Category: news
Ruth Ellis, last woman hanged in UK, granted posthumous conditional pardon – The Guardian
‘Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in the UK, has been granted a conditional pardon in light of evidence that she was a victim of domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.’
The Guardian, 8th July 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
Lack of safeguards over prisoners’ early release puts abuse victims at risk, Lammy warned – The Guardian
‘A failure to put in place safeguards in advance of a change to the law that will result in offenders being released early will put abuse victims at risk, ministers have been told.’
The Guardian, 8th July 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
Neo-Nazi who planned gun attack jailed after MI5 sting – BBC News
‘A neo-Nazi who was plotting a gun attack has been jailed for 13 and a half years after being caught in an MI5 sting.’
BBC News, 8th July 2026
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
The Crime & Policing Act 2026: Key Amendments to POCA 2002 – Local Government Lawyer
‘A number of amendments to Part 2 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA 2002) have come into force on 29 June 2026 by virtue of Schedule 21 of the Crime & Policing Act 2026. This article summarises a few highlights, which will have an impact on those involved in POCA confiscation proceedings.’
Local Government Lawyer, 8th July 2026
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Using Closure Orders to tackle persistent ASB – Local Government Lawyer
‘One of the most notable developments under the Crime and Policing Act 2026 (the Act) is the extension to social housing providers of the ability to apply directly for Closure Orders. This enhanced power marks a significant step forward in enabling landlords to take swift and effective action against serious and persistent ASB.’
Local Government Lawyer, 8th July 2026
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
A Fairer End to Cohabiting Relationships? Some Problems with the Government’s Reform Proposals – Financial Remedies Journal
‘This article critiques the Ministry of Justice’s proposed framework of financial remedies for separating cohabitants, as set out in its recent consultation paper, A Fairer End to Relationships. It argues that, while there is a compelling case for statutory cohabitation reform, the Ministry’s scheme is flawed in several important respects. As a result, while the scheme may benefit some cohabitants, it is nevertheless likely to permit, and in some cases cause, injustice to others.’
Financial Remedies Journal, 7th July 2026
Source: financialremediesjournal.com
The ‘Manchester Model’; Combining ENE/pFDRs and LAM (Lawyer Assisted Mediation). The Most Effective NCDR in Financial Remedy Cases? – Financial Remedies Journal
‘This article examines a combined non-court dispute resolution model for financial remedy cases, bringing together early neutral evaluation/private FDR and lawyer-assisted or hybrid mediation within a single coordinated process. It argues that the model may materially enhance settlement prospects by combining robust evaluative input on likely court outcomes with a confidential, interest-based mediation framework supported by lawyers.’
Financial Remedies Journal, 6th July 2026
Source: financialremediesjournal.com
High Court provides clarity for acquiring authorities over access requirements – OUT-LAW.com
‘The ruling puts an emphasis on acquiring authorities to clearly explain when notice for carrying out surveys will expire and to seek information about operations on the land. It also confirms that notices can be effective if issued by first class post – even if the recipient disposes of the notice without reading it.’
OUT-LAW.com, 7th July 2026
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
Supreme Court redraws line between member and employee in LLPs – Legal Futures
‘Last week, the Supreme Court handed down its long-awaited judgment in HMRC v BlueCrest Capital Management (UK) LLP. For anyone advising professional services firms on LLP structuring – asset managers, law firms, accountancy practices, consultancies – and of course for those in LLPs themselves, this is an essential read.’
Legal Futures, 8th July 2026
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Virgin Media fined record £28m for stopping customers cancelling contracts – The Guardian
‘The £28m fine, which was reduced by 30% as Virgin Media admitted to its failing and agreed to settle the case, is Ofcom’s biggest ever under the regulator’s consumer protection rules.’
The Guardian, 8th July 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
Huge court bill for neighbours who wrote YouTube songs in row over ornamental squirrel – The Independent
‘A “wretched” 14-year neighbours’ battle over a fence, an ornamental squirrel and a YouTuber’s offensive songs about the man next door has left a couple facing more than £130,000 in court bills.’
The Independent, 8th July 2026
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Prince Harry and other claimants could face £50m legal bill after losing phone-hacking case – The Guardian
‘In an emphatic ruling that is likely to signal an end to new litigation relating to the phone-hacking scandal era, the high court dismissed all the group’s claims, stating that the claimants had not proved that any information had been obtained unlawfully.’
The Guardian, 7th July 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
Worker unfairly accused of subscribing to ‘Cougar’ dating site with work email wins £120,000 – The Independent
‘A manager who was unfairly accused of subscribing to the website “Hot Cougar Dates” with his work email has won almost £120,000 in compensation.’
The Independent, 7th July 2026
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Man who murdered wife has minimum term increased – BBC News
‘A man who murdered his wife in their kitchen has had the minimum term of his life sentence increased after the Court of Appeal ruled it was unduly lenient.’
BBC News, 7th July 2026
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Reality star loses £500k court appeal over deaths of neighbours’ prize falcons – The Independent
‘A former reality television star has lost a £500,000 Appeal Court battle with two bird-breeding brothers, following a ruling that his “negligence” led to the deaths of three of their prize falcons.’
The Independent, 7th July 2026
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Online gamblers betting more than £1,000 to face new checks – BBC News
‘Gamblers who spend more than £1,000 online in a 24-hour window will have to undergo a financial risk assessment, the industry regulator has announced.’
BBC News, 7th July 2026
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Mum who accused ex-partner of rape wins appeal against family court judge – BBC News
‘A mother has successfully appealed against a decision made by Family Court Judge Robin Tolson KC, after he allowed her ex-partner – who was being investigated by the police for rape – overnight contact with their three young children.’
BBC News, 6th July 2026
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“Dumped in a hotel by the sea”: the risks and harms of human trafficking and exploitation associated with placing unaccompanied children seeking asylum in UK Home Office hotels – Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law
‘In 2023, shockwaves spread across the UK surrounding hundreds of missing unaccompanied children from Home Office ‘emergency’ hotels. Concerningly some were found in the control of traffickers. Few professionals were allowed into the hotels which limited the risk evaluation of human (re-)trafficking and exploitation. This study, applying a trauma-informed storytelling methodological approach, investigated the lived experiences of 22 professionals and children. The research provides a voice to children housed in the hotels. Three thematic narratives emerged; Firstly, the hotel placement increased the (re-)trafficking and exploitation risks compared to other accommodations. Secondly, adultification (with racial undertones) resulted in the continued placement of children in adult hotels. These children faced heightened risks of harm compared to those placed in the children’s hotels (e.g. lack of education, support and abuses including sexual by hotel staff and other adults). Thirdly, Albanian boys went missing in greater numbers than other children, while targeted by the media and political scapegoating and facing threats of removal under the Illegal Migration Act 2023. We conclude that the trafficking and exploitation risks remain to unaccompanied children. The UK Government must conduct an independent inquiry into the disappearance of children from the hotels to better safeguard unaccompanied children in the future.’
Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 5th July 2026
Source: doi.org
