Category: news

Battlelines drawn as shaken baby syndrome controversy set to run – The Guardian

Posted March 16th, 2016 in causing death of children or vulnerable adults, children, disciplinary procedures, doctors, evidence, forensic science, news, professional conduct, social services, statistics by sally

‘Shaken baby syndrome is back in the news. Monday’s BBC Panorama programme focused on this most contentious of subjects and was itself prompted by the General Medical Council’s prosecution of Dr Waney Squier, a consultant neuropathologist who used to give evidence against those charged with injuring their baby but now provides expert evidence in their defence. On Friday she was found guilty by the GMC of giving “expert opinion evidence outside your field of expertise” in several cases that came before the criminal or family courts, and could be struck off the medical register as a result.’

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The Guardian, 15th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Investigatory Powers Bill: May defends surveillance powers – BBC News

Posted March 16th, 2016 in bills, intelligence services, internet, investigatory powers, news, police, privacy, telecommunications by sally

‘Home Secretary Theresa May has defended controversial new surveillance powers as MPs debated them for the first time.’

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BBC News, 15th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Goddard inquiry to hold preliminary hearing on abuse linked to church – The Guardian

Posted March 16th, 2016 in child abuse, children, Church of England, Crown Prosecution Service, inquiries, intelligence services, news, parliament, police, political parties, sexual offences by sally

‘The Wednesday in an investigation into the track record of Anglican churches in England and Wales in preventing exploitation, dealing with perpetrators and helping survivors to overcome trauma and obtain justice.’

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The Guardian, 16th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

EU referendum: Expats challenge 15-year voting restriction – BBC News

Posted March 16th, 2016 in EC law, enfranchisement, freedom of movement, human rights, judicial review, news, referendums by sally

‘Two expats are challenging a decision to bar British citizens who have lived elsewhere in Europe for more than 15 years from voting in the EU referendum.’

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BBC News, 15th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MPs break the rules ‘because they do not agree with them’, says standards watchdog Kathryn Hudson – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 16th, 2016 in codes of practice, complaints, disciplinary procedures, news, ombudsmen, parliament, professional conduct, standards by sally

‘The comments will add further pressure on MPs to beef up the watchdog which polices their work, perhaps by giving members of the public a vote over decisions whether or not to reprimand errant MPs.’

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Daily Telegraph, 15th March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Mike Ashley: Could Sports Direct boss be jailed in Big Ben? – BBC News

Posted March 16th, 2016 in employment, fines, health & safety, human rights, news, parliament, parliamentary privilege, select committees by sally

‘Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has been warned he could be in contempt of Parliament if he continues to refuse to appear in front of a committee of MPs. It sounds serious – but what could actually happen to him?’

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BBC News, 16th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Becky Watts: judge rejects killers’ appeals against convictions – The Guardian

Posted March 16th, 2016 in appeals, child abuse, children, joint enterprise, murder, news, sexual offences, Supreme Court by sally

‘The couple found guilty of killing the Bristol teenager Becky Watts have lost the first stage of their appeals against their convictions and sentences.’

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The Guardian, 15th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Implications of the United Kingdom Leaving the European Union on Climate Change and Energy Law – Six Pump Court

Posted March 15th, 2016 in EC law, energy, environmental protection, news by sally

‘In a paper on behalf of the Climate Change and Energy Working Party, UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA), Stephen Hockman QC and Benjamin Haseldine chart the possible implications of the United Kingdom exiting the European Union on climate change and energy law.’

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Six Pump Court, 7th March 2016

Source: www.6pumpcourt.co.uk

Reasonable Adjustment after Griffiths – Tanfield Chambers

Posted March 15th, 2016 in disabled persons, employment, employment tribunals, equality, news, sick leave by sally

‘Is an employer ever required to dis-apply an absence management policy or delay dismissal, as a reasonable adjustment for disability? Recent decisions have suggested that the answer is no, but in Griffiths v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2016] IRLR 216, the Court of Appeal has redefined the correct comparator in a disability claim in a way which may make this easier for an employee to argue.’

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Tanfield Chambers, 9th March 2016

Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk

Planning, Environment & Property Newsletter – 39 Essex Chambers

Posted March 15th, 2016 in contamination, energy, environmental protection, news, planning, pollution by sally

Planning, Environment & Property Newsletter (PDF)

39 Essex Chambers, February 2016+

Source: www.39essex.com

Mental Capacity Law Newsletter – 39 Essex Chambers

Posted March 15th, 2016 in case management, Court of Protection, legislation, McKenzie friends, mental health, news, pilot schemes, reports by sally

Mental Capacity Law Newsletter (PDF)

39 Essex Chambers, March 2016

Source: www.39essex.com

British women cannot wait 50 years for justice – The Guardian

Posted March 15th, 2016 in equality, judiciary, legislation, news, quotas, sex discrimination, women by sally

‘Men’s domination of the senior echelons of the British judiciary means the law is biased against women. We urgently need gender quotas for women in senior legal roles.’

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The Guardian, 15th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Gay clergyman to appeal after losing discrimination claim – The Guardian

Posted March 15th, 2016 in appeals, Church of England, clergy, employment tribunals, homosexuality, marriage, news, sexual orientation discrimination by sally

‘A gay clergyman who lost an employment tribunal against the Church of England has been given the right to appeal.’

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The Guardian, 15th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Divorcee wins 90 per cent of husband’s wealth in bitter court battle – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 15th, 2016 in appeals, debts, divorce, financial provision, legal representation, news by sally

‘Company boss, Peter Morris, has nothing but his ‘anger’ to show for 25 years of marriage after a series of rulings’

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Daily Telegraph, 14th March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Council to share intelligence after discovery of £1.4m housing benefit fraud – Local Government Lawyer

Posted March 15th, 2016 in benefits, conspiracy, documents, fraud, HM Revenue & Customs, housing, local government, news, social security by sally

‘The London Borough of Redbridge is to share information and intelligence with other councils and HM Revenue and Customs, after three people were found guilty of a £1.4m housing benefit fraud.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 15th March 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Police powerless to use new grooming law, child safety experts warn – The Guardian

Posted March 15th, 2016 in child abuse, internet, news, police, sexual grooming by sally

‘Government blunders have left police powerless to use a new law to catch paedophiles, top child safety experts have warned.’

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The Guardian, 15th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lawyers line up arguments against Online Court – Legal Futures

Posted March 15th, 2016 in barristers, courts, internet, Law Society, legal profession, news, reports, solicitors by sally

‘Responses to Lord Justice Briggs’ recommendation to create an Online Court (OC) have pitted sceptical solicitors and barristers against others who have given the scheme a more generous reception.’

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Legal Futures, 15th March 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ministry of Justice officials ‘helped private firms win government contracts’ – The Guardian

Posted March 15th, 2016 in civil servants, contracts, inquiries, Ministry of Justice, news, professional conduct, public procurement by sally

‘Ministers have ordered an immediate inquiry into allegations that former senior civil servants from the Ministry of Justice have used their Whitehall knowledge and contacts to help private companies secure government contracts worth millions.’

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The Guardian, 14th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

UK Anti-Doping handed task of organising global fight against doping – The Guardian

Posted March 15th, 2016 in drug abuse, news, sport by sally

‘UK Anti-Doping has been given the task of coordinating the global fight against performance-enhancing drugs in the build-up to this summer’s Rio Olympic Games.’

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The Guardian, 14th February 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Divorce judge awards woman who gave up career 90% of family assets – The Guardian

Posted March 15th, 2016 in appeals, divorce, financial provision, legal aid, legal representation, news by sally

‘A businesswoman who left behind her career in order to become a “stay at home mum” while her husband continued with his high-flying career has been awarded virtually all of the family fortune by a divorce judge.’

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The Guardian, 14th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk