England police watchdog investigates death of man in custody – The Guardian
‘The England and Wales police watchdog is investigating the death of a man who died in custody in Devon.’
The Guardian, 8th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Legal aid: Woman in abuse case challenges rules – BBC News
‘A woman is challenging rules which deprived her of legal aid for action to protect her from her former partner.’
BBC News, 9th June 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Woman who falsely claimed more than £1m in benefits is jailed – The Guardian
‘A woman has been jailed after falsely claiming more than £1m in benefits in what has been described as one of the biggest social security frauds to be prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).’
The Guardian, 8th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
UK ministers face legal challenge for refusal to order PPE inquiry – The Guardian
‘Ministers are facing a high court legal challenge after they refused to order an urgent investigation into the shortages of personal protective equipment faced by NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic.’
The Guardian, 8th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
BAILII: Recent Decisions
High Court (Administrative Court)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Edgeworth Capital (Luxembourg) S.A.R.L. & Anor v Maud [2020] EWHC 1469 (Ch) (08 June 2020)
High Court (Family Division)
G v D (Art 13b: Absence of Protective Measures) [2020] EWHC 1476 (Fam) (08 June 2020)
High Court (Patents Court)
High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)
Tinkler v Ferguson & Ors [2020] EWHC 1467 (QB) (08 June 2020)
Source: www.bailii.org
After Sally Challen, we now have a chance to tackle coercive control – The Guardian
‘The domestic abuse bill offers a once-in-a-generation chance to change our approach says the son of the woman whose conviction for murdering her husband was quashed.’
The Guardian, 7th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Postmasters were prosecuted using unreliable evidence – BBC News
‘The Post Office prosecuted postmasters over missing money despite having evidence its own computer system could be to blame.’
BBC News, 8th June 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Master of Rolls sets up working group as concerns expressed about end to stay on housing possession claims – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Master of the Rolls, Sir Terence Etherton, has established a cross-sector working group to address concerns about the consequences of the current stay on housing possession claims ending.’
Local Government Lawyer, 5th June 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
SRA to press ahead with launch of SQE in autumn 2021 – Legal Futures
‘The Covid-19 crisis will not stop the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) in September 2021, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has decided.’
Legal Futures, 8th June 2020
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
How to observe remote hearings in the Court of Protection -Transparency Project
‘ “Open justice” is a cornerstone of the legal system for England and Wales. The Court of Protection makes life-changing decisions on behalf of vulnerable people, such as where they live, who they can have contact with, what medical treatments they must have. These are decisions with huge consequences for the person at the centre of the case (known as “P”), and for their family – and they engage fundamental human rights. There is a clear and legitimate public interest in knowing what decisions are made by the courts and how those decisions are made.’
Transparency Project, 7th June 2020
Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk
‘A black man’s life is not valued’: attack on year-long delay of UK police death inquiry – The Guardian
‘An official review into the death of a black man who was punched repeatedly by police, beaten with a baton and Tasered has been delayed for the last year because investigators have yet to obtain a transcript of the inquest.’
The Guardian, 6th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Yuan Yi Zhu: The Supreme Court: Options for Change – UK Constitutional Law Association
‘Since the Conservative government’s landslide victory in the 2019 general election, constitutional reform has been on top of its agenda. The most high-profile target of its attention has been the Supreme Court, whose performance came under sustained Conservative criticism during Brexit, most notably in Miller II/Cherry. Few details have so far been published about the Government’s constitutional reform plans, and it remains possible that these never reach fruition, especially in the face of concerted political opposition. Nevertheless, given the government’s considerable parliamentary majority and the high priority given to constitutional reform at the political level, it seems that the Supreme Court’s days might indeed be numbered. Hence, it is worth considering, without offering an opinion on the desirability of reforming the Supreme Court, some possible options for change.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 8th June 2020
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
Spending watchdog warns public bodies on challenge of managing end of PFI contracts as disputes loom – Local Government Lawyer
‘More than a third of public bodies expect to have formal disputes as PFI contracts come to an end, the National Audit Office has found.’
Local Government Lawyer, 5th June 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Not not Nemcova – Nearly Legal
‘Another Upper Tribunal decision to add to the now large pile of cases on airbnb/short let use and breach of lease. In this case, the FTT had found the short let use not to be in breach of lease (for cunning reasons I’ll come back to) and the head lessor had appealed to the Upper Tribunal. The decision upholds the Nemcova line on “private residence” use, but also has a finding of interest on “business use”.’
Nearly Legal, 6th June 2020
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
Justice Secretary seeks to block decision to release rapist serving life sentence – Daily Telegraph
‘The Justice Secretary is seeking to block the decision to release a rapist serving a life sentence from prison, after the victim’s family only learned of the plans through a journalist.’
Daily Telegraph, 5th June 2020
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Tenant eviction ban in England and Wales extended by two months – The Guardian
‘The government has extended its ban on evictions in England and Wales by a further two months, prolonging the breathing space for thousands of tenants who have struggled to pay the rent during lockdown.’
The Guardian, 6th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
R (Flores) v Southwark LBC [2020] EWHC 1279 (Admin) – 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square
‘The Administrative Court dismissed a challenge to the local authority’s decision as to the level of priority to be awarded under their housing allocation scheme to a family living in accommodation which had become statutorily overcrowded as a result of children growing older. The Court interpreted the meaning of the applicant’s “deliberate act” under the scheme.’
4-5 Gray's Inn Square, 29th May 2020
Source: www.4-5.co.uk
