Family Justice Board statement: Priorities for the family justice system – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted December 11th, 2020 in families, family courts, press releases by tracey

‘The Family Justice Board has produced a statement, that summarises the priority actions it intends to pursue in response both to immediate pressures within the family justice system, and to bring about longer-term reform.’

Full press release

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 10th December 2020

Source: www.judiciary.uk

London man who killed his children detained in hospital indefinitely – The Guardian

‘A man who slit the throats of his two young children during lockdown has been detained in hospital indefinitely.’

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The Guardian, 10th December 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Home Office sued by family of Windrush man refused UK citizenship – The Guardian

‘The family of a Windrush man denied British citizenship on the grounds that he failed a good character requirement are suing the Home Office to try to change legislation, arguing the rules are racially discriminatory.’

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The Guardian, 10th December 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Louise Smith death: Shane Mays guilty of murdering teenager in woods – BBC News

Posted December 9th, 2020 in children, families, murder, news by sally

‘A man has been found guilty of the “sexually-motivated” murder of a teenager whose body he set on fire.’

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BBC News, 8th December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

It was “none of your business”, High Court judge tells council which refused to take part in mediation over EHC Plan because mother wanted to bring her lawyer – Local Government Lawyer

‘A mother was entitled to bring a lawyer to support her at a mediation of her dispute with Hillingdon Council about her son’s Education, Health and Care Plan and the local authority was in breach of its statutory duties by refusing to participate, a High Court judge has ruled.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 7th December 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Guidance on the approach to applications under section 10A of POCA 2002—civil rules and the family home (R v Forte) – 5SAH

‘This case sets out the key principles and procedure to be followed under applications pursuant to section 10A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA 2002) where the court has to determine the extent of the interest of a third party in property held by a defendant that is likely to be realised or otherwise used to satisfy a confiscation order. The court held that where the prosecution intends to prove that a defendant has a beneficial interest in property and another holds, or may hold, an interest in that property, the burden and standard to be applied are those of the civil standard. Where matrimonial property is concerned, the court is entitled to look to the evidence and draw such inferences as they see fit to determine whether beneficial interest should follow legal title. Such evidence can include sham divorce proceedings and the use of property for a joint purpose.’

Full Story

5SAH, 30th November 2020

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

Met faces legal action over spies’ use of dead children’s identities – The Guardian

Posted December 7th, 2020 in bereavement, children, families, news, police, professional conduct, spying by sally

‘The relatives of dead children whose identities were stolen by undercover police officers have launched legal action against the Metropolitan police over their resulting trauma.’

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The Guardian, 7th December 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ombudsman criticises council after cancellation of transport sees teenager with autism miss start of term – Local Government Lawyer

‘A council has agreed to pay more than £2,400 in compensation after an investigation from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman into the termination of a child’s transport to school.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 4th December 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Covid-19: ‘Do not resuscitate’ decisions complaints up – BBC News

Posted December 4th, 2020 in bereavement, care homes, complaints, coronavirus, doctors, families, medical treatment, news by sally

‘Doctors may have made “do not resuscitate” decisions on a blanket basis in the first wave of the pandemic, the care watchdog has warned.’

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BBC News, 3rd December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Harry Dunn’s family can appeal against High Court ruling – BBC News

‘The parents of Harry Dunn have been granted permission to appeal against a High Court ruling over the diplomatic immunity of his alleged killer.’

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BBC News, 3rd December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

East Yorkshire hospital trust pays millions over child’s brain damage – BBC News

‘A child who suffered brain damage after a catastrophic fall in blood sugar levels within days of his birth is to get millions of pounds in compensation.’

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BBC News, 3rd December 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Child Trust Fund court fees waived for parents – Ministry of Justice

‘Parents or guardians of children who lack mental capacity can ask for court fees to be waived when seeking access to a Child Trust Fund, the government has announced today (1 December, 2020).’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 1st December 2020

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

Father who threw baby in river ‘slipped through’ mental health care net, says judge – The Guardian

‘A man who threw his infant son into a river “slipped through the net” of mental health services, a judge has said. Zak Bennett-Eko, 23, was sentenced to a hospital order on Tuesday after being found guilty of the manslaughter by diminished responsibility of his 11-month-old son Zakari.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 1st December 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jamaican nationals taken off charter flight in eleventh hour over trafficking concerns – The Independent

‘A number of Jamaican nationals who were due to be deported have been granted last minute reprieve after the Home Office acknowledged they may be victims of modern slavery. Thirteen people were forcibly removed from the UK to Jamaica in the early hours of Wednesday. At least 10 of those who had been due to fly were taken off the flight hours before it was due to leave following legal intervention.’

Full Story

The Independent, 2nd December 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK government pays out to family of IPP prisoner who killed himself – The Guardian

Posted December 1st, 2020 in bereavement, compensation, families, mental health, news, prisons, sentencing, suicide by sally

‘The family of a prisoner who killed himself after being handed a controversial “never-ending” sentence has received damages from the government in an out-of-court settlement, the Guardian has learned.’

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The Guardian, 30th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Landmark inquest to rule if air pollution killed London pupil – The Guardian

‘An inquest is to consider evidence that illegal levels of air pollution caused the death of a nine-year-old girl, in a landmark legal case.’

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The Guardian, 30th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Lawyers aren’t a charity’: Family judge awards £60k incurred costs – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted November 30th, 2020 in children, costs, families, family courts, financial provision, news by sally

‘The High Court has awarded five-figure costs midway through family litigation and made the point that the lawyers involved should not be expected to wait for payment.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 27th November 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

What really happened to Edson Da Costa? – The Guardian

‘He was 25, a father and a car mechanic. Five minutes after being stopped by police on 15 June 2017, he was lying unresponsive on the ground. After an inquest and inquiry, family and friends are still fighting for justice’

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The Guardian, 29th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Family of man killed by convicted terrorist sue UK government – The Guardian

‘The family of a young man stabbed to death by a convicted terrorist are suing the government over alleged failures to manage the attacker in the community.’

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The Guardian, 26th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elizabeth Dixon death investigation reveals “20-year cover-up” – The Guardian

‘The government has apologised for a “20-year cover-up” over the death of 11-month-old Elizabeth Dixon, whose parents have fought an unrelenting battle for the truth.’

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The Guardian, 26th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com