The Legal Mechanics of Brexit – 11 KBW

Posted March 14th, 2016 in brexit, EC law, legislation, news, referendums, treaties by sally

‘This paper will offer some crystal ball gazing about how Brexit might take legal effect. It is necessarily speculative and uncertain. It looks at:-
(1) the referendum;
(2) withdrawal from membership of the EU under the Treaty for European Union (“TEU”);
and
(3) the effect of the European Communities Act 1972 (“the ECA”).’

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11 KBW, 1st March 2016

Source: www.11kbw.com

Review decides not to change Freedom of Information Act – The Guardian

Posted March 1st, 2016 in freedom of information, legislation, news, reports by sally

‘A government announcement that there will be “no legal changes” to the Freedom of Information legislation following a review of the act was being cautiously welcomed by campaigners on Monday.

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The Guardian, 1st March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Celebrities, the Media and the Personal Data Privacy Wars – Gresham College

Posted February 18th, 2016 in damages, data protection, EC law, legislation, media, news, privacy by sally

‘The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) should properly have been called the Data Privacy Act: it is about privacy of personal data and not merely its security. Recent cases – if successful for the claimants – will change the litigation landscape for everyone.’

Transcript

Gresham College, 27th January 2016

Source: www.gresham.ac.uk

Why is the UK still printing its laws on vellum? – BBC News

Posted February 16th, 2016 in costs, legislation, news, parliament by sally

‘After a reprieve, the UK is to continue printing and storing its laws on vellum, a paper made from calf or goat-skin. But shouldn’t these traditions give way to digital storage, asks Chris Stokel-Walker.’

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BBC News, 15th February 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

No case for rewriting FoI Act, says information commissioner – The Guardian

‘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.’

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The Guardian, 20th January 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Terrorism Act incompatible with human rights, court rules in David Miranda case – The Guardian

‘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.’

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The Guardian, 19th January 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Bringing the law on firearms up to date – Law Commission

Posted December 17th, 2015 in firearms, Law Commission, legislation, press releases, reports by sally

‘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.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 16th December 2015

Source: www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission

Outdated marriage law in need of reform – Law Commission

Posted December 17th, 2015 in Law Commission, legislation, marriage, press releases, reports by sally

‘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.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 17th December 2015

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Ex-civil service chief criticises government for attempts to curb FoI legislation – The Guardian

Posted December 15th, 2015 in civil servants, freedom of information, legislation, news by sally

‘The UK government’s reasons for curbing freedom of information laws have been challenged by Lord Kerslake, the former head of the civil service.’

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The Guardian, 15th December 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘Dark ages’ warning issued over freedom of information changes – The Guardian

Posted December 8th, 2015 in freedom of information, legislation, news by sally

‘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.’

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The Guardian, 7th December 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Graham John Wheeler: When Should the Lords Reject Secondary Legislation? – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘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.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 7th December 2015

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

Don’t Fast-Track the Investigatory Powers Bill: A reply to Lord Carlile – Natasha Simonsen and Cian Murphy – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted November 17th, 2015 in bills, investigatory powers, legislation, news, terrorism by sally

‘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.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 16th November 2015

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Let magistrates deal with more assault cases, says law reform body – The Guardian

Posted November 3rd, 2015 in assault, courts, Law Commission, legislation, magistrates, news, reports, violence by sally

‘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.’

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The Guardian, 3rd November 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Reform violent crime laws and re-name GBH and ABH offences, say experts – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 3rd, 2015 in assault, crime, Law Commission, legislation, news, reports, violence by sally

”Archaic’ language on violent crime dating back more than 150 years must be updated, says Law Commission.’

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Daily Telegraph, 3rd November 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Government accused of trying to water down Freedom of Information Act – The Guardian

Posted October 20th, 2015 in freedom of information, legislation, media, news by sally

‘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.’

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The Guardian, 19th October 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ad campaign aims to rally support to save Human Rights Act – The Guardian

Posted October 20th, 2015 in advertising, bills, human rights, legislation, news, repeals by sally

‘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.’

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The Guardian, 19th October 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Blackstone’s Statutes: top legislation – OUP Blog

Posted September 28th, 2015 in conveyancing, EC law, human rights, leases, legislation, mental health, news by sally

‘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.’
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OUP Blog, 28th September 2015

Source: www.oupblog.com

New Freedom of Information review will shut down access, campaigners warn – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 22nd, 2015 in freedom of information, inquiries, legislation, news by sally

‘Over 140 organisations have written to the Prime Minister expressing ‘serious concern’ at his review of the Freedom of Information rules.’
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Daily Telegraph, 22nd September 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

New insolvency legislation: A guide to the new Deregulation Act 2015 and Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted July 28th, 2015 in administration orders, insolvency, legislation, news by sally

‘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.’

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Hardwicke Chambers, 10th June 2015

Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk

Lack of anti-extremist legislation hasn’t hampered watchdog, says Ofcom chief – The Guardian

‘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.’

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The Guardian, 21st July 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk