Andrew Butler KC reflects on the effect to date of the Building Safety Act 2022 – Tanfield Chambers

‘“Too early to tell” – the response famously attributed to Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai when he was asked about the effect of the French Revolution. The same response could be given in answer to a question about the effect of the Building Safety Act 2022. Given that the latter is 233 years the junior of the former, and only bursting into life incrementally even now, the answer would be somewhat easier to justify in this context. While, thankfully, the legislation has not quite generated the bloodshed seen on the streets of Paris in 1789, it is fair to say that its early stages have not been a model of liberté, egalité and fraternité themselves.’

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Tanfield Chambers, 19th October 2023

Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk

Private sector accommodation in discharge of duty – meeting the tests at the right time – Nearly Legal

‘Ayinla v London Borough of Newham. Central London County Court. 29 September 2023. The key issue was whether LB Newham had met the requirements of satisfying itself that a private sector tenancy offered in discharge of duty was suitable, with regard to the judgment in Hajjaj v City of Westminster (2021) EWCA Civ 1688 (our note) and the conditions in Article 3 of The Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012.’

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Nearly Legal, 22nd October 2023

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

London borough successfully prosecutes building owner over delays in removing dangerous cladding – Local Government Lawyer

‘Newham is understood to have become the first local authority in Britain to successfully prosecute a building owner for failing to remove flammable cladding.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 19th October 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

The Building Safety Act 2022 – Remediation Contribution Orders and Cost Recovery – Falcon Chambers

‘One of the things that may be surprising about remediation orders and remediation contribution orders, both potentially expensive pieces of litigation that leaseholders may be forced to pursue, is that the FtT’s jurisdiction on costs is the “no costs” jurisdiction under rule 13 of its Rules. Costs (beyond payment of application fees) can only be awarded by the FtT if a party has behaved unreasonably, a high threshold, or for wasted costs (likewise). Although the Building Safety Act 2022 did not expressly say that the FtT was to have this no costs jurisdiction (rather than its costs jurisdictions for example in relation to its Land Registration or telecoms), amendments to the Rules from 1 November 2022 make express which jurisdictions can have real cost implications. The new Building Safety Act jurisdictions are not included.’

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Falcon Chambers, 18th September 2023

Source: www.falcon-chambers.com

The UK’s consumer product safety legal and regulatory regime – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 19th, 2023 in consumer protection, EC law, health & safety, news, regulations by sally

‘The UK’s consumer product liability and safety regime is broadly derived from EU legislation, which imposes obligations on each of the players in the supply chain from manufacturer through to distributor.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 18th October 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Coroner calls for tighter regulation on cold water therapy industry – BBC News

Posted October 11th, 2023 in coroners, health & safety, inquests, news by tracey

‘A coroner has voiced concerns over the lack of regulation and safety checks for cold water therapy sessions after the death of a woman in Derbyshire.’

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BBC News, 11th October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Wandsworth Prison unsafe and inhumane – watchdog report – BBC News

‘A men’s prison in south-west London has been deemed “unsafe and inhumane”, a watchdog report has warned.’

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BBC News, 11th October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Register your block of flats by 1 October 2023 – or go to jail! – Tanfield Chambers

‘Mark Loveday gives a timely reminder as to the upcoming deadline for registration under the BSA 2022.’

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Tanfield Chambers, 15th September 2023

Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk

Prison places in England and Wales are ‘bust’, says governors’ union chief – The Guardian

Posted October 10th, 2023 in health & safety, news, prisons by sally

‘Prison places in England and Wales are “bust” because of a lurch to the right by ministers, the president of the Prison Governors Association (PGA) will say in her annual conference speech.’

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The Guardian, 9th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

ESG for Employers – Kingsley Napley

“Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) matters are growing in importance for all organisations. Aside from the moral reasons putting these issues high on the agenda, an organisation’s ESG standing/rating can have a huge impact on its performance, as well as its ability to attract and retain talent, investors, customers and clients. ESG matters can also have potential legal and regulatory consequences.”

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Kingsley Napley, 5th October 2023

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

Cladding remediation and related costs recovery – a new case in the FTT: St John Street Property Services Ltd v Riverside Group Ltd – Tanfield Chambers

‘Robert Bowker and Jeremy Weaver, an associate director at Bradys Solicitors analyse the recent case of St John Street Property Services Group v Riverside Group Ltd.’

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Tanfield Chambers, 11th September 2023

Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk

Ness v Carillion Capital Projects Ltd & Ors [2023] EWHC 1219 (KB) – Asbestos Law

‘In this article Cressida Mawdesley-Thomas considers the judgment of HHJ Lickley KC in Ness v Carillion Capital Projects Ltd & Ors [2023] EWHC 1219 (KB). Ness was a successful fatal mesothelioma claim.’

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Asbestos Law, 5th September 2023

Source: asbestoslawblog.uk

Trevor Monerville: Coroner criticises ‘unacceptable’ care of Black epileptic man who died in prison – The Independent

‘Healthcare and prison officers ignored “multiple warnings” about prisoner’s condition amid a “woeful” lack of understanding around his seizures, lawyers claim.’

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The Independent, 3rd October 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Prison inmates ‘at risk of death’ due to healthcare failings, says inquest report – The Guardian

Posted October 4th, 2023 in death in custody, health & safety, inquests, mental health, news, prisons, suicide by sally

‘An inquest report has warned that prisoners are “at risk of death” because of failures in the healthcare system, after a man killed himself at Wormwood Scrubs prison in west London 48 hours after arriving there.’

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The Guardian, 3rd October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

First Remediation Order under Building Safety Act – Mills & Reeve

‘A group of leaseholders of two blocks of flats successfully applied for a Remediation Order against the freeholder in respect of defective external cladding and other fire safety issues. The decision by the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber (Residential Property) in Sarah White & Karin Ida Christina Martensson & Other leaseholders v Kedai Limited (freeholder) LON/00AY/HYI/2022/0005 & 0016 is the first Remediation Order made under section 123 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA).’

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Mills & Reeve, 26th September 2023

Source: www.mills-reeve.com

Local authorities and the Building Safety Regulator – Local Government Lawyer

‘Simon Lewis and Michelle Essen look at the impact of the Building Safety Act 2022 on councils.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 22nd September 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Hospital watchdog takes action against NHS trust over patient safety concerns – The Independent

Posted September 22nd, 2023 in autism, health & safety, hospitals, learning difficulties, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘Hospital regulators have taken enforcement action against an NHS trust after patients were found to have ingested batteries and screws amidst a catalogue of failings. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) upheld its “inadequate” rating of Brooklands hospital in Birmingham – which specialises in care for adults with autism and learning disabilities – after an inspection in March.’

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The Independent, 22nd September 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Damp, mould and the HHSRS – Nearly Legal

Posted September 11th, 2023 in health & safety, housing, landlord & tenant, news by tracey

‘Here is a quick note on two recent DLUHC/govt publications on damp and mould, and on proposed revisions to the housing health and safety rating system.’

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Nearly Legal, 10th September 2023

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Council prosecution sees Pret a Manger hit with £800k fine after employee trapped in walk-in freezer – Local Government Lawyer

Posted September 1st, 2023 in employment, fines, health & safety, local government, news by sally

‘A Westminster City Council investigation has led to coffee and sandwich giant Pret a Manger being fined £800,000 after a member of staff was left trapped and fearing for her life in a walk-in freezer for 2.5 hours.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 31st August 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Private school fined £80,000 over classroom ceiling collapse – The Guardian

Posted August 31st, 2023 in fines, guilty pleas, health & safety, news, school children by tracey

‘A private school has been fined £80,000 after a classroom ceiling collapsed, injuring 15 children and their teacher.’

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The Guardian, 29th August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com