Goods Mortgages Bill ready to write off unfair law on logbook loans – Law Commission

Posted November 24th, 2017 in bills, consumer protection, loans, mortgages, press releases by sally

‘The Law Commission has today published a new draft Bill to put the brake on unfair rules on logbook loans and usher in a new era of better protection for consumers.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 24th November 2017

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk/

How can the courts protect children from extremism? – Family Law

Posted November 24th, 2017 in care orders, children, families, guardianship, news, terrorism by sally

‘Complex cases involving the children of families in which there are adults suspected of undertaking activities linked to terrorism or of involvement in radicalisation are facing family judges up and down the country as child protection services grapple to deal with the immediate effects of extremism.’

Full Story

Family Law, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Two convicted of Modern Slavery Act offences – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Two people who arranged for underage girls to be trafficked for sexual exploitation have been convicted of offences under the Modern Slavery Act today (21 Nov).’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 21st November 2017

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Court of Protection Rules 2017 – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted November 24th, 2017 in Court of Protection, press releases, regulations by sally

‘As of 1 December 2017, the Court of Protection Rules 2017 come into force. The Rules are now in the same format as the Civil Procedure and Family Procedure Rules. The new-look Court of Protection Rules will also incorporate those rules relating to case management which have, since September 2016, been implemented by way of the Case Management Pilot. The Practice Directions supporting the 2007 Rules are replaced by the package of new Practice Directions supporting the 2017 Rules.’

Full press release

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Sex offender who targeted children online has sentenced increased – Attorney General’s Office

Posted November 24th, 2017 in appeals, child abuse, internet, press releases, sentencing, sexual offences by sally

‘Sex offender, Paul Leighton, has had his sentence increased to 20 years in prison.’

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Civil standard of proof set to be adopted for professional misconduct proceedings for barristers – Bar Standards Board

‘Following a public consultation earlier this year, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has decided to change the standard of proof applied when barristers, and others regulated by the BSB, face disciplinary proceedings for professional misconduct. Subject to approval from the Legal Services Board (LSB), the standard of proof will change from the criminal standard (“beyond reasonable doubt”) to the civil standard (“on the balance of probabilities”). The change will bring the Bar’s disciplinary arrangements in line with most other professions.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 24th November 2017

Source: www.barstandsboard.org.uk

Sir Brian Leveson asked to advise ministers on second press inquiry – The Guardian

Posted November 24th, 2017 in consultations, government departments, inquiries, media, news by sally

‘Sir Brian Leveson has been asked to advise ministers on holding the second part of a public inquiry into the British press and is reviewing submissions made by newspapers on future regulation of the sector.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Treasury replaces tax return fines with points-type system – The Guardian

Posted November 24th, 2017 in income tax, news, penalties, time limits by sally

‘The £100 immediate fine for filing a late tax return will be replaced by a driving licence-style points system. The change will come as part of a series of Treasury reforms which aim to concentrate on serious tax avoidance and not punish taxpayers who make simple errors.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Families buried wrong bodies after NHS mortuary mix-ups, study reveals – The Independent

Posted November 24th, 2017 in burials and cremation, hospitals, human tissue, mistake, news, reports by sally

‘Families have been given the wrong bodies to bury or cremate due to serious errors in hospital mortuaries, a study has revealed. Analysis of 132 serious mortuary incidents reported by the NHS between 2002 and 2013 found nine cases where the wrong body was released and had to be exhumed after burial or cremation.’

Full Story

The Independent, 24th November 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Sadistic’ couple jailed for campaign of child abuse – BBC News

Posted November 24th, 2017 in child cruelty, news, sentencing by sally

‘A couple found guilty of the “physical, mental and emotional abuse” of two boys have been jailed. Lisa Pratt, 36, and Andrew Clent, 30, were both convicted of two counts of child cruelty in Witney between January 2010 and April 2015.’

Full Story

BBC News, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man abseiled into woman’s London home, beat her with crowbar, stabbed her and left her for dead – The Independent

Posted November 24th, 2017 in attempted murder, attempts, burglary, murder, news, sentencing by sally

‘A man abseiled into a woman’s London home, bludgeoned her with a crowbar and stabbed her before leaving her for dead. Fatmir Stafasani, 49, who has been jailed for 18 years for the “careful” and premeditated attack, was caught on CCTV leaving the Fulham flat while still clutching the crowbar.’

Full Story

The Independent, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Domestic abuse figures to spike as new law causes reversal of downward trend – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 24th, 2017 in domestic violence, news, statistics by sally

‘Domestic abuse figures could spike next year, experts have said, as new laws reverse a decade-long downward trend.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Man United star seeks £2m for ‘defective’ boots – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 24th, 2017 in damages, news, personal injuries, sport by sally

‘A Manchester United footballer who is suing New Balance over “defective” boots was told by an executive at the sportswear company that they would “copy” Nike boots for him, it is claimed. Marouane Fellaini, 30, has alleged that his New Balance boots had to be “steamed and stretched” by a United kit man before they would fit. An investment company representing him has sued the American giant and is seeking £2 million damages.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Retrial ordered for soldier accused of attempting to kill wife with sabotaged parachute – The Independent

Posted November 24th, 2017 in attempted murder, attempts, bullying, jury directions, murder, news, retrials by sally

‘An Army sergeant is to face a retrial on charges of attempting to murder his wife by tampering with her parachute after the first jury failed to reach verdicts.’

Full Story

The Independent, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

The Sun cleared over ‘Muslim Problem’ Trevor Kavanagh article – BBC News

Posted November 24th, 2017 in complaints, Islam, media, news by sally

‘The UK’s press regulator has dismissed a complaint against the Sun for a column that referred to “the Muslim Problem”. The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) ruled Trevor Kavanagh’s column was “capable of causing serious offence” but did not breach the Editors’ Code.’

Full Story

BBC News, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Met police still failing on child protection policies, report finds – The Guardian

Posted November 24th, 2017 in child abuse, London, news, police, reports by sally

‘The Metropolitan police failed to adequately improve the way they followed child protection policies, despite repeatedly being told they were leaving children in danger, an official report found.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK law ‘to recognise animal feelings’ – BBC News

Posted November 24th, 2017 in animal cruelty, animals, bills, brexit, EC law, news by sally

‘Ministers are considering how to amend UK law to recognise animal sentience after Brexit, Michael Gove says.’

Full Story

BBC News, 23rd November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Regulator calls for better scrutiny of drug testing in family courts – The Guardian

Posted November 24th, 2017 in alcohol abuse, drug abuse, evidence, family courts, forensic science, news by sally

‘The government’s forensic regulator has called for fresh scrutiny of drug and alcohol testing carried out for the family courts, after a scandal at a Manchester laboratory raised doubts about the quality of evidence used in thousands of child custody proceedings.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted November 23rd, 2017 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

High Court (Administrative Court)

High Court (Chancery Division)

High Court (Commercial Court)

High Court (Family Division)

High Court (Patents Court)

High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)

Source: www.bailii.org

Expert Shopping Considered Again – by Fiona Ross – Park Square Barristers

Posted November 23rd, 2017 in civil procedure rules, expert witnesses, news, personal injuries by sally

‘An action was brought by a Claimant child for serious injuries she sustained in a road traffic accident. She recovered 90% of her claim in a liability trial however it was agreed between the parties that a preliminary issue should be tried as to whether her severe developmental abnormalities had been caused by the accident.’

Full Story

Park Square Barristers, 22nd November 2017

Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk