Honesty and integrity – honestly different? – UK Police Law Blog

Posted May 16th, 2017 in codes of practice, misfeasance, news, police, solicitors by sally

‘Another month, another decision on the meaning of honesty and integrity. Given that the Standard of ‘Honesty and Integrity’ is considered primus inter pares in relation to the other Standards, in that a breach of it puts an officer at serious risk of dismissal, what amounts to this is important – for officers and presenting authorities.’

Full story

UK Police Law Blog, 12th May 2017

Source: www.ukpolicelawblog.com

Barrister with history of failing to co-operate with BSB and LeO suspended for two years – Legal Futures

‘A commercial barrister has been suspended from practice for failing to comply with an order of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) and requests from his own regulator, only two years after a series of similar findings as well as a suspension for handling client money when he should not have done.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 8th May 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Paid McKenzie Friends “play on uncertainty and victimhood” of separating fathers – Legal Futures

‘‘Professional’ paid McKenzie Friends associated with fathers’ rights groups (FRGs) play on their “uncertainty and sense of victimhood” to attract business, academic research has found, saying that there needed to be a code of conduct and a greater role for law school clinics in their place.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 20th April 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

McKenzie Friend Marketplace to ban “active” students from giving legal advice in wake of criticism – Legal Futures

‘The McKenzie Friend Marketplace (MFM), which hopes to help hundreds of law students find paid work offering legal services, has responded to criticism from practitioners by announcing that it will ban active students from providing legal advice – although they will be able to give clients other types of support.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 28th March 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

SRA decision to hold board meetings in private “may breach Legal Services Act” – Legal Futures

‘The decision by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to close its meetings to public and press scrutiny appears to be contrary to its obligations under the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA), a leading regulatory solicitor has said.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 13th March 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.com

The only way is ethics – Counsel

‘Minding our standards: in the first of a new column for Counsel, Andrew Walker QC outlines fresh imperatives and initiatives for barristers to enhance their knowledge of ethics in practice and stay ahead of the curve.’

Full story

Counsel, March 2017

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Criminal justice agencies at risk of failing young victims of crime – Victims’ Commissioner

Posted February 27th, 2017 in codes of practice, criminal justice, press releases, victims, young persons by tracey

‘Criminal justice agencies are at risk of failing children and young people who come forward to report crimes because they are not being taken seriously, Victims’ Commissioner has today warned.’

Full press release

Victims’ Commissioner, 22nd Febraury 2017

Source: http://victimscommissioner.org.uk

BBC orders urgent investigation into behaviour of TV licence fee collectors amid allegations of underhand tactics – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 27th, 2017 in BBC, codes of practice, enforcement, fees, licensing, media, news, select committees by tracey

‘The BBC has ordered an urgent investigation into the behaviour of television licence fee collectors amid allegations they are using underhand tactics and aggressive incentive schemes to catch evaders.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 27th February 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Search engines and rights holders finalise new code to address online copyright infringement – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 22nd, 2017 in codes of practice, computer programs, copyright, internet, news by sally

‘Google and Microsoft, together with representatives from the UK creative industries, have agreed on a new voluntary code to address online copyright infringement.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 22nd February 2017

Source: www.out-law.com

Ground-breaking code of practice to tackle pirate websites – Technology Law Update

Posted February 22nd, 2017 in codes of practice, computer crime, copyright, internet, news, piracy by sally

‘A ground-breaking new initiative targeting online piracy brings together the creative industries and leading search engines under a voluntary code of practice to tackle copyright infringing sites. The deal, brokered by the UK Intellectual Property Office, with the support of Ofcom and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will involve collaborative work to demote search results that link to illegal sites. There will be ongoing technical consultation and information sharing to improve the process and adapt to change.’

Full story

Technology Law Update, 21st February 2017

Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk

Directors could face ‘disciplinary action’ for financial reporting breaches, under FRC plans -OUT-LAW.com

‘Company directors could face “disciplinary action” over breaches of financial reporting rules under new plans announced by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC).’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 17th February 2017

Source: www.out-law.com

Leading the way on ethics – Counsel

‘Is the Bar still a stand-out example of adherence to high ethical standards? Desiree Artesi discusses the practicalities of professional ethics with Andrew Walker QC.’

Full story

Counsel, January 2017

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Ronald McDonald and Tony the Tiger banned from junk food adverts in new crackdown – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 8th, 2016 in advertising, children, codes of practice, food, news by tracey

‘Social media sites have been ordered to block junk food adverts aimed at children under a new crackdown which also bans cartoon characters like Ronald McDonald and Tony Tiger from all promotional material of unhealthy food.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th December 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Child sex abuse victims boycott inquiry meeting in anger over order to sign up to code of conduct – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 23rd, 2016 in child abuse, codes of practice, inquiries, news, victims by tracey

‘Victims have begun a boycott of the Government’s child sex abuse inquiry after being ordered to sign up to a code of conduct if they want to attend meetings.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 22nd November 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

David Baddiel show breached rules with jokes on Queen’s sex life – The Guardian

Posted November 22nd, 2016 in BBC, codes of practice, media, news by sally

‘Jokes about the Queen’s sex life on David Baddiel’s Radio 4 show and Fox News host Sean Hannity’s coverage of the US election have been found in breach of UK broadcasting rules.’

Full story

The Guardian, 21st November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Tribunal rejects FOI request over code of conduct complaints process – Local Government Lawyer

‘It is important that a council’s code of conduct complaints process remains confidential, the First-tier Tribunal has said in rejecting an appeal over the refusal of a freedom of information request.’

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 16th November 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Upholding the Values of the Profession Comment by Eleena Misra, Head of Professional Discipline & Regulatory Law Group – Littleton Chambers

Posted November 9th, 2016 in codes of practice, legal profession, news, professional conduct by sally

‘Whether it is a barrister struck off for evading train fares (recent press reports of the tribunal hearing of Peter Barnett) or for posting anti-Semitic tweets (Ian Millard – see below), to name but two recent high-profile instances of conduct found to be disreputable by disciplinary tribunals, or a British Olympic gymnastics champion subjected to a two-month competition ban for apparently laughing at a wedding as another gymnast pokes fun at a call to prayer (Louis Smith), it is clear that the prevailing climate is one of expecting the great and the good to be, well, great and good. Indeed, it might be said that just being famous is being seen as attracting a moral price tag or responsibility by virtue of the opportunity to influence people. There is currently no formal code of conduct applicable to celebrities, though perhaps sporting bodies are becoming more paternalistic in this regard, but it is certainly still the case that being a member of a profession comes with its own responsibilities.’

Full story

Littleton Chambers, 3rd November 2016

Source: www.littletonchambers.com

New advocates lack “basic knowledge” of ethical rules, report finds – Legal Futures

‘Significant numbers of new advocates are “weaker than might be hoped on basic knowledge” of ethical rules, a major report has found.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 5th October 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Standards watchdog urges regulators to manage ‘revolving door’ properly – Local Government Lawyer

Posted September 23rd, 2016 in codes of practice, confidentiality, conflict of interest, news, standards by sally

‘Fewer than a third of regulatory bodies have policies to deal with ‘revolving door’ issues where staff move between the organisation and the entities or profession it regulates, a report by the Committee on Standards in Public Life has revealed.’

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 21st September 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

MPs urge action on “significant” legal loophole in taxi licensing – Local Government Lawyer

Posted August 22nd, 2016 in codes of practice, licensing, local government, news, parliament, taxis by sally

‘MPs have called on the Government to address a “damaging and significant legal loophole” that allows taxis licensed by other local authorities to operate within Rotherham, even if the drivers have had their application for a Rotherham licence rejected.’

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 19th August 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk