Month: May 2025
Encroachment and the Land Registration Act 2002: do we now have an answer? – Tanfield Chambers
‘How does the law deals with a situation in which a leaseholder possesses property outside of their demise but within their landlord’s title? This issue appears to be a common one, and understandably so. A leaseholder of a flat may have access to a loft space above their demise, or a flat roof that might conveniently be used as a roof terrace or garden. If these are not within the leaseholder’s demise, but they possess them anyway, is there a legal means for claiming ownership of them?’
Tanfield Chambers, 14th May 2025
Source: tanfieldchambers.co.uk
Man, 34, guilty of murdering a grandmother at her home – BBC News
‘A convicted drug dealer who dragged a 69-year-old grandmother from her bed and stamped on her at least 15 times, breaking every bone in her face, has been found guilty of murder.’
BBC News, 15th May 2025
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Black security manager called ‘slave’ by white colleague in London awarded £361,000 – The Guardian
‘A black security manager who was called a “slave” and left his job due to “continuous bullying” has been awarded £361,000, an employment tribunal has heard.’
The Guardian, 15th May 2025
Source: www.theguardian.com
“Not improper” for barrister to compare Israel with Nazi Germany – Legal Futures
‘A barrister acted within professional boundaries in arguing that comparing Israel with Nazi Germany was not inherently antisemitic, the High Court has ruled – although tweets from his client doing so were found to be antisemitic.’
Legal Futures, 16th May 2025
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Man who murdered daughter in play-fight avoids longer jail term – The Guardian
‘A father who murdered his 14-year-old daughter by stabbing her in the heart while “mucking around” in a play-fight will not have his sentence increased, judges have ruled.’
The Guardian, 15th May 2025
Source: www.theguardian.com
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
Zhang, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 639 (15 May 2025)
High Court (Administrative Court)
Ladybill Ltd v Sheffield Magistrates’ Court [2025] EWHC 1169 (Admin) (15 May 2025)
Husain v Solicitors Regulation Authority [2025] EWHC 1170 (Admin) (14 May 2025)
Bandla v Solicitors Regulation Authority [2025] EWHC 1167 (Admin) (13 May 2025)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Acasta European Insurance Company Ltd v Emmiera Group Ltd [2025] EWHC 1168 (Ch) (15 May 2025)
High Court (King’s Bench Division)
Bakhaty & Anor v Hampshire County Council [2025] EWHC 1175 (KB) (14 May 2025)
Bevan v Ministry of Defence [2025] EWHC 1145 (KB) (14 May 2025)
High Court (Technology & Construction Court)
EE Ltd v Avanti Broadband Ltd [2025] EWHC 1160 (TCC) (15 May 2025)
Source: www.bailii.org
Prisoners to earn freedom after serving third of sentence under new plans – The Guardian
‘Prisoners will be able to earn their freedom after serving a third of their sentences under new minimum and maximum sentence plans released by the government to tackle the overcrowding in jails.’
The Guardian, 14th May 2025
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Ridiculous’: Judge slams warring neighbours for £250k court fight over garden tap – The Independent
‘A seven-year, £250,000 neighbours’ row over a few inches of land, sparked by a doctor’s garden tap, has been blasted as “ridiculous” by a top judge.’
The Independent, 15th May 2026=5
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Father who murdered daughter in ‘play fight’ could have sentence increased – The Independent
‘A father who murdered his 14-year-old daughter during a ‘play-fight’ could have his sentence increased on Thursday after his case was referred for possibly being ‘too lenient’.’
The Independent, 15th May 2025
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Whatever I said, whatever I did, I didn’t mean it… – Pensions Barrister
‘Theo Dixon of Wilberforce Chambers considers a recent PO determination on the extent to which an employer must consider additional increases to pensions in payment when RPI exceeded the maximum increase mandated by the scheme rules.’
Pensions Barrister, 15th May 2025
Source: www.pensionsbarrister.com
Sperm donor who claims he fathered more than 180 children loses custody battle – The Guardian
‘An unregistered sperm donor who says he has fathered more than 180 children has failed to gain custody of a three-year-old child he had with a Durham woman, who said she was left “broken” and “suicidal” by their encounter.’
The Guardian, 14th May 2025
Source: www.theguardian.com
Michael Foran: For Women Scotland: Is legal recognition of biological sex a violation of human rights? – UK Constitutional Law Association
‘In For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers the UK Supreme Court rejected the contention that possession of a Gender Recognition Certificate changes an individual’s sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, maintaining equality of status for all those protected under the characteristic of gender reassignment and ensuring that biological women are protected as a distinct group. In the aftermath of this judgment, there has been a heated public debate, in particular on the impact that this has on the operation of single-sex facilities, with some arguing that failure to operate facilities on the basis of GRC status amounts to a human rights violation. For the reasons discussed below, this claim is not sustainable.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 15th May 2025
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
High Court upholds strike-off for solicitor’s antisemitic tweets – Legal Futures
‘The High Court has upheld the decision to strike off a solicitor over tweets on Israel and Palestine, saying they showed “unvarnished antisemitic racism”.’
Legal Futures, 15th May 2025
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Woman jailed after buying holidays and luxury gifts on company credit card – The Independent
‘A woman who defrauded her employer of almost £200,000 to buy holidays and luxury gifts has been jailed for five years and 10 months.’
The Independent, 14th May 2025
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Competition Appeals Tribunal hands down ruling on confidentiality ring in dispute over loans made by combined authority – Local Government Lawyer
‘A Manchester property developer has gained access to the confidentiality ring surrounding loans made by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to a rival firm.’
Local Government Lawyer, 14th May 2025
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Jail time for recalled offenders to be limited to free up prison places – The Guardian
‘Shabana Mahmood will limit for how long hundreds of repeat offenders can be recalled to prison amid Whitehall predictions that jails will be full again in November.’
The Guardian, 14th May 2025
Source: www.theguardian.com
Drug dealer who killed boy, 7, in explosion jailed – BBC News
‘A man whose illegal cannabis factory exploded in a block of flats, killing seven-year-old Archie York, has been jailed for 14 years.’
BBC News, 14th May 2025
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Three Nazi extremists convicted of planning terrorist attack in England – The Guardian
‘Three Nazi extremists who amassed an arsenal of 200 weapons and discussed targeting mosques and synagogues in England have been convicted of planning a terrorist attack.’
The Guardian, 14th May 2025
Source: www.theguardian.com
BAILII: Recent Decisions
High Court (Chancery Division)
Huang & Ors v Credit Suisse (UK) Ltd [2025] EWHC 1159 (Ch) (12 May 2025)
High Court (Commercial Court)
Virgo Marine & Anor v Reed Smith LLP [2025] EWHC 1157 (Comm) (14 May 2025)
High Court (King’s Bench Division)
Virgo-Williams v SHCE Ltd & Anor [2025] EWHC 1073 (KB) (14 May 2025)
Source: www.bailii.org
