“The Devil Finds Work for Idle Hands” COVID-19’s Unwanted Cyber Side Effect – The 36 Group

Posted April 23rd, 2020 in chambers articles, computer crime, coronavirus, internet, news by sally

‘Cyber-crime is, at the best of times an evolving topic, in these exceptional times it is extremely fluid, as the ingenuity of the cybercriminal finds fertile ground upon which to prosper. We have in the recent past (literally) applauded the many positive actions that have emanated from this time extraordinary hardship and loss. Sadly, the recipe of “The devil finds work for idle hands” combined with the concept that the exceptional provides opportunity, cybercriminal ingenuity and a general state of latent fear, provides a meal of unrivalled opportunity for those with malevolent intent. The phrase “stay safe” is now of common occurrence. We need to be saying “stay safe” and “stay cyber safe” in these extraordinarily turbulent times.’

Full Story

The 36 Group, 22nd April 2020

Source: 36group.co.uk

Coronavirus & Arbitration: Institutional Responses, Challenges and Practical Tips (Part Two) – 39 Essex Chambers

‘In the second of two articles looking at the impact of coronavirus on international arbitration,[1] we consider the following two questions:

1. What challenges must arbitration overcome in order to fully adapt to the demands of remote working?
2. How, practically, can these challenges be met?’

Full Story

39 Essex Chambers, 23rd April 2020

Source: www.39essex.com

Coronavirus & Arbitration: Institutional Responses, Challenges and Practical Tips (Part One) – 39 Essex Chambers

‘The ongoing global pandemic created by Covid-19 (‘coronavirus’) has led to unprecedented restrictions on how we conduct our professional lives. In a matter of weeks, businesses around the world have had to make adjustments which, under different circumstances, would have been made over years – or not at all. The dispute resolution sector is no different.’

Full Story

39 Essex Chambers, 20th April 2020

Source: www.39essex.com

When is it unfair to conduct a hearing remotely? A look at Re P (A Child: Remote Hearing) [2020] EWFC 32 – St Philips Chambers

‘In the current climate the court and all parties are having to grapple with the thorny issue of the appropriateness for a family law hearing to proceed remotely; particularly concerning contested issues.’

Full Story

St Philips Chambers, 22nd April 2020

Source: st-philips.com

Access to justice in remote hearings in the Court of Protection and Family Courts – Spire Barristers

‘The Lord Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls and President of the Family Division have written to Circuit and District Judges of the Civil and Family Courts to record their appreciation for the efforts being made across all parts of the judiciary to adapt to new styles of working during the pandemic. They observe that there has been a great deal that has been learned quickly about the practical benefits and limitations of conducting hearings remotely and extensive materials and support have been shared across the legal community to facilitate such hearings being undertaken.’

Full Story

Spire Barristers, 20th April 2020

Source: spirebarristers.co.uk

Do Me a Favour… But How? Helping your counterparties without risking your contractual rights – Radcliffe Chambers

Posted April 23rd, 2020 in chambers articles, company law, contracts, news by sally

‘A lot of attention has focused recently on how to get out of contracts by relying on frustration or force majeure. In the near future, there will be a reckoning of who has behaved well and who has behaved badly, irrespective of their legal rights. In this article, we look at ways in which our less cynical clients can do their commercial counterparties a favour, to help them get through the short term, without running the risk of losing their legal rights in the long term. While our clients might well want to help out the people with whom they do business, they would not want to lose out if they had to prove in a subsequent insolvency.’

Full Story

Radcliffe Chambers, 22nd April 2020

Source: radcliffechambers.com

Vaccination of Children in Care – St Philips Chambers

‘In the coming weeks and months, we are likely to be hearing more and more about a vaccine against coronavirus, and possible pressure and expectations to relax the regulations and timescales around trialling it. Parents are likely to be asked to consider and consent to a vaccine that they may have reservations about. Of course, we currently live in a country where recommended vaccinations are not mandatory, but require parents’ consent. It is not inconceivable that England & Wales will move to effectively requiring mandatory vaccination in order to access other services such as schools and nurseries. Pause for a minute and think of the implications for local authorities and foster placements.’

Full Story

St Philips Chambers, 14th April 2020

Source: st-philips.com

Covid19, Force Majeure and Frustration – Thomas More Chambers

Posted April 23rd, 2020 in chambers articles, contracts, coronavirus, news by sally

‘The Covid19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown have created chaos for many businesses, rendering performance of existing contractual obligations difficult or impossible. This article looks at the potential legal remedies available to businesses facing such difficulties.’

Full Story

Thomas More Chambers, 22nd April 2020

Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk

Young barristers spell out pandemic’s devastating financial toll – Legal Futures

‘Young barristers are being especially badly hit by the coronavirus crisis and they are unlikely to get much help from the government’s self-employment income support scheme (SEISS).’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 23rd April 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted April 23rd, 2020 in legislation by tracey

The Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted April 23rd, 2020 in law reports by tracey

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

The Union Castle Mail Steamship Company Ltd v HM Revenue and Customs & Ors [2020] EWCA Civ 547 (22 April 2020)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Gassa & Anor, R (on the application of) v Richmond Independent Appeals Service & Anor [2020] EWHC 957 (Admin) (22 April 2020)

Spitfire Bespoke Homes Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing Communities And Local Government [2020] EWHC 958 (Admin) (22 April 2020)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Carr v Thales Pension Trustees Ltd & Anor [2020] EWHC 949 (Ch) (22 April 2020)

Raja v McMIllan [2020] EWHC 951 (Ch) (22 April 2020)

High Court (Commercial Court)

National Bank of Kazakhstan the Republic of Kazakhstan v The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV London & Ors [2020] EWHC 916 (Comm) (22 April 2020)

Tyndaris v MMWWVWM Ltd [2020] EWHC 778 (Comm) (22 April 2020)

A v B [2020] EWHC 952 (Comm) (22 April 2020)

Source: www.bailii.org

Health Records and the Deceased – Panopticon

Posted April 23rd, 2020 in bereavement, confidentiality, data protection, families, medical records, news by sally

‘The Access to Health Records Act 1990 is an oft-overlooked member of the information rights family, but it can have a useful role to play. In the case of Re AB [2020] EWHC 691 (Fam) (Re AB) it was important because the applicant was the personal representative seeking the health records of a deceased sibling; precisely the sort of territory to which data protection law does not apply.’

Full Story

Panopticon, 23rd April 2020

Source: panopticonblog.com

Ageism In The Age Of Covid-19 – Each Other

‘Older people are at risk of suffering worse outcomes amid the Covid-19 pandemic. But it is vital we acknowledge more than just their vulnerability.’

Full Story

Each Other, 22nd April 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

East Finchley shooting: Man to face fifth trial over same murder charges – BBC News

Posted April 23rd, 2020 in murder, news, trials by sally

‘An Old Bailey judge has ruled that a man can go on trial on the same murder charges for a fifth time.’

Full Story

BBC News, 22nd April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Harry Dunn death: diplomatic immunity for Anne Sacoolas ‘illogical’ – The Guardian

‘Britain agreed to let Anne Sacoolas, the driver charged with killing 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry Dunn, return to the US on the basis of an “apparently illogical” interpretation of the law on diplomatic immunity, according to the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 22nd April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com