Structural racism behind increased Taser use against black people, report finds – The Guardian

Posted December 13th, 2023 in equality, firearms, news, police, race discrimination, racism by sally

‘Police are far more likely to use a Taser electrical weapon against black people due to structural and institutional racism rather than the views of individual officers, a new report says.’

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The Guardian, 13th December 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judiciary blamed for upsurge of bullying at bar – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted December 11th, 2023 in barristers, bullying, equality, harassment, judiciary, news, statistics by tracey

‘The bar is reporting a fresh surge of concern about bullying, harassment and discrimination – with most of the reports identifying members of the judiciary as culprits.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 8th December 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Veterans demand Commons debate on review into past armed forces gay ban – BBC News

‘The government has dropped a key commitment to veterans who were sacked or forced out of the military for being gay, sources have told the BBC.’

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BBC News, 11th December 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Lincoln’s Inn looks to tackle “unacceptable” bullying and harassment – Legal Futures

Posted December 8th, 2023 in barristers, bullying, diversity, equality, harassment, inns of court, news, statistics by michael

‘The historic body has put in place an interim action plan to address the issue, including diversity and inclusion training and an anonymised reporting mechanism.’

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Legal Futures, 7th December 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Scottish court rules UK government veto of gender recognition bill lawful – The Guardian

Posted December 8th, 2023 in bills, devolution, devolution issues, equality, gender, news, Scotland, transgender persons by michael

‘In a ruling that will disappoint LGBTQ+ campaigners and offers a boost to Rishi Sunak at the end of a difficult week, Lady Haldane rejected the Scottish government’s petition to rule the UK government’s section 35 veto – contained in the 1998 Scotland Act, which created the devolved parliament – as unlawful.’

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The Guardian, 8th December 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Nearly half of Bar students now from ethnic minority backgrounds – Legal Futures

Posted December 1st, 2023 in barristers, diversity, equality, legal education, news, pupillage, statistics by tracey

‘Nearly half of UK students on the Bar training course are now from ethnic minority backgrounds, compared to a quarter a decade ago, according to new figures.’

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Legal Futures, 1st December 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Tis’ the season to be jolly, but avoid the pitfalls! – Employment Law Blog

Posted November 30th, 2023 in alcohol abuse, employment, equality, health & safety, news by sally

‘Whilst many employees may be welcoming the arrival of the festive season and the array of office parties and workplace socials involved, senior managers and HR will be putting their thinking caps on, as well as their Santa hats, to seek ways to minimise the possibilities of any fallout following the merry times.’

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Employment Law Blog, 30th November 2023

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

High Court grants permission for legal challenge over lack of legal aid for school exclusion appeals – Local Government Lawyer

‘The High Court has granted permission for a claimant to challenge the lack of legal aid for appeals before an Independent Review Panel (IRP), the independent body that reviews the lawfulness of permanent exclusions.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 29th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

UK’s human-rights watchdog at risk of UN downgrade – The Guardian

‘Britain’s equality watchdog could lose its right to participate at the UN human rights council as a result of complaints about its independence and record on transgender rights.’

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The Guardian, 28th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Gender Reassignment Protection Within the Equality Act 2010 – Parklane Plowden Chambers

‘Protection for individuals who are transgender is conferred by Section 7 of the Equality Act 2010 which makes ‘gender reassignment’ a protected characteristic.’

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Parklane Plowden Chambers, 4th October 2023

Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk

“Rude and disruptive” caseworker must pay £20,000 costs to law firm – Legal Futures

Posted November 22nd, 2023 in costs, employment, employment tribunals, equality, law firms, news, race discrimination by sally

‘A “rude and disruptive” caseworker who “embroiled” a national law firm in a “vast, unmeritorious” discrimination claim must pay £20,000 in costs, an employment tribunal has ruled.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd November 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

‘True equality alongside excellence’: Jason Pitter KC – Counsel

Posted November 20th, 2023 in barristers, diversity, equality, news, race discrimination, racism by tracey

‘The North Eastern Circuit Leader on his trailblazing career, turbulent early years of practice and his mission to equip all barristers, regardless of their characteristics, with the opportunity to thrive. Interview by Glenn Parsons.’

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Counsel, 13th November 2023

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

National firm win costs order over ‘vexatious’ employment tribunal claim – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted November 20th, 2023 in costs, employment, employment tribunals, equality, law firms, news, vexatious litigants by tracey

‘A national firm has been awarded £20,000 in costs after an employment tribunal found the claimant was vexatious and conducted proceedings unreasonably “almost from their inception.” ’

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Law Society's Gazette, 20th November 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Sixty women at MoD complain of widespread ‘toxic’ and ‘hostile’ behaviour – The Guardian

‘Sixty senior women at the UK’s Ministry of Defence have described a “hostile” and “toxic” culture at the department in a letter that alleges sexual assault, harassment and abuse by male colleagues.’

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The Guardian, 16th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Lessons for Employers in handling Gender-transition at work – AB v Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames – Old Square Chambers

‘The London South Employment Tribunal (EJ McLaren and lay members) has handed down judgment and written reasons in AB v Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames.’

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Old Square Chambers, 19th October 2023

Source: oldsquare.co.uk

Lancashire teacher wins £800k over cancer discrimination – BBC News

‘An early years specialist who was told to reapply for her job while being treated for cancer before being sacked has been awarded an £800,000 pay-out.’

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BBC News, 7th November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rise in UK employment tribunal claims alleging neurodiversity discrimination – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 8th, 2023 in disabled persons, employment, employment tribunals, equality, news by sally

‘Helen Corden tells HRNews about supporting neurodiverse staff in the workplace.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 7th November 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Rebecca Kalam: Officer ‘vindicated’ after sex discrimination win – BBC News

‘A firearms officer awarded £30,000 after she was stripped down to her underwear during a training exercise said she felt “vindicated” by the decision.’

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BBC News, 8th November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

Posted November 3rd, 2023 in employment, energy, equality, internet, legislation, public procurement, rates by tracey

2023 c. 54 – Procurement Act 2023

2023 c. 53 – Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023

2023 c. 51 – Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023

2023 c. 50 – Online Safety Act 2023

2023 c. 52 – Energy Act 2023

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Men start earning more than women at the Bar from day one – Legal Futures

Posted November 2nd, 2023 in barristers, diversity, equality, news, remuneration, sex discrimination, statistics, women by sally

‘Earnings diverge between male and female barristers in every practice area from the start of their careers – when the differential is 17% – and peak at 11-15 years’ call, new research has found.’

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Legal Futures, 2nd November 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk