‘This paper examines how the family-friendly rights under the Employment Rights Act 2025 only partially remedy the longstanding weaknesses in UK work – family reconciliation policies that contribute towards many families adopting traditional household arrangements. Currently, the policies provide stronger entitlements for mothers than fathers to encourage mothers to be primarily responsible for childcare and fathers to be economic breadwinners. The Women and Committee had previously identified the following 4 key weaknesses in the policy design: (i) strict eligibility requirements; (ii) low levels of replacement pay; (iii) short-term flexibility; and (iv) maternal gatekeeping. The Labour Party pledged during their 2024 election campaign to reform family-friendly rights by introducing the Employment Rights Bill within its first 100 days in power. The Act, which received Royal Assent in December 2025, addresses some of these shortcomings through the removal of strict eligibility requirements to access leave, the promotion of greater workplace flexibility and the enhanced protection against the dismissal of pregnant workers and employees who have taken statutory family leave. However, this paper argues for further legal reform inspired by the “Nordic model”, which offers lengthy and well-paid entitlements to parents in Nordic countries that encourage adherence to the dual earner/carer model.’

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Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 5th July 2026

Source: www.tandfonline.com

‘This article explains why, instead of “making work pay”, the Employment Rights Act 2025 paves a dangerous path of “making rights options”. A more name accurate name than “Employment Rights” could be “Work Choices”. This is evident in the number of new “rights” that depend on executive discretion, not Parliament. These include the new provisions on zero hours contracts, equality action plans, sexual harassment, gagging contracts, limits to ‘fire and rehire’, two sector negotiating body remits, electronic balloting and union access, and the remit of the Fair Work Agency. Why has so much been left to Regulations? The likely answer is not some calculated desire to centralise Henry VIII powers. Instead, the government simply listened more to lobbyists than labour lawyers in drafting the law, the Ministers in charge lacked knowledge, and the government was divided about what it wanted. Whatever the case, the result is the same: a future hostile government could, through Regulations and without any Act of Parliament, destroy most of the Act’s reforms at the stroke of a pen on day one. Or this government might simply not bring much of the Act into force. This means that from 2029 a hostile government could pick up where the Conservatives left off.’

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King's Law Journal, 7th July 2026

Source: www.tandfonline.com

‘A joint statement from the lady chief justice, the senior president of tribunals, and the Bar Council’s commissioner for conduct Dame Maria Miller today set out a “shared commitment to creating and maintaining an environment in courts and tribunals where judicial office holders, legal professionals, court staff, and all other court users are treated with courtesy and respect”.’

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Law Society Gazette, 8th July 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

‘There is no harm in refreshing our legal minds with this important decision (which is rehearsed in many recent cases) on the approach that courts should take to non-compliance and failure to disclose during FR proceedings and at a final hearing. Moylan LJ gives the lead judgment. In summary, the court does not have to stretch itself to find a bracket or range of the non-disclosing party’s wealth in all cases.’

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Financial Remedies Journal, 7th July 2026

Source: financialremediesjournal.com

Clergy Conduct Measure 2026

Source: legislation.gov.uk

National Security (State Threats) Act 2026

Source: legislation.gov.uk

‘Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in the UK, has been granted a conditional pardon in light of evidence that she was a victim of domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.’

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The Guardian, 8th July 2026

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘A failure to put in place safeguards in advance of a change to the law that will result in offenders being released early will put abuse victims at risk, ministers have been told.’

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The Guardian, 8th July 2026

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘A neo-Nazi who was plotting a gun attack has been jailed for 13 and a half years after being caught in an MI5 sting.’

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BBC News, 8th July 2026

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘A number of amendments to Part 2 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA 2002) have come into force on 29 June 2026 by virtue of Schedule 21 of the Crime & Policing Act 2026. This article summarises a few highlights, which will have an impact on those involved in POCA confiscation proceedings.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 8th July 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

‘One of the most notable developments under the Crime and Policing Act 2026 (the Act) is the extension to social housing providers of the ability to apply directly for Closure Orders. This enhanced power marks a significant step forward in enabling landlords to take swift and effective action against serious and persistent ASB.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 8th July 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

‘This article critiques the Ministry of Justice’s proposed framework of financial remedies for separating cohabitants, as set out in its recent consultation paper, A Fairer End to Relationships. It argues that, while there is a compelling case for statutory cohabitation reform, the Ministry’s scheme is flawed in several important respects. As a result, while the scheme may benefit some cohabitants, it is nevertheless likely to permit, and in some cases cause, injustice to others.’

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Financial Remedies Journal, 7th July 2026

Source: financialremediesjournal.com

‘This article examines a combined non-court dispute resolution model for financial remedy cases, bringing together early neutral evaluation/private FDR and lawyer-assisted or hybrid mediation within a single coordinated process. It argues that the model may materially enhance settlement prospects by combining robust evaluative input on likely court outcomes with a confidential, interest-based mediation framework supported by lawyers.’

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Financial Remedies Journal, 6th July 2026

Source: financialremediesjournal.com

‘The ruling puts an emphasis on acquiring authorities to clearly explain when notice for carrying out surveys will expire and to seek information about operations on the land. It also confirms that notices can be effective if issued by first class post – even if the recipient disposes of the notice without reading it.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 7th July 2026

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

‘Last week, the Supreme Court handed down its long-awaited judgment in HMRC v BlueCrest Capital Management (UK) LLP. For anyone advising professional services firms on LLP structuring – asset managers, law firms, accountancy practices, consultancies – and of course for those in LLPs themselves, this is an essential read.’

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Legal Futures, 8th July 2026

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

‘The £28m fine, which was reduced by 30% as Virgin Media admitted to its failing and agreed to settle the case, is Ofcom’s biggest ever under the regulator’s consumer protection rules.’

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The Guardian, 8th July 2026

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘A “wretched” 14-year neighbours’ battle over a fence, an ornamental squirrel and a YouTuber’s offensive songs about the man next door has left a couple facing more than £130,000 in court bills.’

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The Independent, 8th July 2026

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘In an emphatic ruling that is likely to signal an end to new litigation relating to the phone-hacking scandal era, the high court dismissed all the group’s claims, stating that the claimants had not proved that any information had been obtained unlawfully.’

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The Guardian, 7th July 2026

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘A manager who was unfairly accused of subscribing to the website “Hot Cougar Dates” with his work email has won almost £120,000 in compensation.’

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The Independent, 7th July 2026

Source: www.independent.co.uk