Local authority wins tribunal case over student accommodation and council tax – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Valuation Tribunal has dismissed an appeal by a student accommodation provider over the application of council tax exemptions to student flats.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 25th October 2017

Source: localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Tribunal refuses to force council to disclose legal advice over costs of employment case involving mayor – Local Government Lawyer

Posted October 25th, 2017 in costs, disclosure, indemnities, local government, news, privilege, tribunals by michael

‘A member of the public has failed in a bid to force Liverpool City Council to disclose the legal advice behind its decision to pay the costs incurred by elected mayor Joe Anderson in an unfair dismissal case.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 25th October 2017

Source: localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Black former Met officer wins right to sue for discrimination – The Guardian

‘Supreme court ruling hailed as gamechanger by Race4Justice, which says professionals in many fields will now get full protection of equality legislation.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 25th October 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police advert banned for suggesting viewers should not call 999 if they hear a baby crying next door – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 25th, 2017 in advertising, child abuse, complaints, news, police by michael

‘The “deliberately ambiguous” television advert urged concerned neighbours not to call 999 if they hear a baby crying next door, suggesting they call the local council instead.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 25th October 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Identity of anonymous prison murder trial witness mistakenly revealed in court – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 25th, 2017 in anonymity, murder, news, prisons, trials, witnesses by michael

‘An anonymous witness in the Pentonville prison murder trial has withdrawn after his cover was blown after less than an hour in court in what a judge described as a “very regrettable accident”.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 25th October 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

High Court demands further cuts in law firm’s £1.6m costs bill – Litigation Futures

Posted October 25th, 2017 in costs, fees, judges, law firms, news, solicitors by michael

‘Slade J said that while an estimate was not the same as a quote, Master Rowley had “exceeded the broad measure of his discretion” in considering a reasonable upper limit on profit costs to be twice as high as the second estimate.’

Full Story

Litigation Futures, 25th October 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

PPO first as insurer agrees to cover future cost of mesothelioma treatment – Litigation Futures

‘Solicitors for a man suffering from mesothelioma have claimed a first by securing an agreement with the defendant insurers to cover the future costs of his cancer treatment, no matter the amount or length.’

Full Story

Litigation Futures, 24th October 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Justice in jeopardy: government defies backlash to confirm ‘reckless’ legal aid cuts – Law Society Gazette

‘The government is to press ahead with reform of legal aid fees paid to solicitors in criminal cases – despite 97% of submissions to a consultation vehemently opposing the plans. Representative bodies have this afternoon condemned the decision as ‘reckless’, claiming it places justice in jeopardy.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 24th October 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Supreme Court dismisses top poker player’s bid to recover £7.7m winnings from London casino – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 25th, 2017 in gambling, news, Supreme Court by michael

‘The 40-year-old American has been fighting to recover the money since successfully playing a version of baccarat known as Punto Banco at Crockfords Club in Mayfair in 2012.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 25th October 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

On the spot litter fines to double to £150 as drivers face penalties for rubbish thrown from their cars – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 25th, 2017 in environmental protection, fines, litter, local government, news by michael

‘From April next year, the maximum fixed penalty councils can hand out to people dropping litter or throwing rubbish from cars will rise from £80 to £150.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 24th October 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Government appeals against High Court ruling that benefit cap ’causes misery to no good purpose’ – Independent

Posted October 25th, 2017 in appeals, benefits, families, news by michael

‘The Government has launched an appeal against a ruling that its controversial benefits cap unlawfully discriminates against lone parents with children under two.’

Full Story

Independent, 24th October 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

HMRC sets out draft guidance on penalties for enablers of defeated tax avoidance – Out-Law.com

Posted October 25th, 2017 in HM Revenue & Customs, news, penalties, tax avoidance by michael

‘Draft guidance that explains when accountants, lawyers, financial advisers and auditors, amongst others, might be penalised for helping others to avoid tax has been published by HM Revenue and Customs.’

Full Story

Out-Law.com, 24th October 2017

Source: www.out-law.com

UK terrorism law expert warns government over plans for new legislation – The Guardian

Posted October 25th, 2017 in imprisonment, legislation, news, sentencing, terrorism by michael

‘Introducing new laws to prosecute extremists would be wrong, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has said.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th October 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Drugs cheats in British sport will not face jail, says sports minister Tracey Crouch – The Guardian

Posted October 25th, 2017 in drug abuse, news, sanctions, sport by michael

‘Drugs cheats in British sport will not be jailed, the sports minister, Tracey Crouch, has said after a review of the UK’s anti-doping rules.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th October 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Dentist fines: Mistakes over addresses hitting thousands – BBC News

Posted October 25th, 2017 in benefits, dentists, fines, health, medical records, mistake, news by michael

‘Many fines incorrectly imposed after dental treatment are because of mistakes over patients’ addresses, says a health watchdog.’

Full Story

BBC News, 24th October 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk