BSB report shows diversity at the Bar heading slowly in the right direction but that further progress is needed – Bar Standards Board

Posted February 1st, 2017 in barristers, diversity, reports by sally

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today published its annual report on Diversity at the Bar. The report shows that progress was made in 2016 with regard to both diversity at the Bar itself and to the disclosure rates of barristers providing data.’

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Bar Standards Board, 27th January 2017

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Exeter prison struggling with drugs and rising violence, say inspectors – The Guardian

Posted February 1st, 2017 in drug abuse, news, prisons, reports, self-harm, violence by sally

‘Prison inspectors have warned that the situation at Exeter jail is “fragile”, with drugs thrown over the wall on a daily basis and only 29 officers on duty for 490 prisoners. The chief inspector’s report published on Wednesday says staff shortages at the overcrowded category B Victorian prison are exacerbated by problems including drugs and mental health issues, leaving the prison struggling to cope with rising violence and self-harm incidents.’

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The Guardian, 1st February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Putting Women on the Front Foot: The Joint Committee Report on High Heels and Dress Codes at Work – Cloisters

‘The Joint Committee report on high heels and dress codes at work shows that discriminatory dress codes can promote the sexualised objectification of women at work, disadvantage people with disabilities, inhibit employment prospects, impair work performance and cause long term and substantial damage to health.’

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Cloisters, 26th January 2017

Source: www.cloisters.com

Bookmakers’ fury at ‘flawed’ gambling report by MPs – BBC News

Posted January 31st, 2017 in gambling, news, reports, select committees by sally

‘The bookmakers’ trade body has reacted angrily to a report by MPs on fixed-odd betting terminals (FOBTs).’

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BBC News, 31st January 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Government facing legal action over failure to fight climate change – The Independent

‘The Government is facing legal action over its failure to come up with a plan to dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels in order to meet the UK’s international commitments in the fight against climate change.’

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The Independent, 28th January 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK’s super rich appear to get special deal from HMRC, says watchdog – The Guardian

Posted January 27th, 2017 in news, reports, select committees, tax avoidance by sally

‘Britain’s wealthiest people appear to get preferential treatment from HM Revenue & Customs and are not being properly pursued for outstanding tax bills, parliament’s spending watchdog has concluded.’

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The Guardian, 27th January 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Police force which lost vital evidence into toddler Poppi Worthington’s death, failed other youngsters too, watchdog reveals – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 26th, 2017 in children, evidence, news, police, reports, social services by sally

‘A “troubled” police force heavily criticised after the death of 13-month-old Poppi Worthington needs “immediate” improvement in order to protect children, watchdogs have said.’

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Daily Telegraph, 26th January 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Review of Practice Direction 12J FPR 2010 – Child Arrangement and Contact Orders: Domestic Violence and Harm – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

‘Report to the President of the Family Division by The Hon. Mr. Justice Cobb.’

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Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 20th January 2017

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

The Law Commission Report: Enforcement of Family Financial Orders – Enforcement or Variation? – Family Law Week

‘Joseph Rainer, barrister, Queen Elizabeth Building, analyses the implications of the Law Commission’s report Enforcement of Family Financial Orders.’

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Family Law Week, 19th January 2017

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Sexist workplace dress codes ‘force women to dye hair blonde and wear revealing clothes’ – The Independent

Posted January 25th, 2017 in employment, equality, health & safety, news, reports, sex discrimination, women by sally

‘Women are still being forced to wear high heels, make-up and revealing clothes by some employers, a parliamentary report has found.’

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The Independent, 25th January 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK judges change court rules on child contact for violent fathers – The Guardian

‘Senior judges are taking steps to end the presumption that a father must have contact with a child where there is evidence of domestic abuse that would put the child or mother at risk.’

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The Guardian, 20th January 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Sussex University failed duty of care to student assault victim, inquiry finds – The Independent

‘A top UK university failed in its duty of care towards a student who was violently assaulted by her staff lecturer, a formal inquiry has concluded, following an investigation by The Independent.’

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The Independent, 18th January 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Notting Hill carnival risks Hillsborough-scale tragedy, report warns – The Guardian

Posted January 17th, 2017 in health & safety, London, news, police, public order, reports by sally

‘The Notting Hill carnival must change if it is to avoid a “Hillsborough-scale tragedy”, according to a report by the London assembly that found the event has become a serious risk to public safety and is beset by rising levels of violent crime.’

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The Guardian, 17th January 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

MPs call for unpaid internships ban – BBC News

Posted January 17th, 2017 in employment, equality, news, parliament, reports by sally

‘Unpaid internships should be banned as a barrier to social mobility, says a report from MPs and peers.’

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BBC News, 17th January 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MPs to scrutinise cost of parliament restoration works – BBC News

Posted January 16th, 2017 in inquiries, listed buildings, news, parliament, repairs, reports, select committees by sally

‘MPs have launched an inquiry into the planned renovation of the Palace of Westminster amid concerns it may not provide value for money.’

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BBC News, 15th January 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Justice denied: the damning results of the latest report on the impact of legal aid cut – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

‘Secretary of State for Justice, Liz Truss, recently announced that the government would soon confirm the time-table for the post legislative review of the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO). There has been growing pressure on ministers for some time to announce this (see “Back to the drawing board”, 166 NLJ 7698 13 May 2016, p 6). The Legal Action Group (LAG) hopes that the review will be used as an opportunity by the still relatively new team at the top of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to look at funding the provision of early advice in civil legal cases.’

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 11th January 2017

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Poppy Widdison: Agencies missed chances to protect drugged girl – BBC News

Posted January 12th, 2017 in child cruelty, children, drug abuse, news, reports, social services by sally

‘Agencies missed several chances to protect a girl who died after being fed drugs by her mother, a serious case review has found.’

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BBC News, 11th January 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Women should make up at least 45% of MPs by law, say Commons equalities committee – The Independent

Posted January 10th, 2017 in equality, news, parliament, reports, women by sally

‘Parties ‘must be held to account for reducing this democratic deficit’, according to the Women and Equalities Committee, chaired by former Culture Secretary Maria Miller.’

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The Independent, 10th January 2017

Source:www.independent.co.uk

Senior military judge mishandled trial of jailed marine Alexander Blackman, official report finds – Daily Telegraph

‘Britain’s most senior military judge mishandled the trial of a Royal Marine accused of murdering a wounded Taliban fighter to the extent that his conviction may now be quashed, the body that investigates potential miscarriages of justice has found.’

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Daily Telegraph, 9th January 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Reform is about much more than just Online Court, top judges remind profession – Legal Futures

Posted January 9th, 2017 in courts, enforcement, judges, judiciary, jurisdiction, legal profession, news, reports by sally

‘The senior judiciary has acted to remind the profession that implementation of Lord Justice Briggs’ Civil Courts Structure Review will cover much more than just the introduction of the Online Court.’

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Legal Futures, 6th January 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk