Close dangerous fire safety loophole, London Fire Brigade says in wake of Grenfell disaster – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 13th, 2017 in building law, fire, fire services, health & safety, London, news by sally

‘A fire safety loophole means “dangerous decisions” are being made about building design that could lead to more serious blazes, the London Fire Brigade has warned.’

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Daily Telegraph, 13th November 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Uber loses court appeal against drivers’ rights – BBC News

Posted November 10th, 2017 in contract of employment, news, self-employment, taxis by sally

‘Taxi firm Uber has lost an appeal against a ruling that its drivers should be treated as workers rather than self-employed.’

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BBC News, 10th November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Independence and public inquiries – why you need it and how you can lose it – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted November 10th, 2017 in inquiries, judiciary, news by sally

‘There is a scene in “Yes Minister” in which the beleaguered Jim Hacker is contemplating a public inquiry into the latest failing of his department. He warily suggests to his Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, that perhaps the judge chairing the inquiry could be leant on to come up with a favourable outcome. Sir Humphrey is outraged at this violation of the separation of powers. Surely the Minister wasn’t serious? After all, wouldn’t it be better to appoint a judge who didn’t need to be leant on in the first place?
Jim Duffy’s recent post on the Contaminated Blood Inquiry – and the importance of an inquiry being independent and being seen to be independent – brought this encounter to mind. The ever more frequent calls for a “judge-led inquiry” must be a source of both pride and concern to the judiciary. Pride as “judge-led” is a synonym for a forensic, thorough and above all independent tribunal to assess the matter in question. We will come to the concern later.

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UK Human Rights Blog, 9th November 2017

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Liability of police misconduct hearings for discrimination – UK Police Law Blog

Posted November 10th, 2017 in disciplinary procedures, equality, immunity, news, police by sally

‘The Supreme Court has held in P v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2017] UKSC 65, that police misconduct hearings no longer benefit from judicial immunity in respect of discrimination claims. They also held that the Chief Constable is vicariously liable for the discriminatory acts of such panels. However, the decision related to an internal panel under the old regime when a misconduct hearing panel was chaired by an assistant chief constable.’

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UK Police Law Blog, 10th November 2017

Source: ukpolicelawblog.com

Claimant ordered to pay council £12k over false claims of pothole injury – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 10th, 2017 in costs, evidence, news, personal injuries by sally

‘A man has been ordered to pay £12,000 to a council after a court found he falsely claimed he was injured by tripping in a pothole.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 9th November 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Judge allows naming of council involved in special guardianship case – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 10th, 2017 in anonymity, guardianship, local government, news by sally

‘A judge has allowed Gloucestershire County Council to be identified in a child guardianship case.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 9th November 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

High Court issues costs penalties for claimants’ conduct in settling claim – Litigation Futures

Posted November 10th, 2017 in costs, defamation, delay, news, part 36 offers, penalties by sally

‘A corporate claimant that accepted a part 36 offer late should not get its costs up to the point where the offer expired because its conduct meant the usual rule should not apply, the High Court has ruled.’

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Litigation Futures, 9th November 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Man who planned to detonate pipe bomb on a plane has had his sentence increased – Attorney General’s Office

Posted November 10th, 2017 in aircraft, appeals, explosives, news, sentencing by sally

‘Manchester man who planned to detonate pipe bomb on a plane has had his sentence increased by 4 years.’

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Attorney General's Office, 9th November 2017

Source: www.gov.uk

Dragon’s Den contestant jailed for child sex offences has term increased – Attorney General’s Office

‘A former Dragon’s Den contestant, jailed for 13 child sex offences, including sexual assault has had his jail sentence increased to 7 years 3 months.’

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Attorney General's Office , 9th November 2017

Source: www.gov.uk

Three men guilty over assault on Kurdish-Iranian student in Croydon – The Guardian

Posted November 10th, 2017 in grievous bodily harm, news, violent disorder by sally

‘Three men have been found guilty of taking part in a violent brawl that left a Kurdish-Iranian student with life-changing injuries.’

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The Guardian, 9th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Burglar jailed for 20 years after killing father and daughter in house fire – The Guardian

Posted November 10th, 2017 in arson, burglary, murder, news, sentencing by sally

‘A debt-ridden gambler has been jailed for 20 years for killing a father and his eight-year-old daughter by setting their home alight in a “seriously reckless” attempt to cover up a burglary.’

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The Guardian, 9th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police investigating 30 years of alleged sexual and physical abuse against children at mental health unit – The Independent

Posted November 10th, 2017 in child abuse, hospitals, mental health, news, sexual offences, young persons by sally

‘Police are investigating almost 30 years of alleged physical and sexual abuse against children and young adults being treated at a mental health unit.Hertfordshire Constabulary said the number of victims at the Hill End Hospital Adolescent Unit in St Albans was not yet clear.’

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The Independent, 9th November 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse published name of alleged victim on its website – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 10th, 2017 in anonymity, child abuse, inquiries, news, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) is investigating a serious error after the name of an alleged sexual offences victim was published online.’

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Daily Telegraph, 9th November 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Universities to be warned over misleading adverts – BBC News

Posted November 10th, 2017 in advertising, complaints, news, universities by sally

‘Universities are going to face a crackdown on how they advertise and market courses to attract students.’

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BBC News, 10th November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Manchester police face legal bid over teen’s naked photo details – BBC News

Posted November 10th, 2017 in children, criminal records, indecent photographs of children, news, police by sally

‘A police force is facing a legal challenge against its refusal to delete the details of a teenager who sent a naked photograph of himself on social media to a girl at his school.’

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BBC News, 10th November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘No-consent’ circumcision doctor will not be prosecuted – BBC News

Posted November 10th, 2017 in children, consent, doctors, grievous bodily harm, medical treatment, news, prosecutions by sally

‘A mother has been left “sickened” by a decision not to prosecute the doctor who circumcised her son without her consent.’

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BBC News, 10th November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Legal costs capped for those who can’t pay energy bills – The Guardian

Posted November 10th, 2017 in costs, debts, news, utilities, warrants by sally

‘Gas and electricity customers who have fallen so far behind with their payments that they are forced to have a prepayment meter, are to have their court and legal charges capped at £150 by the energy regulator.’

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The Guardian, 10th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Manchester attack: Arena payout for psychological injuries – BBC News

Posted November 10th, 2017 in compensation, news, psychiatric damage, terrorism, victims by sally

‘Up to £3m from a fund for victims of the Manchester attack is to be given to those with psychological injuries.’

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BbC News, 9th November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Defendants must reveal nationality in magistrates courts – The Guardian

Posted November 10th, 2017 in bias, citizenship, immigration, magistrates, news by sally

‘Defendants will have to disclose their nationality at their first appearance before magistrates in England and Wales from next week under powers that human rights groups say will undermine the right to a fair trial.’

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The Guardian, 9th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Man ‘brutally’ attacked woman, 88, asleep in her Chorley home – BBC News

Posted November 9th, 2017 in assault, news, robbery, sentencing by sally

‘A man who dragged an 88-year-old woman out of her bed and “brutally” assaulted her before ransacking her home has been jailed.’

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BBC News, 9th November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk