90% of law firms “breaching transparency rules” – Legal Futures
‘The news comes with the regulator planning to step up its checks.’
Legal Futures, 15th June 2020
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Racism contributed to disproportionate UK BAME coronavirus deaths, inquiry finds – The Guardian
‘Racism and discrimination suffered by Britain’s black, Asian and minority ethnic people has contributed to the high death rates from Covid-19 in those communities, an official inquiry has found.’
The Guardian, 14th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Turnover Rents for Retail – the Way Forward in Recession? Sharing the pain and (hopefully) the gain – Falcon Chambers
‘Some legal property commentators have been wondering how a commercial open market rent can be set for business premises when the relevant valuation date falls during the lockdown period or will arrive in coming months. They bemoan the likely lack of comparables and wring their hands. Personally, I have great faith in the skillset of expert valuers’ to meet this particular challenge. However, for my part, the true question is whether such commentators are actually looking at matters through the right end of the telescope?’
Falcon Chambers, May 2020
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
Youth justice: exposing a system that is failing our most vulnerable children – The Guardian
‘Children in the Dock was an investigation into the youth justice system in England and Wales that involved the Guardian’s Manchester team spending a month monitoring every case at Greater Manchester youth court. Among other things, they found that the proportion of BAME children in court had doubled in eight years, and revealed that youth cases now take 40% longer than in 2010.’
The Guardian, 13th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
New claims in High Court bounce back above 2019 level – Litigation Futures
‘High Court activity has already recovered to pre-Covid-19 levels following a sharp slump during the height of the outbreak, new research has found.’
Litigation Futures, 15th June 2020
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
Ben Ashman: Man who ran over stepmother at wedding jailed – BBC News
‘A man who repeatedly drove over his stepmother in a drunken rage at a wedding has been jailed for six years.’
BBC News, 11th June 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Private firms to lose role in probation services – BBC News
‘The government has scrapped plans to let private firms run behaviour programmes and unpaid work schemes for offenders in England and Wales.’
BBC News, 11th June 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Family of black man who died in UK police custody speak out – The Guardian
‘The family of a black man who died in police custody in Devon last month have said they still have no idea of the circumstances that led to his death and are demanding answers.’
The Guardian, 12th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk
M v M – more than just costs by Nick Power – Broadway House Chambers
‘The recent flurry of legal observers commenting on the eye-watering and disproportionate costs incurred in this case such that out of £630,000 liquid capital, £594,000 had been spent on costs has justifiably attracted much attention. There is however, within this case, an incredibly helpful analysis for practitioners as to when, and in what manner, the court can have regard to family support which may be available in the future for the parties.’
Broadway House Chambers, 10th June 2020
Source: broadwayhouse.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
Smith, R. v [2020] EWCA Crim 669 (06 May 2020)
High Court (Administrative Court)
Government of the United States of America v McDaid [2020] EWHC 1527 (Admin) (12 June 2020)
Kotlarski v Regional Court In Bielsko-Biala, Poland [2020] EWHC 1522 (Admin) (11 June 2020)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Umrish Ltd & Ors v Gill [2020] EWHC 1513 (Ch) (12 June 2020)
Benkel v East-West German Real Estate Holding & Anor [2020] EWHC 1489 (Ch) (12 June 2020)
Monsolar IQ Ltd v Woden Park Ltd [2020] EWHC 1521 (Ch) (12 June 2020)
Gardiner v Tabe & Anor [2020] EWHC 1471 (Ch) (12 June 2020)
High Court (Family Division)
Akhmedova v Akhmedov & Ors [2020] EWHC 1526 (Fam) (12 June 2020)
High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)
Warnes & Anor v Forge [2020] EWHC 1496 (QB) (12 June 2020)
Barnett v Walker & Ors [2020] EWHC 1538 (QB) (12 June 2020)
Bromford Housing Association Ltd v Nightingale & Anor [2020] EWHC 1532 (QB) (12 June 2020)
Pearce v East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust [2020] EWHC 1504 (QB) (11 June 2020)
Racism campaigners call for police watchdog to be abolished – The Guardian
‘Black families in the UK whose loved ones have died in incidents involving the police have called for the abolition of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which investigates the police, and the immediate suspension of officers involved in deaths as part of a new plan to address systemic racism and unlawful killings.’
The Guardian, 14th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Domestic Abuse Bill: Misogyny should be treated as a hate crime, say MPs – BBC News
‘A group of women MPs and charities are urging the government to treat misogyny as a hate crime within the government’s new domestic abuse laws.’
BBC News, 11th June 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
BA, easyJet and Ryanair begin court action over UK quarantine rules – The Guardian
‘Britain’s three biggest airlines have filed papers in the high court to seek an urgent judicial review of the government’s quarantine laws, which they say are having a devastating effect on tourism and the wider economy.’
The Guardian, 12th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Pensions in Needs-Based Financial Remedy Proceedings – Becket Chambers
‘The issue of pensions in financial remedy proceedings is a complex area and has been subject to much change over the years. As many of you will be aware, the Pension Advisory Group (“PAG”) published a comprehensive report, “A Guide to the Treatment of Pensions on Divorce” in July 2019. It was a much-welcomed publication that provided definitive guidance on the approach to pensions in financial remedy proceedings.’
Becket Chamber, 11th June 2020
Source: becket-chambers.co.uk
Matt Hancock faces legal action from daughter of Covid-19 care home victim – The Guardian
‘Matt Hancock is facing legal action from the daughter of a man who died from Covid-19 in a care home in which the health secretary is accused of a “litany of failures” and misleading the public with his claim to have “thrown a protective ring” around care homes.’
The Guardian, 12th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Mediation – Don’t panic in the Pandemic – be prepared – 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square
‘The coronavirus pandemic and the current and continuing lockdown imposed by government has led to a number of consequences for the resolution of commercial disputes, and the administration of justice. First is where trials are being adjourned to uncertain dates, currently unable to take place due to the inability or unwillingness of people to attend court. Second is what is going to happen when the lockdown is eased or lifted, and disputes, which have been building up in the normal course, enter the system creating a backlog. Judges are understandably concerned that the courts and arbitral tribunals could face and potentially be overwhelmed by a wave of commercial cases. A number of these disputes will have arisen due to the parties’ inability to honour their contractual obligations due to the lockdown with complicated issues of law as to the remedies available.’
4-5 Gray's Inn Square, 8th June 2020
Source: www.4-5.co.uk
