Clarifying the legal framework for social investment by charities – Law Commission

Posted September 24th, 2014 in charities, Law Commission, news by sally

‘In a paper published today the Law Commission explains the existing legal framework for social investment by charities and recommends measures to simplify and clarify the law.’

Full story

Law Commission, 24th September 2014

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

Teather’s Tether – Will the Tenancies (Reform) Bill be a sticker? – Zenith Chambers

Posted September 24th, 2014 in bills, housing, landlord & tenant, news, utilities by sally

‘Aided by a campaign from Shelter to put an end to “retaliatory eviction” in the private rented sector, Sarah Teather MP introduced a private members bill on 3rd July 2014. This is to address the situation where a tenant, making a legitimate complaint that rented premises are in a state of disrepair, is immediately met with a s. 21 notice and the accelerated procedure for possession. Rather than face up to their responsibilities, or risk a challenge in rent possession proceedings by way of defence and counterclaim for damages for disrepair, unscrupulous landlords choose simply to evict the tenant using the swift and final “no fault” route to possession.’

Full story (PDF)

Zenith Chambers, 12th September 2014

Source: www.zenithchambers.co.uk

Juvenile Offenders: A Different Approach Needed? – Part IV – No. 5 Chambers

‘In this series written for Criminal Law & Justice Weekly, Navpreet Virk and No5 member Richard Gibbs present the opposing arguments surrounding the manner in which the youth courts treat juveniles convicted of criminal offences and examine the countervailing arguments and policies. In the final part of this series, Richard Gibbs writes that the criminal justice system is predicated on finding the fairest way of dealing with juveniles.’

Full story

No. 5 Chambers, 10th September 2014

Source: www.no5.com

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted September 24th, 2014 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Tidal Energy Ltd v Bank of Scotland Plc [2014] EWCA Civ 847 (30 April 2014)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

Hurley Palmer Flatt Ltd v Barclays Bank Plc [2014] EWHC 3042 (TCC) (23 September 2014)

Source: www.bailii.org

Dave Lee Travis could face jail sentence after indecent assault conviction – The Guardian

Posted September 24th, 2014 in bail, news, sentencing, sexual offences by sally

‘The former BBC Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis faces a possible prison sentence after being convicted of indecently assaulting a woman working in television almost 20 years ago.’

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd September 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted September 24th, 2014 in news by sally

The Public Bodies (Marine Management Organisation) (Fees) Order 2014

The Equality Act 2010 (Equal Pay Audits) Regulations 2014

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Hoax child death caller jailed – The Guardian

Posted September 24th, 2014 in news, sentencing, telecommunications, victims by sally

‘A hoax caller who phoned families at random and claimed their relatives had died has been jailed for four months.’

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd September 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Black female Met Police firearms officer who won £40k at tribunal has all charges against her dropped – The Independent

‘PC Carol Howard was arrested and bailed for more than a year over eight different allegations, including assault, witness intimidation and possession of an indecent image of a child.’

Full story

The Independent, 23rd September 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Children being denied justice by legal cuts, says children’s commissioner – The Guardian

Posted September 24th, 2014 in budgets, children, HM Courts Service, housing, legal aid, news, young persons by sally

‘Vulnerable teenagers are being deprived of justice because cuts to legal aid are preventing them from getting representation, a report by the children’s commissioner said on Wednesday.”

Full story

The Guardian, 24th September 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Criminals could appeal after Home Office admits potentially misleading DNA evidence presented to juries – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 24th, 2014 in appeals, crime, crime prevention, DNA, juries, news by sally

‘Forensic expert Peter Gill, who raised the issue with the Home Office in April said the recognition that subjective interpretations of DNA evidence were potentially biased and unscientific and could lead to a number of appeals.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 23rd September 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Prison book restriction ‘harms studying’ – BBC News

Posted September 24th, 2014 in education, libraries, Ministry of Justice, news, prison officers, prisons by sally

‘Restrictions on the number of books prisoners in England and Wales can have in their cells is inhibiting inmates’ ability to learn, a charity warns.’

Full story

BBC News, 24th September 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Feeling the pressure on prisoner release – The Guardian

Posted September 24th, 2014 in budgets, criminal justice, delay, judges, news, parole, prisons by sally

‘David Calvert-Smith leads a parole board confronted by an unprecedented backlog of hearings and little option but to keep inmates waiting in overcrowded prisons.’

Full story

The Guardian, 24th September 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

EVENT: Discrimination Law Association Annual Conference 2014 – “Discrimination and Economic Inequality: Two faces of disadvantage”

Posted September 23rd, 2014 in Forthcoming events by sally

“This year’s DLA conference “Discrimination and Economic Inequality: two faces of disadvantage” confronts the duality of hardship which increasingly is the reality for far too many people. The critical question: Can you tackle one without the other? will be considered by speakers and in discussions throughout the day. For equality lawyers, advisers and activists, trade unionists and equality officers, this conference offers a unique opportunity to bring together ideas and experience relating to this issue.
Our two keynote speakers, Sarah Veale, Head of Equality and Employment Rights at the TUC and Colm O’Cinneide, Reader in Law, UCL, will consider from their different perspectives what is needed to overcome both discrimination and economic inequality.
Our outstanding line-up of plenary speakers – Karon Monaghan QC, Robin Allen QC and Stephanie Harrison QC will review where we are now in terms of law and policies that impact on equality. Their sessions will cover developments in UK equality law, recent relevant decisions of the European courts and the equality impact of restrictions imposed under immigration legislation.
As in previous years, during the afternoon participants will be able to choose topics they wish to explore in greater depth during breakout sessions covering a range of current equality law issues. The breakout sessions, led by experienced lawyers with specialist expertise, will provide practical advice in relation to particular areas of law or procedures.
A panel, chaired by Robin Allen QC, reflecting different interest groups within society, will bring the conference back to its main theme – discrimination and economic inequality – and the question “Can you tackle one without the other?”.
A drinks reception at the end of the afternoon will be a great chance for participants and speakers to network.”

CPD hours 5.5

Date: 20th October 2014 9.30am-5.30pm

Location: Baker & McKenzie LLP, 100 New Bridge Street, London EC4V 6JA

Charge: see website for details

More information can be found here.

Dave Lee Travis found guilty of indecent assault – BBC News

Posted September 23rd, 2014 in bail, news, retrials, sexual offences by sally

‘Former Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis has been found guilty of indecently assaulting a researcher working on TV’s Mrs Merton Show in 1995.’

Full story

BBC News, 23rd September 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

You’ve got a law degree, but will you make a good lawyer? – The Guardian

Posted September 23rd, 2014 in legal education, news, solicitors by sally

‘It’s not just the academic side of studying law that’s important – you need to build the skills employers value.’

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd September 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ombudsman reins in insurer claims of alcohol abuse – The Guardian

Posted September 23rd, 2014 in alcohol abuse, insurance, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘How much booze is too much? The UK’s financial ombudsman has revealed that some insurers are unfairly accusing their customers of alcohol abuse, or labelling them alcoholics, even though medical evidence showed they only had one or two drinks.’

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd September 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Classifieds

Posted September 23rd, 2014 in news by sally

Recently added:

Education and Training Officer

Posted September 23rd, 2014 in by sally

The Executive Council Of the Inn of Court Northern Ireland is recruiting its first ever Education and Training Officer who will be responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of all legal education and continuing professional development to Members of the Bar of Northern Ireland. Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Education and Training Officer’s main responsibility will be to ensure that all pupils and practising Members of the Bar are actively supported throughout their entire careers by means of providing access to a rigorous and relevant programme of ongoing professional development and career guidance.

Essential Qualifications:

• Relevant Training Delivery or Coaching and Mentoring Qualification
• LL.B (or equivalent undergraduate degree in law)

Essential Experience:

• in a professional learning & development role
• in the definition and implementation of a core competency framework
• of drafting and implementing Policy
• of managing and reporting on budgets and tendering processes
• in motivating and supervising small working teams
• in developing long term links with education and networking groups

Additional Essential Knowledge, Essential Skills and Desirable Criteria have been identified which are all available on request of the full Application Pack. Attractive salary and benefits package also available on request.

The Application Pack can be obtained by email from Clare Kelly at clare.kelly@barcouncil-ni.org.uk

The position is full time and permanent subject to a 6 month probationary period.

The deadline for receipt of completed application forms is Friday 10 October 2014 at 12.00 pm.

The Executive Council is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications regardless of race, religious belief, political opinion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, having or not having dependants, disability or age.

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted September 23rd, 2014 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Griffin v Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust [2014] EWCA Civ 1240 (19 September 2014)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Reaney v University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust & Anor [2014] EWHC 3016 (QB) (19 September 2014)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Gorgeous Beauty Ltd v Liu & Ors [2014] EWHC 2952 (Ch) (22 September 2014)

High Court (Administrative Court)

K & Ors, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Defence & Ors [2014] EWHC 3023 (Admin) (19 September 2014)

London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association & Anor, R (On the Application Of) v The Lord Chancellor [2014] EWHC 3020 (Admin) (19 September 2014)

High Court (Patents Court)

Compactgtl Ltd vVelocys Plc & Ors [2014] EWHC 2951 (Pat) (22 September 2014)

Family Court Decisions (other Judges)

MP (Care and Placement Orders) [2014] EWFC B117 (17 September 2014)

Source: www.bailii.org

Changes to Practice Direction 21 – Material to be Served and Filed in Relation to Child/Protected Party Settlement Claims – Zenith PI Blog

Posted September 23rd, 2014 in children, civil procedure rules, news, practice directions, service by sally

‘With the 75th Update to the Civil Procedure Rules (coming into force 1 October 2014), amendments to Practice Direction 21 (Children and Protected Parties) address the inconsistencies between the rules and practice direction in respect of the material that must be served and filed in relation to child/protected party settlement claims.’

Full story

Zenith PI Blog, 23rd September 2014

Source: www.zenithpi.wordpress.com