Should Those Convicted of Serious Offences be Compelled to Face Their Victim’s Family? – Pump Court Chambers

‘The current Justice Secretary Dominic Raab thinks so. The recent, tragic murders of Sabina Nessa and Zara Aleena have prompted Mr Raab to consider new legislation which will see those convicted of serious offences compelled to attend court and face the families of those they have harmed. Both convicted murderers Jordan McSweeney and Koci Selamaj refused to attend their sentencing hearings which meant the families of Sabina and Zara were unable to put their Victim Personal Statements to them. Mr Raab says he wants to “make sure courts have the power to compel someone who’s been convicted of a serious crime to come and face the sentence… is the very least the victims deserve… and is a basic principle of British justice”[1] but what are the implications of this proposal?’

Full Story

Pump Court Chambers, 9th March 2023

Source: www.pumpcourtchambers.com

Dove v Assistant Coroner for Teeside [2023] EWCA Civ 289 (17 March 2023) – Parklane Plowden

‘Mrs Dove’s daughter took her own life after DWP benefits were withdrawn. In September 2021, the Divisional Court refused her application under s13 of the Coroners Act 1988 to quash the Coroner’s determination and direct a new inquest. The Divisional Court considered that the question of ‘how’ someone died in a Jamieson inquest was directed only to the means by which the deceased died, and did not encompass the wider circumstances of their death. In this case, the Court of Appeal considered the meaning of ‘by what means’.’

Full Story

Parklane Plowden Chambers, 29th March 2023

Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk

Dove (Part 2): Article 2 ECHR, Rabone, and Responsibility – Doughty Street Chambers

‘Last week [24 March] the Court of Appeal gave judgment in Dove [2023] EWCA Civ 289, an appeal against the Divisional Court’s decision not to order a new inquest into the death of Jodey Whiting, in proceedings brought by her mother Joy Dove. Ms Whiting died a self-inflicted death in the community, after a mental health crisis, in which the decision of the Department of Work and Pensions to cease her benefits was said to have played a contributory role. An inquest in 2017 came to a conclusion of “suicide” (§1). In an earlier post I dealt with the first, successful, ground of appeal: that because of fresh evidence it was in the interests of justice to order a new Jamieson inquest. In this post I examine the Court of Appeal’s analysis of the case from the point of view of the engagement of Article 2 ECHR.’

Full Story

Doughty Street Chambers, 24th March 2023

Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk

Dove (Part 1): Jamieson Inquests, Causation, and Conclusions – Doughty Street Chambers

‘Last week [20 March] the Court of Appeal gave judgment in Dove [2023] EWCA Civ 289, an appeal against the Divisional Court’s decision not to order a new inquest into the death of Jodey Whiting, in proceedings brought by her mother Joy Dove. Ms Whiting died a self-inflicted death in the community, after a mental health crisis, in which the decision of the Department of Work and Pensions to cease her benefits was said to have played a contributory role. An inquest in 2017 came to a conclusion of “suicide” (§1).’

Full Story

Doughty Street Chambers, 20th March 2023

Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk

More than 900 people affected by Grenfell Tower fire settle claims – The Guardian

Posted April 12th, 2023 in accidents, bereavement, compensation, damages, fire, health & safety, housing, inquiries, news by sally

‘More than 900 bereaved family members, survivors and local people who were affected by the devastating Grenfell Tower fire have agreed on a settlement of their civil claims arising from the blaze.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 11th April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Stephanie Jones jailed for 2 Wish Upon A Star fraud – BBC News

Posted March 24th, 2023 in bereavement, charities, fraud, imprisonment, news, sentencing by tracey

‘A fraudster who made up a fake counsellor to con a bereavement charity has been jailed for a year.’

Full Story

BBC News, 23rd March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Tehleigher Bunting: Judge made mistake sentencing killer driver – BBC News

‘The mum and stepdad of a 14-year-old girl who was killed by a speeding driver have been told the judge made a mistake when sentencing him.’

