Civil and family cases being adjourned “for no apparently good reason”: Bar Council – Local Government Lawyer

‘Many civil and family cases are being adjourned “for no apparently good reason”, the Chair of the Bar Council, Amanda Pinto QC, has claimed.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 28th April 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Publication and correction of judgments – official and unofficial sources – Transparency Project

Posted April 29th, 2020 in courts, internet, judgments, judiciary, Ministry of Justice, news, tribunals by sally

‘Who is responsible for publishing the official approved version of judgments of the courts? Where should we look to find the latest, in some cases corrected, version of a court judgment? These are not new questions, but the sudden swerve to virtual justice has thrown them into new focus.’

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Transparency Project, 29th April 2020

Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk

The Frontline Doctors Challenging The Government’s Handling Of Covid-19 – Each Other

‘On Thursday (23 April), the couple launched a legal challenge against the government’s guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE), which they argue exposes them to coronavirus infections.’

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Each Other, 28th April 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

Coronavirus Q&A: Changes to housing eviction notices – Law Society’s Gazette

‘In these rapidly changing and arguably unsettling times, the government has moved to create legislation to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 29th April 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Paul Bowen QC: Learning lessons the hard way – Article 2 duties to investigate the Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘As we watch the Covid-19 pandemic unfold our attention is naturally on the steps that HM Government (“HMG”) is taking to mitigate the immediate crisis. The time is approaching, however, when it will be necessary to evaluate HMG’s preparation for, and response to, the pandemic. Calls are being made by the TUC and doctors’ groups for a public inquiry into one aspect of its response, namely failures to procure adequate personal protective equipment (“PPE”) for NHS staff, at least 100 of whom are believed to have died having contracted the virus while treating patients. HMG is accused of failing to respond to a national exercise in 2016 testing the UK’s resilience to a similar flu pandemic which highlighted an increased need for ventilators. Other criticisms go further. This blog argues that the state owes a duty under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights to investigate some deaths caused by Covid-19. This duty will require not only inquests into individual deaths but also a public inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 to address those systemic issues not suitable for determination by an inquest. The post builds on and responds to posts by Conall Mallory, James Rowbottom and Elizabeth Stubbins Banes. It also foreshadows the need for reform in this area.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 29th April 2020

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Government relaxation of regulations relating to children’s social care draws criticism – Local Government Lawyer

‘The government has amended several sets of regulations with a view to assisting the children’s social care sector during the coronavirus pandemic but the move has been strongly criticised by a children’s rights charity.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 28th April 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Appeal judges to rule on legality of Covid-19 practice direction – Litigation Futures

‘The Court of Appeal is to rule on Thursday on the power of the Master of the Rolls (MR) to make an emergency practice direction in response to Covid-19.’

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Litigation Futures, 29th April 2020

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

FCA warns banks not to put pressure on clients during Covid-19 crisis – The Guardian

‘The City watchdog is cracking down on UK banks that have been preying on corporate clients seeking financial help during the Covid-19 crisis.’

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The Guardian, 28th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Bitcoin: The Future of Money? – St Paul’s Chambers

‘Cryptocurrency: The Future of Money? Bitcoin is just one of many cryptocurrencies (internet currency). It’s not the first but it’s the first that works and the one that’s caught everyone’s attention. As with any currency comes regulation and in light of the rise of Bitcoin in recent years, it’s important to consult a Bitcoin lawyer if seeking advice in cryptocurrency law, regarding Bitcoin law.’

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St Paul's Chambers, 24th April 2020

Source: www.stpaulschambers.com

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted April 29th, 2020 in legislation by tracey

The National Health Service (Quality Accounts) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020

The Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Act 2020 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2020

The Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) (Amendment) Rules 2020

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted April 29th, 2020 in law reports by tracey

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Beadle v HM Revenue and Customs [2020] EWCA Civ 562 (29 April 2020)

Alliance of Turkish Business People Ltd), R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2020] EWCA Civ 553 (28 April 2020)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Tonstate Group Ltd & Ors v Wojakovski & Ors [2020] EWHC 1004 (Ch) (28 April 2020)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Mad Atelier International BV v Manes [2020] EWHC 1014 (Comm) (28 April 2020)

High Court (Family Division)

S (Child in Care. Unregistered Placement) [2020] EWHC 1012 (Fam) (28 April 2020)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Square Global Ltd v Leonard [2020] EWHC 1008 (QB) (28 April 2020)

Greystoke v The Financial Conduct Authority [2020] EWHC 1011 (QB) (28 April 2020)

Source: www.bailii.org

Ministers aim to extend legally binding deadline on Prevent review – The Guardian

‘The government will attempt to push back a legally binding deadline for the completion of an independent review of Prevent, the programme that aims to stop people becoming terrorists, the Guardian understands.’

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The Guardian, 28th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Coronavirus: Lack of sign language interpreters leads to legal case against government – BBC News

‘Deaf campaigners have started legal proceedings against the government over a lack of sign language interpreters at its daily coronavirus briefings.’

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BBC News, 28th April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Coronavirus could cause ‘unprecedented’ backlog of court cases – The Guardian

Posted April 29th, 2020 in barristers, budgets, coronavirus, courts, criminal justice, delay, news, prisons, statistics by sally

‘The coronavirus outbreak could lead to court case delays of up to six months and record prisoner numbers once the lockdown has been lifted, according to a leading Whitehall thinktank.’

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The Guardian, 29th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judicial heavyweights call for ‘breathing space’ to save dispute resolution system – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 29th, 2020 in coronavirus, dispute resolution, judges, news by sally

‘International courts and arbitral tribunals need a “breathing space” if they are not to be overwhelmed by a wave of commercial cases due to the pandemic, a group of senior retired judges said today.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 27th April 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk