In defence of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act – UCL Constitution Unit

‘The Fixed-term Parliaments Act has come in for a lot of criticism of late, but is it as badly designed and drafted as some commentators would have us believe? The House of Lords Constitution Committee recently commenced an inquiry into the effectiveness of the Act to seek answers to this question. Robert Hazell and Nabila Roukhamieh-McKinna explain the background to the inquiry, and some of the key issues being addressed.’

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UCL Constitution Unit , 23rd September 2019

Source: constitution-unit.com

BSB delays introduction of written pupillage agreements – Legal Futures

Posted September 13th, 2019 in barristers, codes of practice, delay, news, pupillage by sally

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has delayed plans to require chambers to enter into written agreements with pupils, which were due to come into force in just two months’ time.’

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Legal Futures, 13th September 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted September 13th, 2019 in legislation by sally

The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Amendment) Regulations 2019

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

BAILII : Recent Decisions

Posted September 13th, 2019 in law reports by sally

High Court (Chancery Division)

Payne & Anor v Tyler & Anor [2019] EWHC 2347 (Ch) (12 September 2019)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Lamesa Investments Ltd v Cynergy Bank Ltd [2019] EWHC 1877 (Comm) (12 September 2019)

Source: www.bailii.org

Watchdog questions collection of public’s Gov.uk data – BBC News

‘The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office is questioning the UK government about the collection of personal data on its Gov.uk platform.’

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BBC News, 12th September 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

77 more courts in England and Wales to close – The Guardian

Posted September 13th, 2019 in budgets, courts, delay, HM Courts Service, live link evidence, news, ombudsmen, statistics by sally

‘Nearly 80 more courts in England and Wales are due to close under a justice transformation scheme that is falling behind schedule, a watchdog’s report has revealed.’

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The Guardian, 13th September 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Lawyers accuse BA of ‘swerving responsibility’ for data breach after time limit is imposed for compensation claims – Daily Telegraph

‘British Airways has been accused of “swerving responsibility” for a massive data breach by trying to limit compensation payouts for victims, lawyers claim.’

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Daily Telegraph, 12th September 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Couple must repay £10.4 million after ripping off struggling firms to live high life on yachts – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted September 13th, 2019 in assets recovery, banking, bankruptcy, fraud, loans, news, proceeds of crime by sally

‘A couple who made a fortune bankrupting companies to fund their lavish lifestyle have today been ordered to repay more than £10million.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 12th September 2019

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Domestic violence killings in UK at five-year high – The Guardian

Posted September 13th, 2019 in bills, domestic violence, homicide, news, statistics, victims, women by sally

‘The number of domestic violence killings has reached a five-year high, figures show.’

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The Guardian, 13th September 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Teenager who trolled herself with fake social media accounts then blamed it on ex-boyfriend to get revenge is jailed – The Independent

‘A teenage girl who trolled herself on social media and blamed it on her ex-boyfriend in a revenge plot has been jailed.’

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The Independent, 13th September 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Peter Herbert becomes first judge to sue MoJ over race discrimination – The Guardian

‘A prominent judge has told an employment tribunal that race discrimination is a “significant problem” in the judiciary that it is causing “deep distress” to black and minority ethnic lawyers. Peter Herbert, the chair of the Society of Black Lawyers who sits as a crown court recorder and an immigration judge, is suing the Ministry of Justice for race discrimination after he was disciplined for a speech he gave in 2015.’

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The Guardian, 12th September 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Vanessa George: Devon and Cornwall ban for nursery abuser – BBC News

‘A paedophile nursery worker who sexually abused children in her care will be banned from her home county when she is released from prison.’

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BBC News, 13th September 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Law firm secures five-figure payout for survivor of abuse at council-managed residential school – Local Government Lawyer

‘Law firm Leigh Day has said that it has won a five-figure sum in compensation for a survivor of abuse at Swaylands School.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th September 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted September 12th, 2019 in law reports by sally

High Court (Chancery Division)

Glossop Cartons and Print Ltd & Ors v Contact (Print and Packaging) Ltd & Ors [2019] EWHC 2314 (Ch) (11 September 2019)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Miller, R (On the Application Of) v The Prime Minister [2019] EWHC 2381 (QB) (11 September 2019)

Source: www.bailii.org

Emails treated as ‘without prejudice’ can be used for costs – Litigation Futures

Posted September 12th, 2019 in arbitration, costs, electronic mail, news, without prejudice communications by sally

‘There is no rule that communications treated as “without prejudice” despite not being labelled as such cannot be referred to when considering costs, the High Court has ruled.’

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Litigation Futures, 12th September 2019

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Narrow escape for defendants who failed to notice particulars of claim – Litigation Futures

‘A judge has set aside “by the narrowest of margins, and with some hesitation” a claimant’s judgment in default after the defendant’s solicitor failed to notice that particulars of claim had been served for five months.’

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Litigation Futures, 12th September 2019

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Law firms “need data-sharing guidance” to avoid GDPR breaches – Legal Futures

Posted September 12th, 2019 in data protection, law firms, news by sally

‘The Information Commissioner needs to provide specific guidance to law firms on how they can lawfully share personal data, a leading City law firm has argued.’

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Legal Futures, 12th September 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Non-disclosing husband fails in challenge to Court of Appeal – Family Law

Posted September 12th, 2019 in disclosure, divorce, financial provision, Judaism, news, periodical payments by sally

‘A husband who failed to disclose all of his assets has failed in his appeal to set aside an order.’

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Family Law, 10th September 2019

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Cohabiting with a partner: protecting assets – Family Law

Posted September 12th, 2019 in cohabitation, mortgages, news by sally

‘Press reports of Boris Johnson and his partner arguing days before moving into No. 10 together has raised questions about the longevity of their cohabitation. However, with the number of cohabiting couples continuing to increase, how can lawyers advise those who choose to move in together protect their assets in the case of a breakup? Carrie Symonds is the first ‘unmarried’ PM partner to reside at Downing Street – confirmation, if we needed it, that couples choosing to simply cohabit (rather than marry before living together) is becoming the norm. Marriage is no longer the main priority for every couple, with many considering living together, commitment enough. As well as cohabiting being deemed as more socially acceptable than ever before, it has practical appeal too. For many, allowing the financial responsibility of owning and running a household to be shared can make a lot of sense, until a relationship breakdown.’

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Family Law, 12th September 2019

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Four sentenced for their part in the UK’s largest ever visa fraud – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted September 12th, 2019 in conspiracy, fraud, news, sentencing, visas by sally

‘Four people have been sentenced at Southwark Crown Court today for their part in the UK’s largest immigration fraud and attempting to cheat HMRC of payroll tax.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 11th September 2019

Source: www.cps.gov.uk