‘Advice given to ministers by civil servants should not be excluded from freedom of information legislation, according to the official responsible for overseeing the workings of the act.’
The Guardian, 20th January 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘A key clause in the Terrorism Act 2000 is incompatible with the European convention on human rights, the master of the rolls, Lord Dyson, has declared as part of a court of appeal judgment.’
The Guardian, 19th January 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘In a report published today, we make recommendations to solve pressing problems that undermine the effectiveness of the law governing the acquisition and possession of firearms. The existing law is confused, unclear and difficult to apply. There are over 30 pieces of overlapping legislation, some of the key terminology – such as “lethal”, “component part” and “antique” – is not clearly defined, and the law has fallen out of step with developments in technology.’
Law Commission, 16th December 2015
Source: www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission
‘The law that governs how and where couples in England and Wales can marry is badly in need of reform, according to the Law Commission.’
Law Commission, 17th December 2015
Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk
‘The UK government’s reasons for curbing freedom of information laws have been challenged by Lord Kerslake, the former head of the civil service.’
The Guardian, 15th December 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Exempting advice given to ministers from freedom of information requests risks returning the UK to the “dark ages” of “private government”, the information commissioner has warned. Christopher Graham told a review into the legislation that changes to FoI being considered by a government commission could lead to a blanket ban on all advice being made available to the public.’
The Guardian, 7th December 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘On 26 October 2015, the House of Lords debated the Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. The Regulations were approved, but subject to two riders. Critics claimed that these riders constituted “fatal” amendments, and that they were therefore tantamount to a rejection of the legislation. It was argued that it is constitutionally improper for the House of Lords to reject financial legislation in this way.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 7th December 2015
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘Lord Carlile QC, former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, has said that in the aftermath of the Paris attacks last weekend, Parliament should fast-track the Investigatory Powers Bill into law. Given his extensive experience in the field, Lord Carlile’s views should not be taken lightly. But Lord Carlile is wrong. To fast-track the Investigatory Powers Bill is undesirable and unnecessary. It would also end a crucial public conversation in a wrong-headed paroxysm of governmental action.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 16th November 2015
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘Magistrates courts should be empowered to deal with thousands more assault charges every year rather than sending too many cases for expensive trial in the crown court, the Law Commission has said.’
The Guardian, 3rd November 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
”Archaic’ language on violent crime dating back more than 150 years must be updated, says Law Commission.’
Daily Telegraph, 3rd November 2015
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘The government has been accused of a “cynical and dangerous” attempt to water down important freedom of information legislation in a campaign uniting journalists and supporters of press freedom launched on Monday.’
The Guardian, 19th October 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘The battle to save the Human Rights Act takes to the streets this week with crowdfunded billboards focusing on those who have used the legislation to obtain justice.’
The Guardian, 19th October 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘With the recent publication of the 2015-2016 editions of the Blackstone’s Statutes series, we asked some of the authors to select a piece of legislation from the series that has the most impact on their subject area.’
Full story
OUP Blog, 28th September 2015
Source: www.oupblog.com
‘Over 140 organisations have written to the Prime Minister expressing ‘serious concern’ at his review of the Freedom of Information rules.’
Full story
Daily Telegraph, 22nd September 2015
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (SEEBA) and the Deregulation Act 2015 were added to the statute book on 26 March. Both contain provisions that make significant changes to the Insolvency Act 1986.’
Hardwicke Chambers, 10th June 2015
Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk
‘Ofcom chief executive Sharon White has said the regulator has not been hampered by lack of legislation in cracking down on extremist broadcasts following David Cameron said it should be given beefed-up powers to tackle the issue.’
The Guardian, 21st July 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘As we contemplate the potential demise of the Human Rights Act 1998 in the UK (in no small part due to the decision in Hirst (No2) and its domestic application) it is worth considering what all this means for the protection of prisoners’ human rights in our domestic sphere, and the potential of either the courts or our democratic processes to recognise them.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 20th July 2015
Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org/blog
‘R (ota Davis et al) v. Secretary of State for Home Department [2015] EWHC 2092 – 17 July 2015. When a domestic Act of Parliament is in conflict with EU law, EU law wins. And when a bit of the EU Charter (given effect by the Lisbon Treaty) conflicts with an EU Directive, the EU Charter wins. Which is why the Divisional Court found itself quashing an Act of Parliament on Friday – at the behest of four claimants, including two MPs, the Tories’ David Davis and Labour’s Tom Watson.’
UK Human Rights blog, 19th july 2015
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘The regulator in charge of data protection and consumer protection has given a staunch defence of Britain’s embattled transparency laws, only days after Justice Secretary Michael Gove confirmed he was considering a crackdown on freedom of information laws.’
Full story
The Independent, 2nd July 2015
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Offender Rehabilitation Act
This act came into force on 1 February 2015 for sentences imposed on or after that date. This is important for any defendant who receives a sentence of more than one day but less than two years, and who is over 18 on the day of their release. They will now be required to spend a total of one year either on licence or on supervision under the provisions introduced by this statute (section 256AA of the Criminal Justice Act 2003).’
Law Society’s Gazette, 15th June 2015
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
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