Bill through Parliament, after it was it was introduced in March this year, took just under nine months. Amendments made by the House of Commons were described as ‘largely technical or minor drafting amendments’. Consequently, for all those hoping to see significant changes made to the legislation, a lot hung on the Bill’s amendments during its passage through the Lords.’

Full story

UK Constitutional Law Association, 1st December 2016

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

MPs are sexually assaulting young staff members in Parliament, MP claims – The Independent

Posted November 30th, 2016 in complaints, news, parliament, sexual offences, whistleblowers by tracey

‘A Labour MP has called for a whistle-blowing service to be set up for staff who are sexually assaulted by MPs, in order to help them come forward.’

Full story

The Independent, 29th November 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

What is Article 127 – and why could it be central to Brexit? – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 29th, 2016 in brexit, EC law, news, parliament, referendums, treaties by sally

‘Theresa May has claimed that the Government’s plans for Brexit are “on track”.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 28th November 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Further reforms are needed to strengthen the powers of English MPs, says study – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 28th, 2016 in devolution, EC law, news, parliament, referendums, veto by tracey

‘Further reforms are needed to strengthen the powers of English MPs in Westminster, a new study has found.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 28th November 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Jo Cox: Man jailed for ‘terrorist’ murder of MP – BBC News

Posted November 24th, 2016 in murder, news, parliament, sentencing, terrorism by tracey

‘Thomas Mair has been jailed for life after being found guilty of the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox.’

Full story

BBC News, 23rd November 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Jeff King and Nick Barber: In Defence of Miller – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘Miller v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union has stimulated quite a bit of debate. Some criticism of the decision has been well-informed and thoughtful, whilst some of it has been, to put it charitably, less worthy of engagement. In this post we respond to what we view as the strongest arguments against Miller, taking account of the Government’s written case for appeal. We discussed the reasoning used in the case in an earlier post written with Tom Hickman, and will not repeat that explanation here. This post assumes knowledge of that earlier piece, which was written with the lay reader in mind. The present piece, more legally detailed, is necessitated by the quite subtle replies to the argument in that original post and to the judgment in Miller.’

Full story

UK Constitutional Law Association, 22nd November 2016

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

Luke McDonagh: What Future for the Rule of Law and Human Rights in the New Populist Environment? – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted November 21st, 2016 in human rights, judiciary, news, parliament, rule of law by sally

‘As has been stated by several commentators, in the aftermath of Miller v Secretary of State for Exiting the EU the attacks made on the judges in the media severely threaten the independence of the judiciary, and come close to outright intimidation. Chief among these critics is, of course, Nigel Farage, leading light of the UK Independence Party. The particular focus of his populist critique of the judiciary is worth taking seriously, as it indicates the challenges the rule of law may be facing in the years to come, as we adjust to the new post-Brexit, post-Trump, populist environment.’

Full story

UK Constitutional Law Association, 18th November 2016

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

Theresa May refuses to say she will defend judges from press attacks ahead of Brexit judgment

Posted November 17th, 2016 in appeals, brexit, EC law, judiciary, media, news, parliament, referendums, Supreme Court by sally

‘Theresa May has refused to say she will defend judges from attacks in the press ahead of a vital judgment on the legal details of of Brexit.’

Full story

The Independent, 16th November 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Plans to curb House of Lords powers ‘dropped’ – BBC News

Posted November 17th, 2016 in legislation, news, parliament, veto by sally

‘Plans to curb the power of the House of Lords have been dropped by the government, sources have told the BBC.’

Full story

BBC News, 17th November 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

The Brexit Article 50 Ruling In Plain English – RightsInfo

Posted November 16th, 2016 in appeals, brexit, EC law, news, parliament, royal prerogative, Supreme Court, treaties by sally

‘The High Court has ruled that the UK Government cannot legally begin the process of leaving the EU without first consulting Parliament. What does the decision mean for our rights and what happens next?’

Full story

RightsInfo, 11th November 2016

Source: www.rightsinfo.org

Supreme court judge hints at legal hitch that could seriously delay Brexit process – The Guardian

Posted November 16th, 2016 in brexit, EC law, judges, legislation, news, parliament, referendums, speeches, treaties by sally

‘A supreme court judge has raised the prospect that Theresa May would have to comprehensively replace existing EU legislation before the government could even begin Brexit, in a move that could seriously delay the process.’

Full story

The Guardian, 16th November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Parliament notified of Europol opt-in intention – Home Office

Posted November 15th, 2016 in EC law, intelligence services, parliament, police, press releases, regulations, treaties by tracey

‘Explanatory memorandum on intention to exercise right to opt into revised Europol framework published.’

Full press release

Home Office, 14th November 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Police animals do not need to be given same legal status as officers injured on duty, Government suggests – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 14th, 2016 in animals, criminal damage, news, parliament, police by tracey

‘Police animals do not necessarily need to be given the same legal status as officers who are injured on duty, the Government has suggested ahead of a parliamentary debate on the issue on Monday.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 13th November 2016

Source; www.telegraph.co.uk