We need real decisions about artificial intelligence – Local Government Lawyer

‘The regulatory framework around the use of artificial intelligence by local authorities is inadequate but existing governance mechanisms can address concerns, writes Sue Chadwick.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 26th November 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Supreme Court hands down landmark ruling on capacity to consent to sexual relations – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Supreme Court has upheld a Court of Appeal decision that to have capacity to have sexual relations with another person, a person needs be aware that their partner must have the ability to consent to the sexual activity and must in fact consent before and throughout the sexual activity.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 24th November 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Master of the Rolls fires starting gun on civil costs revolution – Legal Futures

Posted November 26th, 2021 in civil justice, costs, judges, news by tracey

‘The Master of the Rolls yesterday signalled his intention to revolutionise civil costs and has already set the Civil Justice Council (CJC) working on a wide-ranging review.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 26th November 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

‘Pressing need’ for guidance on judicial visits in CoP – McFarlane – Law Society’s Gazette

‘There is a “pressing need” for the Court of Protection to develop guidance for practitioners and judges on judicial visits to the subject of proceedings, the president of the Family Division has said. A decision that it was in the best interests of a 56-year-old woman, described as “the most complex Covid patient in the world”, to have life-sustaining treatment withdrawn was overturned today because of possible procedural unfairness in relation to the judge’s visit to see her in hospital.’

Full Story

Law Society's Gazette, 25th November 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

The law of England and Wales can accommodate smart legal contracts, concludes Law Commission – Law Commission

Posted November 26th, 2021 in computer programs, contracts, Law Commission, legal services, news by tracey

‘The Law Commission has today confirmed that the existing law of England and Wales is able to accommodate and apply to smart legal contracts, without the need for statutory law reform. The Law Commission notes that, in some contexts, an incremental development of the common law is all that is required to facilitate the use of smart legal contracts within the existing legal framework.’

Full Story

Law Commission, 25th November 2021

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Research Briefing: Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill 2021-22 – House of Commons Library

Posted November 26th, 2021 in bills, housing, leases, news, parliament, rent by tracey

‘This briefing paper outlines the main provisions of the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill 2021-22 and the key issues raised during consideration in the House of Lords.’

Full Story

House of Commons Library , 25th November 2021

Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Research Briefing: Public Inquiries: non-statutory public inquiries – House of Commons Library

Posted November 26th, 2021 in inquiries, news, parliament by tracey

‘Some public inquiries are underpinned by legislation. Those that are not, “non-statutory” inquiries, have more flexibility, but fewer legal powers.’

Full Story

House of Commons Library , 23rd November 2021

Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Priti Patel faces three legal challenges over refugee pushback plans – The Guardian

‘Priti Patel is facing three legal challenges over her controversial plans to push back refugees on small boats in the Channel who are trying to reach the UK.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 25th November 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Private firms working for UK government ‘should be subject to FOI rules’ – The Guardian

‘Private outsourcing companies that win government contracts should be subject to freedom of information rules, according to the outgoing information commissioner, who warned the existing transparency law is no longer fit for the modern age.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 25th November 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jersey approves assisted dying in principle in first for Britain – The Independent

Posted November 26th, 2021 in assisted suicide, Jersey, news by tracey

‘Jersey looks set to become the first place in Britain to approve assisted dying after a landmark vote by the island’s States Assembly. Law-makers supported a proposal that people should, in principle, be allowed to choose to die.’

Full Story

The Independent, 25th November 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

100 people held more than 20 years in ‘institutions’ – BBC News

‘One hundred people with learning disabilities and autism in England have been held in specialist hospitals for at least 20 years, the BBC has learned. The finding was made during an investigation into the case of an autistic man detained since 2001.’

Full Story

BBC news, 25th November 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Jeremy Corbyn secures apology, damages from councillor over tweet – Local Government Lawyer

‘Former Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn has accepted an apology and substantial damages from a councillor who published a fake picture of him appearing to endorse the Liverpool terrorist attack.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 25th November 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

‘Harper’s law’ may not deliver promised mandatory life sentences for killing police, experts say – The Independent

‘Legal experts have raised questions over a law the justice secretary promised would mean “mandatory life sentences” for people who accidentally kill police officers.’

Full Story

The Independent, 24th November 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New Judgment: A Local Authority v JB (by his Litigation Friend, the Official Solicitor) [2021] UKSC 52 – UKSC Blog

‘The Respondent commenced proceedings in the Court of Protection seeking declarations under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 as to the Appellant’s capacity to consent to sexual relations. A question arose as to whether the judge should have regard to whether they had capacity to understand that the other person involved must give consent, and did in fact give and maintain consent throughout the act. The judge found that this was not relevant information for the purposes of determining if an individual had capacity to consent to sexual relations under the Act.’

Full Story

UKSC Blog, 24th November 2021

Source: ukscblog.com

Vagrancy: Government urged to decriminalise rough sleeping – BBC News

Posted November 25th, 2021 in government departments, homelessness, housing, news, vagrancy by sally

‘A group of peers are urging the government to repeal the Vagrancy Act which makes it a criminal offence to sleep rough or beg in England and Wales.’

Full Story

BBC News, 25th November 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Burials, groundwater activities and related surface water discharge activities – Law & Religion UK

‘On 29 September, Defra announced a consultation on proposed amendments to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 as they apply to groundwater activities and some related surface water discharges.’

Full Story

Law & Religion UK, 24th November 2021

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Cosmetic surgery ads aimed at under-18s to be banned in UK – The Guardian

Posted November 25th, 2021 in advertising, children, consultations, cosmetic surgery, news, ombudsmen, young persons by sally

‘Cosmetic surgery clinics are to be banned from targeting adverts for procedures such as breast enlargement, nose jobs and liposuction at under-18s, in a crackdown by the UK advertising watchdog.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 25th November 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Domestic abuse accounts for one in eight crimes in London – BBC News

‘Domestic abuse now accounts for one in eight crimes reported to the Met Police, new figures show.’

Full Story

BBC News, 24th November 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court judge rejects appeal by couple over listing of property as two self-contained units for purposes of council tax – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 25th, 2021 in appeals, council tax, housing, local government, news, valuation by sally

‘A couple has lost a High Court appeal over a council tax valuation dispute with Oxford City Council.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 25th November 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Covid passes: Swansea cinema faces court over law breach – BBC News

Posted November 25th, 2021 in coronavirus, health & safety, local government, news, vaccination, Wales by sally

‘A cinema owner who defied the law by refusing to ask for Covid passes is facing court action.’

Full Story

BBC News, 24th November 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk