Lawyers to argue for mother and baby’s right to Healthy Start in UK – The Guardian

Posted March 2nd, 2021 in benefits, children, food, health, immigration, judicial review, minorities, news by sally

‘An 11-month-old baby and her mother are bringing a case in the high court to try to secure the baby’s right to free vitamins, formula milk and nutritious food.’

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The Guardian, 1st March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

A crucial and long-needed step against the devaluation of domestic work: ‘family worker’ exemption dis-applied in Puthenveettil v Alexander & ors – by Natalie Sedacca – UK Labour Law

‘On 15 December 2020, the London South Employment Tribunal gave its judgment in a claim brought by a domestic worker, Ms Kamalammal P K Puthenveettil, challenging her exemption from payment of the national minimum wage on the basis of the “family worker” exemption. The Employment Tribunal (‘ET’) accepted the Claimant’s argument that this exemption, stemming from the “family worker” exemption, was unlawful and indirectly discriminatory on the basis of sex. This exemption has meant that some live-in domestic workers – part of an overwhelmingly female and largely ethnic minority and / or migrant workforce – have been at worst denied payment of the national minimum wage (‘NMW’), and in other cases lacked clarity about their entitlement to this very basic right. After outlining the background to Puthenveettil, this post will explain the family worker exemption and its (mis-)application to some live-in domestic workers. It will then analyse the judgment in Puthenveettil, its significance in questioning the devaluation of domestic work, and the limitations of the legal framework for domestic workers in the UK.’

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UK Labour Law, 1st March 2021

Source: uklabourlawblog.com

Supreme Court: Shamima Begum may be barred from UK – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Since 2019 when Shamima Begum was found in a camp in north Syria, her hopes of returning to the UK have ebbed and flowed (see here and here). Stripped of her British citizenship, she brought three sets of legal proceedings. Last week, after a ruling by the Supreme Court, her hopes receded once more. The Home Secretary was entitled to refuse her entry to the UK to pursue her appeal against the loss of citizenship, the Court ruled. So, Ms Begum’s appeal has been stayed, pending some change in her circumstances which will enable her to participate in a hearing – albeit from outside the UK.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 1st March 2021

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Briton jailed over plot to pay bribes for Iraq oil contract – The Guardian

Posted March 2nd, 2021 in bribery, conspiracy, contracts, news, sentencing by sally

‘A British businessman has been jailed for three and a half years after being convicted of conspiring to pay huge backhanders in one of the world’s biggest bribery scandals.’

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The Guardian, 1st March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

A Campaign To Include Mx Title On All Forms Is Gaining Momentum. Here’s Why It’s Important – Each Other

Posted March 2nd, 2021 in electronic commerce, equality, gender, news, transgender persons by sally

‘Include Mx, which was launched in November 2020, is a micro campaign that approaches businesses and organisations to ask them to include Mx as an option on forms. Mx is a gender neutral honorific that was first coined and used in the 1970s. It’s used by those who do not identify as a particular gender, as well as those who do not want to reveal their gender.’

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Each Other, 1st March 2021

Source: eachother.org.uk

Campaigners welcome extra protections in domestic abuse bill – The Guardian

Posted March 2nd, 2021 in assault, bills, coercive & controlling behaviour, news, sentencing by sally

‘Campaigners have welcomed news that ministers will make non-fatal strangulation a specific criminal offence punishable by five years’ imprisonment.’

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The Guardian, 1st March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Covid: Family camping on cliff edge fined for lockdown breach – BBC News

Posted March 2nd, 2021 in coronavirus, fines, news, regulations by sally

‘A couple found camping “in a perilous position” on top of a cliff have been fined for breaching lockdown rules.’

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BBC News, 1st March 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Failure to remove’ claims – the decision in HXA v Surrey County Council – Local Government Lawyer

‘Paul Stagg analyses an important decision this month on “failure to remove” claims and also summarises the other case law to date, before looking at pending cases and the likely way forward to the higher courts.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 26th February 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

High Court rejects application by mother to prevent local authority from imposing vaccinations on child in foster care – Local Government Lawyer

‘A High Court judge has rejected a mother’s application, supported by the father, to prevent a local authority from imposing a programme of vaccinations on a child in foster care without their consent.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 26th February 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

High Court: Covid self-employed support scheme does not unlawfully discriminate against women – UK Human Rights Blog

‘R (The Motherhood Plan and Anor) v HM Treasury [2021] EWHC 309 (Admin). In a judgment handed down on 17 February 2021, the High Court has ruled that the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (“the Scheme”) introduced during the coronavirus pandemic does not indirectly discriminate against self-employed women who have taken a period of leave relating to maternity or pregnancy in the last three tax years.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 26th February 2021

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Unhappy judges not as dissatisfied as they were, research shows – Litigation Futures

Posted March 1st, 2021 in government departments, judges, judiciary, news, statistics by sally

‘Judges are a bit happier in their jobs than they were five years ago but feel seriously undervalued by the government, the latest judicial attitude survey has revealed.’

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Litigation Futures, 1st March 2021

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Police boss wants to trial giving cannabis to prisoners – The Independent

Posted March 1st, 2021 in drug abuse, drug offences, medicines, news, police, prisons, statistics by sally

‘Prisoners should be given cannabis to help deal with addiction problems and tackle violence, according to a police and crime commissioner (PCC) in Wales.’

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The Independent, 28th February 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Women earn two-thirds less than men in top finance roles – report – The Guardian

Posted March 1st, 2021 in banking, equality, news, remuneration, sex discrimination, statistics, women by sally

‘Female directors at the UK’s largest financial services firms earn on average two-thirds less than their male counterparts, new research shows, underlining the pay gap that still exists between men and women at the highest levels in the financial sector.’

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The Guardian, 1st March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Rogue landlord told to pay back £739,000 over illegal London housing – The Guardian

‘A rogue landlord who operated illegal rooming houses in London has been told to pay back £739,000 in illicit earnings or face jail, in one of the biggest confiscation orders of its kind, the council that investigated the case has said.’

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The Guardian, 28th February 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

High court dismisses case on ‘failure to give guidance on prioritising patients’ – The Independent

‘A legal challenge to the government’s alleged failure to issue national guidance on how to prioritise patients during the Covid-19 pandemic has been dismissed by the High Court.’

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The Independent, 28th February 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Non-fatal strangulation to carry five years in prison under reforms – The Guardian

‘Ministers will make non-fatal strangulation a specific criminal offence punishable by five years’ imprisonment following pressure from campaigners.’

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The Guardian, 1st March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

“Power of the purse” will bring diversity to Bar – Legal Futures

“The “power of the purse”, coming not from solicitors but from their clients, will “make the difference” in improving diversity at the Bar, a leading Black QC has said.’

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Legal Futures, 26th February 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

What is a Cohabitation Agreement, and do I need one? – Family Law

Posted February 26th, 2021 in cohabitation, families, financial dispute resolution, news by sally

‘Many couples, despite living together, never seek to legally formalise their living and financial arrangements. They mistakenly believe that the concept of a “common law” husband and wife applies to them namely that they will automatically have financial claims against each other simply because they live together. The reality is far from this. Cohabitants do not have the same financial protection and security on the breakdown of their relationship as is afforded to married couples/those in civil partnerships.’

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Family Law, 26th February 2021

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Government reveals long-awaited whiplash rules and tariffs – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The government has confirmed that legislation paving the way for whiplash reforms will come into force from 31 May. Newly-published draft statutory instruments have also finally indicated the tariff levels at which damages will be set for soft tissue injuries suffered in road traffic accidents.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 26th February 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

The Covid-19 Pandemic as a Barder Event – Family Law Week

‘Richard Kershaw, partner at Hunters Law LLP, considers the implications of Mr Justice Cohen’s judgment in FRB v DRC (No 3).’

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Family Law Week, 25th February 2021

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk