Local authority wins tribunal case over student accommodation and council tax – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Valuation Tribunal has dismissed an appeal by a student accommodation provider over the application of council tax exemptions to student flats.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 25th October 2017

Source: localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Tribunal refuses to force council to disclose legal advice over costs of employment case involving mayor – Local Government Lawyer

Posted October 25th, 2017 in costs, disclosure, indemnities, local government, news, privilege, tribunals by michael

‘A member of the public has failed in a bid to force Liverpool City Council to disclose the legal advice behind its decision to pay the costs incurred by elected mayor Joe Anderson in an unfair dismissal case.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 25th October 2017

Source: localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Black former Met officer wins right to sue for discrimination – The Guardian

‘Supreme court ruling hailed as gamechanger by Race4Justice, which says professionals in many fields will now get full protection of equality legislation.’

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The Guardian, 25th October 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Police advert banned for suggesting viewers should not call 999 if they hear a baby crying next door – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 25th, 2017 in advertising, child abuse, complaints, news, police by michael

‘The “deliberately ambiguous” television advert urged concerned neighbours not to call 999 if they hear a baby crying next door, suggesting they call the local council instead.’

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Daily Telegraph, 25th October 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Identity of anonymous prison murder trial witness mistakenly revealed in court – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 25th, 2017 in anonymity, murder, news, prisons, trials, witnesses by michael

‘An anonymous witness in the Pentonville prison murder trial has withdrawn after his cover was blown after less than an hour in court in what a judge described as a “very regrettable accident”.’

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Daily Telegraph, 25th October 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

High Court demands further cuts in law firm’s £1.6m costs bill – Litigation Futures

Posted October 25th, 2017 in costs, fees, judges, law firms, news, solicitors by michael

‘Slade J said that while an estimate was not the same as a quote, Master Rowley had “exceeded the broad measure of his discretion” in considering a reasonable upper limit on profit costs to be twice as high as the second estimate.’

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Litigation Futures, 25th October 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

PPO first as insurer agrees to cover future cost of mesothelioma treatment – Litigation Futures

‘Solicitors for a man suffering from mesothelioma have claimed a first by securing an agreement with the defendant insurers to cover the future costs of his cancer treatment, no matter the amount or length.’

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Litigation Futures, 24th October 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Justice in jeopardy: government defies backlash to confirm ‘reckless’ legal aid cuts – Law Society Gazette

‘The government is to press ahead with reform of legal aid fees paid to solicitors in criminal cases – despite 97% of submissions to a consultation vehemently opposing the plans. Representative bodies have this afternoon condemned the decision as ‘reckless’, claiming it places justice in jeopardy.’

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Law Society Gazette, 24th October 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Supreme Court dismisses top poker player’s bid to recover £7.7m winnings from London casino – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 25th, 2017 in gambling, news, Supreme Court by michael

‘The 40-year-old American has been fighting to recover the money since successfully playing a version of baccarat known as Punto Banco at Crockfords Club in Mayfair in 2012.’

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Daily Telegraph, 25th October 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

On the spot litter fines to double to £150 as drivers face penalties for rubbish thrown from their cars – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 25th, 2017 in environmental protection, fines, litter, local government, news by michael

‘From April next year, the maximum fixed penalty councils can hand out to people dropping litter or throwing rubbish from cars will rise from £80 to £150.’

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Daily Telegraph, 24th October 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Government appeals against High Court ruling that benefit cap ’causes misery to no good purpose’ – Independent

Posted October 25th, 2017 in appeals, benefits, families, news by michael

‘The Government has launched an appeal against a ruling that its controversial benefits cap unlawfully discriminates against lone parents with children under two.’

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Independent, 24th October 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

HMRC sets out draft guidance on penalties for enablers of defeated tax avoidance – Out-Law.com

Posted October 25th, 2017 in HM Revenue & Customs, news, penalties, tax avoidance by michael

‘Draft guidance that explains when accountants, lawyers, financial advisers and auditors, amongst others, might be penalised for helping others to avoid tax has been published by HM Revenue and Customs.’

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Out-Law.com, 24th October 2017

Source: www.out-law.com

UK terrorism law expert warns government over plans for new legislation – The Guardian

Posted October 25th, 2017 in imprisonment, legislation, news, sentencing, terrorism by michael

‘Introducing new laws to prosecute extremists would be wrong, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has said.’

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The Guardian, 24th October 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Drugs cheats in British sport will not face jail, says sports minister Tracey Crouch – The Guardian

Posted October 25th, 2017 in drug abuse, news, sanctions, sport by michael

‘Drugs cheats in British sport will not be jailed, the sports minister, Tracey Crouch, has said after a review of the UK’s anti-doping rules.’

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The Guardian, 24th October 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Dentist fines: Mistakes over addresses hitting thousands – BBC News

Posted October 25th, 2017 in benefits, dentists, fines, health, medical records, mistake, news by michael

‘Many fines incorrectly imposed after dental treatment are because of mistakes over patients’ addresses, says a health watchdog.’

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BBC News, 24th October 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Catalonia: The Right to Secede and the Right to Self-Determination – Oxford Human Rights Hub

Posted October 24th, 2017 in constitutional law, devolution, foreign jurisdictions, news by sally

‘In an address to the Parliament of Catalonia on 10th October 2017, the President of Catalonia issued a ‘suspended’ unilateral declaration of independence (“UDI”) from Spain. The ‘suspended’ UDI followed a controversial independence referendum on 1st October 2017. The referendum, which was mired by protests and attempts by federal police forces to prevent people from voting, had resulted in a vote of 90% in favour of independence with a reported 42% turn-out.’

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Oxford Human Rights Hub, 23rd October 2017

Source: ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk

Suspicious transaction reports to FCA soar to record high – OUT-LAW.com

‘The number of reports notifying the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of suspicious transactions have risen to their highest ever level, more than doubling in the last two years.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 23rd October 2017

Source: www.out-law.com

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted October 24th, 2017 in legislation by sally

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (European Union Financial Sanctions) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2017

The Communications Act 2003 and the Digital Economy Act 2017 (Consequential Amendments to Secondary Legislation) Regulations 2017

The Electronic Communications Code (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2017

The Social Security (Information-sharing in relation to Welfare Services etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2017

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Lord Chancellor calls for greater innovation in legal market and hints at regulatory reform – Legal Futures

Posted October 24th, 2017 in legal services, Legal Services Board, lord chancellor, news by sally

‘There needs to be a “more diverse and innovative legal services market” in England and Wales that attracts new providers and offers new opportunities “for the current and future legal profession”, the Lord Chancellor has said.’

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Legal Futures, 24th October 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Personal injury lawyer struck off for telling staff to fake signatures – Litigation Futures

Posted October 24th, 2017 in costs, disciplinary procedures, disqualification, forgery, news, solicitors by sally

‘A personal injury lawyer who persuaded other employees to fake client signatures and lied about it in court has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT).’

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Litigation Futures, 24th October 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com