New employment tribunal procedural rules published – OUT-LAW.com

“Fees will be introduced for workers wishing to raise a claim in the Employment Tribunal from 29 July 2013. Procedural rules governing the process will also change from that date.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 5th June 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

The truth about gay marriage: legally there is nothing to be gained – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

“The law pertaining to same-sex relationships has come a long way. Until the Sexual Offences Act 1967, homosexual relationships were illegal. Until the Civil Partnership Act 2004, there was no way of formalising a homosexual relationship. The debate has now moved to the more intricate matters surrounding the nature of that formalisation, with many people now campaigning for a law which would allow gay marriage.”

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 4th June 2013

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Inner Temple’s Response to Legal Aid Consultation – The Inner Temple

Posted June 5th, 2013 in barristers, consultations, inns of court, legal aid, news by sally

“In response to the Ministry of Justice consultation paper Transforming Legal Aid: Delivering a more credible and efficient system the Inner Temple has submitted the following response that can be viewed here.”

The Inner Temple, 5th June 2013

Source: www.innertemple.org.uk

HMRC consults on strengthening big banks’ tax Code of Practice – OUT-LAW.com

“Plans to strengthen the Code of Practice on tax governance, adopted by the 15 largest banks in 2010, have been published for consultation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 5th June 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

Enhanced Disclosure in Sport – Sports Law Bulletin from Blackstone Chambers

Posted June 5th, 2013 in children, criminal records, disclosure, news, sport, teachers by sally

“Sports regulatory bodies and sports clubs must generally obtain enhanced disclosure of coaches and other persons who are responsible for supervising and working with children (now called Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Checks). They often have to take action based on that information, and always have to assess the relevance and importance of that information. A number of cases relating to enhanced disclosure have now been decided by the Administrative Court and a body of law is developing which will help to inform sporting bodies about how to treat such information.”

Full story

Sports Law Bulletin from Blackstone Chambers, 5th June 2013

Source: www.sportslawbulletin.org

Europe’s human rights judge warns UK over Convention threat – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 5th, 2013 in human rights, judges, news, prisons, treaties by sally

“Britain would face ‘political disaster’ and may have to leave the EU if it wants to pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights, Europe’s leading judge on the issue has warned.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 4th June 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Motorway middle lane ‘hoggers’ and careless drivers to face on-the-spot £100 police fines – The Independent

“Drivers who hog the middle lane of the motorway or tailgate other drivers could face on-the-spot fines of £100 and three points on their licences under new measures announced by the government.”

Full story

The Independent, 5th June 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Practice makes perfect for young lawyers studying international law – The Guardian

Posted June 5th, 2013 in international law, legal education, news by sally

“A recent roundtable discussion on the state of legal education in the UK revealed that our fledgling lawyers are better prepared for the workplace than their US counterparts.”

Full story

The Guardian, 4th June 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Insemination case: Chances missed to check on adopted daughter – BBC News

“A review into how a mother was able to force her adopted child to impregnate herself has found agencies missed opportunities to intervene.”

Full story

BBC News, 5th June 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Two British soldiers admit sexual and racial abuse of Afghan citizens – The Independent

“Two British servicemen were disciplined and fined today for carrying out, respectively, a sexual offence on a young boy and being engaged in racist insults while serving in Afghanistan.”

Full story

The Independent, 4th June 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Diplomat awarded £300,000 following accusations of inappropriate behaviour – Daily Telegraph

“A former diplomat has won £320,000 from the government after he was accused of behaving ‘inappropriately’ towards a senior politician’s wife.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 4th June 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Crime victims allowed to challenge prosecutors – The Guardian

“Victims are to be given new rights to challenge the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision not to charge a suspect or to drop a prosecution.”

Full story

The Guardian, 5th June 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Pamela Anderson TV ad banned for being ‘sexist and degrading to women’ – The Guardian

Posted June 5th, 2013 in advertising, complaints, news, ombudsmen, women by sally

“A raunchy TV ad featuring ex-Baywatch star Pamela Anderson has been banned for being sexist and degrading to women.”

Full story

The Guardian, 5th June 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

BBC Hall probe to be lead by former High Court judge – BBC News

Posted June 4th, 2013 in BBC, children, inquiries, judges, news, sexual offences by sally

“Retired High Court judge Dame Linda Dobbs is to lead an investigation for the BBC into broadcaster Stuart Hall’s conduct at the corporation.”

Full story

BBC News, 4th June 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Legal aid residency tests ‘will leave migrant children destitute’ – The Guardian

“Abandoned migrant and trafficked children will be left destitute and at risk of exploitation if the government goes ahead with a plan to introduce residency tests to determine whether they qualify for legal aid, child protection experts are warning.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd June 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Inspectors call for streamlined criminal justice process – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 4th, 2013 in criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, news, police, reports by sally

“Inspectors of police service and prosecutors have called for decisive action to streamline the criminal justice process and end ‘the spectre of unnecessary bureaucracy’.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 4th June 2013

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Expert: ruling gives ‘very little comfort’ to employers looking to defend compulsory retirement age in partnership case – OUT-LAW.com

“Employers looking to defend or reintroduce a mandatory retirement age will find ‘very little comfort’ in last week’s decision allowing a law firm to force a partner to retire at 65, an expert has said.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 4th June 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

Man jailed for contempt after attacking judge who had just jailed his brother – The Independent

Posted June 4th, 2013 in assault, contempt of court, judges, news, sentencing by sally

“A fitness instructor who attacked a judge and knocked off his wig has been jailed for 18 months after admitting contempt of court.”

Full story

The Independent, 4th June 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Blowing the Budget – an early warning – Zenith Chambers

Posted June 4th, 2013 in budgets, case management, civil procedure rules, costs, news by sally

“The Costs Management Rules, now set out at Section II of CPR 3, will apply to the majority of multi-track cases issued on or after 1st April 2013.”

Full story (PDF)

Zenith Chambers, 30th May 2013

Source: www.zenithchambers.co.uk

Statutory Wills Update – Thirty Nine Essex Street

Posted June 4th, 2013 in Court of Protection, mental health, news, wills by sally

“This paper addresses the exercise by the Court of Protection of its power under s.18(1)(i) Mental Capacity Act 2005 (‘MCA 2005’) to execute a will for P where P is incapable of making a valid will for him or herself. Such so-called statutory wills (although the phrase does not in fact appear in the MCA 2005) are a very powerful tool that the Court can deploy to protect P and, in particular, P’s estate. Having set the statutory scene, this paper address two key aspects of the Court’s jurisdiction in this regard: (1) the assessment of P’s best interests; and (2) the assessment of P’s testamentary capacity (and, linked, how this assessment relates to the assessment that is undertaken outside the Court’s jurisdiction).”

Full story (PDF)

Thirty Nine Essex Street, May 2013

Source: www.39essex.com