Solicitor failed to check whether jailed client wanted to sell property – Legal Futures

‘A veteran solicitor did not confirm that his imprisoned client had given instructions to transfer a £300,000 property to his mother, with the client claiming after it happened that he knew nothing about it, a tribunal has heard.’

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Legal Futures, 24th February 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

‘Extraordinary’: court hears how claimant won case two years after his death – Law Society’s Gazette

‘AHigh Court judge has described as ‘utterly bizarre’ that a claim form was issued in a land ownership case on behalf of a claimant who had died almost 18 months previously.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 23rd February 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Council misapplied its Allocation Scheme by treating a “preference” given to families with children as an automatic decision in their favour – Garden Court Chambers

Posted February 19th, 2021 in chambers articles, children, families, housing, judicial review, local government, news by sally

‘The Claimant lived with her three adult children, one of whom (Zakiya) had cerebral palsy and learning difficulties. Due to her disabilities, Zakiya needed to live in a property with various adaptations, including a level-access shower, access to stairs with bilateral handrails, and (preferably) a downstairs toilet.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 17th February 2021

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Deprivation of liberty, family members and what s4B does (and doesn’t) say – Local Government Lawyer

‘A judge recently considered very strong objections levelled by a family member to the idea that they were depriving their adult child of their liberty. She also helpfully clarified the current (limited) scope of s.4B MCA 2005, writes Alex Ruck Keene.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 19th February 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Nuffield Family Justice Observatory to consult on use of supervision orders in care proceedings – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (FJO) has launched a consultation seeking views about supervision orders and their use in care proceedings.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 17th February 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Judge hits out at lack of regulated placement for vulnerable, suicidal 16 year old, despite 11 High Court hearings and sending series of judgments to ministers – Local Government Lawyer

‘An exasperated High Court judge has sent a fourth judgment to ministers over the continuing unavailability of a regulated placement for a vulnerable 16 year old with multifaceted difficulties and at a high risk of serious self-harm or suicide.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th February 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Victims of crimes ‘re-traumatised’ by system – BBC News

Posted February 9th, 2021 in bills, codes of practice, crime, criminal justice, families, news, victims by tracey

‘When Tracey Hanson’s son, Josh, was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack in 2015, it was the start of a tough journey through the criminal justice system. She said she was “passed from pillar to post” throughout and the impact stays with her today. Experiences like hers – and others who have been victims of crime – is driving a fresh call from Labour for a “Victims’ Law” to strengthen their rights.’

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BBC News, 8th February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Practice Direction 12J & Scott Schedules – Rearranging a spider’s web – Family Law Week

Posted February 8th, 2021 in appeals, children, domestic violence, families, family courts, news, practice directions by tracey

‘Jeremy Ford, Partner at Cambridge Family Law Practice LLP, calls for clarity in the court’s attitude to Scott Schedules when considering what is relevant to its welfare determination.’

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Family Law Week, 3rd February 2021

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Domestic abuse victims stalked as family courts share refuge addresses with ex-partners, commissioner warns – The Independent

‘The family courts are putting domestic abuse victims and children at grave risk by sharing the secret addresses of shelters with the abusive ex-partner they are fleeing, and some survivors are suffering stalking as a result, London’s independent victims’ commissioner has warned.’

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The Independent, 7th February 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Gosport hospital deaths: Families ‘need Hillsborough-style inquests’ – BBC News

‘Relatives of patients who died after receiving “dangerous” levels of painkillers at Gosport War Memorial Hospital have called for new inquests.’

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BBC News, 5th February 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Anthony Grainger family to continue legal fight over fatal shooting by police – The Guardian

‘The family of an unarmed man who was fatally shot by police have vowed to continue their fight for answers after the official watchdog dropped its investigation into the operation.’

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The Guardian, 4th February 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

New rules for legal practice: guidance for legal professionals – Family Law

‘The Ministry of Justice has published a page on the gov.uk website bringing together guidance for legal professionals on the new rules for various areas of legal practice.’

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Family Law, 28th January 2021

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Family wins lawsuit against NHS trust over woman’s decomposed body – The Guardian

‘The family of a woman whom they suspect was killed has won a lawsuit against a health trust that allowed her body to decompose to the point that experts were unable to rule out third-party involvement in the death in a first-of-its kind ruling.’

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The Independent, 29th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Notification of Fathers and Wider Family Members in Relinquishment Cases: A Recap – Family Law Week

‘Olivia Kirkbride, a pupil barrister at Coram Chambers, considers two recent, contrasting cases in which mothers sought to relinquish newly born children without notifying the fathers and family members.’

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Family Law Week, 27th January 2021

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Harry Dunn crash: Biden team says Anne Sacoolas extradition refusal ‘final’ – BBC News

‘The new Biden administration has said the US government’s decision to refuse an extradition request for Harry Dunn’s alleged killer was “final”.’

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BBC News, 28th January 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Senior judge authorises giving Covid-19 vaccine to 80-year-old woman in care home despite objections of son – Local Government Lawyer

‘It was lawful and in the best interests of an 80-year-old care home resident with dementia and schizophrenia to be vaccinated against Covid-19 despite the objections of her son, the Vice-President of the Court of Protection has ruled.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 27th January 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Taking Liberties: A simple guide to DOL – Transparency Project

Posted January 28th, 2021 in care homes, children, detention, families, human rights, local government, news by sally

‘This article is about Deprivation of Liberty involving children.’

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Transparency Project, 27th January 2021

Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk

Gurpreet Singh guilty of wife’s murder in Wolverhampton – BBC News

Posted January 28th, 2021 in domestic violence, families, imprisonment, murder, news, sentencing by sally

‘A “callous” husband who pretended his wife had been killed in a burglary has been found guilty of her murder.’

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BBC News, 27th January 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Running on Empty: New report finds serious problems with legal help for the public – The Bar Council

Posted January 25th, 2021 in barristers, bereavement, civil justice, families, inquests, legal aid, news by tracey

‘A newly published report “Running on Empty” from the Bar Council, which represents all barristers in England and Wales, reveals the severity of problems in the civil legal aid system.’

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The Bar Council, 15th January 2021

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Financial Remedy Update, January 2021 – Family Law Week

‘Naomi Shelton, Associate, Mills & Reeve LLP considers the important news and case law relating to financial remedies and divorce during December 2020.’

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Family Law Week, 21st January 2021

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk