Yet more on hijabs in primary schools – Law & Religion UK

Posted November 22nd, 2017 in education, Islam, news, school children by sally

‘In September, we posted an item on the controversy over small girls wearing the hijab in British nurseries and primary schools. There were various reports (eg in The Sunday Times and the Evening Standard) that “Children as young as three are being allowed to wear the hijab in British nurseries and primary schools.” The ST reported that its own survey had found that a fifth of 800 primary schools, including Church of England schools, list the hijab as part of their uniform. The Department for Education said that uniform policies were for schools to decide, adding: “If a school decided to allow a pupil to wear a burqa, that would be up to the school.” ‘

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Law & Religion UK, 20th November 2017

Source: www.lawandreligionuk.com

All Born Free and Equal? How Equality Underpins Our Human Rights – RightsInfo

Posted November 22nd, 2017 in equality, Equality and Human Rights Commission, human rights, news, treaties by sally

‘Equality pops up all the time when we talk about human rights. In fact, the very first article of the UN Convention on Human Rights states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”’

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RightsInfo, 21st November 2017

Source: rightsinfo.org

Claiming for the costs of a surrogacy arrangement: A new head of loss? – Family Law

Posted November 22nd, 2017 in costs, damages, negligence, news, surrogacy by sally

‘They say that nothing can prepare you for the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to be a parent. But how would you feel if that opportunity was taken away from you because of the negligent action of someone else? In the recent case of XX v Whittington Hospital NHS Trust [2017] EWHC 2318 (QB), XX received £74,000 for the cost of two surrogacies in the UK. This was because XX was unable to bear children as a direct consequence of her delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer.’

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Family Law, 21st November 2017

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Judges under ‘intolerable pressure’ from social media, says new Lord Chief Justice – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 22nd, 2017 in internet, judges, judiciary, news, rule of law by sally

‘Judges are being put under “intolerable pressure” by social media users who criticise their decisions, the Lord Chief Justice has said.’

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Daily Telegraph, 21st November 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Drug-driving cases dropped over forensics – BBC News

‘Around 50 drug-driving prosecutions have been dropped because original test results may have been “manipulated”.’

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BBC News, 21st November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Trans women need access to rape and domestic violence services. Here’s why – The Guardian

Posted November 22nd, 2017 in domestic violence, gender, news, rape, statute law revision, transgender persons, women by sally

‘All women face similar dangers, whether trans or not, and it’s distressing that some people seek to drive a wedge between our rights.’

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The Guardian, 21st November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Home Office faces High Court hearing over policy on rough sleeping EEA nationals – Local Government Lawyer

‘The High Court is today [21 November] set to begin hearing a judicial review challenge to the Home Office’s policy towards rough sleeping EEA nationals.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 21st November 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Why so many sexual harassment cases in US, not UK? – BBC News

‘There are huge differences between UK and US media law – does this explain why more Americans are being accused of sexual harassment?’

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BBC News, 22nd November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Law firm diversity “blocked by unconscious bias” – Legal Futures

Posted November 22nd, 2017 in bias, diversity, law firms, news, reports by sally

‘Unconscious bias in legal businesses is hampering their success, inhibiting a diverse and inclusive sector, and damaging the experience of women and minorities in the workplace, according to a report.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd November 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Further education college wins court battle with vending company over fire – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 22nd, 2017 in damages, evidence, expert witnesses, fire, judges, local government, news, statutory duty by sally

‘A judge has held a vending machine company responsible for fire damage at a further education college after a complex dispute involving conflicting views among expert witnesses.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 21st November 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Rule of law in UK at risk after Brexit, says former supreme court president – The Guardian

‘The legal implications of leaving the EU have not been thought through, could overwhelm the supreme court and endanger the independence of the British judiciary, four senior retired judges have warned.’

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The Guardian, 21st November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Law Society accreditation scheme advert ‘misled’ public – BBC News

Posted November 22nd, 2017 in advertising, complaints, conveyancing, law firms, Law Society, news, solicitors, standards by sally

‘The Law Society misled the public over the expertise of solicitors in a scheme set up to help property buyers and sellers in England and Wales, the advertising watchdog has ruled.’

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BBC News, 22nd November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Did Vote Leave commit a crime over its funding? Democracy demands to know – The Guardian

Posted November 22nd, 2017 in judicial review, lobbying, news, referendums by sally

‘The Electoral Commission must urgently and robustly investigate the question of whether or not the ‘will of the people’ was bought.’

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The Guardian, 22nd November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Trustee

Posted November 21st, 2017 in by sally

Do you feel passionately about access to justice?

Could you shape future strategy for public legal education and help us to achieve our mission?

Public legal education enables the public to understand the law. Increasingly, it is being recognised as an important element of access to justice. It helps people to understand that the problems they encounter in their daily lives may be legal issues, rather than just bad luck, and may have a legal solution. It gives the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to resolve problems and secure access to justice. PLE is a particularly important tool for reaching people in disadvantaged communities.

Law for Life was formed as a charity to lead public legal education in the UK. It runs the award winning Advicenow website which has a range of resources for individuals and for trusted intermediaries, including welfare rights advisors, lawyers and students at pro bono clinics. Law for life also provides education and training for community groups, advice workers and lawyers to help them understand the principles and application of public legal education. We are a partner in the national Litigant in Person Support Strategy, we conduct research with academic institutions into the theory and practice of public legal education and we have a growing international reputation.

As a member of the board you will be responsible for the overall direction, vision and strategy of Law for Life. We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Trustee to work alongside the Chair, Board and CEO to ensure sound growth, strategic development and the ability to manage scale.

You will be a strategic thinker, and have the ability to innovate while demonstrating excellent judgement. You will share our commitment to practical social justice. You will help us to move on to the next stage of important work as partner in the Litigant in Person Strategy and more broadly in developing and delivering public legal education, both at home and internationally.

We are looking to appoint individuals who share our values and would like to become involved. In particular we would also like to hear from:
• People with legal, education, and finance experience/skills
• People with experience of managing and delivering education and information services
• People with experience of income generation and business development.

This role is voluntary and unpaid but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. Trustees will be expected to attend about 6 meetings and one away day each year and the overall time commitment is around one day a month.

If you would like any further information and application form please email mihaela.rosca@lawforlife.org.uk or telephone 020 3405 7106

We are hoping to recruit as soon as possible interviews commence from December 2017

Treasurer

Posted November 21st, 2017 in by sally

Do you feel passionately about access to justice?

Could you shape future strategy for public legal education and help us to achieve our mission?

Public legal education enables the public to understand the law. Increasingly, it is being recognised as an important element of access to justice. It helps people to understand that the problems they encounter in their daily lives may be legal issues, rather than just bad luck, and may have a legal solution. It gives the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to resolve problems and secure access to justice. PLE is a particularly important tool for reaching people in disadvantaged communities.

Law for Life was formed as a charity to lead public legal education in the UK. It runs the award winning Advicenow website which has a range of resources for individuals and for trusted intermediaries, including welfare rights advisors, lawyers and students at pro bono clinics. Law for life also provides education and training for community groups, advice workers and lawyers to help them understand the principles and application of public legal education. We are a partner in the national Litigant in Person Support Strategy, we conduct research with academic institutions into the theory and practice of public legal education and we have a growing international reputation.

As a member of the board you will be responsible for the overall direction, vision and strategy of Law for Life. We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Treasurer to work alongside the Chair, Board and CEO to ensure sound growth, strategic development and the ability to manage scale.

As Treasurer, you will oversee all financial aspects of the charity on behalf of the board of trustees so as to ensure its short- and long-term viability.

Principal responsibilities:
• Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs and are within the charity’s objectives
• Overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts, financial statements and financial reports to the Board of Trustees after discussion with the Chief Executive and Finance Officer
• Being instrumental in the development and implementation of appropriate financial, reserves policy and investment policies
• Assist the Chair, other honorary officers and the Chief Executive in ensuring that the board of trustees fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the proper financial governance of the charity.

You will be a strategic thinker, and have the ability to innovate while demonstrating excellent judgement. You will share our commitment to social justice. We are looking to appoint individuals who share our values and would like to become involved. This role is voluntary and unpaid but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. Trustees will be expected to attend about 6 meetings and one away day each year and the overall time commitment is around one day a month.
If you would like any further information and application form please email mihaela.rosca@lawforlife.org.uk or telephone 020 3405 7106

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

Posted November 21st, 2017 in legislation by Verity

Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing Act 2017

Finance (No. 2) Act 2017

Northern Ireland Budget Act 2017

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Most women in UK who have Islamic wedding miss out on legal rights

Posted November 21st, 2017 in divorce, islamic law, marriage, news, women by sally

‘Six in 10 women in the UK who have had a traditional Muslim wedding ceremony are not in legally recognised marriages, depriving them of rights and protection, according to a survey.’

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The Guardian, 20th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elsie Scully-Hicks – Family Court Judgment Released – Transparency Project

Posted November 21st, 2017 in adoption, child abuse, family courts, judgments, murder, news by sally

‘Mr Justice Moor has today [20 November] published his judgment about the death of Elsie (known to her biological family as Shayla). You can read the judgment here: The County Council of the City and County of Cardiff -v- Matthew Scully-Hicks and Others.’

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Transparency Project, 20th November 2017

Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk

Law Pod UK Ep.16: A patient’s right to experimental medical treatment – 1 COR

Posted November 21st, 2017 in Court of Protection, human rights, medical treatment, news by sally

‘Rosalind English discusses a recent ruling in the Court of Protection which gives a patient, who is lacking capacity, the right to seek out experimental medical treatment.’

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Law Pod UK, 10th November 2017

Source: audioboom.com

Re-classifying housing associations – Nearly Legal

Posted November 21st, 2017 in budgets, housing, local government, news, regulations by sally

‘Slightly under the radar (possibly), but of enormous significance, the ONS has re-classified housing associations (or private registered providers of social housing – in the new language which I can’t get used to) as private sector, and in so doing has wiped around £60billion off the public sector debt. It is this re-classification which has given Hammond room to manoeuvre in the coming budget (although the rumours are that he is going to put £5billion only, and that appears to be going towards home ownership – plus ca change), which kind of proves the value in spreadsheets and the significance of audit practices.’

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Nearly Legal, 21st November 2017

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk