‘Reforms that would reduce the number of unlawful search warrants being issued and help law enforcement to investigate crime and collect evidence (especially that stored electronically) have today [7 October 2020] been recommended by the Law Commission, the Government’s independent law reform body.’
Law Commission, 7th October 2020
Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk
‘Last year, the Government committed itself to establishing a Commission on the Constitution, Democracy and Rights, which would consider reform of the UK’s constitutional order, including judicial review and the Human Rights Act 1998. Instead, on 30 July 2020, the Government launched an ostensibly narrower Independent Review of Administrative Law (IRAL) to examine the need for reforms of judicial review in particular. This is to be conducted by an advisory panel of experts led by Lord Faulks QC. Any options for reform put forward by the Review will be considered by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland QC MP and by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove MP. Both the report of the Review and the Government’s response will be published by the end of 2020 or shortly thereafter.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 24th September 2020
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘When most couples start planning a wedding, they excitedly think about the day itself – what they will wear, who they will invite and of course, where they want to get married.’
Law Society's Gazette, 24th September 2020
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Misogyny should be made a hate crime in England and Wales, according to the independent body that recommends legal changes, as part of an overhaul of legislation.’
The Guardian, 23rd September 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Proposals to reform the confiscation regime could help recover an extra £8 million per year from convicted criminals, by more accurately and efficiently determining a defendant’s criminal proceeds and more effectively enforcing confiscation orders. The proposals are outlined in a consultation paper published today [17 September 2020] by the Law Commission of England and Wales.’
Law Commission, 17th September 2020
Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk
‘Relatives of people who have brought legal cases on assisted dying are for the first time making a joint appeal for an inquiry into the current law in England and Wales, saying there is an overwhelming case for change.’
The Guardian, 25th August 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Ministers are unlikely to back a major reform to the Gender Recognition Act, it is understood, amid fresh uncertainty over when the government will actually announce its plans.’
BBC News, 14th July 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The government’s adviser on extremism is investigating whether it’s possible to ban behaviour that leads people to hate each other.’
BBC News, 10th June 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The latest consultation on the Construction Act reached its second stage last month, with the government’s long overdue publication of responses to its consultation on the legislation. When the 1996 act was amended in 2011, the government proposed reviewing it after three years. However, it was six years before consultation with the industry even began. A summary of the responses to that consultation was due two years ago but, presumably owing to Brexit, was not published until this February.’
Atkin Chambers, 12th May 2020
Source: www.atkinchambers.com
‘The rate of change in the legal market makes it “increasingly difficult” for the regulatory framework laid down by the Legal Services Act to remain relevant, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned.’
Legal Futures, 20th April 2020
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
‘Electoral legislation that originates from the Victorian era is “out-dated, confusing and no longer fit for purpose”, the Law Commissions of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission have said in a report calling for the adoption of a single, consistent legislative framework.’
Local Government Lawyer, 17th March 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘Britain’s cyber-defences are being endangered by the outdated Computer Misuse Act, which prevents investigators from dealing effectively with online threats while over-punishing immature defendants, according to a legal report.’
The Guardian, 22nd January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The Home Office is proposing to legislate for a new criminal offence relating to the “possession of the most serious material glorifying or encouraging terrorism”.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 21st January 2020
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘The Law Commission has set out a range of proposals which it said will make it cheaper for Britain’s 4 million leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease. However, the reforms were immediately branded by campaigners as “nothing more than tinkering”.’
The Guardian, 9th January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Homophobic hate crimes in London have increased by 55% in five years, prompting calls for changes to the law. Latest figures show there were 3,111 hate crimes based on sexual orientation in the 12 months up to October. Shaun Bailey, the Conservative candidate for mayor of London, called for new laws and tougher sentencing for homophobic attacks.’
BBC News, 10th January 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The next UK government must act urgently to bring consumer credit laws up to date, a trade body has said. The Finance and Leasing Association (FLA) said that lenders were prevented by the Consumer Credit Act (CCA) from stepping in to help customers in financial difficulty quickly enough, while requiring them to send “old fashioned and severely worded letters”.’
OUT-LAW.com, 13th December 2019
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
‘The future government has been urged to consider every available measure to curb the current drug death “crisis”, including decriminalisation, in an unprecedented plea from the UK’s major drug treatment providers.’
The Independent, 2nd December 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A man has been cleared of a criminal offence over a video that showed a model of a building marked “Grenfell Tower” being burned, while a group of friends laughed and joked.’
Daily Telegraph, 22nd August 2019
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘A group of politicians has recommended an extensive overhaul of whistleblowing legislation, including the creation of a legal definition for the term “whistleblower”.’
OUT-LAW.com, 6th August 2019
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
© Inner Temple Library 2020