Top judge slates firm over trial live-stream breach – Legal Futures

‘The president of the Queen’s Bench Division has strongly criticised lawyers in the London office of US firm McDermott Will & Emery (MWE) after they allowed a trial to be live-streamed to observers outside the UK without the court’s permission.’

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Legal Futures, 7th August 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Partner fired for ‘topping up’ fees overturns tribunal ruling – Legal Futures

‘The Employment Appeal Tribunal has overturned a ruling that a law firm was entitled to fire a partner who was accused of “topping up” legal aid fees with cash from a client’s father.’

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Legal Futures, 7th August 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

SRA imposes ban on trainee solicitor jailed for rape – Legal Futures

‘A one-time trainee solicitor who violently raped one woman and attempted to rape another has been banned from the profession.’

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Legal Futures, 5th August 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Former police chief convicted over child abuse video granted court of appeal hearing – The Guardian

‘A decorated former police chief has won two key battles in her fight to overturn her conviction for possessing a child abuse video and get her job back, the Guardian has learned.’

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The Guardian, 2nd August 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

New penalties proposed for rule-breaking MPs – BBC News

‘MPs could be banned from foreign trips or made to take anger management classes under a proposed revamp of Parliament’s sanctions regime.’

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BBC News, 21st July 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Case Comment – General Pharmaceutical Council v Kellett & Gamble (2020) QBD (Admin) 01/07/20; 6 WLUK 456: Regulator’s application to extend interim suspension orders: – Park Square Barristers

‘This was an application by the GPhC to extend interim orders for the suspension of the respondent husband and wife pharmacists who were co-directors of a company which owned three pharmacies.’

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Park Square Barristers, 6th July 2020

Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk

Watchdog challenges ruling on lethal force by UK firearms officers – The Guardian

‘A police watchdog has begun an appeal after failing to bring misconduct proceedings against a specialist firearms officer who shot and killed a man while trying to foil an attempt to snatch two prisoners from a prison van.’

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The Guardian, 7th July 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Criminals’ ‘go-to’ solicitor struck off while in jail – Legal Futures

‘A solicitor who was the ‘go to’ lawyer for a gang of criminals because he would not ask too many questions about where their money came has been struck off while serving seven years in jail.’

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Legal Futures, 7th July 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Misconduct panel’s decision to impose a final written warning for racist remarks quashed by the High Court – UK Police Law Blog

‘The Chief Constable of West Midlands Police has successfully challenged a misconduct hearing panel’s decision to impose a Final Written Warning (FWW), after an officer made racist remarks about a fellow officer: R (Chief Constable of West Midlands Police) v Panel Chair, Police Misconduct Panel [2020] EWHC 1400 (Admin). The decision confirms that the High Court will be prepared to intervene where panels fail to follow the College of Policing’s Guidance on Outcomes, and that misconduct involving discrimination will be treated especially seriously.’

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UK Police Law Blog, 3rd July 2020

Source: ukpolicelawblog.com

Solicitor amended form of authority not knowing client was dead – Legal Futures

Posted July 6th, 2020 in deceit, disciplinary procedures, documents, news, solicitors by sally

‘A solicitor who amended a client’s form of authority when he could not contact her and then sent it to her former employer – not knowing she had died – has been struck off for dishonesty.’

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Legal Futures, 6th July 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Drunken barrister reprimanded for threatening colleague – Legal Futures

‘A drunken barrister who threatened a fellow member of chambers in a bid to have them accede to a tenancy application has been reprimanded by a Bar disciplinary tribunal.’

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Legal Futures, 2nd July 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

GMC Allowed to Investigate Dual-Qualified Doctor/Solicitor for Actions Taken in Legal Practice – Old Square Chambers

‘In the recent case of Dr Ogunsanya and Taylor Woods Solicitors v General Medical Council [2020] EWHC 1500 (QB), Eady J rejected the Claimants’ application for an injunction against the General Medical Council (‘GMC’) preventing the GMC from investigating the actions of the First Claimant (who is dual qualified as a doctor and as a solicitor) on the basis that the GMC had no jurisdiction because he was acting in his capacity as a solicitor, and not as a doctor, at the time. In rejecting the application, Eady J held that the allegations, amounting as they did to potential allegations of dishonesty, did fall within the GMC’s jurisdiction given their potential to prejudice the reputation of the profession. That there might be an overlap with another regulatory regime (that of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (‘SRA’)) did not oust that jurisdiction.’

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Old Square Chambers, 23rd June 2020

Source: www.oldsquare.co.uk

Employment law: Dealing with race discrimination complaints following the Black Lives Matter movement – Parklane Plowden Chambers

‘The recent tragic death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has highlighted the need to tackle race discrimination in the workplace. Many businesses both in the UK and worldwide have made public statements reinforcing their commitment to equality and the BLM movement. Just as the #MeToo movement raised awareness of sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, recent events should be the catalyst for a renewed emphasis on preventing and tackling race discrimination and ensuring that BAME employees are supported in the workplace.’

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Parklane Plowden Chambers, 19th June 2020

Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk

Solicitor fined after conviction for abusive Facebook messages – Legal Futures

‘A junior solicitor diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome who was convicted after sending a woman he briefly dated a series of abusive Facebook messages has been fined £10,000 by a disciplinary tribunal.’

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Legal Futures, 24th June 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Solicitor faked court documents to mislead client – Legal Futures

‘A solicitor has been struck off for falsifying court documents to make a client think his application to extend his leave to remain in the UK had been made before the leave had expired.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd June 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Suspension suffices for doctor’s online sexual misconduct – UK Human Rights Blog

‘GMC v Awan concerns a GP’s sexually motivated online chat with someone posing as 13 year old child. The GMC’s appeal under section 40A of the Medical Act 1983 was dismissed by Mostyn J and the 9-month suspension imposed by the Tribunal was upheld.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 19th June 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

GMC can investigate solicitor doctor over legal advice – Legal Futures

‘A claim that a solicitor who is also a doctor provided dishonest advice to his clients can be subject to the General Medical Council’s (GMC) disciplinary process, the High Court has ruled.’

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Legal Futures, 15th June 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Racism campaigners call for police watchdog to be abolished – The Guardian

‘Black families in the UK whose loved ones have died in incidents involving the police have called for the abolition of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which investigates the police, and the immediate suspension of officers involved in deaths as part of a new plan to address systemic racism and unlawful killings.’

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The Guardian, 14th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Postmasters were prosecuted using unreliable evidence – BBC News

‘The Post Office prosecuted postmasters over missing money despite having evidence its own computer system could be to blame.’

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BBC News, 8th June 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Be wary of the ‘last straw’: Williams v Alderman Davies Church in Wales Primary School UKEAT/0108/19/LA – 3PB

‘The Claimant (“C”) was a primary school teacher who had worked for Alderman Davies Church in Wales Primary School (“the School”) for a number of years. The Respondent (“R”) was the governing body of the School. It was agreed between the parties that from April 2015, C had a disability by reason of a mental impairment affecting, in particular, his reaction to and behaviour in stressful situations.’

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3PB, 2nd June 2020

Source: www.3pb.co.uk