Doctor couple challenge UK government on PPE risks to BAME staff – The Guardian

‘Two doctors are launching a legal challenge over government guidance on personal protective equipment which they say exposes them to coronavirus infections.’

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The Guardian, 24th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Covid-19 could herald reform of reserved legal activities – Legal Futures

‘Changes to the list of reserved activities that only authorised lawyers can do has been floated as one way the ways legal regulation could be flexed to help the profession recover from the Covid-19 crisis.’

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Legal Futures, 27th April 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Not signed, not sealed, not delivered – Nearly Legal

‘A first instance county court judgment on a possession claim, but with a range of interesting issues. The Ratcliffes were the landlords, Ms Patterson was the tenant and Mr Porter a guarantor, who played no part in proceedings. The tenancy was an assured shorthold tenancy with the most recent fixed term beginning in June 2018. Rent arrears accrued (on which more later) and the Ratcliffes brought a claim for possession under grounds 8, 10 and 11 Schedule 2 Housing Act 1988.’

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Nearly Legal, 26th April 2020

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Hearing in biggest ever group litigation to go ahead remotely – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The High Court has ruled that a hearing related to the biggest class action in history can go ahead remotely, in another sign of judges’ acceptance of a new default position during the coronavirus crisis.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 22nd April 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Remote hearings and inclusive justice – Transparency Project

‘How effectively are people with a cognitive impairment, mental health condition and/or neuro-diverse condition able to participate in proceedings in the justice system, particularly when they engage with that system via video or telephone link?’

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Transparency Project, 24th April 2020

Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk

Charges and cautions for domestic violence rise by 24% in London – The Guardian

Posted April 27th, 2020 in charities, coronavirus, domestic violence, families, news, police, statistics by sally

‘Police have warned of a looming rise in reported domestic abuse cases with some victims currently suffering in silence fearing if their abuser is arrested and becomes unemployed, they and their children will be plunged into poverty.’

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The Guardian, 24th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judges back guidance for remote detailed assessment hearings – Litigation Futures

‘Guidance on the conduct of remote detailed assessments (DAs) has been produced to get the system moving during the lockdown.’

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Litigation Futures, 23rd April 2020

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Has the government broken the law by putting NHS staff in harm’s way? – The Guardian

‘If there have been systemic flaws over PPE, ministers could be in breach of the European convention on human rights.’

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The Guardian, 25th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Coronavirus: Internet child abuse images ‘not being deleted’ – BBC News

‘Coronavirus has led to a “global slowdown” in the removal of internet child abuse images, say campaigners.’

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BBC News, 27th April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

If ministers fail to reveal 2016 flu study they ‘will face court’ – The Guardian

‘The government faces being taken to court if it refuses to disclose the findings of an exercise confirming the UK could not cope with a flu pandemic.’

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The Guardian, 26th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

LSB questions Bar regulator’s decision-making – Legal Futures

Posted April 27th, 2020 in barristers, budgets, internet, legal services, Legal Services Board, news by sally

‘The Legal Services Board (LSB) is launching a formal review of the Bar Standards Board’s (BSB) leadership and decision-making in the wake of its controversial decision to stop funding the Legal Choices website.’

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Legal Futures, 27th April 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Non-jury trials could help clear coronavirus backlog, says QC – The Guardian

Posted April 27th, 2020 in coronavirus, courts, criminal justice, delay, juries, news, trials by sally

‘Defendants should be allowed to opt for trial by judge rather than in front of a jury, a prominent human rights lawyer has proposed, as a means of partially restarting the criminal justice system.’

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The Guardian, 26th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

COVID-19 and Immigration Bail Applications – One Pump Court

‘Whilst the current pandemic has affected us all, those in detention are impacted in particularly harmful ways. Visits to immigration removal centres have been suspended, and those with COVID-19 symptoms are effectively placed in solitary confinement. The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights has called for immigration detainees to be released, as many States have had to suspend removals and it is unclear when these might be resumed. The primary goal of immigration detention is to effect removal, and so continued detention as such may seem arbitrary.’

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One Pump Court, 21st April 2020

Source: onepumpcourt.co.uk

Do business tenants prevented from trading have a remedy under the Human Rights Act 1998? – Falcon Chambers

‘On 20 April 2020, the Hospitality Union wrote a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking for a “National Time Out” under which there would be a nine-month national payment pause granted to business tenants. This would be “a crucial period of payment postponement when commercial rents, and the debt and interest payments secured on those premises, are pushed to the back end of leases and term loans.”’

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Falcon Chambers, 23rd April 2020

Source: www.falcon-chambers.com

COVID-19 and Prisons: The Coronavirus Restricted Temporary Release Scheme, Pregnant Prisoners and Children in Custody – One Pump Court

‘COVID-19 is a dangerous reality for prisoners. As of 18 April 2020, confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in over half of prisons in England and Wales. There have been 13 suspected COVID-19 deaths among prisoners[1]. Amongst this wider concern, those who are pregnant and children in custody may be particularly anxious during this unprecedented time.’

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One Pump Court, 21st April 2020

Source: onepumpcourt.co.uk

Insolvency Administrations Under the Coronavirus Lockdown – Thomas More Chambers

‘Insolvency administrators often like to compare their salvage missions to the activity of fungi in recycling dying matter. Administrators, like fungi, earn a living by grappling with the products of decay, taking apart dying businesses and, where possible, identifying, reconstituting and revivifying the most promising bits.’

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Thomas More Chambers, 20th April 2020

Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk

Sign of the times: Debenhams Retail Ltd (in administration): Administrators and furlough arrangements – Exchange Chambers

‘It is a sign of the times that there have been two urgent applications to the High Court of Justice for directions by administrators in respect of furlough arrangements in the course of one week. Each application has concerned high profile companies employing vast numbers of people. The financial implications of the issues before the court in each case are significant for both employees and administrators.’

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Exchange Chambers, 22nd April 2020

Source: www.exchangechambers.co.uk

Seeking Settlement as a Victim of Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic- One Pump Court

‘Covid-19 has created various worries and struggles for society. It has however been a particularly difficult time for victims of domestic violence.’

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One Pump Court, 21st April 2020

Source: onepumpcourt.co.uk

Solicitor’s Duty When Redacting Documents: Infederation Ltd v Google LLC [2020] EWHC 657 (Ch) – Blackstone Chambers

Posted April 24th, 2020 in chambers articles, confidentiality, disclosure, documents, news, solicitors by sally

‘It is often the case that documents that must be disclosed in proceedings contain confidential information. Clients are understandably concerned to take all appropriate steps to safeguard the confidentiality of disclosed documents. This is particularly the case where the purpose of the proceedings is the protection of confidential information, such as the enforcement of a non-compete restrictive covenant or duty of confidence. The courts have recognised a number of legitimate techniques to limit the disclosure of confidential information in such circumstances. These include confidentiality rings and the redaction of documents. Both were considered in the recent case of Infederation v Google in which the High Court gave important guidance to solicitors in their approach to redaction of documents on grounds of confidentiality.’

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Blackstone Chambers, 21st April 2020

Source: www.employeecompetition.com

Solicitor “dipped into” divorce client’s funds – Legal Futures

‘A solicitor who “dipped into” a divorce client’s money, repeatedly lied about it and warned her not to complain to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has been struck off.’

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Legal Futures, 24th April 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk