Avon and Somerset Police ‘institutionally racist’, chief constable says – BBC News

‘A chief constable says she believes her own force is “institutionally racist”. Sarah Crew said she came to that conclusion after applying a series of criteria to Avon and Somerset Police following a report into the local criminal justice system.’

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BBC News, 16th June 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police watchdog for England and Wales demands new powers amid trust crisis – The Guardian

Posted June 9th, 2023 in disciplinary procedures, news, ombudsmen, police, professional conduct by tracey

‘The head of the police inspectorate in England and Wales has demanded sweeping new powers to compel police forces to tackle what he described as the worst crisis in law and order in living memory.’

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The Guardian, 9th June 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judicial review challenge settled in “sleeping councillor” planning case – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 31st, 2023 in judicial review, local government, news, planning, professional conduct by sally

‘Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has settled a judicial review challenge over a decision which saw the council’s planning committee rescind a planning refusal because the applicant claimed a councillor appeared to be asleep during the meeting.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 30th May 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Police officer found guilty of more than 100 child sex abuse offences – Daily Telegraph

‘A police officer has pleaded guilty to more than 100 charges of inciting children to engage in sexual activity online.’

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Daily Telegraph, 30th May 2023

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Met police put spit hood on 90-year-old woman and pointed Taser at her – The Guardian

‘A 90-year-old black woman was handcuffed and had a spit hood placed over her head and a Taser pointed at her by the Metropolitan police.’

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The Guardian, 30th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Law firms and preventing sexual harassment in the workplace – Kingsley Napley Employment Law Blog

‘Sexual harassment in the workplace has attracted growing concern globally over the past five years. The House of Commons Women and Equalities Select Committee (WESC) inquiry in July 2018 triggered a parliamentary debate around the need for stricter duties for employers to prevent unwanted sexual behaviour at work. In parallel, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has prioritised tackling sexual misconduct in law firms and recent changes to its Codes of Conduct emphasise the expectation on firms to foster a culture of zero tolerance to counter-inclusive behaviours, including sexual misconduct.’

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Kingsley Napley Employment Law Blog, 23rd May 2023

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

Wayne Couzens could have been identified as a sex offender in 2015, report says – The Guardian

‘Wayne Couzens escaped being identified as a sex offender six years before he murdered Sarah Everard, despite police having the registration of a car he had allegedly used to flash passersby, as well as his name and address, an official report has revealed.’

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The Guardian, 23rd May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK crime agency to pursue up to 100 lawyers accused of helping traffickers – The Guardian

‘The National Crime Agency is preparing to pursue up to 100 lawyers it believes are helping traffickers abuse modern slavery laws to secure asylum for people entering the UK.’

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The Guardian, 18th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

No cab-rank rule breach – yet – for barrister signatories of eco-resolution – Legal Futures

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) will not take action against barristers who have committed not to prosecute climate protestors or work for fossil fuel companies – at least until they actually refuse instructions.’

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Legal Futures, 18th May 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Lord Sentamu: Former Archbishop of York told to step down from Church – BBC News

‘The former Archbishop of York has been forced to step down from his Church of England role after a review into how he handled a child sex abuse allegation.’

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BBC News, 14th May 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Warnings over NHS data privacy after ‘stalker’ doctor shares woman’s records – The Guardian

‘The confidentiality of NHS medical records has been thrown into doubt after a “stalker” hospital doctor accessed and shared highly sensitive information about a woman who had started dating her ex-boyfriend, despite not being involved in her care.’

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The Guardian, 14th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Met Police officer who left man paralysed not guilty of GBH – BBC News

‘A Met Police officer who left a man paralysed when he Tasered him as he ran away has been cleared of causing grievous bodily harm.’

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BBC News, 11th May 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sentamu rejects report findings that he failed to act on child sexual abuse claim – The Guardian

‘John Sentamu, the former archbishop of York, failed to act on disclosures that a Church of England vicar raped a 16-year-old boy, a report commissioned by the church has found.’

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The Guardian, 11th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ethics and access: striking the right balance – Bar Standards Board

‘What is an ethical lawyer? Should an ethical lawyer steer clear of certain clients on public interest grounds? And should the regulator police the profession’s choice of client?’

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Bar Standards Board, 28th April 2023

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Four staff at specialist hospital guilty of mistreating vulnerable patients – The Independent

‘Four members of staff at a specialist hospital have been found guilty of mistreating vulnerable patients after an undercover BBC Panorama documentary.’

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The Independent, 28th April 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

LSB to put focus on “ethical competence” of lawyers – Legal Futures

‘There needs to be more focus on the “ethical competence” of lawyers throughout their careers, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has suggested.’

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Legal Futures, 25th April 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Independent review of NHS Tayside over disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel – BBC News

‘Health Secretary Michael Matheson is launching an independent review of NHS Tayside in relation to disgraced former head of neurosurgery Sam Eljamel.’

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BBC News, 20th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Met officers who shared WhatsApp messages mocking Harvey Price found guilty of gross misconduct – The Independent

‘Eight serving and former Metropolitan Police officers have been found guilty of “gross misconduct” over a “discriminatory and offensive” WhatsApp group, which contained messages mocking Katie Price’s disabled son.’

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The Independent, 13th April 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Met Police: Former officer found guilty of rape – BBC News

‘A former Metropolitan Police officer has been found guilty of raping a woman while he was off duty.’

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BBC News, 4th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Transgender children GP: Helen Webberley wins suspension appeal – BBC News

‘A GP offering treatment for transgender patients online has won a High Court appeal against her suspension as a doctor and can now work again.’

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BBC News, 1st April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk