Parliament’s watchdogs – UCL Constitution Unit
‘The Constitution Unit publishes the results of a landmark investigation into the independence and accountability of parliament’s watchdogs.’
UCL Constitution Unit, 12th July 2022
Source: www.ucl.ac.uk
Regulator of Social Housing launches first of its kind investigation into for-profit housing provider – Local Government Lawyer
‘A housing provider specialising in shared ownership which operates in more than 190 local authority areas in the United Kingdom is under investigation by the Regulator of Social Housing over financial and governance compliance concerns.’
Local Government Lawyer, 12th July 2022
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Kent council fights off JR of caravan removal action – Local Government Lawyer
‘The High Court has rejected a judicial review brought over whether Thanet District Council was right to serve direction notices on people living in caravans at Ramsgate port.’
Local Government Lawyer, 14th July 2022
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
A guide to protecting non-matrimonial assets in divorce – Family Law
‘A key consideration in any divorce is how to divide your assets. Assets which are acquired or built up during the marriage (matrimonial or marital assets) are generally divided equally. But what if you came into the marriage with significant premarital wealth or received a substantial inheritance before or after your separation? You may feel that it is unfair for these assets to be divided at all, and you may want to protect them in the event of a divorce.’
Family Law, 14th July 2022
Source: www.familylaw.co.uk
CPS launches Defendants strategy with pledge to focus on mental health, youth justice and disproportionality – Crown Prosecution Service
‘A commitment to fairness for all parties is at the heart of a new Defendants Strategy, launched today by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).’
Crown Prosecution Service, 13th July 2022
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
Backdating legal aid fee hike is legal – but it’s a pyrrhic victory – Law Society’s Gazette
‘Awarding a 15% fee uplift to existing criminal legal aid cases poses no legal problems, the government has conceded following the threat of litigation.’
Law Society's Gazette, 13th July 2022
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Heatwave: When is it too hot to work? – BBC News
‘Is there a maximum temperature for workplaces? No law in the UK says a given temperature is too hot or cold to work.’
BBC News, 14th July 2022
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Two Met police officers charged with assault amid claims of excessive force – The Guardian
‘Two Metropolitan police officers have been charged with assault by beating after allegedly using excessive force while searching a man in December 2021.’
The Guardian, 13th July 2022
Source: www.theguardian.com
Warnings over ‘inconsistent’ monitoring of criminals after release from jail – The Independent
‘Dangerous criminals are being downgraded to the lowest level of monitoring from police and other bodies too quickly after being freed from jail, watchdogs have warned.’
The Independent, 14th July 2022
Source: www.independent.co.uk
David Beckham’s stalker handed restraining order after saying his sperm had ‘fused with her eggs’ – The Independent
‘An indefinite restraining order has been placed on the stalker of David Beckham after she went to his daughter’s school claiming to be her mother and saying the footballer’s sperm had been fused with her eggs.’
The Independent, 13th July 2022
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Schools in England advised to assess risk of strip-search before calling police – The Guardian
‘Schools should “assess and balance” the risk of a potential strip-search to a pupil’s mental and physical wellbeing before calling the police, according to new government guidance.’
The Guardian, 13th July 2022
Source: www.theguardian.com
UK data watchdog investigates whether AI systems show racial bias – The Guardian
‘The UK data watchdog is to investigate whether artificial intelligence systems are showing racial bias when dealing with job applications.’
The Guardian, 14th July 2022
Source: www.theguardian.com
Mo Farah: Police investigate trafficking revelations – BBC News
‘The Metropolitan Police say they have opened an investigation into Sir Mo Farah’s revelation that he was trafficked to the UK as a child.’
BBC News, 14th July 2022
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Mabrouk v Murray [2022] EWCA Civ 960 (12 July 2022)
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
Mottram, R. v [2022] EWCA Crim 954 (12 July 2022)
Crerand, R. v [2022] EWCA Crim 962 (12 July 2022)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Tinkler v Esken Ltd (Costs) [2022] EWHC 1802 (Ch) (12 July 2022)
High Court (Commercial Court)
AXA France IARD SA & Anor v Santander Cards UK Ltd & Anor [2022] EWHC 1776 (Comm) (12 July 2022)
Source: www.bailii.org
Extra support for thousands navigating the legal system – Ministry of Justice
‘Thousands more vulnerable people will have help navigating civil and family legal issues thanks to increased government investment in legal support.’
Ministry of Justice, 12th July 2022
Source: www.gov.uk
Lack of regard for council planning policy on playing fields led to unlawful planning permission, High Court finds – Local Government Lawyer
‘A decision by Leeds City Council to grant itself outline planning permission to build 61 affordable dwellings on a longstanding sports field was unlawful, a High Court judge has ruled.’
Local Government Lawyer, 11th July 2022
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
