New planning guidance emphasises importance of housing evidence to neighbourhood planning – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 17th, 2016 in codes of practice, evidence, housing, local government, news, planning by michael

‘New paragraphs were added to the UK government’s National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) last week clarifying that, in areas with a neighbourhood plan in place but without a five year supply of deliverable housing sites, neighbourhood plan policies relating to housing should not be considered up-to-date.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 16 February 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Pursuing damages for bribery in the civil courts – OUT-LAW.com

‘Under the 2010 Bribery Act, bribery is a criminal offence and companies are required to have in place adequate procedures in order to prevent those associated with them from undertaking bribery. Adequate procedures provide the company with a defence to the criminal offences set out in the Act. However, what is often overlooked is the ability of the company to pursue both the recipient of the bribe as well as the briber for its financial losses and, in some cases, damages for fraud.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 16 February 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Finance and Divorce Update, February 2016 – Family Law Week

‘According to the Law Society Gazette, the outcome of more than 2,000 may have been voided by the Form E software fault.  Justice Minister Shailesh Vara MP has indicated, in a statement to Parliament, that the assets of more than 3,600 couples were miscalculated.’

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Family Law Week, 15 February 2016

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

In the Matter of B (A Child): Habitual Residence and the Child-Centric Approach to Jurisdiction – Family Law Week

‘Habitual residence lies at the heart of the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (“the 1980 Hague Convention”), and is the cornerstone of jurisdiction in international child law.  Yet despite the centrality of the concept, its definition and application have always left much room for argument; and although it is often described as “a question of fact”, it has generated large volumes of authority at the highest level.’

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Family Law Week, 14 February 2016

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Violent domestic abusers to be tackled by new programme – BBC News

‘Men who pose a high risk of domestic violence are to be given one-to-one support to change their behaviour. ‘

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BBC News, 17 February 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Driver who used Bond-style smokescreen to escape police chase avoids jail – Daily Telegraph

‘A speeding driver who deployed a James Bond-style smokescreen device in a bid to shake off police has been spared jail.’

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Daily Telegraph, 17 February 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Shabir Ahmed: Sex gang leader appeals over deportation – BBC News

‘The ringleader of a child sex grooming gang has appealed against deportation from Britain on human rights grounds.’

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BBC News, 16 February 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Couple lose £4,000 legal battle with neighbour over ‘noisy’ pond – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 17th, 2016 in complaints, costs, news, noise, nuisance by michael

‘A couple have lost a costly legal battle with their neighbour over claims his garden pond is too noisy. ‘

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Daily Telegraph, 17 February 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Brothers remanded after abusing judge on Facebook – Guardian

Posted February 17th, 2016 in drug offences, imprisonment, internet, judges, news, suspended sentences by michael

‘Two brothers have been remanded in custody after a judge ordered them back to court over abusive Facebook messages posted shortly after they were handed suspended prison terms.’

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Guardian, 16 February 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Rape victim whose parents took opposing sides in court sent to live with her father – Independent

Posted February 17th, 2016 in families, family courts, news, rape, social services, victims by michael

‘A family court judge has made decisions about the future of a teenage girl whose parents took opposites sides after her brother went on trial accused of raping her.’

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Independent, 16 February 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Government launches porn site age checks consultation – BBC News

Posted February 17th, 2016 in children, consultations, fines, internet, news, pornography by michael

‘A public consultation over plans to implement age checks on pornography websites has been launched by the UK government.’

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BBC News, 16 February 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Bradford dental nurse struck off for performing facelift – BBC News

‘A dental nurse who gave her friend a facelift despite not being qualified to do so has been struck off.’

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BBC News, 15 February 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Grandmother who lived with partner until his death wins High Court battle after his estranged wife inherited half their home – Independent

‘A grandmother who lived with her partner for almost two decades until his death has won a High Court battle after his estranged wife inherited half their home.’

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Independent, 16 February 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Immigration lawyers fail with challenge to secret evidence – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted February 16th, 2016 in closed material, immigration, news, tribunals by sally

‘A rule that allows decisions in immigration appeals to be based on undisclosed evidence is not unlawful, the High Court has ruled.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 16th February 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

High Court upholds CFA despite legal aid certificate remaining in place – Litigation Futures

Posted February 16th, 2016 in costs, fees, legal aid, news by sally

‘The High Court has ruled that a conditional fee agreement (CFA) was valid even though the claimant’s legal aid certificate remained in place.’

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Litigation Futures, 16th February 2016

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Policing and Crime Bill to address emergency licensing review ‘ambiguities’, says government – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 16th, 2016 in bills, crime, licensing, news, police by sally

‘The legal position of “interim steps” imposed by a licensing authority in England or Wales against premises where alcohol is sold in response to a police complaint is ambiguous and should be reviewed, the government has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 15th February 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Jury Service and the Price of Curiosity – Emma Fenelon – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted February 16th, 2016 in contempt of court, human rights, juries, Law Commission, news, reports by sally

‘Like the 179,000 or so people selected at random from the electoral register each year in England and Wales, in July 2011 Ms. Theodora Dallas was summoned to attend jury service. Along with other jurors summoned that day, she was shown a video about their service, and told by the court’s jury officer that internet research about anyone involved in the trial was not permitted. For good measure, the jury waiting room contained notices stating “You may also be in contempt of court if you use the internet to research details about any cases you hear along with any cases listed for trial at the Court…”. The notices made it clear that contempt of court was punishable by a fine or by imprisonment.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 15th February 2016

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

A 95% Liability Offer Can be a Valid Part 36 – Zenith PI Blog

Posted February 16th, 2016 in costs, news, part 36 offers, personal injuries by sally

‘C made an application for indemnity costs following D’s failure to accept C’s Part 36 offer to settle liability at 95%. The offer had been made in a letter dated 30/1/15. D conceded liability some time prior to 17/12/15.’

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Zenith PI Blog, 15th February 2016

Source: www.zenithpi.wordpress.com

Why is the UK still printing its laws on vellum? – BBC News

Posted February 16th, 2016 in costs, legislation, news, parliament by sally

‘After a reprieve, the UK is to continue printing and storing its laws on vellum, a paper made from calf or goat-skin. But shouldn’t these traditions give way to digital storage, asks Chris Stokel-Walker.’

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BBC News, 15th February 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judicial Review: What is meant by “totally without merit” – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted February 16th, 2016 in appeals, immigration, judicial review, news by sally

‘What is the difference between a case that is “totally without merit” and one that is “not arguable”? Are either of those more or less hopeless than a case that is “bound to fail”?’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 15th February 2016

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com