Data protection representative actions consultation opened – OUT-LAW.com

‘The UK government is considering whether to allow non-profit organisations to make data protection regulatory complaints and bring court claims on behalf of individuals without their consent.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 14th September 2020

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Kenneth Armstrong: Can the UK Breach the Withdrawal Agreement and Get Away With It? – the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘Can the UK Breach the Withdrawal Agreement and Get Away With It? – the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill.’

Full Story

UK Constitutional Law Association, 9th September 2020

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

New stop and search powers for convicted knife criminals – Home Office

‘Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs) are designed to ensure repeat offenders are more likely to be caught and put in prison.’

Full press release

Home Office, 14th September 2010

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Stop and search: Ministers launch consultation on extending powers for known knife offenders – The Independent

‘Ministers have launched a consultation to give police greater powers to stop and search individuals with prior knife convictions.’

Full Story

The Independent, 14th September 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Senior government lawyer quits over Brexit plans – BBC News

‘The government’s most senior lawyer is to quit his post over plans which could modify the Brexit withdrawal agreement.’

Full Story

BBC News, 8th September 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rodney Brazier: Why is Her Majesty’s Government so big? – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted September 7th, 2020 in constitutional law, government departments, news by sally

‘Before they entered government, both Dominic Cummings and Dominic Raab called for massive cuts in the size of the British Government. Raab suggested in 2013 that half of all government departments should be scrapped in order to save money; Cummings argued the following year that the Cabinet should consist of only six or seven people. I agree with them – at least to the extent that consideration is long overdue of whether there are too many government departments and too many Ministers.’

Full Story

UK Constitutional Law Association, 7th September 2020

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Campaigners start legal challenge to UK’s $1bn grant to Mozambique gas project – The Guardian

‘Environmentalists at Friends of the Earth will mount a legal challenge against the government’s decision to offer $1bn in financial support to a major fossil fuel project in Mozambique that they say is “incompatible” with the Paris climate agreement.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 7th September 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government spends £120m in taxpayer money fighting disability benefit claims in two years, figures show – The Independent

Posted September 2nd, 2020 in appeals, benefits, disabled persons, government departments, news, statistics, tribunals by sally

‘The government has spent more than £120m in taxpayers’ money fighting disability benefit claims in the last two years – despite losing three-quarters of tribunal appeals, The Independent can reveal.’

Full Story

The Independent, 1st September 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ban on evictions and notice periods extended in Government u-turn – St Ives Chambers

‘The stay imposed on possession proceedings was due to expire on Sunday 23 August 2020. However, in an 11th hour u-turn, Robert Jenrick announced on Friday afternoon that the ban on evictions would be extended for a further 4 weeks (taking the total ban to 6 months) in England and Wales. In a further, unforeseen twist, it was announced that a new 6 month notice period would be in place until at least 31 March 2021 (this applies to England only) in all matters save for “serious cases”, examples of which are anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse.’

Full Story

St Ives Chambers, 21st August 2020

Source: www.stiveschambers.co.uk

Government pledges post-Brexit qualifications recognition – Legal Futures

‘The UK government will put in place a temporary system to recognise the professional qualifications of EU lawyers post 1 January 2021 if no agreement is reached before Brexit, it has confirmed.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 28th August 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

A Conflict at the Heart of the Planning White Paper (And Some Skateboarding References)- Guildhall Chambers

‘Whilst much could be (and most of it has already been) written about the Government’s recent white paper on planning, two things struck me in particular.

First, how generous of Whitehall to offer such fertile ground to article-writing lawyers and other commentators searching for occupation during Covid-enforced idleness. There is only so much nourishment available via Zoom, and anyway, in terms of professional development, thanks to my planning bar colleagues and their prodigious supply of webinars (manifestly exceeding the need, whether assessed on a 5 year supply, standardised, or any other basis of your choice) all of us now know literally everything about the current policy and legislative regime that there is to know. Or at least, most of us do. Others have employed the unexpected gift of time more imaginatively: my two young sons and I, for example, are on the verge of perfecting the Frontside 180, which I reckon isn’t at all bad for three pre-lockdown non-skateboarders.’

Full Story

Guildhall Chambers, 25th August 2020

Source: www.guildhallchambers.co.uk

Home Office wrong to refer to ‘activist lawyers’, top official admits – The Guardian

‘The most senior civil servant at the Home Office has conceded that officials should not have used the phrase “activist lawyers” in a promotional video posted on Twitter, although the tweet remains online.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 27th August 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Windrush payout scheme not fit for purpose, say lawyers – The Guardian

‘The Windrush compensation scheme is failing to provide access to justice and is worsening people’s trauma, according to a letter sent from nine law firms to the home secretary.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 27th August 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Asylum seekers in last-minute UK legal bid to prevent removal – The Guardian

Posted August 26th, 2020 in asylum, deportation, government departments, immigration, news by sally

‘Dozens of asylum seekers who arrived in the UK on small boats are due to be put on charter flights over the next two days, while lawyers have launched last-minute high court challenges to prevent their removal.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 25th August 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Successful TOEIC appellants to be granted 2.5 years Leave to Remain – Garden Court Chambers

‘The Home Office has agreed that any TOEIC appellants who succeed in their appeals on Article 8 grounds, should be granted 2.5 years leave to remain.’

Full Story

Garden Court Chambers, 4th August 2020

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

A-level student launches legal bid against Ofqual – The Guardian

‘An A-level student has launched a legal bid against the exams regulator Ofqual to “force them to come up with a fairer system”.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 16th August 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

High Court judge remits Leeds site allocations plan to inspectors for reconsideration – Local Government Lawyer

Posted August 17th, 2020 in government departments, housing, local government, news, planning by sally

‘The High Court has remitted Leeds City Council’s site allocations plan to the Secretary of State For Housing, Communities and Local Government for reconsideration by planning inspectors, despite both the minister and the council opposing this course of action.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 13th August 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

A-level results: ‘Huge mess’ as exams appeal guidance withdrawn – BBC News

‘The exams regulator is reviewing its guidance on how to appeal against A-level and GCSE grades using mock exam results – hours after publishing it.’

Full Story

BBC News, 16th August 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

A-level Students Consider Legal Action Over Downgrade ‘Discrimination’ – Each Other

‘The government could face legal action over the mass downgrading of A-level results in England, with affected students saying they feel discriminated against over their school’s track-record.’

Full Story

Each Other, 13th August 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

Where to now? End of eviction ban leaves tenants fearing for future – The Guardian

‘Soon landlords will be able to take action against renters again, which many fear could lead to a rise in homelessness.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 9th August 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com