Neurodiversity and the Bar – Counsel
‘An introduction to neurodiversity and why the Bar ought to embrace it – by Oliver May.’
Counsel, March 2022
Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk
‘A 14-year-old autistic girl was unlawfully detained in hospital and restrained in front of scared young patients, a high court judge has found.’
The Guardian, 5th April 2022
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The case related to the murder of Ollie Stephens, the trial of which occurred at Reading Crown Court in June to July 2021 and was widely reported in the national media. Mr Raggatt and Mr Moss appeared on behalf of BRM, instructed by Heather Howe of Andrew Storch Solicitors, a 14 year-old boy, 13 at the time of the killing, with a longstanding diagnosis of Asperger’s/Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). An intermediary assisted him throughout the trial and during the giving of evidence.’
4 King's Bench Walk, 1st April 2022
Source: www.4kbw.co.uk
‘A High Court judge has found Cardiff City Council in contempt of court over its failure to comply with a mandatory injunction in a case concerning future placement planning for a young man with a range of diagnoses including autistic spectrum disorder and severe communication and learning difficulties.’
Local Government Lawyer, 1st April 2022
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘A mother has won a legal battle to ensure her teenage son has the right to a potentially life-saving transplant.’
BBC News, 8th March 2022
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A county council has agreed to pay more than £3,600 following a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) investigation into how a teenager on the autism spectrum was left without a significant proportion of his agreed special educational needs (SEN) support for up to three years.’
Local Government Lawyer, 17th February 2022
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘A boy with special education needs who received “virtually no” education for two years should be given £6,900 in compensation by Suffolk County Council, an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has recommended.’
Local Government Lawyer, 7th January 2022
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The mother of an autistic man jailed for robbery says she is fighting to clear his name after the justice system failed to understand his disability. Joan Martin said 23-year-old Osime Brown’s autism meant he was incapable of committing the offence, and claims he was not given fair process. She is working with lawyers, who allege institutional discrimination, to overturn a “miscarriage of justice”.’
BBC News, 10th January 2022
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A man who wore T-shirts supporting banned Palestinian groups among Jewish communities in north London has been handed a suspended jail sentence.’
The Independent, 17th December 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘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.’
BBC news, 25th November 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Carers would be at risk of committing a criminal offence if they helped an autistic man visit a sex worker, the Court of Appeal has ruled, overturning what had been seen as a landmark ruling for people with learning disabilities and mental disorders.’
Law Society's Gazette, 25th October 2021
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘A school’s failure to sufficiently monitor the internet activity of an autistic teenage girl “contributed” to her suicide, a coroner has concluded.’
The Independent, 7th October 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A mental health hospital has been closed by the care watchdog after inspectors saw evidence of patients being abused. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has forced the closure of Eldertree Lodge, in Staffordshire, which looked after more than 40 adults with learning disabilities and autism.’
The Independent, 10th August 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘In Khan v Meadows [2021] UKSC 21 the Supreme Court has revisited the principles to be applied in “wrongful birth” claims: claims for the cost of bringing up a disabled child who would not have been born but for a doctor’s negligent medical advice/treatment. However, the judgment has implications beyond the world of clinical negligence litigation. The Supreme Court has taken the opportunity to clarify the components or ingredients of the tort of negligence more generally. In particular, the court has affirmed the importance of the “scope of duty” principle: a principle which limits the recoverability of damages wherever it applies.’
Quarterly Medical Law Review, 28th July 2021
Source: 1corqmlr.com
‘In this highly anticipated judgment, the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the appeal and held that the Defendant doctor was only liable for losses which fell within the scope of her duty of care, thereby significantly reducing the damages recoverable by the Claimant.’
Hailsham Chambers, 21st July 2021
Source: www.hailshamchambers.com