The Reverse Burden of Proof in Health and Safety Prosecutions: As You Were – Henderson Chambers

‘In R v (1) AH Ltd and (2) Mr SJ, the appellants sought leave from the Court of Appeal to challenge the reverse evidential and legal burdens of proof to establish the “reasonably practicable” defence pursuant to s40 HSWA1974. Although permission to appeal was ultimately refused, the reasoning behind the decision is important reading for health and safety practitioners in the context of increasingly vigorous prosecutions.’

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Henderson Chambers, 9th July 2021

Source: www.hendersonchambers.co.uk

Malakai Watts death: Mum Chelsea Cuthbertson jailed for manslaughter – BBC News

‘A mother who killed her one-month-old baby when she was “angry and stressed” over a row with her partner has been jailed.’

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BBC News, 22nd July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Reporting restrictions in end of life cases: anonymity for treating clinicians – UK Human Rights Blog

‘The focus of this judgment was on the jurisdiction, if any, that the High Court Family Division has to maintain a Reporting Restriction Order (‘RRO’) prohibiting the naming of any medical clinicians as being involved in the care and treatment of a child who had been the subject of “end of life” proceedings before the High Court prior to their death, and where an RRO had been made at that time preventing the identification of any of the treating clinicians and staff until further order.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 6th July 2021

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

‘A cascade of catastrophic failings’: the UK’s baby death scandals – The Guardian

‘An investigation into baby deaths at Furness general hospital in Barrow between 2004 and 2013 found a “lethal mix” of failings at almost every level.’

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The Guardian, 6th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Manchester Arena Inquiry: Ex-GMP officer investigated over evidence By Daniel De Simone – BBC News

‘A former Greater Manchester Police officer is being investigated by a watchdog over his evidence at a public inquiry into the Manchester Arena bomb.’

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BBC News, 5th July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Hannah Cobley: Mum who murdered newborn loses conviction appeal – BBC News

‘A woman who wrapped her newborn baby in plastic bags and left her to die on farmland has lost an appeal against her murder conviction.’

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BBC News, 29th June 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Terence McArthur admits 1976 killing of baby daughter – BBC News

‘A man has admitted killing his 14-day-old daughter more than 45 years ago.’

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BBC News, 22nd June 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Jamie King loses damages bid over Dunkirk role after son’s death – BBC News

‘Actor Jamie King has lost a High Court bid against an NHS trust after claiming he lost work, including a role in the film Dunkirk, after his son died.’

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BBC News, 17th June 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Christopher Kapessa: Family wins legal bid to review decision not to prosecute teen over river death – The Independent

‘The family of 13-year-old Christopher Kapessa, who died after being pushed into the River Cynon in South Wales in July 2019, have won a High Court bid for a review of the decision not to prosecute the teenager accused of being responsible.’

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The Independent, 11th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Christopher Kapessa: Mum plans legal action over river death – BBC News

‘A mother plans to launch her own legal action if the decision not to prosecute the boy reportedly involved in her son’s death is not reversed.’

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BBC News, 7th June 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘More work to do’ to improve Nottingham maternity units – BBC News

‘More needs to be done to bring maternity units at a city’s two main hospitals up to scratch, inspectors have said.’

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BBC News, 28th May 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Parents seek second inquest into baby’s hospital death – BBC News

‘The parents of a baby who died after medical errors are to push for a new inquest into his death, after they say a “cruel” inquest denied them justice.’

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BBC News, 14th May 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Deaths of people on benefits prompt inquiry call – BBC News

‘The family of a woman who took a fatal overdose after her benefit payments were cut say they have begun a legal claim against the government.’

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BBC News, 10th May 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sapphire House: ‘Anger’ over report into neglect death care home – BBC News

‘The mother of a man who died after suffering neglect said she felt “extreme distress and anger” at a critical new report into his care home.’

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BBC News, 21st April 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Harvey Tyrrell death: Pub owner jailed over boy’s electrocution death – BBC News

‘A pub owner has been jailed after admitting responsibility for the death of a seven-year-old boy who was electrocuted in a beer garden.’

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BBC News, 16th April 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Towuaghantse v GMC [2021] EWHC 681 (Admin) Coroner’s findings, independence of experts and registrant denials: this case is not one to put on the “read later” pile – 2 Hare Court

‘It is difficult to know where to start with Towuaghantse v GMC [2021] EWHC 681 (Admin). I will give you a briefest account of the facts in a moment, but potentially Mostyn J’s judgment in this case stands as authority for the following principles:
a. The factual findings of a coroner, and any narrative conclusion, are all admissible against a registrant.
b. Authors of expert reports do not have to be independent in the sense of uninvolved with the institution or any of the players in a case, they are merely subject to a Porter v McGill style test of bias or apparent bias.
c. The capacity of a registrant to remediate sincerely should be judged by reference to evidence unconnected with their denials of the factual charges, unless the fact-finding decision included findings of blatant dishonesty by the registrant (a refinement of the same judge’s recent pronouncements in GMC v Awan [2020] EWHC 1553 (Admin)).’

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2 Hare Court, 30th March 2021

Source: www.2harecourt.com

NHS hospital trust facing prosecution after death of woman and child – The Guardian

‘A hospital trust is facing prosecution for alleged breaches of patient safety that are said to have led to the deaths of a mother of six and a child who was brain damaged at birth.’

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The Guardian, 6th April 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Teenage mother admits causing death of baby daughter due to neglect – The Independent

‘A mother has admitted causing the death of her baby in Brighton. Verphy Kudi’s 20-month-old daughter Asiah Kudi died at an address in the East Sussex city in December 2019.’

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The Independent, 27th March 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Hospitals forced to repay millions after falsely claiming their maternity units were safe – The Independent

‘NHS hospitals have been forced to pay millions of pounds to regulators after wrongly claiming their maternity units were among the safest in the country.’

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The Independent, 7th March 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Harvey Tyrrell death: Electrician cleared over boy’s pub garden electrocution – BBC News

‘An electrician has been cleared of killing a seven-year-old boy who was electrocuted by a set of poorly installed lights in a pub garden.’

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BBC News, 16th February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk