Top judge warns rising court fees threaten access to justice – The Guardian

Posted November 3rd, 2016 in civil justice, courts, criminal justice, fees, judges, judiciary, news, reports by tracey

‘Excessive court fees are in danger of driving away international legal business from London and preventing access to justice, the lord chief justice has warned. In his annual report, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd also expresses concern about low morale in the judiciary and the difficulties in recruiting high court judges.’

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd November 2016

Source: www.guardian,.co.uk

Government loses Article 50 court fight – BBC News

Posted November 3rd, 2016 in appeals, constitutional reform, EC law, news, parliament, referendums, treaties by tracey

‘Parliament must vote on whether the UK can start the process of leaving the European Union, the High Court has ruled.’

Full story

BBC News, 3rd November 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Lawyer rebuked for gloating at ‘win’ over parents seeking special needs support – The Guardian

‘he lawyer who sent a series of tweets gloating at a tribunal victory over parents who were trying to get specialist support for an autistic child has been given an official rebuke by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority.’

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

UK Government has breached air pollution laws and failed to take enough action on emissions, High Court rules – The Independent

‘The High Court has ruled against the Government over its failure to tackle illegal air pollution.’

Full story

The Independent, 2nd November 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Sir Philip Green in firing line as Pensions Regulator begins enforcement action over BHS’s £571m pension deficit – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 3rd, 2016 in enforcement notices, news, parliament, pensions by tracey

‘The Pensions Regulator has begun enforcement action against a number of parties including Sir Philip Green after failing to reach a deal to plug BHS’s £571m pension deficit. In a dramatic development, the regulator, which has been in talks with Sir Philip and his Taveta group of companies over the retailer’s pension fund since BHS collapsed in late April, issued a warning notice to the Top Shop entrepreneur setting out why it believes he is liable to support the scheme.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 2nd November 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Prisons in England and Wales get boost of 2,500 new staff to tackle violence -The Guardian

‘An extra 2,500 frontline prison staff are to be recruited to tackle soaring levels of gang violence, drug abuse and attacks on staff and inmates inside prisons across England and Wales, the justice secretary is to announce.’

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Police forces ‘overwhelmed’ by digital evidence, watchdog finds – BBC News

Posted November 3rd, 2016 in documents, electronic mail, evidence, internet, news, police, telecommunications by tracey

‘Some police forces in England and Wales risk being “overwhelmed” by the volume of digital evidence being collected, the police watchdog has warned.’

Full story

BBC News, 3rd November 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court to rule on Brexit legal battle and Theresa May’s decision to use the royal prerogative – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 3rd, 2016 in brexit, EC law, elections, news, parliament, referendums, treaties by tracey

‘This morning the High Court will rule on a court action against Theresa May to prevent her using executive powers under the royal prerogative to start the process of leaving the European Union.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 3rd November 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

FCA to investigate banks’ high-cost credit including overdrafts – The Guardian

Posted November 3rd, 2016 in banking, competition, fees, financial regulation, loans, news by tracey

‘The City regulator is to launch an investigation into loans that charge high interest rates in a move that will also wade into the controversy over fees on overdrafts. The decision by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to look at overdraft charges comes after the Competitition and Markets Authority stepped back from imposing a limit on these fees after a two-year investigation into high-street banking.’

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Culture Secretary statement to Parliament on press regulation issues – Home Office

Posted November 2nd, 2016 in consultations, corruption, inquiries, media, parliament, police, press releases by tracey

‘Culture Secretary Karen Bradley gave an oral statement to Parliament on a consultation seeking views on two issues relating to the Leveson Inquiry.’

Full press release

Home Office, 1st November 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Man convicted of aiding illegal entry into the UK – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A 31-year-old man has been jailed for six months after he pleaded guilty to arranging the illegal entry into the United Kingdom of two Iraqi nationals from France.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 2nd November 2016

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted November 2nd, 2016 in legislation by tracey

The Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Ring-fenced Bodies, Core Activities, Excluded Activities and Prohibitions) (Amendment) Order 2016

The Self-build and Custom Housebuilding (Time for Compliance and Fees) Regulations 2016

The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2016

The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Electromagnetic Fields) Regulations 2016

The Contracting Out (Functions relating to the Royal Parks) Order 2016

The Immigration Act 2016 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2016

The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2016

The Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Landward Areas) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2016

The Parole Board Rules 2016

The Employer-Financed Retirement Benefits (Excluded Benefits for Tax Purposes) (Amendment) Regulations 2016

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted November 2nd, 2016 in law reports by tracey

Supreme Court

Impact Funding Solutions Ltd v AIG Europe Insurance Ltd [2016] UKSC 57 (26 October 2016)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Zas Ventures Ltd v Forkner [2016] EWCA Civ 1062 (01 November 2016)

Napp Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited v Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (UK) Ltd & Anor [2016] EWCA Civ 1053 (01 November 2016)

M (Children), Re [2016] EWCA Civ 1059 (01 November 2016)

NA (Sudan) v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2016] EWCA Civ 1060 (01 November 2016)

W (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 1051 (01 November 2016)

Scottish Power UK Plc v BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd & Ors [2016] EWCA Civ 1043 (01 November 2016)

Holley & Anor v London Borough of Hillingdon [2016] EWCA Civ 1052 (01 November 2016)

Brooks, R (on the application of) v The Independent Adjudicator & Anor [2016] EWCA Civ 1033 (28 October 2016)

RJG v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2016] EWCA Civ 1042 (28 October 2016)

Oadby And Wigston Borough Council v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government & Anor [2016] EWCA Civ 1040 (27 October 2016)

King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council v Bunning [2016] EWCA Civ 1037 (26 October 2016)

Armchair Answercall Ltd v People in Mind Ltd [2016] EWCA Civ 1039 (26 October 2016)

Secretary of State for the Home Department v Jobe [2016] EWCA Civ 1035 (26 October 2016)

Kazakhstan Kagazy Plc & Ors v Zhunus & Anor [2016] EWCA Civ 1036 (26 October 2016)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

SEH, R v [2016] EWCA Crim 1609 (01 November 2016)

R v C & Ors [2016] EWCA Crim 1617 (01 November 2016)

Johnson & Ors, R v [2016] EWCA Crim 1613 (31 October 2016)

France v R [2016] EWCA Crim 1588 (27 October 2016)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, R (on the application of) v First-Tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation) & Anor [2016] EWHC 2745 (Admin) (01 November 2016)

S And J, R (On the Application Of) v The London Borough of Haringey [2016] EWHC 2692 (Admin) (28 October 2016)

Roden v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government & Ors [2016] EWHC 2701 (Admin) (28 October 2016)

Abdulrahman, R (on the application of) v The London Borough of Hillingdon [2016] EWHC 2647 (Admin) (28 October 2016)

Kebbell Developments Ltd, R (on the application of) v Leeds City Council & Anor [2016] EWHC 2664 (Admin) (28 October 2016)

Allaway & Anor, R (on the application of) v Oxfordshire County Council & Ors [2016] EWHC 2677 (Admin) (27 October 2016)

Wisniewska v Nursing Midwifery Council [2016] EWHC 2672 (Admin) (27 October 2016)

Source: www.bailii.org

Wife wants doctors to stop treating police officer husband after he was left in a coma following road accident, court hears – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 2nd, 2016 in medical treatment, news by tracey

‘The wife of a soldier-turned-policeman who was left in a coma after a road accident has told a court she wants doctors to stop providing life-supporting treatment.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 1st November 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Serious Fraud Office given extra funds to investigate Unaoil bribery claims

Posted November 2nd, 2016 in bribery, news, Serious Fraud Office by tracey

‘The Serious Fraud Office has been given special funding to pursue its criminal investigation into a firm that has been implicated in an international bribery scandal.’

Full story

The Guardian, 1st November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Treating criminals with anti-psychotic drugs could prevent 1,500 crimes a year, study suggests – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 2nd, 2016 in crime, medical treatment, medicines, mental health, news, recidivists, violent offenders by tracey

‘Prescribing anti-psychotic medication to violent criminals when they leave prison could prevent around 1,500 serious crimes in Britain each year, a new study suggests. Although medicating prisoners on their release is controversial, the University of Oxford believes that it could dramatically cut the risk of violent offending.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 1st November 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Competition watchdog criticised by MPs over bank reform – The Guardian

Posted November 2nd, 2016 in banking, competition, news, reports, select committees by tracey

‘The competition watchdog has been accused of complacency and missing an opportunity to overhaul high street banking, including capping overdraft charges, despite a two-year long investigation.’

Full story

The Guardian, 1st November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Phone-hacking inquiry: Consultation to take place over part two – BBC News

Posted November 2nd, 2016 in consultations, corruption, inquiries, interception, media, news, police, telecommunications by tracey

‘A consultation is to take place on whether the second part of the Leveson Inquiry into phone hacking should go ahead, the government has said.’

Full story

BBC News, 1st November 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Camber Sands deaths: coroner to investigate public safety measures – The Guardian

Posted November 2nd, 2016 in coroners, expert witnesses, health & safety, holidays, inquests, news by tracey

‘A coroner has said he owes it to the community to investigate what public safety measures could be used at a beach where seven people died in two separate incidents in the summer.’

Full story

The Guardian, 1st November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

CPS decision in Abdel Hakim Belhaj rendition case faces legal challenge – The Guardian

‘The decision by the director of public prosecutions not to charge a former MI6 official for the 2004 abduction and rendition of a Libyan dissident, Abdel Hakim Belhaj, is to be challenged in court.’

Full story

The Guardian, 1st November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk