London council estate resident wins battle over misuse of planning law – The Guardian

Posted January 18th, 2024 in housing, judicial review, local government, news, planning by sally

‘A woman who fought the gentrification of the south London council estate that has been her home for 30 years has won a high court battle against the local authority for its misuse of planning law.’

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The Guardian, 17th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Daughter of murdered MP David Amess taking legal action against police and Home Office – The Independent

Posted January 18th, 2024 in government departments, murder, news, personal injuries, police, terrorism by sally

‘The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess is suing the police and government for failing to stop his death.’

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The Independent, 17th January 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

An update to the STEP Standard Provisions – Mills & Reeve

Posted January 18th, 2024 in drafting, news, trusts, wills by sally

‘On the 2 November 2023, the Society of Trust Estates and Practitioners (STEP) published the third edition of their standard provisions that can be used when will drafting.’

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Mills & Reeve, 18th January 2024

Source: www.mills-reeve.com

Ministers accused of watering down rules around abortion clinic buffer zones – The Guardian

Posted January 18th, 2024 in abortion, government departments, human rights, news, public order by sally

‘Ministers have been accused of watering down guidance around new buffer zones outside abortion clinics in England and Wales, after it emerged campaigners could still be allowed to conduct silent prayers and approach women attending clinics to discuss the issue.’

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The Guardian, 17th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Avon calling! … with the latest word on severance – Pensions Barrister

Posted January 18th, 2024 in amendments, interpretation, news, pensions by sally

‘Paul Newman KC has written a casenote on the recent decision of HH Judge Davis-White KC in Avon Cosmetics Ltd v Dalriada Trustees Ltd & ors, which considered the requirements for the Court to be able to salvage parts of otherwise invalid deeds of amendment.’

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Pensions Barrister, January 2024

Source: www.pensionsbarrister.com

Final infected blood inquiry report delayed until May – BBC News

Posted January 18th, 2024 in blood products, compensation, delay, inquiries, news, reports by sally

‘The publication of a final report into the infected blood scandal has been delayed until May.’

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BBC News, 17th January 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Two-year-old boy died of starvation curled up next to dead father – The Guardian

Posted January 18th, 2024 in children, local government, news, social services by sally

‘A two-year-old boy was left alone to die of starvation curled up next to the body of his father, who had suffered a fatal heart attack, his family has revealed.’

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The Guardian, 17th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Wiltshire father pleads guilty to killing baby daughter – BBC News

‘The father of a three-month old baby girl who died of fatal head injuries has admitted killing her.’

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BBC News, 16th January 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Courts “could cope” with large number of Post Office appeals, says LCJ – Legal Futures

‘The courts “could cope” with a large volume of criminal appeals in the wake of the Post Office scandal, the Lady Chief Justice told MPs yesterday.’

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Legal Futures, 17th January 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Housing Ombudsman criticises council over four cases of severe maladministration, covering “wide range of responsibilities” – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Housing Ombudsman has criticised Croydon Council after finding severe maladministration in four cases that covered several aspects of the landlord’s responsibilities, including anti-social behaviour, adaptations and mutual exchange.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 16th January 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Top London school taken to high court over prayer ban – The Guardian

Posted January 17th, 2024 in equality, human rights, judicial review, news, school children, teachers by sally

‘One of England’s highest performing state schools, famed for its top results, strict discipline code and charismatic headteacher, has been challenged in the high court for its policy of banning prayer rituals on school premises.’

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The Guardian, 16th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Planning Inspectorate to stop accepting comments on appeals via email in bid to “streamline” process – Local Government Lawyer

Posted January 17th, 2024 in appeals, electronic mail, enforcement, local government, news, planning by sally

‘The Planning Inspectorate has said it will stop accepting comments on planning and enforcement appeals via email in order to streamline the process both for the inspectorate and local planning authorities.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 17th January 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Legislating fiction – EIN Blog

‘Members of Parliament in the UK will on 16 and 17 January 2024 debate the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, which “gives effect to the judgement of Parliament that the Republic of Rwanda is a safe country” for asylum-seekers. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled in November 2023 that Rwanda was manifestly not safe as asylum seekers sent to the country would face a real risk of ill-treatment due to insufficient guarantees against refoulement. The Bill thus aims to use law to determine a factual situation for as long as the law is in force. This blog discusses the risks inherent in creating such a “legal fiction” and how the Bill could be revised to mitigate this risk, before assessing the chances of it becoming law in the currently turbulent political context.’

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EIN Blog, 16th January 2024

Source: www.ein.org.uk

The inside story of two rape trials: ‘It’s as bad as I’ve ever known it’ – The Guardian

Posted January 17th, 2024 in barristers, criminal justice, news, rape, sexual offences, trials by sally

‘In sexual assault cases, the work of prosecution barristers is complex, poorly paid – and essential. With conviction rates extraordinarily low and barristers quitting criminal practice in droves, the Guardian shadowed one prosecutor for two years.’

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The Guardian, 17th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sebastian Timmis: ‘Manipulative’ dating app fraudster jailed – BBC News

Posted January 17th, 2024 in fraud, imprisonment, internet, news, sentencing by sally

‘A “cynical and manipulative” fraudster who stole more than £30,000 from women he met online has been jailed.’

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BBC News, 16th January 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK Pensions Regulator’s new code of practice offers more flexibility for schemes – OUT-LAW.com

Posted January 16th, 2024 in codes of practice, news, pensions, trusts by sally

‘A new general code of practice issued by the UK Pensions Regulator (TPR) should help improve the operation of pension schemes and manage risk for both members and trustee boards, an expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 15th January 2024

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

UK tribunal decision ‘offers comfort’ to employers addressing underrepresentation – OUT-LAW.com

Posted January 16th, 2024 in diversity, employment, employment tribunals, news by sally

‘A recent employment tribunal decision offers reassurance to employers that are taking steps to improve diversity, provided that care is taken in how they go about it, an employment law expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 15th January 2024

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Government facing legal challenge over withdrawal of active travel statutory guidance – Local Government Lawyer

‘A judicial review challenge of the Department for Transport’s decision to withdraw active travel guidance supporting travel by foot and bicycle has been launched.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th January 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

BSB to scrap requirement for barristers to have a degree – Legal Futures

Posted January 16th, 2024 in barristers, education, examinations, legal education, news, universities by sally

‘The Bar Standard Board (BSB) is planning to scrap the requirement that Bar students have at least a lower second-class degree, opening the way for those with third-class degrees or no degree at all to become a barrister.’

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Legal Futures, 16th January 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

UNHCR says Sunak’s new Rwanda bill still violates international humanitarian law – The Independent

Posted January 16th, 2024 in asylum, bills, international law, news, refugees, Rwanda by sally

‘The new Rwanda deal proposed by Rishi Sunak’s government is still “not compatible” with international refugee law, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said. The UNHCR has published its legal assessment of the bill designed to allow Britain to send asylum seekers who arrive illegally in the UK to Rwanda.’

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The Independent, 16th January 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk