Current Awareness

Unison v Lord Chancellor: the things that landmark constitutional cases are made of – UCL Constitution Unit

Posted July 28th, 2017 in constitutional law, employment tribunals, fees, news, Supreme Court by sally

‘On Wednesday the UK Supreme Court ruled court fees for claims before employment tribunals, introduced by the coalition government in 2013, to be illegal. Christina Lienen argues that this judgement is likely to join the ranks of landmark constitutional decisions, given its characterisation of the UK constitution as founded in common law and therefore in the hands of judges rather than politicians.’

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UCL Constitution Unit, 28th July 2017

Source: constitution-unit.com

TCC publishes guidance note on management of public procurement cases – Local Government Lawyer

Posted July 28th, 2017 in case management, public procurement by sally

‘The Technology and Construction Court has published a guidance note on procedures for and the management of public procurement cases.’

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Full guidance

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Men who photographed child rape have prison term increased – Attorney General’s Office

Posted July 28th, 2017 in appeals, indecent photographs of children, news, press releases, rape, sentencing by sally

‘Partners Andrew Bristow and Michael Peters have had their jail terms increased after referral by the Attorney General.’

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Attorney General's Office, 21st July 2017

Source: www.gov.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted July 28th, 2017 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Ukegheson v London Borough of Haringey (Rev 1) [2017] EWCA Civ 1140 (27 July 2017)

AM (Afghanistan) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWCA Civ 1123 (27 July 2017)

L (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 1137 (27 July 2017)

The Department for Communities And Local Government v Blackmore [2017] EWCA Civ 1136 (27 July 2017)

Powys County Council v Price & Anor [2017] EWCA Civ 1133 (27 July 2017)

Skelton v DBS Homes (Kings Hill) Ltd [2017] EWCA Civ 1139 (27 July 2017)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Bucpapa v Secretrary of State for Justice [2017] EWHC 1895 (Admin) (27 July 2017)

Dickinson & Ors, R (On the Application Of) v Revenue And Customs [2017] EWHC 1943 (Admin) (27 July 2017)

High Court (Chancery Division)

England Environmental (Northern) Ltd & Anor v Arthur Jones & Sons (Contractors) Ltd [2017] EWHC 1903 (Ch) (26 July 2017)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Aspen Underwriting Ltd & Ors v Kairos Shipping Ltd & Ors [2017] EWHC 1904 (Comm) (27 July 2017)

Source: www.bailii.org

Arguments over judicial bias should not be based on “feelings of client”, says incoming LCJ – Litigation Futures

Posted July 28th, 2017 in bias, judiciary, news by sally

‘Arguments over “apparent bias” in judges should be based on the view of a “fair-minded and informed observer” and not the feelings of clients, Lord Justice Burnett has said.’

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Litigation Futures, 27th July 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Judge writes to teenager to explain why he can’t live with his father – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 28th, 2017 in children, custody, judges, news by sally

‘Judge writes to teenager to explain why he can’t live with his father.’

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Daily Telegraph, 27th July 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Grenfell Tower: Corporate manslaughter considered by police – BBC News

Posted July 28th, 2017 in corporate manslaughter, fire, health & safety, news by sally

‘Police investigating the Grenfell Tower fire say they have “reasonable grounds” to suspect that corporate manslaughter offences may have been committed.’

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BBC News, 27th July 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Blunders behind NHS baby deaths risk cover-ups under new plans – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 28th, 2017 in birth, costs, fees, hospitals, negligence, news by sally

‘NHS blunders which leave babies stillborn will be brushed under the carpet under government plans to limit legal fees, safety campaigners have warned.’

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Daily Telegraph, 27th July 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Madonna and twin girls accept damages over Mail Online article – The Guardian

Posted July 28th, 2017 in adoption, damages, media, news, privacy by sally

‘Madonna and her twin daughters, Stella and Estere, have accepted undisclosed damages from Associated Newspapers over a “serious invasion of privacy”.’

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The Guardian, 27th July 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Cody-Anne Jackson jailed for suffocating daughter, 2 – BBC News

Posted July 28th, 2017 in children, guilty pleas, murder, news, sentencing by sally

‘A mum who suffocated her two-year-old daughter after sending the toddler’s father “one last picture” of her has been jailed for a minimum of 16 years.’

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BBC News, 27th July 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Home Office breached woman’s human rights in Yarl’s Wood ‘punishment room’ – The Guardian

Posted July 28th, 2017 in asylum, detention, human rights, immigration, news by sally

‘Kenyan asylum seeker wins high court case after being placed in segregation for 28 hours in immigration removal centre.’

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The Guardian, 27th July 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Birmingham strip club facing criminal probe after ‘customers were offered sex, drugged and ripped off’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 28th, 2017 in licensing, news, police, sex establishments by sally

‘Critical joint police and licensing report alleges ‘serious criminality’ at the city centre club.’

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Daily Telegraph, 27th July 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted July 27th, 2017 in legislation by sally

The Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 (Commencement No. 5) Regulations 2017

The Apprenticeships (Modifications to the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England) Order 2017

The Tax Credits (Exercise of Functions in relation to Northern Ireland and Notices for Recovery of Tax Credit Overpayments) Order 2017

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2017

The Antarctic Act 1994 (Overseas Territories) (Amendment) Order 2017

The Falkland Islands Courts (Overseas Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Order 2017

The Immigration Act 2016 (Commencement No. 4) Regulations 2017

The Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 (Extension of duration of non-jury trial provisions) Order 2017

The Legal Officers (Annual Fees) Order 2017

The Ecclesiastical Judges, Legal Officers and Others (Fees) Order 2017

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Sentencing guidelines and offences involving corrosive substances – Sentencing Council

Posted July 27th, 2017 in crime, grievous bodily harm, hazardous substances, news, press releases, sentencing, weapons by sally

‘Reports of assaults and robberies involving the use of acid or other corrosive substances have increased in profile recently, with questions being asked as to how offenders who attack or threaten people with such substances are dealt with by the courts. In its guidelines for judges and magistrates, the Sentencing Council is clear that use of a corrosive substance is a factor that shows high culpability on the part of the offender.’

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Sentencing Council, 26th July 2017

Source: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Medical equipment expert convicted of £1.7m corruption – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted July 27th, 2017 in corruption, news, press releases, tenders by sally

‘An expert in the procurement of medical equipment who received £1.7m in corrupt payments to help medical supply companies win tenders has been convicted of corruption.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 26th July 2017

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Speech by The Lord Chief Justice: Opening of the Business and Property Courts for Wales – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted July 27th, 2017 in courts, speeches, Wales by sally

‘It is a privilege and a great pleasure to be in the other capital city of the jurisdiction of England and Wales to open the Business and Property Courts for Wales at Cardiff.
This opening represents the pragmatic and dynamic approach of our joint jurisdiction. As the Chancellor of the High Court of England and Wales will explain in a little more detail, the bringing together of the specialist civil courts for Wales at Cardiff follows the launch of the Business and Property Courts in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, to be followed in due course by a similar opening in Bristol.’

Full speech

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 25th July 2017