Independent review of Ofsted ‘urgently required’ – BBC News

Posted October 31st, 2014 in education, local government, news, quality assurance, teachers by sally

‘Ofsted is in urgent need of independent review in light of concerns about its objectivity and reliability, local government leaders have said.’

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BBC News, 31st October 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Will scrapping the CPD requirement reduce the quality of lawyers? – The Futures of Law

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has pledged to scrap its requirement for solicitors to complete 16 hours of continuing professional development (CPD), describing its existing system as little more than a “box ticking” exercise. The SRA believes revoking the current system will provide greater flexibility, but Nicholas Lakeland, partner and head of the employment and pensions team at Silverman Sherliker LLP, fears it may well lead to a real reduction in training.’

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The Future of Law, 22nd October 2014

Source: www.blogs.lexisnexis.co.uk

Hospital safety standards shocking, say inspectors – BBC News

Posted October 17th, 2014 in budgets, health & safety, hospitals, news, quality assurance, standards, statistics by tracey

‘Safety standards in hospitals in England are “shocking”, inspectors say. The warning by the Care Quality Commission came as it released the results for the first 82 hospital inspected under a new regime. The system has been designed to be tougher and was overhauled following the Stafford Hospital scandal.’

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BBC News, 16th October 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Patchy dementia care puts patients at risk of unnecessary suffering, says CQC – The Guardian

Posted October 13th, 2014 in care homes, elderly, health, hospitals, mental health, news, quality assurance, standards by sally

‘Nine out of 10 care homes and hospitals in England have aspects of care for people with dementia that are variable or poor, making those with the condition likely to receive substandard treatment at some point, according to an important review by the NHS regulator.’

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The Guardian, 13th October 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Court of Appeal dismisses legal challenge to quality assurance scheme for advocates (QASA) – Bar Standards Board

‘An appeal against the High Court’s decision to dismiss a judicial review of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) has today been rejected, on all grounds, by the Court of Appeal.’

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Bar Standards Board, 7th October 2014

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Court of Appeal rejects all grounds of challenge to QASA – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Court of Appeal has today [7 October] rejected a challenge to the lawfulness of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA).’

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Local Government Lawyer, 7th October 2014

Source: www.localgovernemtnlawyer.co.uk

Up to 200 ‘dangerous’ GP surgeries face closure under inspection regime – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 30th, 2014 in doctors, health, news, quality assurance by tracey

‘Up to 200 GP surgeries face closure or being placed in special measures for providing potentially dangerous care to thousands of patients, the chief inspector of family doctors has warned.’

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Daily Telegraph, 30th September 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Leicester illegal circumcision doctor guilty of misconduct – BBC News

‘A psychiatrist who circumcised 41 boys at a “non-sterile” clinic in a terraced house has been found guilty of misconduct. Dr Hassan Abdulla was not registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) when he operated at the Al-Khalill Clinic in Leicester.’

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BBC News, 11th September 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Government agrees to set up Food Crime Unit following Elliott Review – Local Government Lawyer

Posted September 8th, 2014 in consumer protection, food, fraud, health & safety, news, quality assurance by sally

‘A new Food Crime Unit is to be set up after the Government accepted all of the recommendations of the Elliott report on food integrity and assurance of food supply networks.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 4th September 2014

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

QASA challenge could cost criminal barristers £215,000 – Legal Futures

Posted August 11th, 2014 in appeals, barristers, costs, news, protective costs orders, quality assurance by sally

‘The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) and circuits could face a £65,000 bill – nearly twice what they had hoped for – if their Court of Appeal bid to derail the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) fails, it has emerged.’

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Legal Futures, 11th August 2014

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Bar Standards Board to “research need for accreditation schemes” – Legal Futures

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has promised to research “the need for other quality assurance schemes and/or accreditation schemes” so the public can have confidence in barristers.’

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Legal Futures, 4th August 2014

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Criminal bar takes QASA challenge to appeal court – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 17th, 2014 in appeals, barristers, news, quality assurance by tracey

‘The criminal bar has begun the next stage of its challenge to the introduction of the controversial Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA).’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 16th July 2014

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

The Jeffrey’s Review – a challenge to the Bar – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

‘On 7 May 2014 the report by Sir Bill Jeffrey on “Independent criminal advocacy in England and Wales”, the first of the triumvirate of reports into the state of the criminal justice system, was issued. It is a mixed bag. Many lawyers were hoping for more, specifically for ammunition in their battle with the MoJ, but that point is largely ducked. Whilst there is a lot that the (independent) bar can take comfort, and perhaps even pride in, make no mistake – however it is sugar-coated, this is not a homage to the Bar, or a plea to maintain the status quo.’


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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 9th May 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Call for QC reaccreditation as QASA challenge staggers on – Legal Futures

‘The possibility of introducing re-accreditation for QCs, meaning that silk would no longer be a permanent appointment, and a power to strip them of the rank in the event of misconduct, was floated last week.’

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Legal Futures, 7th April 2014

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ofsted to set out changes to school inspection – BBC News

Posted March 21st, 2014 in education, news, quality assurance by sally

‘The head of Ofsted is set to outline changes to school inspections and defend the schools’ watchdog, in a speech to headteachers.’

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BBC News, 21st March 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Unacceptable’ failings and overcrowding found in NHS hospitals – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 7th, 2014 in hospitals, news, quality assurance by tracey

‘Unacceptably poor outpatient care, overcrowding and delays in Accident & Emergency units have been highlighted in the first national report following a new NHS inspection regime. Inspectors who visited a cross-section of 18 hospitals across the country found patients were waiting far too long in casualty units, and for appointments to see consultants and undergo tests.’

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Daily Telegraph, 6th March 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

QASA: time to move on – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted February 5th, 2014 in advocacy, barristers, judicial review, news, quality assurance by sally

‘“It is a critical test of the freedom inherent in our democratic society that those accused (usually by the State) of committing criminal offences can and should be represented by capable criminal advocates…”

So opens the judgment, which was handed down last month by Lord Justice Leveson, in the judicial review of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA). QASA, it ruled, “is lawful, does not contravene European law and falls well within the legitimate exercise of the powers of the LSB and the three regulators that submitted it to the LSB for approval”.’

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 4th February 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

High Court refuses permission to appeal QASA ruling and makes maximum costs order – Legal Futures

Posted February 4th, 2014 in appeals, barristers, costs, news, quality assurance by sally

‘The High Court has today refused permission to appeal against the recent ruling on the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA).’

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Legal Futures, 4th February 2014

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Mental Health Act detentions up 12% – BBC News

Posted January 29th, 2014 in detention, hospitals, mental health, news, quality assurance, standards, statistics by sally

‘The number of people in England being detained under the Mental Health Act has risen by 12% in the past five years, according to the NHS regulator.’

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BBC News, 28th January 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Statement by the Joint Advocacy Group on changes to the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) – Bar Standards Board

Posted January 27th, 2014 in advocacy, barristers, news, quality assurance by sally

‘Following the handing down of the judgment on Monday 20 January 2014, the Bar Standards Board, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and ILEX Professional Standards, have discussed the practical consequences of the outcome. In particular, they have considered whether a revision to the current registration timetable is required and the recommendations to amend the Scheme outlined in the judgment.’

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Bar Standards Board, 27th January 2014

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk