The Trade Bill – renegotiation and renewal of EU trade agreements after Brexit – in this new constitutional territory more Parliamentary scrutiny is urgently needed – Brexit Law

‘The lack of adequate Parliamentary scrutiny when the UK negotiates trade agreements (something it has not done in its own right for many years) has come to the attention of the House of Commons International Trade Committee. This is timely given the prospect of the UK negotiating the single most important trade agreement it is likely to negotiate for a long time – its future trade agreement with the EU. The context for the Committee’s concern is its inquiry into the Trade Bill. One of the issues which the Bill addresses is the domestic implementation in the UK of those EU trade agreements which are adapted for continued application by the UK after Brexit. The Committee has asked whether Parliamentary scrutiny of ministerial rules implementing these agreements is adequate, and, more broadly, whether scrutiny of the UK signing up to these and other trade agreements, is adequate.’

Full Story

Brexit Law, 6th December 2017

Source: brexit.law

Gig economy reform – how to balance innovation and the protection of workers – Technology Law Update

Posted November 27th, 2017 in bills, employment, flexible working, news, reports, select committees by sally

‘The position of workers in the gig economy, those on zero hours contracts and agency workers has been the focus of political attention recently. While these models provide valuable flexibility to businesses, especially those using innovative technology like using an app or a website to hire someone for a particular task, they can leave individuals with insecure incomes and future prospects, and unprotected from exploitative companies. They can also leave the most responsible businesses at a disadvantage.’

Full Story

Technology Law Update, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk

Rule of law in UK at risk after Brexit, says former supreme court president – The Guardian

‘The legal implications of leaving the EU have not been thought through, could overwhelm the supreme court and endanger the independence of the British judiciary, four senior retired judges have warned.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 21st November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Change law to protect gig economy workers, MPs’ report urges – The Guardian

Posted November 20th, 2017 in bills, news, select committees, self-employment by tracey

‘The government is under pressure to change the law to tackle bogus self-employment and protect workers in the gig economy after a report published on Monday by two influential parliamentary committees.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 20th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

MPs denounce food regulator after 2 Sisters chicken scandal – The Guardian

Posted November 17th, 2017 in food hygiene, news, reports, select committees by tracey

‘Scathing report by MPs attacks oversight and inspection regimes at Food Standards Agency and local authorities.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 17th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Disastrous’ offender tagging scheme hit by fresh delays – The Guardian

Posted November 14th, 2017 in criminal justice, delay, news, select committees by tracey

‘Fresh delays have hit the government’s scandal-hit programme for the electronic tagging of offenders, which mean the next-generation satellite tracking tags will not come into use until early 2019, MPs have been told.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 13th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Peers warn of low morale in judiciary and call for greater diversity – The Guardian

Posted November 3rd, 2017 in diversity, judiciary, news, pensions, remuneration, select committees by tracey

‘The dilapidated state of some courts, a shortage of support staff and heavy administrative burdens are depressing the judiciary’s morale, a parliamentary report has warned.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 2nd November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government reiterates plans for EU-UK data flows post-Brexit amidst criticism of Data Protection Bill powers – OUT-LAW.com

‘The UK government has reiterated its plans to establish an agreement with the remainder of the EU member states that will allow personal data to flow across borders unhindered post-Brexit.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 30th October 2017

Source: www.out-law.com

Prisoners Will Finally Be Given The Vote, Say Reports – Rights Info

‘A limited number of prisoners will be allowed to vote ending the UK’s total ban on prisoners voting, according to reports.’

Full Story

Rights Info, 29th October 2017

Source: rightsinfo.org

Youth Justice System ‘Falls Short’ of Human Rights Obligations, MPs Claim – Rights Info

‘The current system of disclosing past convictions undermines the principles of the youth justice system, according to a report published today by the Justice Committee.’

Full Story

Rights Info, 27th October 2017

Source: rightsinfo.org

Youth crime disclosure rules wholly inappropriate, say MPs – BBC News

‘Rules on disclosing crimes committed in childhood in England and Wales should be “radically revised”, say MPs.’

Full Story

BBC News, 27th October 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MPs threaten to use parliamentary powers to force disclosure of critical RBS report – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 13th, 2017 in banking, news, reports, select committees by tracey

‘Treasury committee chair Nicky Morgan has threatened to use parliamentary powers to force the disclosure of a report into the conduct of RBS’s controversial business restructuring arm.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 13th October 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

House of Lords committee to look into need for Brexit transition deal – OUT-LAW.com

Posted September 29th, 2017 in brexit, EC law, inquiries, international relations, news, select committees, speeches, treaties by sally

‘A House of Lords committee is to examine the legal basis for, and potential costs to the UK of, a time-limited Brexit transitional period.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 28th September 2017

Source: www.out-law.com

MPs given early chance to scrutinise discount rate reform legislation – Litigation Futures

‘The justice select committee has accepted an invitation by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft legislation to reform the discount rate.’

Full Story

Litigation Futures, 18th September 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

‘They funked it’ – LCJ’s dismay at inaction on older recorders – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted September 18th, 2017 in judges, judiciary, Ministry of Justice, news, recruitment, retirement, select committees by tracey

‘The lord chief justice has urged the government to deal with the thorny issue of forcing retirement upon part-time recorders believed to be clogging up the judicial system.’

Full Story

Law Society's Gazette, 18th September 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

House of Lords launches inquiry into post-Brexit competition policy – OUT-LAW.com

Posted July 26th, 2017 in brexit, competition, EC law, inquiries, news, select committees by sally

‘The House of Lords’ EU Internal Market Sub-Committee has launched an inquiry into the implications of Brexit on UK competition policy.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 25th July 2017

Source: www.out-law.com

Online trolling laws under consideration following abuse of MPs – The Independent

‘An investigation into the abuse of MPs and parliamentary candidates is considering whether new laws are needed to protect public servants because of the rise of social media.’

Full Story

The Independent, 24th July 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Jack Simson Caird: The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill: Constitutional Change and Legal Continuity – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘Nine months after Theresa May first announced that there would be a ‘Great Repeal Bill’, and three and a half months after triggering Article 50, the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill (EUW Bill) was published on 13 July 2017. The Bill is a complex mixture of constitutional change and legal continuity. This post highlights some of its main elements.’

Full Story

UK Constitutional Law Association, 18th July 2017

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

PM orders inquiry into intimidation of MPs during general election – The Guardian

‘Theresa May has ordered an investigation into intimidation experienced by candidates during the last election after a barrage of complaints by MPs about death threats and harassment.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 12th July 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Munira Ali: Examining the dissolution of the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ inquiry into mental health and deaths in prisons: another missed opportunity? – UK Human Rights Blog

‘The issues relating to imprisonment of individuals with mental health problems in the UK has attracted considerable attention, as the number of self-inflicted deaths has risen to the highest number since records began in 1978. With a rate of one prison suicide every three days, the director of the Howard League described the current rate as having reached “epidemic proportions”. The steady rise of deaths in custody has prompted a series of inquiries in recent years, and has drawn scrutiny from UN bodies and Special Procedures, and more recently, UN Member States as part of a periodic review of its human rights performance. However, despite this, little progress has been made.’

Full Story

UK Human Rights Blog, 7th June 2017

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com