Council was entitled to refuse disclosure of planning documents, tribunal rules – OUT-LAW.com

‘The First-Tier Tribunal has dismissed an appeal and held that following a freedom of information request Aylesbury Vale District Council was entitled to refuse disclosure of correspondence between its solicitor and the planning department.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 9th July 2015

Source: www.out-law.com

Bereaved to benefit from action on cremation and coroner services – Ministry of Justice

‘Bereaved families will be the focus of proposed new cremation rules and a review of out-of-hours coroner services announced today by Justice Minister Caroline Dinenage.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 8th July 2015

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

Supreme Court overturns key Court of Appeal decision on ordinary residence – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Supreme Court has rejected a Court of Appeal ruling on who has financial responsibility for the care of an adult with physical and learning disabilities, instead ruling that the local authority initially responsible for meeting his needs as a child should be responsible for his care after the age of 18.’

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 9th July 2015

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Judge was wrong to accuse solicitors of exaggerating bill, Court of Appeal rules – Litigation Futures

‘The High Court was wrong to strike out a claim over unpaid fees brought by a firm of solicitors on the basis of alleged exaggeration and inaccurate sums, without hearing any witnesses, the Court of Appeal has ruled.’

Full story

Litigation Futures, 9th July 2015

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Jackson issues costs penalty for bundle that proved an “obstacle course” – Litigation Futures

Posted July 10th, 2015 in appeals, civil procedure rules, construction industry, costs, judges, news by tracey

‘The bundle prepared for the Court of Appeal should be an aid, “not an obstacle course”, Lord Justice Jackson has said in ruling that no party in a case before him would be entitled to recover the costs of preparing it.’

Full story

Litigation Futures, 10the July 2015

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

LSB Chief Executive speaks at Westminster Legal Policy Forum event on innovation in legal services – Legal Services Board

‘The Legal Services Board Chief Executive Richard Moriarty spoke at the Westminster Legal Policy Forum event: Innovation in legal services market – growth, skills and new business models.’

Full speech

Legal Services Board, 9th July 2015

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Open Consultation: Codes of practice issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) – Home Office

“The operation of certain powers within POCA are subject to guidance issued by the Secretary of State in various codes of practice. The existing codes need updating due to certain provisions in the Serious Crime Act 2015 and the full extension of POCA powers to Northern Ireland.’

Full press release

Home Office, 10th July 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Speech by Lord Chief Justice: Dinner for Her Majesty’s Judges – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

‘Speech by The Right Hon. The Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.’

Full speech

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 9th July 2015

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Regulator consults on what could be the most sweeping reforms to Bar training in a generation; keen to seek views from all – Bar Standards Board

‘Future barristers may be able to achieve their career aspirations by a number of different, more flexible pathways if some of the approaches being considered by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) are implemented.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 10th July 2015

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Immunity guaranteed for whistleblowers in child sex abuse inquiry – Attorney General’s Office

‘Individuals providing certain evidence to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse can do so without fear of prosecution.’

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 9th July 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Family Law Week’s Budget Briefing, July 2015 – Family Law Week

‘Richard Holme, Chartered Accountant of Creaseys, a firm which specialises in advising family lawyers on tax related family law issues, explains the Budget changes of most relevance to family lawyers.’

Full story

Family Law Week, 8th July 2015

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Greater Transparency in Children Proceedings: A Note of Caution – Family Law week

‘Tom Wilson, pupil barrister at 1 Garden Court Family Law Chambers, examines the arguments in favour of greater transparency in the family justice system but sounds a note of caution.’

Full story

Family Law Week, 9th July 2015

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Gove promises action on criminal referral fees – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The lord chancellor is to crack down on the banned practice of referral fees in criminal proceedings.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 9th July 2015

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Safety of Tasers to be investigated after death of man in Manchester – The Guardian

Posted July 10th, 2015 in firearms, health & safety, inquests, inquiries, news, police, statistics by tracey

‘An independent inquiry is to look into the continued use of Taser stun guns by police in England and Wales after an inquest verdict earlier this week linking their use to the death of a factory worker in Manchester.’

Full story

The Guardian, 9th July 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Disney wins starwars.co.uk net domain battle – BBC News

‘A Berkshire-based fancy-dress retailer is being made to surrender the starwars.co.uk web address after feeling the force of Disney’s wrath.’

Full story

BBC News, 9th July 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Royal Household will fall in sights of £100m child sex abuse inquiry – Daily Telegraph

‘The child sex abuse inquiry is set to last five years and cost up to £100 million, it has been confirmed, as it emerged the Royal Household will not be exempt from scrutiny over paedophile allegations.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 9th July 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Suspended chief constable found guilty of eight misconduct charges – The Guardian

‘A chief constable suspended for a more than a year after being accused of “inappropriate advances” to women has been found guilty of eight charges of misconduct but is to be allowed to return to work.’

Full story

The Guardian, 9th July 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Sainsbury’s faces equal pay battle with female shop floor workers – The Guardian

‘Sainsbury’s is facing legal action from four female shopfloor workers who claim they are paid less than men to do equally valuable jobs at the supermarket chain.
The case, which will be the subject of a preliminary hearing at a Birmingham employment tribunal on Friday, comes as a similar legal action involving 6,000 female Asda employees remains to be settled.’

Full story

The Guardian, 9th July 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk