UK Supreme Court: sale and leaseback did not trigger VAT clawback – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 14th, 2021 in appeals, care homes, HM Revenue & Customs, news, Supreme Court, VAT by sally

‘The sale and leaseback of a newly constructed care home was not a disposal of the entire interest in the care home, so as to trigger a claw-back of the VAT zero-rating which had applied when the property was acquired from the developer, the UK’s Supreme Court has decided.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 13th April 2021

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

An erroneous decision to extend time under s.123(1)(b) Equality Act 2010 – 3PB

‘The Honourable Mrs Justice Ellenbogen, sitting in the EAT, held that a tribunal had erred in extending time under s.123(1)(b) Equality Act 2010 (“EqA 2010”), by failing to determine whether a claimant’s ignorance of his right to claim direct race discrimination was reasonable.’

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3PB, 2nd March 2021

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

The role of courts at the seat of arbitration – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 14th, 2021 in appeals, arbitration, case management, courts, jurisdiction, news by sally

‘It is well established in international commercial arbitration that the courts at the seat of arbitration will have supervisory jurisdiction over the arbitral proceedings, including hearing any challenges to the validity of the arbitral award. In the recent case of Minister of Finance (Incorporated) and 1 Malaysia Development Berhad v International Petroleum Investment Company and Aabar Investments PJS [2019] EWCA Civ 2080, the Court of Appeal (Sir Geoffrey Vos, chancellor of the High Court, Newey and Males LLJ) considered the issue of the courts’ powers in section 67 (challenging the award: substantive jurisdiction) and section 68 (challenging the award: serious irregularity) of the Arbitration Act 1996. This article focuses on the Court of Appeal’s important discussion of the role and functions of the court at the seat of arbitration and the impact this has on the law and practice of international commercial arbitration.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 12th April 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Breastfeeding mother’s appeal over jury service in Winchester – BBC News

Posted April 13th, 2021 in appeals, breastfeeding, juries, news by sally

‘A mother has been told she must attend court for jury service despite wanting to breastfeed her baby.’

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BBC News, 12th April 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rare appeal allowed over refusal by judge to adjourn final care hearing – Local Government Lawyer

‘A mother’s appeal of a decision by a family judge not to adjourn an imminent final hearing in care proceedings has been allowed in a “rare” case before the Court of Appeal.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 9th April 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Alexandra Wilson examines the Court of Appeal ‘Encrochat’ judgment: A, B, D & C v Regina [2021] EWCA Crim 128 – 5SAH

‘The Court of Appeal (“the Court”) were asked to determine whether evidence obtained from the EncroChat application (“the EncroChat material”) can be admitted in evidence in criminal proceedings, or whether it is excluded by the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”).’

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5SAH, 25th March 2021

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

Cross – establishment comparisons are generally to be permitted save in exceptional circumstances: Asda Stores Ltd v. Brierley & Ors [2019] EWCA Civ 44 – 3PB

‘This Equal Pay claim has been ongoing for some time already (since 2016) and is set to continue for some time yet. In short, the Supreme Court’s Judgment handed down 3 days ago (26th March 2021) is focused upon a narrow point, which whilst of importance and interest to both parties and their advisors, in no sense has brought closure to these proceedings which are likely to continue to attract media attention as the layers of equal value litigation unfold.’

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3PB, 29th March 2021

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

R.I.P Gig Economy? – 4 King’s Bench Walk

‘On February 19th, the Supreme Court dismissed Uber’s appeal upholding the decision of the Employment Tribunal: a ruling upheld both by the EAT and the Court of Appeal. Lord Leggatt’s judgment confirmed that the claimant Uber drivers were workers for the purposes of the Working Time Regulations, national minimum wage legislation, and the Employment Rights Act 1996. In a unanimous judgment, the Supreme Court sent the case back to the Employment Tribunal to determine the claims on their merits.’

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4 King's Bench Walk, 4th March 2021

Source: www.4kbw.co.uk

Protected acts: beware a cautious approach – 3PB

‘R indicated that it wanted to arrange a Christmas dinner, and proposed a date for it. No objections were raised. Hotels and planes were consequently booked. Thereafter C (and a co-worker) indicated that the planned date did not suit them. R considered the matter but declined to change the date, various arrangements having already been made.’

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3PB, 2nd March 2021

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

Towuaghantse v GMC [2021] EWHC 681 (Admin) Coroner’s findings, independence of experts and registrant denials: this case is not one to put on the “read later” pile – 2 Hare Court

‘It is difficult to know where to start with Towuaghantse v GMC [2021] EWHC 681 (Admin). I will give you a briefest account of the facts in a moment, but potentially Mostyn J’s judgment in this case stands as authority for the following principles:
a. The factual findings of a coroner, and any narrative conclusion, are all admissible against a registrant.
b. Authors of expert reports do not have to be independent in the sense of uninvolved with the institution or any of the players in a case, they are merely subject to a Porter v McGill style test of bias or apparent bias.
c. The capacity of a registrant to remediate sincerely should be judged by reference to evidence unconnected with their denials of the factual charges, unless the fact-finding decision included findings of blatant dishonesty by the registrant (a refinement of the same judge’s recent pronouncements in GMC v Awan [2020] EWHC 1553 (Admin)).’

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2 Hare Court, 30th March 2021

Source: www.2harecourt.com

Court of Appeal urges Part 36 clarity after rejecting ‘not genuine’ offer – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 7th, 2021 in appeals, causation, costs, damages, news, part 36 offers, personal injuries by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has sent a firm message to litigators about the details required in a Part 36 after ruling that a claimant’s offer to settle at 90% was not genuine.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 7th April 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

What is the true value of a companion animal? – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted April 7th, 2021 in animals, appeals, consumer protection, damages, disclosure, dogs, news, sale of goods by sally

‘As we all know, the acquisition of puppies during lockdown has gone through the roof with the inevitable sad consequences of remorse followed by neglect and even abandonment. Dog theft has spiralled as the market responds by escalating the price of pedigree puppies.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 7th April 2021

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

The Domestic Abuse appeals – a missed opportunity for cultural change? – Transparency Project

‘The Court of Appeal’s judgment highlights the importance of family courts understanding coercive control. The comments made by the Court are important and will give professionals, who have been frustrated about old fashioned attitudes that only take physical violence into account, the tools they need to argue on behalf of the alleged victims they represent. The idea that domestic abuse can only have occurred when physical violence has taken place is entirely outdated; equally a lack of recognition that physical violence is frequently part of a coercive and controlling dynamic is also unacceptable in modern times.’

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Transparency Project, 2nd April 2021

Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk

New and repeat lessons from CIL appeal decisions – Local Government Lawyer

Posted April 1st, 2021 in appeals, delay, news, planning, regulations, service by sally

‘The flow of appeals against surcharges and deemed commencement dates under regulations 117 and 118 of the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 to the Planning Inspectorate continues unabated. Christopher Cant looks at what can be learned.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 1st April 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Tribunal rejects solicitor appeal against £1,000 SRA fine – Legal Futures

Posted March 31st, 2021 in appeals, disciplinary procedures, fines, news, solicitors, tribunals by sally

‘The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has rejected an appeal by a solicitor against a £1,000 fine imposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for breaching a written agreement he made during probate litigation.’

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Legal Futures, 31st March 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Court of Appeal delivers ruling on family court’s approach to domestic abuse – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in a groundbreaking case that is expected to inform the way family courts treat allegations of domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 30th March 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Case Preview: BF (Eritrea) v Secretary of State for the Home Department – EIN Blog

‘On 16 March 2021 the Supreme Court heard the Secretary of State’s appeal in BF (Eritrea) v Secretary of State for the Home Department.’

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EIN Blog, 29th March 2021

Source: www.ein.org.uk

MI5 undercover agent policy held lawful – UK Human Rights Blog

‘In Privacy International & Ors v Secretary of State for Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs & Ors [2021] EWCA Civ 330, the Court of Appeal held that the policy which authorises officers of the Security Service (MI5) to run undercover agents who participate in the commission of criminal offences is lawful.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 26th March 2021

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Johnny Depp loses bid to overturn High Court libel ruling that he assaulted Amber Heard – The Independent

Posted March 26th, 2021 in appeals, deceit, defamation, divorce, domestic violence, evidence, media, news by sally

‘Johnny Depp has lost a bid to overturn a damning High Court ruling which concluded he assaulted his ex-wife Amber Heard and left her in “fear for her life”.’

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The Independent, 25th March 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Two members of Freshwater Five lose appeal against drugs convictions – The Guardian

‘Two members of the Freshwater Five convicted more than a decade ago of attempting to smuggle £53m of cocaine into the UK have lost an appeal against their convictions.’

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The Guardian, 25th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com