Full Story

BBC News, 10th March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Family wins settlement in claim over teacher’s asbestos cancer death – The Guardian

Posted March 3rd, 2023 in asbestos, bereavement, cancer, compensation, families, health & safety, news, teachers by sally

‘The family of a teacher who died of cancer due to asbestos exposure at her school has won a settlement, prompting warnings that staff and pupils remain at risk in older buildings.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 3rd March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

New expert panel to support victims after major disasters – Ministry of Justice

Posted March 2nd, 2023 in advocacy, bereavement, emergency services, inquiries, news, social services, victims by tracey

‘Survivors and the bereaved families of major disasters like Hillsborough, the Manchester Arena bombing and the Grenfell Tower fire will receive new dedicated support in the future under plans unveiled by the government today (1 March).’

Full Story

Ministry of Justice, 1st March 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Hillsborough families demand more after MoJ proposes disaster support – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 2nd, 2023 in advocacy, bereavement, health & safety, inquests, news, sport, victims by tracey

‘Families of victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster say they will not be satisfied until people have access to representation at inquests. Their latest call comes following a pledge from justice secretary Dominic Raab MP to support victims of large-scale disasters through the creation of an Independent Public Advocate (IPA).’

Full Story

Law Society's Gazette, 1st March 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

The Ethical Decision-Making Model by the Home Office – EIN Blog

Posted February 22nd, 2023 in bereavement, elderly, families, government departments, immigration, news by tracey

‘We acted on behalf of a woman who came to the UK as a visitor from India in September 2021 and who has lived here with her son and his family. Her husband passed away and she came to stay with her son to be supported during the bereavement period, unsure as to the length of time she would be able to remain in the UK. She is suffering from a range of medical issues and has a complex medical history that requires constant monitoring.’

Full Story

EIN Blog, 22nd February 2023

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Nicola Bulley: Lancashire Police investigated over death of another mother – The Independent

Posted February 22nd, 2023 in assault, bail, bereavement, missing persons, news, police, professional conduct by tracey

‘A police officer from the force criticised over the Nicola Bulley search is being investigated for gross misconduct after the death of a young mother who was also reported missing.’

Full Story

The Independent, 22nd February 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Nicola Bulley: Ofcom ‘extremely concerned’ by family media complaints – BBC News

Posted February 22nd, 2023 in bereavement, complaints, families, media, missing persons, news, ombudsmen, privacy by tracey

‘Broadcasting regulator Ofcom has said it was “extremely concerned” to hear complaints made about ITV and Sky News by the family of Nicola Bulley. Ofcom said it had written to both “to ask them to explain their actions”.’

Full Story

BBC News, 21st February 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

NHS trust pays woman damages after son’s body left to decompose – The Guardian

Posted February 13th, 2023 in bereavement, damages, families, hospitals, mental health, news, psychiatric damage by tracey

‘A woman has been paid damages by an NHS trust after developing post-traumatic stress disorder when a mortuary allowed her son’s body to decompose to such an extent that relatives were advised not to view it, the Guardian can reveal.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 12th February 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Father of boy killed by mould in flat welcomes law to prevent repeat – The Guardian

‘The father of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who was killed by mould in a social housing flat, has welcomed a new law to prevent a repeat tragedy, saying: “We are finally starting to feel like we are being treated fairly.”’

Full Story

The Guardian, 9th February 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Omagh bombing: UK government announces independent statutory inquiry – BBC News

‘There will be an independent statutory inquiry into the Omagh bombing, the UK government has confirmed.’

Full Story

BBC News, 2nd February 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Hannah Warren: Woman died at docks after failings by Met Police – BBC News

Posted January 30th, 2023 in bereavement, families, inquests, mental health, news, police by tracey

‘The family of a woman from London found dead in disused docks in Wales has told the Met to make “significant changes” after it made mistakes in the case.’

Full Story

BBC News, 28th January 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Mother wins legal battle over tribunal’s refusal to say why son’s killer was discharged from hospital – The Guardian

‘A woman has won a legal battle against a mental health tribunal over its refusal to provide her with the the reasons for releasing her son’s killer into the community.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 25th January 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sudden unexplained death in childhood debated in Parliament – BBC News

Posted January 18th, 2023 in bereavement, children, families, news, parliament by tracey

‘The issue of children dying unexpectedly and without any known cause has been debated in Parliament for the first time.’

Full Story

BBC News, 17th January 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Firm fined a further £200,000 over Wolverhampton storm death – BBC News

Posted January 16th, 2023 in accidents, bereavement, fines, health & safety, inquests, news by tracey

‘A company has been fined £200,000 after a woman was killed by a water tank cover falling from a shopping centre.’

Full Story

BBC News, 14th January 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk