Bringing the Right to Die to the British Isles (Part II): The Cautionary Experience of Australia’s Northern Territory – Oxford Human Rights Hub

Posted November 30th, 2023 in assisted suicide, bills, consultations, euthanasia, news by sally

‘Part I of this blog discussed the legality of assisted dying in the Isle of Man at present and the proposed legalisation of assisted dying and voluntary euthanasia under the Assisted Dying Bill 2023. If enacted, the Isle of Man will become the first jurisdiction in the British Isles to legalise any form of assisted dying, although the legislatures of the UK, Ireland, and Jersey are currently conducting consultations on such laws. However, there is precedent for a semi-independent jurisdiction, like the Isle of Man, spearheading the legalisation of assisted dying and voluntary euthanasia – and being reprimanded as a result.’

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Oxford Human Rights Hub, 29th November 2023

Source: ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk

High court challenge to ‘constitutionally unprecedented’ UK anti-protest law – The Guardian

‘A new law making it easier for the police to put conditions on peaceful protests is “constitutionally unprecedented” and unlawful, according to a claim filed at the high court in London.’

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The Guardian, 29th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Online Safety Act super-complaints process must not overwhelm Ofcom – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 28th, 2023 in complaints, consultations, internet, news by sally

‘The UK government must ensure that the way the new “super-complaints” process under the Online Safety Act is configured enables new risks and systemic issues across services to be addressed whilst guarding against the potential for overwhelming the regulator.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 27th November 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

How new UK laws affect ‘nationally significant infrastructure projects’ – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 23rd, 2023 in consultations, energy, environmental protection, news, planning by sally

‘Major new legislation recently enacted in the UK will impact developers seeking to deliver “nationally significant infrastructure projects” (NSIPs) in the years ahead.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 22nd November 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Consolidation of legal regulators “may be a good thing” – Legal Futures

‘Consolidation of legal regulators “may be a good thing” if designed to achieve “the pulling together of knowledge, lessons, consumer research and engagement”, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has said.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd November 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Competition watchdog seeks views on use of landbanks and how planning rules affect competition – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 22nd, 2023 in competition, consultations, housing, local government, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published two ‘working papers’ seeking feedback on its assessment of the use of landbanks, and how planning rules concerning zoning, consultations and local plan processes may be impacting competition and how new homes are delivered.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 21st November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Draft reforms to UK holiday pay rules leave room for future changes – OUT-LAW.com

‘The UK government’s response to two post-Brexit consultations on reforming holiday pay leaves the door open for more reforms in the future, according to two legal experts.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 17th November 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Legal Practice Management Association (LPMA) Conference, 9 November 2023 – Bar Standards Board

Posted November 10th, 2023 in barristers, consultations, news by sally

‘Speech by Mark Neale, Director General Bar Standards Board.’

Full speech

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Bar Standards Board, 9th November 2023

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

BSB could publish assessments of chambers and encourage mergers – Legal Futures

Posted October 24th, 2023 in barristers, consultations, mergers, news, standards by sally

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has floated the idea of publishing assessments of individual chambers as part of a new “graduated supervision strategy”.’

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Legal Futures, 24th October 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Government consults on safe and legal routes for refugees – Home Office

‘Local authorities will be consulted on plans to determine an annual cap on the number of refugees resettled in the UK each year, based on the UK’s capacity to accommodate and support people coming to the UK via safe and legal routes, as the government continues work to deliver its plan to stop the boats.’

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Home Office, 20th October 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

An update to the Wills Act 1837 – Mills & Reeve

‘On 5 October 2023, the Law Commission began a consultation into the use of electronic wills and the effect of a marriage or civil partnership on an existing will.’

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Mills & Reeve, 12th October 2023

Source: www.mills-reeve.com

Thousands more eligible for financial help with court fees – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 16th, 2023 in consultations, fees, legal aid, Ministry of Justice, news by sally

‘The most vulnerable in society will be better supported to access justice following an expansion of a scheme to help people with court and tribunal fees.’

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Ministry of Justice, 16th October 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Bibby Stockholm: Resident loses High Court fight over Portland migrant barge – BBC News

‘There will not be a judicial review into the Home Office’s use of a barge to house asylum seekers.’

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BBC News, 11th October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judge rejects bid by boating groups for judicial review challenge over plans for increased mooring fees – Local Government Lawyer

Posted October 11th, 2023 in consultations, judicial review, local government, news, water by sally

‘A High Court judge has rejected an application for judicial review over plans by Mayor Marvin Rees’ Cabinet at Bristol City Council to increase mooring fees in Bristol Harbour.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 10th October 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Electronic wills now ‘feasible’, Law Commission reports – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 10th, 2023 in bills, consultations, electronic filing, Law Commission, news, wills by sally

‘Electronic wills could become an immediate reality if parliament wishes, the Law Commission states today in its latest consultation on the topic. The commission is seeking views on whether a new Wills Act should permit paperless wills, either immediately or by allowing for them to be introduced later. It stresses that any provision for electronic wills would need to ensure that they are as secure as paper wills.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 5th October 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

New legislation could introduce electronic wills “immediately” – Legal Futures

‘A new Wills Act could permit electronic wills to be introduced “immediately”, rather than enabling the Lord Chancellor to introduce them by statutory instrument at some point in the future, the Law Commission has said.’

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Legal Futures, 5th October 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

BSB publishes new guidance on barristers’ conduct in non-professional life and on social media – Bar Standards Board

Posted September 22nd, 2023 in barristers, codes of practice, consultations, internet, news, professional conduct by sally

‘Following the conclusion of the Bar Standards Board’s (BSB) consultation on conduct in non-professional life, the BSB Board has approved new guidance which we are publishing today. The guidance includes revised Social Media Guidance, new Guidance on the Regulation of Non-Professional Conduct, the BSB’s response to the consultation and revisions to BSB Handbook guidance.’

Full guidance

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Bar Standards Board, 20th September 2023

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

The DWP’s consultation on collective defined contribution in retirement – OUT-LAW.com

Posted September 19th, 2023 in consultations, government departments, news, pensions, retirement, trusts by sally

‘The UK government said in a set of July 2023 Mansion House proposals that it would allow commercial UK pension schemes, including master trusts, to provide collective defined contribution (CDC) benefits in retirement.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 18th September 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

‘Less transparent and democratic’: damning verdict on rule of law – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Law-making has become less transparent, less accountable, less inclusive and less democratic, legal thinktank Justice has said in a damning report published today on the government’s approach to the rule of law.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 11th September 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Law Commission drops plan to ban discrimination in appointing arbitrators – Legal Futures

Posted September 6th, 2023 in arbitration, bills, consultations, equality, Law Commission, news, sex discrimination by sally

‘The Law Commission has “reluctantly concluded” that banning discrimination in the appointment of arbitrators “could cause more problems than it solves”, particularly in triggering “unwarranted satellite litigation”.’

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Legal Futures, 6th September 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk