The impact of Coronavirus, part 6: sentencing at a time of national emergency – 6KBW College Hill

Posted April 24th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, criminal justice, news, sentencing by sally

‘As a result of the restrictions on movement imposed due to the current pandemic, the criminal justice system is operating little more than what might be colloquially referred to as a ‘Saturday service’ at present. Despite this, lower-level offences still work their way through the system, while cases involving more serious offences are adjourned pending the relaxation of the restrictions. This blog post concentrates on a topic that has thus far received little attention: sentencing for offences committed at a time of national crisis.’

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6KBW College Hill, 23rd April 2020

Source: blog.6kbw.com

Judiciary sets up working party to bring back jury trials – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 24th, 2020 in coronavirus, courts, health, health & safety, judiciary, juries, news, trials by sally

‘The prospect of jury trials restarting has come closer with news that the judiciary has set up a working party to consider how they can be brought back as soon as it is safe to do so. The news comes shortly after lord chancellor Robert Buckland said he wanted jury trials back up and running as quickly as possible.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 24th April 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Staying for clarification – Falcon Chambers

‘Covid-19 has had quite an effect on property lawyers in their professional lives. The stay on Part 55 claims imposed by PD 51Z on 27 March 2020 has stayed part of many practitioners’ day to day work. It has also led, however, to numerous questions. Can possession claims still be issued? Can directions still be followed or sought for possession claims already past the first possession hearing and heading towards trial? What are we supposed to do about trespass cases? Trespassers are not people the Government seemed to be keen to protect when it announced its intention to protect certain categories of occupiers from eviction, yet possession claims against trespassers have been caught in the general stay.’

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Falcon Chambers, April 2020

Source: www.falcon-chambers.com

Vicarious Liability: whose liability is it anyway? – 4 New Square

‘On 1 April 2020 the Supreme Court handed down judgment in Barclays Bank plc v Various Claimants [2020] UKSC 13 (“Barclays”) and MW Morrison Supermarkets plc v Various Claimants [2020] UKSC 12 (“Morrison”) – the latest in the recent line of cases focussed on the nature, scope and development of the doctrine of vicarious liability.’

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4 New Square, 20th April 2020

Source: www.4newsquare.com

ADCS President warns of potential spike in demand and backlog of care applications following COVID-19 outbreak – Local Government Lawyer

‘It is possible that there will be “huge spikes in demand across the children’s social care spectrum”, a backlog of new care applications and more children needing to come into care as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, the President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services for 2020/21 has warned.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 23rd April 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Directors Disqualification: Applying for Permission to Act During the Corona Pandemic – Radcliffe Chambers

‘On 6 April 2020 the Temporary Insolvency Practice Direction (“TIPD”) came into force. On 7 April 2020 the guidance note issued by Chief ICCJ Briggs confirmed that, for the purposes of TIPD, applications under section 17 Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 are deemed urgent.’

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Radcliffe Chambers, 17th April 2020

Source: radcliffechambers.com

County council wins High Court appeal over deregistration of common land – Local Government Lawyer

Posted April 24th, 2020 in airports, commons, local government, news, planning by sally

‘Hampshire County Council has won an appeal over an inspector’s decision to deregister as common land an area where an airport is located.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 23rd April 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

UK voter ID plan disenfranchises the poor, appeal court told – The Guardian

Posted April 24th, 2020 in appeals, documents, elections, equality, identification, news by sally

‘Pilot schemes requiring voters to produce photo ID at polling stations disenfranchise those who do not have or cannot find their documents and alienate people from the democratic process, the court of appeal has been told.’

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The Guardian, 23rd April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

EXE v Governors of the Royal Naval School [2020] EWHC 596 QB – 39 Essex Chambers

‘The Defendants employed a 30 year old man “Hughes” as a kitchen porter from 15 October 1990 to 10 July 1991 at their school for girls. He was provided with accommodation on the school premises. The Defendants were not aware that Hughes had a criminal record, including offences of indecent assault on a female and unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 15. Had the Defendants been aware of these convictions, Hughes would not have been offered employment.’

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39 Essex Chambers, 22nd April 2020

Source: www.39essex.com

Possessions, Covid-19 and the Decision in UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v MD – 4 King’s Bench Walk

‘The spread of the coronavirus has caused disruption to our lives and the operation of society in ways that the vast majority of us have never experienced in our lifetime. The drastic measures adopted by the Government in response to the rapid spread of the disease, including putting the country into “lockdown”, required numerous amendments to be made to existing laws; this included those concerning residential and business tenancies and, more specifically, the rules relating to the eviction of tenants. The amendments increase the protections for tenants during the crisis.’

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4 King's Bench Walk, 22nd April 2020

Source: www.4kbw.co.uk

At the front line of Covid-19 – forgotten victims? – Doughty Street Chambers

‘In a sense, we are all “victims” of the 2020-1 Coronavirus pandemic. Our lives have been changed dramatically by its effects at the domestic, community, regional, national and international levels. None of us born since WWII have experienced the restrictions of movement/activity we are experiencing as “lockdown”. There are serious wellbeing issues associated with being confined to the home for the majority of time, and no doubt those suffering domestic strain, let alone abuse, are truly “suffering”. One thinks also of those self-denying or being denied access to treatment for other health conditions because of the necessary concentration of health resources upon Covid-19 patients. All of this without considering the serious economic effects of deprivation of income for many people who really cannot afford any reduction in their already stretched incomes.’

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Doughty Street Chambers, 22nd April 2020

Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk

Court of Protection Newsletter – Spire Barristers

Posted April 24th, 2020 in chambers articles, Court of Protection, news by sally

‘Welcome to the April issue of Spire Barristers’ Public Law Newsletter covering news from around the web, practice updates and case reviews in Court of Protection and Public Law matters.’

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Spire Barristers, 20th April 2020

Source: spirebarristers.co.uk

What property remedies are available during the Covid-19 lockdown? – St Philips Chambers

‘Practice Direction 51Z, which came into force on 27 March 2020, has imposed a general 90-day stay on new and current Part 55 possession proceedings with (as of 20 April 2020) limited exceptions in a new paragraph 2A.’

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St Philips Chambers, 22nd April 2020

Source: st-philips.com

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Update – Thomas More Chambers

Posted April 24th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, employment, news by sally

‘The Coronavirus job Retention Scheme guidance was updated on 15 and, in particular, 17 April 2020. This article identifies the most important updates and, where necessary, explains them.’

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Thomas More Chambers, 20th April 2020

Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk

Government successfully appeals in ‘Right to Rent’ case – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Notably, the Court of Appeal agreed with the High Court’s view that the scheme does result in landlords discriminating against tenants without British passports on the basis of their actual or perceived nationality. However, the Court held that this discrimination was justified.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 22nd April 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Conveyancers calls on government to extend furlough scheme – Legal Futures

Posted April 24th, 2020 in conveyancing, coronavirus, delay, employment, housing, news, remuneration, stamp duty by sally

‘The furlough scheme should be extended for property businesses, like conveyancers, where income required to pay staff will not be available for months after work is undertaken once lockdown is lifted, the government has been told.’

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Legal Futures, 23rd April 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

The consequences for administrators of furloughing employees – further clarification: Re Debenhams Retail Limited [2020] EWHC 921 (Ch) – Radcliffe Chambers

‘In a judgment dated 17th April 2020 in Re Debenhams Retail Limited (in administration) [2020] EWHC 921 (Ch), Trower J determined an application for directions by the joint administrators of Debenhams which concerned the impact of the application of the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in administrations and the recent decision of Snowden J in Re Carluccio’s Limited (in administration) [2020] EWHC 886 (Ch). Matthew Weaver considers Trower J’s judgment and its implications in this briefing.’

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Radcliffe Chambers, 21st April 2020

Source: radcliffechambers.com

Keep calm and carry on(line) with mediation – Park Square Barristers

‘Whilst the civil courts adapt at short notice to working, by and large, remotely, invariably some hearings will continue for the foreseeable future to be adjourned to dates as yet unknown. In the circumstances, it might seem inevitable, or at least tempting (especially when many parties and their solicitors are faced with the difficulties associated with unexpectedly having to work from home at the same time as home schooling children), simply to wait on the court.’

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Park Square Barristers, 22nd April 2020

Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk

Re Carluccio’s Limited (in Administration) – Pump Court Chambers

‘It should be noted from the outset that Snowden J’s judgment in Re Carluccio’s is not binding. There were no representative employees or interested parties during the remote video hearing so the judgment does not bind the employees or the government.’

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Pump Court Chambers, 22nd April 2020

Source: www.pumpcourtchambers.com

SRA allows trainees to qualify before completing PSC – Legal Futures

‘Trainee solicitors will be able to qualify without first completing the professional skills course (PSC) because of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has decided.’

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Legal Futures, 24th April 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk