Month: May 2020

Why is the “illegality” defence back in the spotlight? – 4 New Square

Posted May 12th, 2020 in chambers articles, defences, illegality, news by sally

‘It is not uncommon for defendants to professional negligence claims to argue that the claimant should be barred from recovering damages because his or her cause of action is tarred by illegality. However, over recent years, the law has taken a variety of approaches to when illegality will provide a defence. With the issue about to come before the Supreme Court again, Helen Evans and Ian McDonald of 4 New Square explain.’

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4 New Square, 4th May 2020

Source: www.4newsquare.com

Is the law of vicarious liability still ‘on the move’? Barclays Bank plc v Various Claimants [2020] UKSC 13 – 3PB

Posted May 12th, 2020 in assault, doctors, news, sexual offences, vicarious liability by sally

‘The 126 claimants in this case were all employees of Barclays Bank who, at the start of their employment between the late 1960s and early 1980s, were required to undergo a medical examination. Examinations were carried out by Dr Bates (now deceased), a general practitioner who was not an employee of the Bank but engaged as an independent contractor to provide this service, and did so at his home. The Claimants alleged that they were sexually assaulted by Dr Bates while undergoing this examination and brought a group action against the Bank for compensation. A preliminary issue was whether Barclays could be vicariously liable for his actions.’

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3PB, May 2020

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

Business Interruption Insurance Claims arising from COVID-19 – 3PB

Posted May 12th, 2020 in coronavirus, economic loss, insurance, news by sally

‘Businesses across the country remain shut down and face mounting losses affecting not just cash-flow, but their very survival.’

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3PB, 28th April 2020

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

School fails in Court of Appeal bid to have Ofsted report quashed – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 12th, 2020 in education, injunctions, judicial review, news, reports by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has dismissed a bid by a state-funded secondary school in the north of England to have an adverse Ofsted report quashed.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 11th May 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Dishonesty: Barton & Booth v The Queen – Pump Court Chambers

Posted May 12th, 2020 in care homes, conspiracy, elderly, fraud, gifts, news by sally

‘Barton & Booth-v-The Queen [2020] EWCA Crim 575. The Court of Appeal considers whether the new definition of ‘dishonesty’ given by the Supreme Court in the case of Ivey v Genting Casinos (UK) (trading as Cockfords Club) [2017] UKSC 67 applies in criminal cases.’

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Pump Court Chambers, 30th April 2020

Source: www.pumpcourtchambers.com

Harry Dunn crash: Anne Sacoolas extradition refusal ‘final’ – BBC News

Posted May 12th, 2020 in accidents, diplomats, extradition, immunity, news, road traffic by sally

‘The US has said its decision to refuse an extradition request for Harry Dunn’s alleged killer was final.’

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BBC News, 12th May 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Case Preview: Ecila Henderson (A Protected Party, by her litigation friend, The Official Solicitor) v Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust – UKSC Blog

Posted May 12th, 2020 in diminished responsibility, homicide, hospitals, mental health, negligence, news by sally

‘The claimant had a long history of mental health difficulties arising from her diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Following a period spent in hospital detention, the claimant received outpatient psychiatric treatment. During this time, her condition deteriorated and she stabbed her mother to death while experiencing a serious psychotic episode. She was charged with murder and pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. An independent investigation found that failings by the Trust in her care and treatment meant that a serious incident of some kind was foreseeable based on her behaviour in previous psychotic episodes. The Trust admitted liability to the effect that the claimant’s mother would not have been killed but for its breaches of duty in failing to respond adequately to the claimant’s deterioration in mental health.’

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UKSC Blog, 11th May 2020

Source: ukscblog.com

Digital Contact Tracing Updates from the Human Rights Committee – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted May 12th, 2020 in computer programs, coronavirus, data protection, news, privacy, select committees by sally

‘The Human Rights Committee, reviewing NHSX’s current digital contact tracing app architecture, has recommended that the government’s current privacy assurances are not sufficient to protect data privacy and that legislation must be passed to ensure that. This echoes Professor Lilian Edwards’ call for primary legislation to ensure privacy rights are protected. These recommendations are given special significance NHSX’s choice to adopt the controversial and arguably less secure “centralised” model.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 11th May 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Trade marks – Sky v Skykick, The Final Chapter – NIPC Law

Posted May 12th, 2020 in EC law, news, trade marks by sally

‘On 23 May 2016 Sky PLC and its subsidiaries Sky AG and Sky UK Ltd. (“Sky”) issued proceedings against Skykick UK Ltd and Skykick Inc.(“Skykick”) for infringement of their EU and UK trade marks and passing off. Skykick denied infringement and passing off and counterclaimed for declarations that the trade marks were wholly or partially invalid on the grounds that the specified goods and services were unclear and imprecise and the applications for those trade marks had been made in bad faith.’

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NIPC Law, 9th May 2020

Source: nipclaw.blogspot.com

Families sue UK government over ‘little or no education’ for their children – The Guardian

Posted May 12th, 2020 in coronavirus, education, ministers' powers and duties, news by sally

‘Four families who say their children have received “little or no” education since schools in England were closed to most pupils have started legal action against the government.’

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The Guardian, 7th May 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Court of Appeal rejects challenge to Covid-19 stay – Litigation Futures

Posted May 12th, 2020 in civil procedure rules, coronavirus, news, practice directions, repossession, stay of proceedings by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has rejected a challenge to the emergency practice direction issued by the Master of the Rolls to stay all possession proceedings for three months in response to Covid-19.’

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Litigation Futures, 11th May 2020

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

The magic soup stone strikes again (more new authorities about remote hearings) – Transparency Project

Posted May 12th, 2020 in care orders, contact orders, family courts, live link evidence, news, remote hearings by sally

‘[T]here are two new remote hearing related judgments out :

A Local Authority v Mother & Ors [2020] EWHC 1086 (Fam) and Re Q [2020] EWHC 1109 (Fam).’

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Transparency Project, 7th May 2020

Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk

Solicitor cleared over alleged confidentiality breach – Legal Futures

Posted May 12th, 2020 in confidentiality, disciplinary procedures, news, solicitors by sally

‘A solicitor accused of disclosing to a client confidential information about a former client has been cleared of wrongdoing by a disciplinary tribunal.’

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Legal Futures, 11th May 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Boy, 8, Wins Legal Bid Against Home Office Policy Which Left Him Street Homeless – Each Other

Posted May 12th, 2020 in benefits, children, homelessness, housing, human rights, immigration, ministers' powers and duties, news by sally

‘An eight-year-old British boy and his migrant mum were unlawfully made street homeless by a Home Office policy which denied them social security payments, a court has ruled.’

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Each Other, 8th May 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

Administration of estates involving land during the pandemic – The 36 Group

Posted May 12th, 2020 in coronavirus, executors, news, rent, repossession, sale of land by sally

‘It is common for the estates of deceased persons to have as part of their assets land occupied by persons other than the personal representatives. This property might comprise residential or business premises let to tenants and generating an income for the estate, or, a common case, property occupied by the deceased together with a licensee (such as an adult child of the deceased) until death and which continues to be occupied by that licensee after death. The circumstances of the pandemic and its attendant legislation may complicate dealings with such premises, and those complications are considered here.’

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The 36 Group, 27th April 2020

Source: 36group.co.uk

The Impact of COVID-19 on Inquests and Inquiries – 11KBW

Posted May 12th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, inquests, inquiries, news by sally

‘The COVID-19 pandemic is obviously relevant to those who act in the area of Inquests and Inquiries. There will inevitably be a dramatic rise in the workload of coroners and, ultimately, in the number of full inquests being heard. Due to arguments concerning the state’s role in the handling of the pandemic, or of medical provisions and other more systemic issues, there may also be a public inquiry. This note is intended to identify the most immediate issues for practitioners.’

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11KBW, 29th April 2020

Source: www.11kbw.com

COVID-19: “Legal view: how to implement site operating procedures” – Atkin Chambers

Posted May 12th, 2020 in construction industry, coronavirus, health & safety, news by sally

‘“There have been as many plagues as wars in history, yet always plagues and wars take people equally by surprise” – these words from Albert Camus’ The Plague sum up how the COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm. The UK’s construction industry is facing the greatest challenge since Brexit, but there is little specific guidance from Westminster on the way forward. Whereas all non-essential sites in Scotland have been ordered to close, sites across the rest of the country have been left in the unenviable position of having to decide whether they should remain open.’

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Atkin Chambers, 6th May 2020

Source: www.atkinchambers.com

It’s not just what you say, it’s how you act in the courtroom – Re P (A Child: Remote Hearing) [2020] EWFC 32 – 5SAH

Posted May 12th, 2020 in advocacy, chambers articles, coronavirus, family courts, news, remote hearings by sally

‘The family court has transformed in the last few weeks due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Remote court hearings were once deemed futuristic but as with other public services, the courts have had to adapt. However, in this judgment (Re P (A Child: Remote Hearing)), Sir Andrew McFarlane sent a clear message that not all hearings will be suitable for remote hearing.’

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5 SAH, 6th May 2020

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

Holiday Claims And COVID-19: What Options Do You Have If Your Travel Plans Are Disrupted? – 3PB

Posted May 12th, 2020 in airlines, chambers articles, coronavirus, holidays, insurance, news by sally

‘On 23rd March 2020 the UK government went into lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised British people against all non-essential travel abroad due to unprecedented border closures. In relation to cancelled travel plans, the FCO further advised travellers to get in touch with their airline, travel company, or other transport and accommodation provider, or their insurer. However, recent reports in the media suggest that some holidaymakers who have requested refunds have instead been offered credit notes, or deferred bookings. Many are, of course, concerned that deferred bookings might not suit them due to inability to travel at a later stage, or where credit notes have been offered, that these might not be viable if the companies go bankrupt. Some have also turned to their banks; in a number of cases, without success.’

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3PB, 4th May 2020

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

Responding to COVID-19 the Maritime Perspective in the UK – 3PB

Posted May 12th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, news, ships by sally

‘We have reviewed the response to the Covid 19 crisis from international organisations and authorities and the UK Government and we have analysed responses from the cruise industry and UK ports. It is clear that protecting the health of those on ships and minimising the risk of transporting the coronavirus between different shores necessitates a focus on similar measures to those taken in society in general. These measures, however, need to be adapted to the very different environment on board ships.’

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3PB, 28th April 2020

Source: www.3pb.co.uk