Plans to ban e-cigarettes in public places defeated – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 17th, 2016 in bills, children, news, smoking, Wales by tracey

‘Plans to ban e-cigarettes for the first time in the UK in public places where children are present have been defeated.
The landmark vote by the Welsh Assembly aimed to restrict the use of nicotine inhaling devices in public places such as schools, restaurants and on public transport.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 16th March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

First British smoke-free beach unveiled – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 9th, 2016 in news, smoking, Wales by tracey

‘Little Haven beach in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, is the first seaside resort in Britain to trial the no-smoking signs on the sand.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

School closure consultation – Education Law Blog

Posted March 8th, 2016 in consultations, education, news, Wales by sally

‘The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 sets out the process for establishing, altering and discontinuing schools in Wales. R (Edwards) v Flintshire County Council [2016] EWHC 459 (Admin) was an unsuccessful judicial review challenge of a decision by the Defendant LEA to issue statutory notices under Section 48 of that Act to close a High School. The ground of challenge was that the Council failed, in its consultation process, to comply with its obligation under Section 38(4) of the Act to act in accordance with the Welsh Ministers’ Code of School Organisation. The Act requires the Welsh Ministers to issue a code on school organisation. It may contain requirements and/or guidelines. By Section 38(4), those who exercise functions in relation to school organisation in Wales, including local education authorities, must, when exercising those functions, act in accordance with any relevant requirements contained in the Code, and have regard to any relevant guidelines contained in it. Section 48 requires a proposer for change to publish the proposals, consult and publish a report on the consultation, all in accordance with the published code. In April 2013, the Welsh Ministers published a Code on School Organisation. It came into force on 1 October 2013.’

Full story

Education Law Blog, 8th March 2016

Source: www.education11kbw.com

Prison smoking ban overturned by court of appeal – The Guardian

Posted March 8th, 2016 in appeals, news, prisons, smoking, Wales by sally

‘A compulsory, immediate ban on smoking in prisons has been overturned by the court of appeal, allowing the Ministry of Justice to introduce its own voluntary, phased controls.’

Full story

The Guardian, 8th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Wales switches to organ donation opt-out – The Guardian

Posted December 1st, 2015 in consent, health, news, organ transplants, Wales by tracey

‘Consent for organ donation switches from opt-in to “soft opt-out” in Wales from Tuesday. The Labour-led Welsh government claims the law change could lead to a 25% increase in the number of organs available.’

Full story

The Guardian, 1st December 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Wales – it’s just more appealing – Nearly Legal

Posted November 5th, 2015 in appeals, civil procedure rules, housing, news, tribunals, Wales by sally

‘Clarise Properties Ltd v Rees [2015] EWCA Civ 1118 (Lawtel/Westlaw only from what I can see) is an interesting* permission to appeal decision. It appears that devolution has caused an odd little difference in the test for permission to appeal from the UT(LC) depending on whether the case started in England or Wales.’

Full story

Nearly Legal, 5th November 2015

Source: www.nearlylegal.co.uk

Speech by the Lord Chief Justice: The Law of Wales – Looking Forward – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted November 2nd, 2015 in devolution, speeches, Wales by tracey

‘Speech by the Lord Chief Justice at the Legal Wales Conference 9 October 2015.’

Full speech

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 23rd october 2015

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Cardiff Three: ex-officers sue South Wales police over miscarriage of justice saga – The Guardian

Posted October 13th, 2015 in miscarriage of justice, news, police, Wales by tracey

‘Eight former police officers involved in the Cardiff Three miscarriage of justice murder case have cast doubt on the freed men’s innocence as they sue their own force over the saga.’

Full story

The Guardian, 12th October 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Wrexham historical child abuse gang jailed – BBC News

Posted September 28th, 2015 in child abuse, news, sentencing, sexual offences, victims, Wales by sally

‘Five men guilty of being in a predatory paedophile gang in Wrexham in the 1980s have been jailed.’

Full story

BBC News, 25th September 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Welsh Supreme Court judge ‘should be considered’ – BBC News

Posted August 4th, 2015 in judiciary, news, reports, Supreme Court, Wales by sally

‘Appointing a Welsh justice to the Supreme Court should be considered in the near future, a report has said.’

Full story

BBC News, 4th August 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

English drug dealer not sentenced in Wales because he doesn’t understand the accent – The Independent

Posted July 30th, 2015 in courts, news, sentencing, Wales by sally

‘A drug dealer from the West Midlands has reportedly refused to appear in court in Wales – because he doesn’t understand the Welsh accent.’

Full story

The Independent, 28th July 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

The law in Wales – making it clearer, more modern and easier to use – Law Commission

Posted July 14th, 2015 in consultations, Law Commission, press releases, Wales by tracey

‘Throughout the UK the law can be difficult for professionals and the public to find and understand. The volume of legislation in England and Wales, the number of amendments and the way in which legislation is presented, make it increasingly difficult to find out what the law is and what it means. In Wales, the process of devolution has made matters even more complicated. In a consultation opening on 9 July the Law Commission is asking what can be done to simplify legislation relating to Wales and make it more accessible.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 9th July 2015

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

South Wales Police ‘did not investigate ID of child sex gang’ – BBC News

Posted July 14th, 2015 in gangs, news, police, reports, sexual grooming, sexual offences, Wales by tracey

‘Police did not try to identify a child sex gang which exploited a 15-year-old girl for four years, a watchdog says. Despite more than 40 child protection forms being completed, South Wales Police did not investigate the men or protect other children.’

Full story

BBC News, 14th July 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Welsh government job advert breached language policy – BBC News

Posted June 19th, 2015 in advertising, government departments, news, Wales, Welsh language by tracey

‘An advert by the Welsh government to recruit the new children’s commissioner breached its own Welsh language policy, an investigation has found.’

Full story

BBC News, 19th June 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Smoking ban in cars carrying children put to vote in Wales – BBC News

Posted June 2nd, 2015 in children, fines, news, smoking, Wales by sally

‘A vote on banning people from smoking in cars when children are present is to take place in the Welsh Assembly.’
Full story

BBC News, 2nd June 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court rules faith school transport scheme unlawful – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 28th, 2015 in education, news, race discrimination, transport, Wales by sally

The High Court has struck down a council’s school transport policy following complaints from parents at six faith schools that the City and County of Swansea’s new scheme was discriminatory.

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 27th May 2015

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

News focus: law and justice pledges – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The general election manifestos are in – here’s our quick-fire summary of their headline pledges on law and justice.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 20th April 2015

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Historic abuse blamed for rise in child rape cases – BBC News

Posted March 13th, 2015 in child abuse, news, rape, statistics, Wales by sally

‘Historic sexual abuse is fuelling the rise in the number of child rape cases being recorded in some parts of Wales, say two police forces.’

Full story

BBC News, 12th March 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

M4 relief road for Newport challenged in court – BBC News

Posted March 10th, 2015 in environmental protection, news, planning, roads, Wales by tracey

‘Friends of the Earth Cymru wants a judge to examine how ministers decided to press ahead with the 14-mile new stretch of motorway around Newport.’

Full story

BBC News, 10th March 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Speech by HHJ Jarman: Administrative Court in Wales – Challenges and Opportunities – Judiciary of England and Wales

‘His Honour Judge Jarman QC gave a speech “Administrative Court in Wales: Challenges and Opportunities” at Swansea University on 19 November 2014.’

Full speech

Judiciary of England and Wales, 6th March 2015

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk