BSB to lower standard of proof in disciplinary cases as it names new chair – Legal Futures

‘The standard of proof in disciplinary cases involving barristers is being lowered to the balance of probabilities following a decision yesterday by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).’

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Legal Futures, 24th November 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Dubious forensic evidence? That’s what happens when we sell off public services – The Guardian

Posted November 27th, 2017 in contracting out, criminal justice, evidence, forensic science, news by sally

‘The recent mass review of 10,000 criminal case samples shows what can happen when commercial demands get in the way of vital public services.’

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The Guardian, 27th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

A Ghost from the Past with Lessons for the Future? Grounds for a debtor’s petition under s 272(1) of the Insolvency Act 1986 – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted November 24th, 2017 in bankruptcy, debts, domicile, news by sally

‘On 20 October 2017 Registrar Derrett handed down judgment in the case of Thomas v Haederle (unreported), in which she gave reasons for dismissing a bankruptcy petition presented by the debtor (T) in the County Court at Norwich on 4 December 2014, pursuant to s 272 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA86), as it then was.’

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Hardwicke Chambers, 2nd November 2017

Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk

Mental Capacity Guidance Note: A Brief Guide to Carrying out Capacity Assessments – 39 Essex Chambers

Posted November 24th, 2017 in consent, Court of Protection, mental health, news by sally

‘The purpose of this document is to provide for social workers and those working in front-line clinical settings a brief overview of the law and principles relating to the assessment of capacity. Its focus is on (a) how to apply the MCA 2005 principles when assessing capacity; and (b) how to record your assessment, primarily in the context of health and welfare decisions.’

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39 Essex Chambers, 17th November 2017

Source: www.39essex.com

Intentional Homelessness: Whether 2-Years Renting Amounted to Settled Accommodation – Garden Court Chambers

‘In November 2010 the appellant, Mr Doka, was evicted from his home at Laburnam Close in South East London on the basis of rent arrears. His former employer, Mr Theobald, subsequently allowed him to stay in his home in Dartford. The arrangement was initially meant to be a temporary one. But after a few weeks the arrangement was put on a more stable footing, with Mr Theobald agreeing to provide what he described as ‘full-time accommodation’, allowing Mr Doka to sleep in his son’s bedroom (while his son was away at University) for £500 a month. Mr Theobald told Mr Doka that he could live there for two-three years, while his son finished at University, though Mr Doka would be required to stay with friend’s on occasion if Mr Theobald’s son returned and needed the use of the room.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 10th November 2017

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

The Problem of Iago: Bringing or Defending a Tainted Information Whistleblowing Claim Part 2 – Littleton Chambers

Posted November 24th, 2017 in disciplinary procedures, employment, news, whistleblowers by sally

‘In his last blog post, The Problem of Iago: Whistleblowing and tained information, Benjamin Gray considered the cases of Royal Mail Ltd v Jhuti [2017] EWCA Civ 1632 and International Petroleum Ltd v Osipov [2017] UKEAT/0058/17 and the difficulties faced by both claimants and respondents in ‘tainted information’, or ‘Iago’, cases, where employers are manipulated into dismissing employees by their co-workers.’

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Littleton Chambers, 22nd November 2017

Source: www.littletonchambers.com

Excessive service charges and what to do about them – 4 KBW

Posted November 24th, 2017 in news, service charges by sally

‘Service charges are fees that homeowners often commit to pay under the terms of the lease they enter into when they purchase their homes.[1] They are increasingly common in share-of-freehold properties, and commonly include the costs of insurance, lighting, maintenance, cleaning and the repair of common parts such as lifts and gyms, as well as fees for the purchase, sale, sublet or alteration of a flat. They can also effect the purchase of some freehold properties.’

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4 KBW, 14th November 2017

Source: www.4kbw.net

Cos Services Limited v Nicholson & Willans [2017] UKUT 382 (LC) – Tanfield Chambers

Posted November 24th, 2017 in insurance, landlord & tenant, news by sally

‘The Upper Tribunal gave guidance as to how an assessment of reasonableness of insurance premiums under s.19 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 ought to be approached.’

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Tanfield Chambers, 1st November 2017

Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk

Returning to the new Pre-Action Protocol for Construction and Engineering Disputes – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted November 24th, 2017 in construction industry, news, pre-action conduct by sally

‘Construction analysis: One year after the second edition of the Pre-Action Protocol for Construction and Engineering Disputes (the Protocol) came into force, David Pliener looks at how it has been used in practice. He notes that while it has generally been well-received, the Protocol’s full impact has not been felt yet, and there are still areas where uptake has been slow. Nevertheless, over the past year, indications point to the overall success of the new regime.’

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Hardwicke Chambers, 3rd November 2017

Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk

Charlotte Davies on Recent Cases on Oral Contracts – Sailing to Victory via the Horse & Groom – Littleton Chambers

Posted November 24th, 2017 in contracts, evidence, news by sally

‘Charlotte Davies looks at two recent decisions of the Commercial Court that provide useful illustrations of the Court’s approach to cases involving alleged oral contracts and demonstrate some of the pitfalls in such claims.’

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Littleton Chambers, 8th November 2017

Source: www.littletonchambers.com

Regulator at odds with trainers over new rules for equine wind operations – The Guardian

Posted November 24th, 2017 in gambling, horse racing, horses, news by sally

‘The British Horseracing Authority brushed off an accusation of “poor regulation” from the National Trainers’ Federation on Wednesday over a new rule that requires trainers to declare wind operations on their horses, and it seems likely to irritate the NTF further by insisting trainers found guilty of a serious breach of the rule will risk the suspension of their licence.’

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The Guardian, 22nd November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted November 24th, 2017 in law reports by tracey

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Ayodele v Citylink Ltd & Anor [2017] EWCA Civ 1913 (24 November 2017)

High Court (Commercial Court)

First Names (Jersey) Ltd & Anor v IFG Group Plc [2017] EWHC 3014 (Comm) (24 November 2017)

Source: www.bailii.org

Council settles historic abuse claim with five-figure payout: report – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 24th, 2017 in abuse of process, child abuse, compensation, news, sexual offences by tracey

‘A local authority which initially defended a sexual abuse claim on the basis that it would be an abuse of process to make a second attempt at compensation, has agreed to make a five-figure payout to settle the claim, it has been reported.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 24th November 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Court of Appeal: ATE that can be voided is not adequate replacement for security for costs – Litigation Futures

Posted November 24th, 2017 in costs, indemnities, insurance, news by tracey

‘After-the-event insurance which can be voided does not constitute adequate security for costs, the Court of Appeal has ruled. Overturning the decision of Mr Justice Snowden, Lord Justice Longmore said the case raised “important questions of principle” because the original decision showed “there may be a tendency (I put it no higher) for judges at first instance to accept that an ATE policy can stand as security for costs.’

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Litigation Futures, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Goods Mortgages Bill ready to write off unfair law on logbook loans – Law Commission

Posted November 24th, 2017 in bills, consumer protection, loans, mortgages, press releases by tracey

‘The Law Commission has today published a new draft Bill to put the brake on unfair rules on logbook loans and usher in a new era of better protection for consumers.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 24th November 2017

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk/

How can the courts protect children from extremism? – Family Law

Posted November 24th, 2017 in care orders, children, families, guardianship, news, terrorism by tracey

‘Complex cases involving the children of families in which there are adults suspected of undertaking activities linked to terrorism or of involvement in radicalisation are facing family judges up and down the country as child protection services grapple to deal with the immediate effects of extremism.’

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Family Law, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Two convicted of Modern Slavery Act offences – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Two people who arranged for underage girls to be trafficked for sexual exploitation have been convicted of offences under the Modern Slavery Act today (21 Nov).’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 21st November 2017

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Court of Protection Rules 2017 – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted November 24th, 2017 in Court of Protection, press releases, regulations by tracey

‘As of 1 December 2017, the Court of Protection Rules 2017 come into force. The Rules are now in the same format as the Civil Procedure and Family Procedure Rules. The new-look Court of Protection Rules will also incorporate those rules relating to case management which have, since September 2016, been implemented by way of the Case Management Pilot. The Practice Directions supporting the 2007 Rules are replaced by the package of new Practice Directions supporting the 2017 Rules.’

Full press release

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Sex offender who targeted children online has sentenced increased – Attorney General’s Office

Posted November 24th, 2017 in appeals, child abuse, internet, press releases, sentencing, sexual offences by tracey

‘Sex offender, Paul Leighton, has had his sentence increased to 20 years in prison.’

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Civil standard of proof set to be adopted for professional misconduct proceedings for barristers – Bar Standards Board

‘Following a public consultation earlier this year, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has decided to change the standard of proof applied when barristers, and others regulated by the BSB, face disciplinary proceedings for professional misconduct. Subject to approval from the Legal Services Board (LSB), the standard of proof will change from the criminal standard (“beyond reasonable doubt”) to the civil standard (“on the balance of probabilities”). The change will bring the Bar’s disciplinary arrangements in line with most other professions.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 24th November 2017

Source: www.barstandsboard.org.uk