“Outrage” as only partners are allowed to work from home – Legal Futures

‘A union representing legal workers has expressed outrage at the “classist allocation of risk” that is seeing law firm partners work from home while other staff are forced into the office during the coronavirus pandemic.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 18th March 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Presidential Guidance in Connection with the Conduct of Employment Tribunal Proceedings During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Tribunals Judiciary

‘This Guidance is issued in accordance with Rule 7 of the Employment Tribunals Rules of Procedure (“the Rules”). The Rules are set out in Schedule 1 of the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2013.’

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Tribunals Judiciary, 18th March 2020

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Coronavirus: Jury trials, message from the Lord Chief Justice – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted March 18th, 2020 in coronavirus, courts, health, health & safety, juries, news, trials by sally

‘The impact of the public health emergency on the operation of the courts has been under constant review. In all jurisdictions steps are being taken to enable as many hearings as possible to be conducted with some or all of the participants attending by telephone, video-link or online. Many court hearings will be able to continue as normal with appropriate precautions being taken. We must make every effort to maintain a functioning court system in support of the administration of justice and rule of law.’

Full Story

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 17th March 2020

Source: www.judiciary.uk

HMCTS issues guidance for courts and tribunals users during coronavirus outbreak – Local Government Lawyer

‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service has today (13 March) issued guidance for all court and tribunal users during the coronavirus outbreak.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 13th March 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Grenfell Inquiry: Aesthetics v safety v money – BBC News

‘Grenfell was the worst residential fire in UK peacetime history, with 72 people losing their lives. We now know what happened – the report on phase one of the public inquiry has been published – but the next phase is spending months investigating why it happened, and considering who might be to blame.’

Full Story

BBC News, 13th March 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Councils and Electoral Commission welcome government decision to put May 2020 elections back by one year – Local Government Lawyer

Posted March 16th, 2020 in delay, elections, health & safety, local government, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The government has decided to postpone the 7 May 2020 local and mayoral elections in England for one year.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 13th March 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Kaden Reddick: Topshop queue barrier death was accident – BBC News

‘A 10-year-old boy who was killed by a falling queue barrier at a Topshop store died accidentally, a coroner has said.’

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BBC News, 10th March 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New support plan to improve jails – Ministry of Justice

‘A new intensive support programme will help challenging jails to improve safety and rehabilitation, Prisons Minister Lucy Frazer announced today (28 February 2020).’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 28th February 2020

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

Corporate witnesses in Grenfell Tower inquiry given immunity from prosecution – The Independent

Posted February 27th, 2020 in fire, health & safety, immunity, inquiries, news, witnesses by tracey

‘Witnesses from firms called to the Grenfell inquiry have won their fight for immunity from prosecution for their evidence, despite a lawyer for the victims describing the idea as “abhorrent”.’

Attorney General’s undertaking

Full Story

The Independent, 26th February 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK venues could face legal duty to provide protection from terrorism – The Guardian

‘The owners and operators of businesses and public spaces such as concert halls, shopping centres and parks will be legally bound to protect such venues from terrorism under a new statutory duty proposed by the government.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th February 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judge says cowboy traders can be ‘professional, legitimate and hard working’ as he jails rogue plumber – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 12th, 2020 in building law, health & safety, licensing, news, sentencing by sally

‘A judge has said cowboy traders can be “professional, legitimate and hard working”, as he jailed a rogue plumber.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 11th February 2020

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Fraud charges possible over Grenfell Tower refit, says inquiry chair – The Guardian

Posted February 11th, 2020 in conspiracy, fire, fraud, health & safety, inquiries, news by sally

‘People involved in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower are facing possible charges of fraud and conspiracy to defraud, according to the chairman of the public inquiry into the disaster that claimed 72 lives.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 10th February 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Grenfell Tower inquiry backs protection for refurbishment firms giving evidence – BBC News

‘The chairman of the Grenfell Tower inquiry has backed a request from firms that refurbished the building that evidence they give should not be used against them in criminal prosecutions.’

Full Story

BBC News, 7th February 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Two in five prisons in poor condition, watchdog finds – The Guardian

‘The government is failing in its efforts to improve prison conditions, with record levels of safety breaches and “huge” backlogs in repairs, Whitehall’s spending watchdog has found. The National Audit Office said plans to “provide and maintain safe, secure and decent prisons” had not been carried out.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 7th February 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Walsh v CP Hart & Sons Ltd [2020] EWHC 37 (QB) (13 January 2020) – Parklane Plowden Chambers

Posted February 6th, 2020 in chambers articles, health & safety, news, personal injuries by sally

‘The Claimant sustained serious head injuries when he fell from the back of a vehicle when delivering goods in the course of his employment with the Defendant. The tail lift on the vehicle had been lowered by the Claimant. Shortly afterwards he had either stepped backwards or lost his footing, falling approximately one metre to the ground.’

Full Story

Parklane Plowden Chambers, 3rd February 2020

Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk

People who worked on Grenfell Tower ‘could face life sentences’ – The Guardian

‘People who worked on the Grenfell Tower refurbishment could face the threat of being jailed for life, their lawyers have said, with witnesses interviewed by police believing they could be charged with manslaughter.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 30th January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Grenfell Tower fire: Firms want immunity over evidence – BBC News

Posted January 30th, 2020 in evidence, fire, health & safety, immunity, inquiries, news, prosecutions by tracey

‘Firms involved in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower have asked the public inquiry into the fire for a guarantee that anything they say in the hearings will not be used for any prosecution.’

Full Story

BBC News, 29th January 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Bolton Fire Highlights Ongoing High-Rise Health And Safety Issues – 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square

Posted January 28th, 2020 in fire, health & safety, inquiries, news, reports by sally

‘It could easily have been another Grenfell Tower. On Friday, 15 November 2019, over 100 people were forced to flee The Cube in Bolton, Greater Manchester, after a fire broke out and spread with devastating speed through the upper floors.’

Full Story

4-5 Gray's Inn Square, 24th January 2020

Source: www.4-5.co.uk

Government to set up new regulator for oversight of high-risk buildings – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Government has unveiled plans for a new regulator to oversee the design, construction and occupation of high-risk buildings.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, January 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Grenfell Tower fire: Second phase of inquiry to begin – BBC News

‘The second phase of the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry is to begin later, days after one of its panellists resigned.’

Full Story

BBC News, 27th January 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk