Hate crime: should the current offences be extended? – Law Commission

In a report published today the Law Commission recommends reforms to ensure that the criminal justice system is able to make a stronger and more coherent response to hate crime.

Full story

Law Commission, 28th May 2014

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

Reforming the regulation of taxis and private hire vehicles – Law Commission

Posted May 28th, 2014 in Law Commission, licensing, news, taxis by sally

‘Taxis and private hire services, which include minicabs, are an essential link in the transport network of England and Wales, with passengers spending in excess of £2.5 billion a year on fares.’

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Law Commission, 23rd May 2014

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

Will there be reform for cohabiting couples? – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted May 20th, 2014 in cohabitation, financial provision, judges, Law Commission, news by sally

‘The Head of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, recently held a press conference where he addressed the wide ranging reforms of the family justice system that came into force on 22 April 2014. He was also asked to look to the future.’

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 20th May 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Rise in couples seeking pre-nups – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 12th, 2014 in divorce, Law Commission, marriage, news, prenuptial agreements, statistics by sally

‘Law firms report an increase in people seeking pre-nuptial agreements in the wake of new guidance from the Law Commission.’

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Daily Telegraph, 11th May 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Social Investment by Charities – Law Commission

Posted April 24th, 2014 in charities, consultations, Law Commission by tracey

‘We are opening a consultation seeking views on changes to the law that governs how charities make social investments. The consultation paper analyses the legal framework, explains the ways in which the law already supports charity trustees and proposes changes that would clarify the way in which charities can use social investments to achieve their charitable aims.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 24th April 2014

Source: www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission

Divorce myths to be dispelled – Ministry of Justice

‘Separating couples will be given clear new guidelines setting out what they should expect when property and income is distributed by the courts, Simon Hughes has announced.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 17th April 2014

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

Intellectual property law – achieving a balance between the right to enforce and protecting innovation – Law Commission

‘Patents, trade marks and design rights are valuable intellectual property (IP) rights and vital to economic growth. They ensure that research and innovation is encouraged and rewarded. And, for some small businesses, they can represent their most significant assets. The law provides effective ways to enforce IP rights but these can be misused to drive competitors from the market. In a report published today, the Law Commission is recommending reforms that will allow individuals and businesses to protect their IP rights but not at the expense of new ideas and inventions.’

Full report

Law Commission, 15th April 2014

Source: www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission

Regulating Health Care Professionals – Law Commission

‘A single clear and consistent legal framework is needed to enable the regulators of health professionals in the UK to modernise and continue to uphold their duty to protect public safety, according to the three Law Commissions of the UK.’

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Law Commission, 2nd April 2014

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

NHS ‘bad eggs’ could be struck off under new regulation plans drawn up by the Law Commission in response to Mid-Staffs scandal – The Independent

‘NHS staff who perform poorly in their job could face being struck off, under wide-ranging plans drawn up by the Law Commission.’

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The Independent, 2nd April 2014

Source: www.independnet.co.uk

Contempt of Court: reducing the publisher’s risk of breaching court reporting restrictions – Law Commission

‘The Law Commission is recommending that a new online service be established to help journalists and publishers reporting criminal trials discover whether reporting restrictions are in force and, if so, why. The service would be open to all publishers, from large media organisations to individual bloggers.’

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Law Commission, 26th March 2014

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

Statutory backing for pre-nups – a welcome proposal – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted March 13th, 2014 in Law Commission, news, prenuptial agreements, reports by tracey

‘The Law Commission began in 2009 to examine the status and enforceability of marital property agreements, which we refer to as pre-nups. Pre-nups do not currently have statutory backing, but this may be about to change. In their report published on 27 February 2014, the Law Commission recommended the introduction of legally binding “qualifying nuptial agreements”. The report, Matrimonial Property Needs and Agreements, includes a draft bill which would bring pre-nups into law.’

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 11th March 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Pre-nuptial agreements ‘should be legally binding in divorce cases’ – The Guardian

Posted February 27th, 2014 in divorce, Law Commission, news, prenuptial agreements, reports by sally

‘Prenuptial agreements should be legally binding in divorce settlements, but only after the needs of the separating couple and any children have been taken into account, the Law Commission has recommended.’

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The Guardian, 27th February 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Law Commission says powers needed to curb non-native plants and animals- The Guardian

Posted February 11th, 2014 in animals, environmental protection, Law Commission, news, reports by tracey

‘Powers to control or eradicate invasive plants and animal species – such as Japanese knotweed or parakeets – should be given to government departments and environment protection authorities, the Law Commission has recommended.’

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The Guardian, 11th February 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

A new approach to controlling invasive non-native species – Law Commission

Posted February 11th, 2014 in animals, environmental protection, Law Commission, news, reports, Wales by tracey

‘We have published a report, making recommendations on the control of invasive non-native species as part of our project on wildlife.’

Full report

Law Commission, 11th February 2014

Source: www.www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission

Contempt of court – controversial reforms seek to secure fair trials and freedom of speech – Legal Week

‘The Law Commission has produced its eagerly awaited report on juror misconduct and internet publications, following extensive consultation. The Commission had been urgently tasked with considering reform in this area, following a number of high-profile contempt cases involving errant jurors and eager publishers.’

Full story

Legal Week, 10th December 2013

Source: www.legalweek.com

Contempt of Court: Juror Misconduct and Internet Publications – Law Commission

Posted December 10th, 2013 in contempt of court, internet, juries, Law Commission, reports by tracey

‘In a report published today we make recommendations to reform elements of the law governing contempt of court.’

Full report

Law Commission, 9th December 2013

Source: www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission

Jurors who search web during cases could be jailed under new proposals – The Guardian

‘Jurors should face up to two years in prison if they search the internet for information about cases beyond what is revealed in court, the Law Commission has recommended.’

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The Guardian, 9th December 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

The IALS Think Tank on Law Reform – Institute of Advanced Legal Studies

Posted October 29th, 2013 in consultations, Law Commission, news, universities by sally

“The IALS Think Tank is an initiative aiming to collect the valuable expertise of the many Fellows and staff of the IALS, invite proposals for law reform, selecting the most appropriate one, offering feedback and advice for its refinement, endorsing the final product, and submitting it to the Commission in time for its consideration in the public consultation for its programmes.”

Full story

Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, 22nd October 2013

Source: www.ials.sas.ac.uk

Strengthening the legal duties on financial professionals to act in the best interests of savers – Law Commission

Posted October 29th, 2013 in consultations, fiduciary duty, financial advice, Law Commission, news, pensions, trusts by sally

“Today [22 October] the Law Commission publishes a consultation paper reviewing how ‘fiduciary duties’ apply to investment intermediaries. The paper traces a chain of intermediaries from an individual, saving for a pension, to the registered shareholder of a UK company. It looks at the obligations of those in the chain to act in the interests of savers.”

Full story

Law Commission, 22nd October 2013

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

Fiduciary Duties of Investment Intermediaries – Law Commission

Posted October 22nd, 2013 in consultations, fiduciary duty, Law Commission, pensions, trusts by tracey

“Consultation reviewing the obligations on investment intermediaries to act in the interests of savers.”

Full consultation

Law Commission, 22nd October 2013

Source: www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission