Conversion therapy: Equality watchdog calls for ban – BBC News
‘Britain’s equality watchdog has called on the government to ban “harmful” conversion-therapy practices.’
BBC News, 17th October 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: bills
Immigration Blog: Illegal Migration Act – An Asylum Apocalypse? – Garden Court Chambers
‘On 20 July 2023, the Illegal Migration Act 2023 (“IMA”) received Royal Assent and so passed into law. Whilst the detail of the Act’s provisions are complex, its message is simple: those entering without permission are not welcome in our home, and will not be allowed to remain. Though technically the Act applies to any person who enters the UK without permission, the clear focus of attention has been on asylum seekers.’
Garden Court Chambers, 15th September 2023
Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk
Charities ‘concerned’ over lack of progress with Renters Reform Bill – BBC News
‘A group of 30 charities and non-profit organisations have urged the Prime Minister to pass a bill to ban “no-fault” evictions.’
BBC News, 16th October 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Implementation of Jade’s law – Local Government Lawyer
‘Amrita Hurst, Hannah Taylor and Jake Barras look at the questions raised by Justice Secretary Alex Chalk’s plan to implement “Jade’s law”.’
Local Government Lawyer, 13th October 2023
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Law Society urges reform of “outdated” mental health legislation – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Law Society has called for urgent reforms to the Mental Health Act, which it has described as “outdated”.’
Local Government Lawyer, 11th October 2023
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Electronic wills now ‘feasible’, Law Commission reports – Law Society’s Gazette
‘Electronic wills could become an immediate reality if parliament wishes, the Law Commission states today in its latest consultation on the topic. The commission is seeking views on whether a new Wills Act should permit paperless wills, either immediately or by allowing for them to be introduced later. It stresses that any provision for electronic wills would need to ensure that they are as secure as paper wills.’
Law Society's Gazette, 5th October 2023
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Thomas Horsley: Managing the External Effects of Devolved Legislation: Virtual Representation, Self-Rule and the UK’s Territorial Constitution – UK Constitutional Law Association
‘The Scottish Government is presently seeking judicial review of the UK Government’s decision to block Royal Assent for the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill (GRRB) using s.35 of the Scotland Act 1998 (SA). The Court of Session’s decision, which may yet end up before the UK Supreme Court on appeal, is eagerly awaited, not least given the electricity of political debates over gender recognition and its reform in Scotland and elsewhere.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 5th October 2023
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
Illegal Migration Bill: Welcomed by Human Traffickers – Mountford Chambers
‘Organised Crime poses an increasing problem around the world. Endangering the economic well-being of countries, it can pose national security threats and affect vulnerable communities. Anisha Kiri tracks recent developments.’
Mountford Chambers, 8th September 2023
Source: www.mountfordchambers.com
Victims’ commissioner to be named after ‘shocking’ delay – BBC News
‘Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has said that a new victims’ commissioner will be appointed “shortly”, after the job was left vacant for more than a year.’
BBC News, 3rd October 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Jade Ward: Pride of murdered woman’s family over law change – BBC News
‘The family of a woman who was murdered by her estranged husband say they are “overjoyed” that parental rights laws will be changed in her name.’
BBC News, 3rd October 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
New legislation paves the way for a digital application process for lasting powers of attorney – Mills & Reeve
‘A Powers of Attorney Bill, which will enable lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) to be applied for digitally, has passed through parliament successfully and received Royal Assent.’
Mills & Reeve, 29th September 2023
Source: www.mills-reeve.com
Procurement Bill: Competitive flexible procedure – Local Government Lawyer
‘How will the competitive flexible procedure work in practice? Michael Mousdale explains.’
Local Government Lawyer, 29th September 2023
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Olly Stephens: Murdered boy’s dad says new law a ‘game-changer’ – BBC News
‘The father of a 13-year-old murdered by two schoolboys has welcomed a new law to make social media firms more responsible for users’ safety.’
BBC News, 21st September 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Troubles legacy bill enters law after receiving Royal Assent – BBC News
‘The government’s controversial Troubles legacy bill has received Royal Assent and entered into law.’
BBC News, 19th September 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Online Safety Bill: Crackdown on harmful social media content agreed – BBC News
‘Peers have passed a controversial new law aimed at making social media firms more responsible for users’ safety on their platforms.’
BBC News, 19th September 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Archaic’ UK law needs urgent update for self-driving vehicles, MPs say – OUT-LAW.com
‘The UK’s reputation as a “trailblazer” in the development of self-driving vehicles is at risk unless new laws are passed as a matter of urgency to better support their testing and commercialisation, a committee of MPs has said.’
OUT-LAW.com, 15th September 2023
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
‘Less transparent and democratic’: damning verdict on rule of law – Law Society’s Gazette
‘Law-making has become less transparent, less accountable, less inclusive and less democratic, legal thinktank Justice has said in a damning report published today on the government’s approach to the rule of law.’
Law Society's Gazette, 11th September 2023
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
TUC complains to UN watchdog over ‘undemocratic’ UK anti-strike law – The Guardian
‘The Trades Union Congress has lodged a complaint with the UN’s labour standards body claiming the UK government flouted the watchdog’s orders over its newly enforced “undemocratic” anti-strike law.’
The Guardian, 10th September 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
UK Government launches taskforce to stop ‘devastating’ lawsuits against journalists – The Independent
‘The Government has launched a new taskforce which aims to put a stop to lawsuits that have a “devastating” impact on journalists. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer will meet groups from the media and legal sectors on Monday as they try to end legal threats, known as strategic lawsuits against public participation (Slapps).’
The Independent, 11th September 2023
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Data protection reform, revisited – Mills & Reeve
‘We’ve previously looked at the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill introduced under the Boris Johnson government. That Bill was paused and then withdrawn by Rishi Sunak’s administration, its replacement being the Data Protection and Digital Information (No.2) Bill, which commenced its journey through Parliament in March.’
Mills & Reeve, 6th September 2023
Source: www.mills-reeve.com
