Workplace bullying in law firms – a new frontier? – Kingsley Napley

‘Richard Fox, Jessica Clay and Lucinda Soon discuss what constitutes workplace bullying in light of the recent high-profile case against former justice secretary Dominic Raab.’

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Kingsley Napley, 19th May 2023

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

UK ICO publishes new employer guidance on subject access requests – OUT-LAW.com

‘The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued new guidance for employers on how to handle subject access requests (SARs).’

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OUT-LAW.com, 1st June 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

New ACAS mental health guidance: reasonable adjustments – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 22nd, 2023 in codes of practice, disabled persons, employment, mental health, news by tracey

‘ACAS, in conjunction with Affinity Health at Work, has launched new guidance on reasonable adjustments for mental health at work. It contains guidance for both employers and workers. David Leach and Hannah Peto examine what it says.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 19th May 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Cassandra Somers-Joce: Government by WhatsApp: Where are we now? – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘A new Cabinet Office policy has recently been published which provides guidance on the use of instant messaging technologies, such as WhatsApp, by government officials. The policy discourages the use of non-corporate communications channels (“NCCCs”), particularly when these platforms are accessed on personal devices. The new policy is a welcome development in the regulation of “government by WhatsApp,” and demonstrates better practice with respect to the public law duties which are applicable in this context, namely, the Public Records Act 1958, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the common law duty of candour.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 22nd April 2023

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Prosecutors focus on ‘love-bombing’ and other manipulative behaviours when charging controlling offences – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Updated guidance on controlling behaviour published by the Crown Prosecution Service today emphasises the need for prosecutors to closely scrutinise the actions of a suspect, who can often take steps to disrupt or mislead criminal proceedings.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 24th April 2023

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Peer found to have broken conduct rules over failure to declare interest in firm – The Independent

Posted April 21st, 2023 in codes of practice, disclosure, news, parliament by tracey

‘A peer has been found to have broken the Code of Conduct after failing to properly declare her role in a not-for-profit company.’

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The Independent, 20th April 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Law Society: Climate change a “valid” reason to reject clients – Legal Futures

‘Climate-related issues may be “valid considerations” for law firms in deciding whether to act for potential clients, the Law Society has said.’

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Legal Futures, 19th April 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Energy firms to ban forced prepay meter installations in homes of over-85s – The Guardian

Posted April 18th, 2023 in codes of practice, elderly, energy, news by sally

‘Energy suppliers have agreed to a ban on forcibly installing prepayment meters in the homes of customers over 85 and will make representatives wear body cameras as part of a new code of conduct, the Guardian can reveal.’

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The Guardian, 17th April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK advertising watchdog to probe ‘free trial’ subscription traps – OUT-LAW.com

‘Businesses using “free trial” ads to engage consumers for their subscription services have been urged to review their online marketing content, as the UK’s Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has set out its plan to target non-compliant trials and other promotional subscription offers in upcoming enforcement action.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 13th April 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Guide to UK online children’s code scope published – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 5th, 2023 in bills, children, codes of practice, consultations, data protection, internet, news by sally

‘The growing focus of regulators on ensuring children are safe to use online services has been brought into sharp focus with recent actions of the UK’s data protection authority, a technology law expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 4th April 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Don’t crow over court victories, bar leader warns – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Barristers should not crow online about court victories, the profession’s leader has warned amid renewed controversy over lawyers being identified with their clients.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 23rd March 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

The application of sentencing principles during a period when the prison population is very high – statement from the Chairman of the Sentencing Council – Sentencing Council

Posted March 20th, 2023 in codes of practice, imprisonment, news, prisons, sentencing by tracey

‘The Council is aware of concerns in relation to the current prison population in England and Wales. This raises the issue of whether the potential impact on offenders should be considered in sentencing.’

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Sentencing Council, 20th March 2023

Source: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Tougher sentences for domestic killers – Ministry of Justice

‘Domestic abusers who kill their partners or ex-partners will receive tougher sentences under government plans published today (17 March 2023).’

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Ministry of Justice, 17th March 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Pre-charge bail statutory guidance – Government publications

Posted March 13th, 2023 in bail, codes of practice, government departments, news by tracey

‘This document provides guidance on the pre-charge bail regime in England and Wales, to be read in conjunction with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The guidance is approved by the Secretary of State for the Home Office, laid in Parliament and published by the College of Policing.’

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Government publications, 1st March 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Updated sentencing guidelines for child cruelty offences published – Sentencing Council

‘The Council has published updated sentencing guidelines for offenders convicted of child cruelty offences in England and Wales, following consultation.’

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Sentencing Council, 7th March 2023

Source: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Upholding ethical standards – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL), established in 1994 by John Major to advise the prime minister on arrangements for upholding ethical standards of conduct across public life in England, clearly expected more from the government in this area. For while the CSPL’s January 2019 review of Local Government Ethical Standards contained 26 recommendations, on 4 October 2022, the CSPL’s chair, Lord Evans, wrote to the secretary of state for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC), at the time Simon Clarke MP, indicating that it was “very disappointed that many of its careful recommendations have not been accepted”. Among other things, Lord Evans noted “clear frustration within local authorities at the limited powers within the local government standards regime to address poor behaviour by a minority of individuals”. Because while the 2019 report indicated that “the vast majority of councillors and officers want to maintain the highest standards of conduct in their own authority”, it nevertheless noted that a “minority of councillors engage in bullying or harassment, or other highly disruptive behaviour, and a small number of parish councils give rise to a disproportionate number of complaints about poor behaviour”.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 24th February 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Amendments to the Treasure Act 1996 – and an ecclesiastical exemption – Law & Religion UK

Posted February 27th, 2023 in Church of England, codes of practice, news, treasure by sally

‘The Government has announced forthcoming changes to the Treasure Act 1996, as amended. The Act applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Under its terms, newly-discovered artefacts defined as “treasure” are the property of the Crown, and a person who finds an object that he or she believes to be treasure must notify the relevant authorities within 14 days. The Act currently applies to objects that are more than 300 years old and are made of precious metal or are part of a collection of valuable objects or artefacts.’

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Law & Religion UK, 24th February 2023

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Judicial review bid has implications for UK SIPP operators – OUT-LAW.com

‘A decision expected from the Court of Appeal in London could re-open the door for the courts to consider the scope of self-invested personal pension scheme (SIPP) operators’ due diligence obligations under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules, and on their obligations to compensate customers where there have been failings, legal experts have said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 17th February 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Court of Protection issues guidance on ‘closed hearings’ and ‘closed material’ – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Vice President of the Court of Protection has issued guidance on Court of Protection ‘closed hearings’ and ‘closed material’.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 9th February 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Government publishes draft ‘fire and rehire’ Code of Practice – OUT-LAW.com

‘Ed Goodwyn tells HRNews about the UK government’s proposed statutory dismissal and re-engagement code.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 2nd February 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com