Around 100 courtrooms closing every week due to ‘endemic’ dilapidation, warns Lady Chief Justice – The Independent

‘Dilapidation is “endemic” in Britain’s crumbling court system, with around 100 unplanned courtroom closures every week exacerbating trial delays, the head of the judiciary has warned.’

Full Story

The Independent, 18th January 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Two men jailed on racist police officer’s evidence have convictions overturned – The Guardian

‘Two men who were framed by a racist and corrupt detective for the same offence he was later jailed for have had their convictions posthumously quashed by the court of appeal 46 years later.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 18th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

CA allows representative action against IP law firm to go ahead – Legal Futures

Posted January 19th, 2024 in appeals, class actions, compensation, intellectual property, law firms, news by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has given the green light to a representative action against IP law firm Marks & Clerk (M&C) that alleges it “grossly overcharged” thousands of small businesses by operating a “secret commissions scheme” with IP management business CPA Global.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 19th January 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Supreme Court refuses permission to appeal rejection of vicarious liability claim against school over abuse by work placement individual – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Supreme Court has refused a claimant permission to appeal over the Court of Appeal’s dismissal of her claim that a school was vicariously liable for sexual abuse by an individual who had undertaken a work experience placement.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 18th January 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

MoJ changes to indefinite jail sentences do not go far enough, says UN expert – The Guardian

‘A UN torture expert has said changes to the imprisonment for public protection (IPP) scheme in England and Wales do not go far enough and repeated her call for prisoners jailed under the indefinite sentencing regime to be granted release dates.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 19th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Cat and dog theft set to be made criminal offence – BBC News

Posted January 19th, 2024 in animals, bills, criminal justice, government departments, news, theft by sally

‘The government is expected to back making stealing cats and dogs a specific criminal offence in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.’

Full Story

BBC News, 19th January 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill is step towards totalitarianism, top lawyer in the Lords warns – The Independent

‘A leading lawyer who sits in the Lords has warned that Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill is “a step toward totalitarianism”.’

Full Story

The Independent, 18th January 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

London council estate resident wins battle over misuse of planning law – The Guardian

Posted January 18th, 2024 in housing, judicial review, local government, news, planning by sally

‘A woman who fought the gentrification of the south London council estate that has been her home for 30 years has won a high court battle against the local authority for its misuse of planning law.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 17th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Daughter of murdered MP David Amess taking legal action against police and Home Office – The Independent

Posted January 18th, 2024 in government departments, murder, news, personal injuries, police, terrorism by sally

‘The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess is suing the police and government for failing to stop his death.’

Full Story

The Independent, 17th January 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

An update to the STEP Standard Provisions – Mills & Reeve

Posted January 18th, 2024 in drafting, news, trusts, wills by sally

‘On the 2 November 2023, the Society of Trust Estates and Practitioners (STEP) published the third edition of their standard provisions that can be used when will drafting.’

Full Story

Mills & Reeve, 18th January 2024

Source: www.mills-reeve.com

Ministers accused of watering down rules around abortion clinic buffer zones – The Guardian

Posted January 18th, 2024 in abortion, government departments, human rights, news, public order by sally

‘Ministers have been accused of watering down guidance around new buffer zones outside abortion clinics in England and Wales, after it emerged campaigners could still be allowed to conduct silent prayers and approach women attending clinics to discuss the issue.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 17th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Avon calling! … with the latest word on severance – Pensions Barrister

Posted January 18th, 2024 in amendments, interpretation, news, pensions by sally

‘Paul Newman KC has written a casenote on the recent decision of HH Judge Davis-White KC in Avon Cosmetics Ltd v Dalriada Trustees Ltd & ors, which considered the requirements for the Court to be able to salvage parts of otherwise invalid deeds of amendment.’

Full Story

Pensions Barrister, January 2024

Source: www.pensionsbarrister.com

Final infected blood inquiry report delayed until May – BBC News

Posted January 18th, 2024 in blood products, compensation, delay, inquiries, news, reports by sally

‘The publication of a final report into the infected blood scandal has been delayed until May.’

Full Story

BBC News, 17th January 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Two-year-old boy died of starvation curled up next to dead father – The Guardian

Posted January 18th, 2024 in children, local government, news, social services by sally

‘A two-year-old boy was left alone to die of starvation curled up next to the body of his father, who had suffered a fatal heart attack, his family has revealed.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 17th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted January 17th, 2024 in law reports by sally

Supreme Court

Herculito Maritime Ltd & Ors v Gunvor International BV & Ors [2024] UKSC 2 (17 January 2024)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Axis Specialty Europe SE v Discovery Land Company LLC & Ors [2024] EWCA Civ 7 (15 January 2024)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

AUV, R. v [2024] EWCA Crim 11 (16 January 2024)

Barker, R. v [2023] EWCA Crim 1633 (21 December 2023)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Dennis, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Southwark [2024] EWHC 57 (Admin) (17 January 2024)

Cook & Anor v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea [2024] EWHC 42 (Admin) (16 January 2024)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Avon Cosmetics Ltd v Dalriada Trustees Ltd & Ors (Re Pension Scheme) [2024] EWHC 34 (Ch) (17 January 2024)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Abraaj Investment Management Ltd & Anor v Kes Power Ltd [2024] EWHC 41 (Comm) (16 January 2024)

High Court (Patents Court)

Abbott Diabetes Care Inc & Ors v Dexcom Incorporated & Ors [2024] EWHC 36 (Pat) (15 January 2024)

Source: www.bailii.org

Wiltshire father pleads guilty to killing baby daughter – BBC News

‘The father of a three-month old baby girl who died of fatal head injuries has admitted killing her.’

Full Story

BBC News, 16th January 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Courts “could cope” with large number of Post Office appeals, says LCJ – Legal Futures

‘The courts “could cope” with a large volume of criminal appeals in the wake of the Post Office scandal, the Lady Chief Justice told MPs yesterday.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 17th January 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Housing Ombudsman criticises council over four cases of severe maladministration, covering “wide range of responsibilities” – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Housing Ombudsman has criticised Croydon Council after finding severe maladministration in four cases that covered several aspects of the landlord’s responsibilities, including anti-social behaviour, adaptations and mutual exchange.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 16th January 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Top London school taken to high court over prayer ban – The Guardian

Posted January 17th, 2024 in equality, human rights, judicial review, news, school children, teachers by sally

‘One of England’s highest performing state schools, famed for its top results, strict discipline code and charismatic headteacher, has been challenged in the high court for its policy of banning prayer rituals on school premises.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 16th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Planning Inspectorate to stop accepting comments on appeals via email in bid to “streamline” process – Local Government Lawyer

Posted January 17th, 2024 in appeals, electronic mail, enforcement, local government, news, planning by sally

‘The Planning Inspectorate has said it will stop accepting comments on planning and enforcement appeals via email in order to streamline the process both for the inspectorate and local planning authorities.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 17th January 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk