Renters (Reform) Bill – the good, the potentially good and the ugly. Part 1 – Nearly Legal

Posted May 18th, 2023 in bills, housing, landlord & tenant, news, repossession by sally

‘It is finally here, a mere five years from first being promised. The Renters (Reform) Bill has started its parliamentary journey today (17 May). As it stands, it is the largest reform to tenancies in England since 1988 (Wales having done its own, even more significant, thing).’

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Nearly Legal, 17th May 2023

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Regulating Big Tech in the UK – Competition Bulletin

‘Following hot(ish) on the heels of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (“the Bill”) was published on 25 April 2023. It seeks to do three things: (1) to establish a new ex-ante regulatory regime for digital markets, conferring powers on the CMA, via its Digital Markets Unit, to impose conduct requirements and make “pro-competitive interventions” (“PCIs”) in relation to designated firms, and to impose hefty penalties for failure to comply; (2) to reform the existing competition law system, notably relating to merger controls, market inquiries and enforcement; and (3) to enhance consumer rights and enforcement. This post focusses on the first of these.’

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Competition Bulletin, 17th May 2023

Source: competitionbulletin.com

Air pollution transparency rules among EU laws to be scrapped by UK – The Guardian

‘Laws to ensure the government is transparent about how they plan to reduce harmful air pollution are among those to be scrapped in the EU retained law bill.’

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The Guardian, 16th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Brexit: Government suffers defeats over Retained EU Law Bill – BBC News

Posted May 16th, 2023 in bills, brexit, EC law, news, parliament, repeals by sally

‘The government has suffered defeats in the House of Lords over plans to scrap certain EU laws by the end of the year.’

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BBC News, 15th May 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Society warns on Finance Bill changes – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Law Society today reminded private client solicitors that the Finance Bill is set to restrict charitable tax reliefs to UK charities only, with donations located in the EU and the European Economic Arena (EEA) no longer qualifying for UK charitable tax reliefs from April 2024. This will impact individuals who claim income tax or capital gains tax relief on donations to non-UK charities and those who expect inheritance tax exemption on lifetime gifts or on legacies to such organisations.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 15th May 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Navigating the Reservoir of Retained EU Law after Brexit – Law Pod UK

Posted May 16th, 2023 in bills, brexit, EC law, news, podcasts, repeals by sally

‘This week the UK Government announced an important change to its Retained EU Law Bill, which has been going through Parliament. Now 600 EU-era laws are set be repealed by the end of 2023 – fewer than the whole “reservoir” of 1000+ initially targeted.’

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Law Pod UK, 12th May 2023

Source: audioboom.com

Sex abuse victims ‘must get specialist support’ – BBC News

‘Encouraging abuse victims to come forward without a specialist support system in place is “totally irresponsible”, campaigners have said.’

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BBC News, 15th May 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sweeping UK ‘sunset’ of retained EU law by end of 2023 dropped – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 12th, 2023 in bills, brexit, EC law, government departments, news by tracey

‘UK legislation derived from the EU that was retained on the UK statute book at the point of Brexit will no longer be revoked en masse at the end of this year, the UK government has announced.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 10th May 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

A ‘watershed moment’ for the digital sector – the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill – Mills & Reeve

Posted May 11th, 2023 in bills, competition, consumer protection, electronic commerce, news by sally

‘This briefing is part of a series that will take a closer look at the government’s draft Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the “Bill”) which was introduced into Parliament on 25 April 2023. This is an important and far-reaching Bill which will see wide ranging reforms to competition and consumer protection laws.’

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Mills & Reeve, 10th May 2023

Source: www.mills-reeve.com

Workers’ rights put at risk by plan to scrap EU working hours rules, says TUC – The Guardian

Posted May 11th, 2023 in bills, brexit, EC law, news, trade unions, working time by sally

‘Trades unions have warned that workers’ rights are in peril after the government unveiled new plans to scrap EU rules on working hours as part of its drive to cut “unnecessary red tape”.’

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The Guardian, 10th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

The UK vs the ECtHR: Anatomy of A Politically Engineered Collision Course – EIN Blog

‘In recent months, the UK government has tabled two Bills before Parliament which would have the consequence – and almost certainly have the intention – of setting the UK on a collision course with the Council of Europe, and especially the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Both the Bill of Rights Bill and the Illegal Migration Bill, introduced on 22 June 2022 and 7 March 2023 respectively, contain provisions that openly flout the UK’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). While the former is currently in parliamentary limbo, the Illegal Migration Bill will probably become law, following extensive amendment by the House of Lords, which will debate it on 10 May.’

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EIN Blog, 9th May 2023

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Raab’s Bill of Rights Bill for final chop – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 10th, 2023 in bills, brexit, human rights, lord chancellor, news by sally

‘Dominic Raab’s plan for human rights law reform is to get its final coup de grace under lord chancellor Alex Chalk, according to media reports. The Bill of Rights Bill – introduced last summer and then shelved under Liz Truss’s government – is technically still before parliament, awaiting a second reading in the House of Commons. However its future has been in doubt despite Raab’s return to office under Rishi Sunak.’

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Law Society's Gazette, May 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Violent porn acts occurring in sexual abuse between under-18s, report finds – The Guardian

Posted May 9th, 2023 in bills, children, internet, news, pornography, reports, violence by sally

‘England’s children’s commissioner has called for the “most robust” online protections for under-18s after publishing research examining links between sexual abuse cases and pornography.’

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The Guardian, 9th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Suella Braverman’s claims modern slavery laws are being abused questioned by Home Office’s own report – The Independent

‘A Home Office report has raised fresh questions about Suella Braverman’s claims that modern slavery laws are being “abused” by small boat migrants.’

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The Independent, 4th May 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New police powers to tackle slow-walking protests – BBC News

‘Police in England and Wales are to be given new powers to tackle “disruptive” slow walking used by protesters to block roads.’

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BBC News, 28th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MPs back illegal migration bill by 289 votes to 230 – The Guardian

Posted April 27th, 2023 in asylum, bills, deportation, news, refugees, trafficking in human beings, treaties by sally

‘The government’s flagship asylum bill passed its third reading in the Commons on Wednesday night and will now go to the Lords despite criticism from several leading Conservatives including Theresa May.’

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The Guardian, 26th April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK government publishes Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 26th, 2023 in bills, competition, consumer protection, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The UK government has published its long-awaited Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Bill, designed to boost competition and crack down on unfair business practices.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 25th April 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

New rules ban subscription traps and fake reviews – BBC News

Posted April 25th, 2023 in bills, consumer protection, electronic commerce, news by sally

‘Buying, selling or hosting fake reviews will become illegal as part of changes planned in new laws.’

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BBC News, 25th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Research Briefing: The draft Media Bill: A reading list – House of Commons Library

Posted April 24th, 2023 in bills, media, news, parliament by tracey

‘This briefing provides a selection of reading on the draft Media Bill (March 2023).’

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House of Commons Library , 19th April 2023

Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Rwanda legal battle back in court as judges reconsider whether scheme is lawful – The Independent

‘The next stage of the legal battle over the Rwanda deal will begin today, with the Court of Appeal to reconsider if it is safe to send asylum seekers to the country.’

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The Independent, 24th April 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk