The government’s data law – an attack on encryption? – BBC News

‘Overdue modernisation of the way the authorities monitor criminals and terrorists – or a Snooper’s Charter eroding our basic liberties? The proposal outlined in the Queen’s Speech to “modernise the law on communications data” will divide opinion. But prepare for another long battle over the way that law is framed and the balance it strikes between privacy and public safety.’

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BBC News, 27th May 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Child sex abuse live streams loophole to be closed – BBC News

‘The UK’s government aims to tackle the spread of child sexual abuse imagery online by closing a legal loophole.’

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BBC News, 27th May 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Queen’s Speech: New online data terror powers proposed – BBC News

‘Planned new laws to give police and spies stronger powers to “target the online communications” of terrorist suspects are in the Queen’s Speech.’

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BBC News, 27th May 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

The assisted dying debate – BBC News

Posted May 27th, 2015 in assisted suicide, bills, euthanasia, news, parliament, statistics by sally

‘Nearly 300 Britons have travelled to Zurich to die with the help of the Swiss suicide group Dignitas.’

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BBC News, 26th May 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Attempt to scrap Human Rights Act will not get past Lords, Falconer warns Gove – The Guardian

‘A new British bill of rights is expected to be included in the Queen’s speech, but shadow lord chancellor says upper house would be within its rights to reject it.’

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The Guardian, 22nd May 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New law will force councils to merge services to improve adoption rates – The Guardian

Posted May 26th, 2015 in adoption, bills, local government, news, social services by sally

‘Councils will be forced to merge services in order to speed up adoption rates, according to plans to be set out in the Queen’s speech next week. Adoption is “happening at too small and localised a scale”, the Department for Education said, and mergers would slash waiting times by increasing the pool of potential adopters.’

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The Guardian, 23rd May 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

HRA Watch: Reform, Repeal, Replace? Cormac Mac Amhlaigh: A Referendum on Repeal of the Human Rights Act? Why not? – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘So we finally we have some clarity. Of the many statements, quasi-proposals and rumours affecting constitutional reform which had been swirling around during the term of the last coalition government, we now know which will see the light of day as official government policy. With the surprise Conservative majority government, it is now clear that the Human Rights Act will be repealed and replaced with a British Bill of Rights and there will be a referendum on EU membership by 2017 at the latest. Given that many of these issues had already been touted by one part of the coalition, many, if not most, of the constitutional and political implications, and particularly the difficulties, of these proposals have already been thrashed out in different forums such as the recent report co-edited by my colleague Tobias Lock, as well as, of course, on the pages of this blog. I have read and benefited from these excellent insights and so have nothing to add here to the substance of these issues.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 25th May 2015

Source: http://ukconstitutionallaw.org

Queen’s Speech 2015: Scrapping the human rights act, right to buy, and an EU referendum – what you can expect – The Independent

‘The Queen’s Speech marks the start of this session of parliament. The address, written by government ministers, is delivered by the Queen and lays out the Government’s agenda for the next year.’

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The Independent, 26th May 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

HRA Watch: Reform, Repeal, Replace? Mark Elliott: Could the Devolved Nations Block Repeal of the Human Rights Act and the Enactment of a New Bill of Rights? – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘In my last post on the proposed repeal of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the enactment of a British Bill of Rights, I considered the extent to which the House of Lords might thwart the Government’s plans. My conclusion was that the Lords might plausibly assert itself so as to delay the legislation, traditional understandings of the Salisbury Convention notwithstanding, but that the Parliament Act 1911 clearly deprives the Lords of any absolute veto. What, however, of the devolved nations? Could they block the implementation of the UK Government’s proposals?’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 16th May 2015

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

David Cameron to unveil new limits on extremists’ activities in Queen’s speech – The Guardian

‘A counter-terrorism bill including plans for extremism disruption orders designed to restrict those trying to radicalise young people is to be included in the Queen’s speech, David Cameron will tell the national security council on Wednesday.’

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The Guardian, 13th May 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Snoopers’ Charter: Theresa May’s plan to push ahead with Communications Data Bill sparks online campaign for internet freedom – The Independent

‘Online campaigners have already begun fighting Conservative plans to push ahead with the introduction of sweeping new surveillance powers in what has been dubbed the “Snoopers’ Charter”.’

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The Independent, 10th May 2015

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Why human rights reform could trip up Michael Gove – The Guardian

Posted May 11th, 2015 in bills, human rights, news, political parties by sally

‘Of all the tasks awaiting the new justice secretary – legal aid, building bridges with judges – scrapping the Human Rights Act is by far the trickiest.’
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The Guardian, 11th May 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Michael Gove to proceed with Tories’ plans to scrap human rights act – The Guardian

Posted May 11th, 2015 in bills, human rights, news, political parties, treaties by sally

‘Michael Gove, the new justice secretary, is to press ahead with plans to scrap the Human Rights Act which could see Britain pull out of the European convention on human rights (ECHR) if the reforms are rejected by Strasbourg.’

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The Guardian, 10th May 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

A loophole in the slavery bill could allow companies to hide supply chain abuses – The Guardian

Posted March 25th, 2015 in bills, company law, construction industry, forced labour, news, sale of goods by sally

‘The modern slavery bill now in parliament must ensure big business respects human rights in providing its goods and services worldwide, not just in the UK.’

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The Guardian, 24th March 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New powers for relatives of missing people – Law Society’s Gazette

‘A new law will allow relatives of missing people to take charge of their family member’s property and financial affairs, such as suspending direct debit payments for mobile phone and utility bills, and making mortgage payments, the Ministry of Justice announced today.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 23rd March 2015

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Family Law Week’s Budget Briefing 2015 – Family Law Week

Posted March 19th, 2015 in bills, budgets, news, taxation by sally

‘Jan Ellis, chartered accountant, of Ellis Foster LLP, a firm which specialises in advising family lawyers on tax-related family law issues, explains the budget changes of most relevance to family lawyers.’

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Family Law Week, 18th March 2015

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

What’s Coming Next for Local Government – Thirty Nine Essex Street

Posted March 19th, 2015 in bills, local government, news, taxation by sally

‘2015 promises to be an interesting year for local government, albeit against a backdrop of continued cuts, with localism, devolution and reform of local government finance all politically prominent issues, although it is too soon to predict what form they will take. After considering the general context, this paper addresses recent case law that is relevant to local government finance and in particular the caution that must be exercised against the unlawful use of charging to generate revenue. We then outline some of the main features of the Government’s Deregulation Bill, which is currently at the report stage in the House of Lords, and conclude with a reminder of the potential pit-falls of promises in an election year.’

Full story (PDF)

Thirty Nine Essex Street, February 2015

Source: www.39essex.com

Modern slavery bill amendment rejected by MPs – The Guardian

Posted March 18th, 2015 in bills, employment, forced labour, immigration, news, visas by sally

‘MPs have rejected an amendment made by the Lords to the modern slavery bill, which would allow migrant workers to change employer.’

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The Guardian, 17th March 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘Door wide open’ to gender abortion as CPS blocks prosecution of doctors, campaigners claim – Daily Telegraph

‘Prosecutors halt case against doctors filmed in Telegraph investigation over ‘public interest’ considerations.’

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Daily Telegraph, 13th March 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

MPs pass legislation to introduce standardised cigarette packaging – The Guardian

Posted March 12th, 2015 in advertising, bills, news, parliament, smoking by sally

‘MPs have voted by a majority of 254 in favour of introducing standardised cigarette packaging from May 2016.’

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The Guardian, 11th March 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk