Consultation on out of court disposals – Attorney General’s Office

Posted November 14th, 2013 in cautions, consultations, penalties, press releases by tracey

“This consultation paper outlines the existing out of court disposals (OOCDs) landscape and provides an opportunity for the public and practitioners to share their thoughts and experiences of OOCDs and their use, and consider how they might be reformed.”

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 14th November 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Government response to the Justice Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2013–14 – Older Prisoners – Ministry of Justice

Posted November 13th, 2013 in elderly, press releases, prisons by tracey

“Today the Government has published its response to the Justice Select Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2013–14, entitled Older Prisoners.”

Full text

Ministry of Justice, 12th November 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Rogue PPI claim companies targeted by fines and toughened regulations – Ministry of Justice

Posted November 12th, 2013 in claims management, financial regulation, fines, insurance, press releases by tracey

“Claims firms which use information gathered by unsolicited calls and texts or who provide poor quality services will face large fines under law changes announced by the Government today.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 12th November 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Barrister disbarred for endangering police helicopter – Bar Standards Board

“A public disciplinary tribunal has ordered the disbarment of a barrister for acting in a manner likely to endanger a police helicopter and its passengers.”

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 12th November 2013

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

A Handbook for Litigants in Person – Judiciary of England and Wales

Posted October 23rd, 2013 in courts, legal aid, litigants in person, press releases by tracey

“A guide to appearing in civil cases without legal representation has been produced and published by the judiciary.”

Full guide

Judiciary of England and Wales, 22nd October 2013

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

LSB issues report outlining changes in competition in the legal services market – Legal Services Board

Posted October 22nd, 2013 in competition, legal services, Legal Services Board, press releases, reports by tracey

“LSB report outlining changes in competition in the legal services market since the Legal Services Act 2007 came into force.”

Full press release

Legal Services Board, 22nd October 2013

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Wider audience targeted as lasting power of attorney (LPA) process goes online – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 15th, 2013 in consultations, internet, powers of attorney, press releases by sally

“A wider range of people should ensure they have lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) – not just the elderly – Justice Minister Lord McNally said today.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 15th October 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Licensing Act 2003: amended guidance issued under section 182 – Home Office

Posted October 2nd, 2013 in legislation, licensed premises, licensing, press releases by tracey

“Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 provides that the Secretary of State must issue and, from time to time, may revise guidance to licensing authorities on the discharge of their functions under the act. This is the new version of the section 182 guidance issued on 31 October 2012. It contains the explanatory memorandum.

Full guidance

Home Office, 30th September 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Scrap metal laws to stop metal theft come into force – Home Office

Posted October 2nd, 2013 in handling stolen goods, licensing, press releases by tracey

“Rogue traders who buy and sell scrap metal for cash face £5,000 fine under new laws designed to stamp out metal theft.”

Full press release

Home Office, 1st October 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Chris Grayling: Simple cautions for serious offences to be scrapped – Ministry of Justice

“Criminals who commit serious offences will no longer receive just a ‘slap on the wrist’ Secretary of State for Justice Chris Grayling announced today in a radical overhaul of ‘simple’ cautions.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 30th September 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Draft Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Bill – Law Commission

Posted September 27th, 2013 in bills, charities, consultations, Law Commission, press releases by tracey

“In a consultation launched today, the Law Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission invite comments on the draft Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Bill as it stands at 26 September 2013.”

Full press release

Law Commission, 26th September 2013

Source: www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission

Facebook grooming case – Attorney General’s Office

“The Court of Appeal found that the 6 ½ yr sentence given to facebook groomer Husaini Master was unduly lenient and raised it to 9 yrs.”

Full story

Attorney General’s Office, 24th September 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Director of Public Prosecutions sets out charging standards for benefit and tax credit fraud – Crown Prosecution Service

“The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, QC, has today published new guidelines for prosecutors dealing with fraud cases involving state benefits and tax credits. The charging standards will ensure a robust prosecutorial position is taken against those who commit fraud against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and will ensure a consistent approach to prosecution across the wide spectrum of criminal fraud.”

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 16th September 2013

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Costs protection in defamation and privacy claims: the Government’s proposals – Ministry of Justice

Posted September 13th, 2013 in consultations, costs, defamation, press releases, privacy by tracey

“Costs protection in defamation and privacy claims: the Government’s proposals.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 13th September 2013

Source: https://consult.justice.gov.uk/

LSB responds to MoJ review of legal services regulations with a blueprint for deregulation – Legal Services Board

Posted September 11th, 2013 in legal services, Legal Services Board, press releases, regulations by tracey

“LSB responds to MoJ review of legal services regulations with a blueprint for deregulation.”

Full press release

Legal Services Board, 10th September 2013

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

CPD guidance for barristers taking parental leave – Bar Standards Board

Posted September 11th, 2013 in barristers, codes of practice, maternity leave, parental rights, press releases by tracey

“The Bar Standards Board has produced a new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guide to assist barristers who are taking, or are planning to take, a period of parental leave.”

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 6th September 2013

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Changes to the Immigration Rules – October 2013 – UK Border Agency

Posted September 9th, 2013 in immigration, press releases, regulations, visas by tracey

“Today, Friday 6 September 2013, a written ministerial statement was laid in Parliament outlining a number of changes to the Immigration Rules.”

Full press release

UK Border Agency, 6th September 2013

Source: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

Specialist planning court proposed to boost UK business – Ministry of Justice

“A specialist planning court has been proposed by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling to help ensure crucial development projects no longer get mired in unnecessary legal delay.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 6th September 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Government response to consultation on future regulatory regime for the private security industry – Home Office

Posted September 6th, 2013 in consultations, press releases, private investigators by tracey

“Written ministerial statement: government response to consultation on future regulatory regime for the private security industry.”

Full statement

Home Office, 5th September 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office

CPS statement on abortion related case – Crown Prosecution Service

“The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC said: ‘This was a very difficult and finely balanced decision. It was based on the individual facts of the case; it is not a policy decision. But in light of concerns raised today, I have decided that it would be sensible to put into the public domain the case specific reasons for not prosecuting in much greater detail. Clearly this will involve careful consideration of how much information can be put into the public domain by way of explanation, but my intention is for a fuller statement to made by the CPS in due course. In the mean time, I understand that the Health Secretary has written to the Attorney General asking for clarification and I am happy to assist him in any way.’ ”

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 5th September 2013

Source: www.cps.gov.uk