‘Less transparent and democratic’: damning verdict on rule of law – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Law-making has become less transparent, less accountable, less inclusive and less democratic, legal thinktank Justice has said in a damning report published today on the government’s approach to the rule of law.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 11th September 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Court accidentally gave adoption family details to birth father – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Ministry of Justice has been ordered to improve its systems after details of parties in an adoption process were leaked to the birth father. The data breach happened despite the court judge directing that the father be excluded from proceedings as he posed a risk to the family concerned.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 11th September 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Relatives of roofer on ventilator wait for ruling in treatment dispute – The Independent

Posted September 12th, 2023 in consent, families, hospitals, medical treatment, news by sally

‘Relatives of a roofer who suffered a brain injury after being punched in the head are waiting for a High Court judge to rule in a life-support treatment dispute.’

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The Independent, 12th September 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Payout for Ashington woman who got cancer after wrong smear result – BBC News

Posted September 12th, 2023 in cancer, compensation, hospitals, negligence, news by sally

‘A woman who had to undergo cancer treatment after being cleared by an incorrect smear test has received compensation.’

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BBC News, 12th September 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Gulf War ‘human shield’ hostages set to take legal action – BBC News

‘British Airways passengers and crew taken hostage in Kuwait are set to take legal action against the government and the airline, lawyers say.’

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BBC News, 12th September 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Mandatory anti-slavery declarations risk becoming ‘box-ticking exercise’, say UK MPs – The Guardian

Posted September 12th, 2023 in forced labour, gambling, government departments, news by sally

‘Campaigners and MPs have said anti-slavery declarations made mandatory by Theresa May risk becoming “a pointless box-ticking exercise” after it emerged that ministers took assurances from one previously slavery-linked company on trust.’

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The Guardian, 11th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted September 11th, 2023 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Ogonowska, R. v (Rev1) [2023] EWCA Crim 1021 (08 September 2023)

BHQ, R. v (Re Jurisdiction Only) [2023] EWCA Crim 1018 (08 September 2023)

Roberts, R. v [2023] EWCA Crim 1023 (08 September 2023)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Ellis, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Education & Anor [2023] EWHC 2230 (Admin) (07 September 2023)

O/A v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWHC 2227 (Admin) (06 September 2023)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Bourlakova & Ors v Bourlakov & Ors [2023] EWHC 2233 (Ch) (08 September 2023)

High Court (King’s Bench Division)

JRV & Anor v BRG (Re Injunction) [2023] EWHC 2238 (KB) (08 September 2023)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

International Game Technology PLC & Ors v Gambling Commission (No. 2 – Consequentials) [2023] EWHC 2226 (TCC) (08 September 2023)

Source: www.bailli.org

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted September 11th, 2023 in legislation by sally

SI 2023/986 – The Firefighters’ Pension Schemes (England) (Amendment) Order 2023

SI 2023/985 – The National Health Service Pension Schemes (Remediable Service) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/983 – The Tonnage Tax (Training Requirement) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/972 – The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/967 – The Employment Appeal Tribunal (Amendment) Rules 2023

SI 2023/982 – The Environmental Protection (Plastic Plates etc. and Polystyrene Containers etc.) (England) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/978 – The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (Alteration of Coroner Areas) (No. 2) Order 2023

SI 2023/942 – The Public Service (Civil Servants and Others) Pensions (Remediable Service) Regulations 2023

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Damp, mould and the HHSRS – Nearly Legal

Posted September 11th, 2023 in health & safety, housing, landlord & tenant, news by sally

‘Here is a quick note on two recent DLUHC/govt publications on damp and mould, and on proposed revisions to the housing health and safety rating system.’

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Nearly Legal, 10th September 2023

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

UK regulator clarifies ‘may contain’ food allergen labelling requirements – OUT-LAW.com

Posted September 11th, 2023 in codes of practice, food, labelling, news by sally

‘The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has updated its guidance on food allergen labelling and information requirements, providing important clarifications over the use of the so-called “may contain” label by food producers and retailers.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 8th September 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Personal data in FOI requests: cautionary tales – Local Government Lawyer

Posted September 11th, 2023 in data protection, freedom of information, local government, news by sally

‘In recent news there have been reports of personal data breaches that have resulted from the release of information in response to a freedom of information request. Charlotte Smith looks at the issues involved.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 11th September 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

DPP Speech to the Bar Council, 9 September 2023 – Crown Prosecution Service

‘DPP Speech to the Bar Council, 9 September 2023.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 9th September 2023

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Tribunal rejects MoJ’s ‘elaborate’ reason for refusing FOI request – Law Society’s Gazette

The first-tier tribunal has overturned a ruling that the Ministry of Justice was entitled to turn down freedom of information requests relating to cleaners’ pay.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 8th September 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

TUC complains to UN watchdog over ‘undemocratic’ UK anti-strike law – The Guardian

‘The Trades Union Congress has lodged a complaint with the UN’s labour standards body claiming the UK government flouted the watchdog’s orders over its newly enforced “undemocratic” anti-strike law.’

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The Guardian, 10th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Bristol Spire Hospital widens investigation into mesh surgeon – BBC News

Posted September 11th, 2023 in consent, doctors, hospitals, medical treatment, news by sally

‘A hospital’s review of mesh operations by a surgeon who left dozens of patient in agony is now looking into another type of procedure he carried out.’

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BBC News, 11th September 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

No apologies over Grays golly doll pub investigation, says police chief – BBC News

Posted September 11th, 2023 in Crown Prosecution Service, hate crime, licensed premises, news, police, racism by sally

‘A police chief constable has “no regrets” after his officers investigated pub landlords who displayed golly dolls behind their bar.’

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BBC News, 11th September 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK Government launches taskforce to stop ‘devastating’ lawsuits against journalists – The Independent

Posted September 11th, 2023 in bills, defamation, government departments, media, news, privacy by sally

‘The Government has launched a new taskforce which aims to put a stop to lawsuits that have a “devastating” impact on journalists. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer will meet groups from the media and legal sectors on Monday as they try to end legal threats, known as strategic lawsuits against public participation (Slapps).’

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The Independent, 11th September 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Top UK lawyer hits out at ‘authoritarian’ attacks on legal profession – The Guardian

‘A leading British lawyer has compared UK government attacks on the profession to the tactics used by authoritarian regimes. Helena Kennedy KC, one of the UK’s most renowned criminal lawyers and a Labour peer, said ministers were deliberately creating scapegoats.’

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The Guardian, 10th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk

Posted September 8th, 2023 in legislation by sally

SI 2023/957 – The Windsor Framework (Plant Health) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/956 – The Windsor Framework (Financial Assistance) (Marking of Retail Goods) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/955 – The Trade Remedies (Dumping and Subsidisation) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/952 – The National Health Service Pension Schemes (Partial Retirement etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/949 – The Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/959 – The Windsor Framework (Retail Movement Scheme: Public Health, Marketing and Organic Product Standards and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/971 – The Petroleum Act 1998 (Specified Pipelines) (Amendment) and Importation and Storage of Combustible Gas (Designation of Substance etc.) Order 2023

SI 2023/969 – The Personal Injuries (NHS Charges) (Amounts) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/968 – The Countryside Stewardship (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/966 – The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemptions from Financial Promotion General Requirement) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/965 – The Building Safety (Regulator’s Charges) Regulations 2023

SI 2023/980 – The Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2023

SI 2023/977 – The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2023

SI 2023/963 – The Civil Service (Other Crown Servants) Pension Scheme (Remediable Service) Regulations 2023

Source: www.bailii.org

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted September 8th, 2023 in law reports by sally

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Manchikalapati & Ors, R (On the Application Of) v Financial Services Compensation Scheme [2023] EWCA Civ 1006 (05 September 2023)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Fiske, R (On the Application Of) v Test Valley Borough Council [2023] EWHC 2221 (Admin) (06 September 2023)

igh Court (Chancery Division)

Burgess v Kempson [2023] EWHC 2216 (Ch) (05 September 2023)

High Court (Commercial Court)

JB Cocoa SDN BHD & Ors v Maersk Line AS [2023] EWHC 2203 (Comm) (05 September 2023)

The Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse International And Others (No.10) [2023] EWHC 2215 (Comm) (04 September 2023)

High Court (Family Division)

CC (A Child), Re [2023] EWHC 2179 (Fam) (29 August 2023)

Source: www.bailii.org