Government consults on extending the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 – Family Law

‘Government consults on extending the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020.’

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Family Law, 28th July 2020

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

New limits on compensation fund to save costs – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Maximum payments to clients of dishonest solicitors are to be slashed from £2m to £500,000 as part of measures to reduce the financial burden on the profession, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has announced.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 28th July 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Parental Alienation: the enigma of family law – Family Law Week

Posted July 29th, 2020 in children, families, family courts, news, parental rights by sally

‘Ian McArdle, barrister of Atlantic Chambers, Liverpool, calls for an agreed definition of “parental alienation”.’

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Family Law Week, 24th July 2020

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Non-molestation orders: Valid Service in the time of Coronavirus (Part 2) – Family Law Week

‘Rachel Cooper and Michael Horton from Coram Chambers further consider the service of non-molestation orders in the time of Covid-19.’

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Family Law Week, 27th July 2020

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Coronavirus: Police issue just one fine for travel quarantine breach, figures show – The Independent

‘Police have fined just one person over breaching quarantine rules for people arriving from foreign countries, new figures for England and Wales show.’

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The Independent, 28th July 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Depp libel trial reveals problems of proof in domestic violence cases – The Guardian

‘Despite being a libel case, Depp v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Another felt more like a criminal trial at the Old Bailey, or a domestic violence hearing in the family courts.’

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The Guardian, 28th July 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ofgem takes action on ‘unscrupulous’ UK energy brokers – The Guardian

Posted July 29th, 2020 in care homes, charities, consumer protection, energy, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘Regulators’ plans aim to stop energy brokers overcharging small businesses and local bodies including care homes.’

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The Guardian, 29th July 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Radical’ reform needed for police to cope with modern crime and security threats, report finds – The Independent

Posted July 29th, 2020 in criminal justice, news, police, reports, statistics by sally

‘“Radical” reform is needed for police to be able to cope with modern crime and security threats, a report has said.’

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The Independent, 29th August 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Andrew Bunting -v- Zurich Insurance Plc [2020] EWHC 1807 (QB): Case Comment – 12 King’s Bench Walk

Posted July 28th, 2020 in accidents, damages, deposits, insurance, news, road traffic by sally

‘Bunting -v- Zurich is an important appeal decision of Pepperall J in the High Court sitting at Birmingham which will likely have a significant impact on the credit hire industry. The decision provides helpful guidance on the merits of the various arguments raised in relation to perceived inadequacies of basic hire rates. This case comment considers the appeal and looks at how County Courts have been responding to the judgment.’

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12 King's Bench Walk, 24th July 2020

Source: www.12kbw.co.uk

My ex has made an application for a Child Arrangements Order – now what will happen to me and my kids? – Becket Chambers

Posted July 28th, 2020 in child arrangements orders, children, divorce, family courts, news by sally

‘Many parents find it difficult to agree on the arrangements for their children after separating. This can be an extremely stressful and upsetting situation for everyone concerned. The priority should be to shield the children from arguments wherever possible but what should you do when you receive an application for a Child Arrangements Order and what does that mean for your children?’

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Becket Chambers, 22nd July 2020

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

Have sports stars been caught out by Corona – Church Court Chambers

Posted July 28th, 2020 in contract of employment, coronavirus, news, remuneration by sally

‘It is not just in the worlds of finance and commerce where the effects of the global Corona Virus pandemic are currently being felt. The sporting world is also suffering at the hands of this novel virus. And many clubs are doing anything to make savings. But will that be enough? As has been publicised this weekend, Wigan Athletic Football Club have called in the administrators as a result of their financial woes. Seven years after winning the FA Cup, their fall from those dizzy heights has reached a new low.’

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Church Court Chambers, July 2020

Source: churchcourtchambers.co.uk

A Guide to Protestor Rights Balanced Against Police Powers – St Pauls Chambers

‘Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 enshrines the right to the freedom of expression and Article 11 establishes the right of freedom of assembly and association. However, these rights are qualified, meaning that, in certain circumstances, these rights can be interfered with. The interference with these rights must be proportionate and necessary in the pursuit of a legitimate aim. For example, protestor rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly may be compromised where this is necessary in order to ensure public safety, prevent crime or disorder, protect the rights of others, or national security.’

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St Pauls Chambers, 18th July 2020

Source: www.stpaulschambers.com

UK search warrants following an International Letter of Request (R (on the application of Terra Services Ltd) v NCA): Lexis Nexis Analysis – 5SAH

‘Corporate Crime analysis: This judgment is the latest in an application for judicial review brought by Terra Services Ltd against the National Crime Agency (NCA), Secretary of State and Inner London Crown Court. The challenges centre around a search warrant applied for by the NCA on the basis of a direction under section 13 of the Crime (International Cooperation) Act 2003 (C(IC)A 2003) from the UK Central Authority (UKCA)—a direction made following a Letter of Request (LOR) from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking assistance with a search of a storage unit. All challenges were dismissed by the court. It was held that C(IC)A 2003, ss 13 and 16 did not require the UKCA to decide for itself which statutory search power should be the subject of a direction; it was for the relevant authority to carry out a PACE-compliant inquiry.’

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5SAH, 27th July 2020

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

Judicial Authorisation of Deprivation of Liberty – 39 Essex Chambers

‘With the delay to the introduction of the Liberty Protection Safeguards until April 2022, and unless the Mental Health Act 1983 is applicable, there is no administrative mechanism available to authorise the deprivation of liberty for a person with impaired decision-making capacity who is either (1) outside a hospital or care home; or (2) is in a hospital or care home or is aged 16 or 17. This means that, unless a court authorises the position, those people caring for the person have no legal “cover” for their actions, and (where relevant) the public body commissioning care or aware of the person’s circumstances will also be acting unlawfully.’

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39 Essex Chambers, July 2020

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Unfit for work? Fair trial rights means benefit pending review – Doughty Street Chambers

Posted July 28th, 2020 in appeals, benefits, disabled persons, employment, human rights, news by sally

‘Mr Connor, a litigant in person, yesterday persuaded the High Court to strike down a benefit review rule as a breach of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.’

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Doughty Street Chambers, 25th July 2020

Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk

Hindsight bias in health and safety – Six Pump Court

Posted July 28th, 2020 in bias, health & safety, news, statutory duty by sally

‘David Travers QC of 6 Pump Court discusses hindsight bias, its relevance to health and safety cases and how to avoid its impact.’

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Six Pump Court, July 2020

Source: www.6pumpcourt.co.uk

The End is in Sight – but what then?- St Ives Chambers

‘The stay of possession proceedings (which started on 27 March 2020) comes to an end on 23 August 2020 and the courts and government have been working on plans how to resume possession cases after that date.’

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St Ives Chambers, 24th July 2020

Source: www.stiveschambers.co.uk

Landlord who converted house in 12 flats loses appeal over £500k+ confiscation order – Local Government Lawyer

Posted July 28th, 2020 in appeals, confiscation, fines, news, planning by sally

‘A defendant who turned a house into 12 flats without planning permission has lost an appeal over the subsequent imposition of a confiscation order for more than £500,000.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 27th July 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Hanna Wilberg: Lockdowns, the principle of legality, and reasonable limits on liberty – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘In responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, governments around the world have imposed unprecedented “lockdowns”. They decided, on the advice of public health officials and experts, that this was necessary in order to at least “flatten the curve” of escalating numbers of infections and thus prevent health systems being overwhelmed. This has left many governments scrambling to find the necessary legal powers.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 23rd July 2020

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

MI6 apologises for court ‘interference’ – BBC News

Posted July 28th, 2020 in intelligence services, investigatory powers, news, tribunals by sally

‘MI6 officers have been accused of attempting to interfere in a major legal battle over crimes linked to intelligence agencies.’

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BBC News, 27th July 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk