No need to change on ‘Freedom Day’ how family courts and Court of Protection have been operating, says Family President – Local Government Lawyer

‘The President of the Family Division has ruled out issuing firm guidance on how the family courts and the Court of Protection should approach their work after 19 July – dubbed “Freedom Day” – when coronavirus restrictions are lifted by the Government.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 15th July 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

MP questions transfer of children from Rainsbrook secure centre to youth jails – The Guardian

Posted July 14th, 2021 in children, contracting out, coronavirus, custody, news, prisons, young offenders by tracey

‘Children held in a condemned youth jail for vulnerable offenders have been moved into unsuitable alternative custody, a committee has been told. About 30 children previously held at the privately run Rainsbrook secure training centre are being transferred into alternative custody arrangements following calls for urgent action over problems at the unit.’

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The Guardian, 13th July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Committed to committal – Nearly Legal

‘Gunn & Launders v Khan (2020) EWCA Civ 1905. This was an appeal by the landlord, Saakib Khan, of an order sentencing him to six months imprisonment for contempt of court for breach of an injunction. The injunction (still just about interim on the date of breach, as will become clear) was to prevent Saakib Khan from evicting or attempting to evict the tenant and from interfering with his quiet enjoyment of the property and from threatening him with violence or harassing, pestering, or intimidating him.’

Full Story

Nearly Legal, 8th July 2021

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Medico-legal market contracts as Covid hits PI cases – Legal Futures

‘The value of the medico-legal market fell by 18% to £650m last year because of Covid reducing the number of new personal injury cases and slowing down those already in progress.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 8th July 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Good Law Project’s PPE claim fails after service blunder – Law Society’s Gazette

‘High-profile legal campaigners have been dealt a blow in their latest challenge to the government – after correctly serving the right papers a day too late.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 5th July 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Law Society warns against remote hearings in public law children cases where parties have limited access to technology – Local Government Lawyer

‘Public law children cases where a party has limited access to technology or where parties require an intermediary or a translator are instances where remote hearings may not be the best format, the Law Society has warned.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 5th July 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

A hostile environment risks undermining the jab – EIN Blog

Posted July 6th, 2021 in coronavirus, government departments, immigration, news, vaccination by sally

‘The UK government’s hostile environment policy introduced by Theresa May in May 2012 may undermine what is otherwise a successful Covid vaccination programme. This policy designed to make life so unbearable that “unwelcome migrants” would simply be forced to pack their bags and leave because they cannot access employment, healthcare, accommodation etc. could potentially leave unidentifiable swathes of people unable to access the Covid jab.’

Full Story

EIN Blog, 5th June 2021

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Breathing Space for Wales? Extension of possession notices, restarting of eviction warrants and a new Hardship Grant – Nearly Legal

Posted July 5th, 2021 in coronavirus, news, regulations, repossession, Wales, warrants by tracey

‘We are grateful to Mike Norman of Harrow Law Centre for this update on the position on possession notices and proceedings in Wales. In many ways the latest updating Welsh regulations dealing with possession notices, applying from 30th June 2021, are refreshingly straightforward – certainly compared to the rather more circuitous journey taken by its (admittedly increasingly distant) English cousin.’

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Nearly Legal, 4th July 2021

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Legal lifeline for people in need – Ministry of Justice

‘People who have fallen on hard times during the pandemic will be helped by extra funding for free legal advice, the government has announced.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 1st July 2021

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

“Busy” costs lawyers see rise in solicitor/own client disputes – Litigation Futures

Posted June 29th, 2021 in coronavirus, costs, law firms, news, solicitors, statistics by sally

‘Half of Costs Lawyers are busier than ever as the legal market continues to recover from the depths of the pandemic, with former clients suing their solicitors a fast-growing area of practice, new research has shown.’

Full Story

Litigation Futures, 28th June 2021

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

‘It just doesn’t stop!’ Do we need a new law to ban out-of-hours emails? – The Guardian

Posted June 29th, 2021 in coronavirus, electronic mail, employment, news, working time by sally

‘During the pandemic many workers have felt more under siege than ever from work emails that arrive at all hours. Could the legal right to disconnect help?’

Full Story

The Guardian, 29th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Court of Protection case update – Local Government Update

‘Aaqib Javed and Holly Littlewood review the latest cases of interest to Court of Protection practitioners.’

Full Story

Local Government Update, 25th June 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Crown court backlog hits record high of 60,000 cases as victims wait years for justice – The Independent

‘The backlog of crown court cases in England and Wales has hit a record number of almost 60,000 as waiting times rocket for victims and defendants.’

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The Independent, 24th June 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Public inquiry into Covid must begin now, says senior judge – The Guardian

‘A public inquiry into Covid should be launched immediately, a senior retired judge has said with a warning that if it does not report back for four or five years “it ceases to form a useful function”.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mediation – Don’t panic in the Pandemic – be prepared – 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square

‘The coronavirus pandemic and the current and continuing lockdown imposed by government has led to a number of consequences for the resolution of commercial disputes, and the administration of justice. First is where trials are being adjourned to uncertain dates, currently unable to take place due to the inability or unwillingness of people to attend court. Second is what is going to happen when the lockdown is eased or lifted, and disputes, which have been building up in the normal course, enter the system creating a backlog. Judges are understandably concerned that the courts and arbitral tribunals could face and potentially be overwhelmed by a wave of commercial cases. A number of these disputes will have arisen due to the parties’ inability to honour their contractual obligations due to the lockdown with complicated issues of law as to the remedies available.’

Full Story

4-5 Gray's Inn Square, 21st June 2021

Source: www.4-5.co.uk

Revise sickness policies ahead of UK winter flu – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 24th, 2021 in coronavirus, employment, flexible working, news, sick leave, vaccination by sally

‘UK employers should revise their sickness policies before an anticipated increase in seasonal flu cases this winter to ensure lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic are reflected, an employment law expert has said.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 23rd June 2021

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

What employees need to know about their rights during COVID – Oxford Human Rights Hub

Posted June 24th, 2021 in coronavirus, employment, flexible working, news, remuneration by sally

‘Since the start of the global COVID pandemic, many employees have experienced upheaval, uncertainty, and disruption within their jobs. Some employees have experienced worry about their own personal safety when they are present at their place of work. For others, being furloughed might have put their long-term career aspirations into doubt. With COVID restrictions now easing and the UK firmly following the roadmap out of lockdown, new questions are emerging about employee rights. However, it is important to remember that all employees still have significant rights during COVID.’

Full Story

Oxford Human Rights Hub, 21st June 2021

Source: ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk

Three in four domestic abuse cases end without charge in England and Wales – The Guardian

‘Three in four domestic abuse offences reported to the police are closed without a perpetrator being charged, a watchdog has said, amid fears the figures have worsened during the pandemic.’

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The Guardian, 23rd June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

What Are The Rights-Based Implications Of Vaccine Passports? – Each Other

Posted June 23rd, 2021 in coronavirus, equality, holidays, human rights, news, passports, vaccination by sally

‘Following news that 15 EU countries are issuing Covid-19 vaccine passports for travel, the debate over whether vaccine passports are fair is growing.’

Full Story

Each Other, 21st June 2021

Source: eachother.org.uk

Were Do Not Resuscitate Orders Illegally Placed on Disabled People? – Each Other

‘Throughout the pandemic, unlawful do not resuscitate orders (DNRs) were placed upon people in the United Kingdom. Did it unfairly target disabled patients?’

Full Story

Each Other, 22nd June 2021

Source: eachother.org.uk