‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been asked to review evidence into the death of a railway worker who was reportedly spat at by a man claiming to have coronavirus.’
BBC News, 5th June 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Britain’s three biggest airlines have started legal proceedings against the government in a bid to overturn quarantine rules due to take effect in the UK from Monday.’
The Guardian, 7th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘For seven weeks Covid-19 shut the doors of jury trials in England and Wales. On 11th May 2020, the Lord Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor announced the resumption of new jury trials in “certain courtrooms under certain conditions” from 18th May 2020. In the interim, two guinea pig trials resumed at the Old Bailey.’
Doughty Street Chambers, 18th May 2020
Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk
‘Cases regarding secondary exposure to risk by employees’ family members have tended to focus on whether exposure of the employee was sufficient to place the employer under an obligation to act, and whether there was sufficient industry knowledge for the employer to appreciate the “secondary exposure” risk.’
Ropewalk Chambers, 15th May 2020
Source: www.ropewalk.co.uk
‘At the time of writing, the UK remains subject to stringent and extensive measures which have been enacted by Parliament in response to the Covid19 pandemic. Although there has been some relaxation since the “lockdown” was first introduced in mid-March 2020, large parts of the economy remain on hold. This has had and will continue, for some time, to have an effect on the ability and desire of parties to contracts for the sale and/or development of land to perform their obligations. It will also affect the extent to which transactions of this sort continue to be entered into and the terms of sale and development agreements may well need to adapt to the changing landscape.’
Falcon Chambers, May 2020
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
‘On 21 April, the House of Commons passed a motion approving the introduction of “hybrid proceedings” to minimise the need for physical attendance in Parliament during the coronavirus lockdown. Since then, electronic voting has been facilitated to allow MPs to participate remotely in parliamentary votes (“divisions”). MPs cast their first remote vote on 12 May. However, the provision for remote voting has now lapsed. On 2 June, MPs are being asked to approve a motion which would make it mandatory for them to attend Parliament in order to participate in divisions. The proposal has caused consternation for MPs who are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus, or who live with vulnerable family members, as well as adverse comment from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.’
Cloisters, 2nd June 2020
Source: www.cloisters.com
‘Sir Robert Francis QC (sitting as a deputy high court judge) recently handed down his judgment in Harris v Bartrums Haulage and Storage Ltd and another [2020] EWHC 900 (QB). It serves as a useful reminder of what employers must do to discharge their duty of care in terms of training and risk assessments. The key is being able to show that they are more than a “mere formality” [110]. On the facts of Harris, Sir Robert found that the First Defendant had acted negligently but dismissed the claim on causation. However, his critique of the First Defendant’s training and risk assessment process is relevant to all employers.’
12 King's Bench Walk, 26th May 2020
Source: www.12kbw.co.uk
‘Anti-racism protests are taking place across the UK to demand justice following the death of George Floyd, the unarmed black man killed in US police custody.’
Each Other, 5th June 2020
Source: eachother.org.uk
‘A daughter whose father died of suspected COVID-19 in a care home is to launch a legal action “to hold the government to account”.’
Local Government Lawyer, 4th June 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘Over half the UK’s wealth is in property. That is more than £7 trillion in just England and Wales, of which around £1-1.5 trillion is secured by lending. The provision of sufficient housing of the right type, in the right places and at affordable prices is a perennial problem. A crisis existed before the Corona-19 virus appeared. The Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick, described this as an “acute housing need in this country” As we continue to work through lockdown, we must contemplate life afterwards. No-one has a crystal ball. However, mature thinking and past experience might illuminate possible pathways.’
33 Bedford Row, 18th May 2020
Source: www.33bedfordrow.co.uk
‘In this blog, employment barristers Michael Sprack and Amrit Bachu identify the obligations on employers to ensure the safety of their workers, particularly workers returning to work during Covid-19, and consider practical steps that workers can take.’
1MCB Chambers, 19th May 2020
Source: 1mcb.com
‘The time litigants have to wait to reach trial in civil claims reached record lengths even before the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic hit, new government figures have revealed.’
Litigation Futures, 4th June 2020
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
‘This post, written by a member of the Doughty Street Chambers’ Children’s Rights Group, raises questions about the necessity and proportionality of the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. It suggests that the Regulations are likely to breach the UK’s international human rights commitments at a time when children need such protections more than ever.’
Doughty Street Chambers, 19th May 2020
Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk
‘The Master of the Rolls, Sir Terence Etherton, the chair of the independent Civil Justice Council and Head of Civil Justice, has welcomed the Civil Justice Council’s rapid review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the civil justice system, particularly the swift expansion of the use of remote hearings. The review, conducted with the support of the Legal Education Foundation, launched on 1 May 2020 and concluded on 15 May 2020. It was particularly aimed at court users whose hearings took place between 1 May and 7 May 2020.’
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 5th June 2020
Source: www.judiciary.uk
‘Thousands of tenants who have struggled to pay rent during the pandemic lockdown face the prospect of losing their home from the end of the month when the government’s temporary ban on evictions ends, housing campaigners have warned.’
The Guardian, 4th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
A group of senior former judges and legal academics has called for an acceleration in the take-up of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the face of commercial contract disputes arising from Covid-19.
Litigation Futures, 4th June 2020
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
‘With employees starting to return to work (be that on a part-time basis or otherwise) and employers continuing to assess the viability of their businesses as going concerns, how might employers make changes to an employees’ contractual terms lawfully in order to avoid redundancies, for instance agreeing a reduction in wages?’
3PB, 2nd June 2020
Source: www.3pb.co.uk
‘The guidance is aimed at acquiring authorities. However, it is equally important for those on the other side to know the changing expectations. The most notable change is in respect of forthcoming Compulsory Purchase Orders (‘CPOs’). This article provides a summary of and commentary on the latest guidance.’
4-5 Gray's Inn Square, 29th May 2020
Source: www.4-5.co.uk
‘The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to the economy and to businesses, many of whom are now facing significant financial difficulty. The Government presented the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill to Parliament on 20 May 2020 (“the Bill”). The Bill includes several provisions designed to guard against a deluge of insolvencies during this period and, if enacted, will operate retrospectively.’
3 Hare Court, 2nd June 2020
Source: www.3harecourt.com
‘Simon Randle, Vivienne Sedgley and Katharine Elliot analyse government measures to restart the housing market and how they impact on the planning system.’
4-5 Gray's Inn Square, 29th May 2020
Source: www.4-5.co.uk
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