Officers ‘wary’ as spit attacks rise in coronavirus pandemic – BBC News
‘Spitting attacks on police may be behind a national rise in assaults on emergency workers during lockdown, officials have said.’
BBC News, 23rd May 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Assessing ‘Likelihood of Harm’ under the Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety and Hygiene Offences – Definitive Guideline – Henderson Chambers
‘A summary of relevant factors and considerations drawn from the leading cases of recent years.’
Henderson Chambers, 11th May 2020
Public Funds Part 3: Change of conditions to allow access to public funds – Richmond Chambers
‘In this third post, following on from Public Funds Part 1: Public Funds and Coronavirus and Public Funds Part 2: Claiming Child Benefit we consider how to apply for a change of conditions to allow access to public funds, for individuals who are in the UK with limited leave to enter or remain subject to a condition of having no recourse to public funds.’
Richmond Chambers, 15th May 2020
Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk
Lewes sex abuser Jonathan Smith’s victim feels hope after his jailing – BBC News
‘A woman who was systematically abused as a child by a world-renowned music director has gone from “despair to hope” after seeing him finally jailed.’
BBC News, 22nd May 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Cash machines in supermarkets not separate hereditaments for rating purposes: Supreme Court – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Supreme Court has upheld a Court of Appeal ruling that ATM machines are not rateably occupied separately from the host stores.’
Local Government Lawyer, 21st May 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Jaden Moodie: ‘Chances missed’ to protect boy groomed by dealers – BBC News
‘A boy who was “butchered” in a drugs turf war after being groomed by drug dealers had been arrested in a crack den months earlier but police did not contact child exploitation staff, a report has found.’
BBC News, 26th May 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Campaigners in legal threat over “failure to collect data on deaths of those with learning disabilities and autism during COVID-19” – Local Government Lawyer
‘Disability campaigners have sent a letter before action to five public bodies over what they say has been a failure to mandate the collection and publication of data on the deaths of people with learning disabilities and autism during the coronavirus pandemic.’
Local Government Lawyer, 21st May 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
England and Wales face backlog of 40,000 criminal cases due to coronavirus – The Guardian
‘The criminal justice system in England and Wales is facing a backlog of 40,000 criminal cases, which will not be solved even if all crown courts are brought into service under physical distancing rules, the Criminal Bar Association has warned.’
The Guardian, 24th May 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Rule committee urged to review disbursements in fixed-cost cases – Litigation Futures
‘The Supreme Court has called on the Civil Procedure Rules Committee to review the issue of whether disbursements should be payable separately in fixed-cost personal injury cases.’
Litigation Futures, 21st May 2020
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
Court rules bar set too high for NHS surcharge and visa fee waivers – The Guardian
‘A court ruling has given hope to thousands of migrants, including health and care workers, that they will no longer have to pay visa and NHS surcharge fees if they cannot afford them.’
The Guardian, 21st May 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Supreme Court hands down key ruling on listed buildings – Local Government Lawyer
‘Planning inspectors should reconsider whether two lead urns that were placed on top of limestone piers at a historic house were “buildings” or not, the Supreme Court has ruled.’
Local Government Lawyer, 21st May 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
COVID-19: The ‘New Normal’ Experiences in the Employment Tribunal – Parklane Plowden
‘In 18th March 2020, the Presidents of the Employment Tribunal (Scotland) and (England and Wales) released Presidential Guidance.’
Parklane Plowden, 11th May 2020
Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk
Shut-down firm ordered to pay former staff £375,000 – Legal Futures
‘A law firm shut down by its regulator last year has been ordered to pay former staff £375,000 for multiple employment law breaches.’
Legal Futures, 22nd May 2020
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Judge names council after deciding knowledge of its social services failures in care case outweighed risk of jigsaw identification of children – Local Government Lawyer
‘A judge has severely criticised the London Borough of Haringey’s child social services department, after deciding to name the council following an appeal by the Press Association over an earlier anonymity order.’
Local Government Lawyer, 21st May 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Children getting older as ‘unnatural increase’ for overcrowding – Nearly Legal
‘This was a judicial review of Southwark’s allocation decision on the priority to be given to a family in accommodation which had become statutorily overcrowded.’
Nearly Legal, 21st May 2020
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
Consumer Protection in the time of Covid-19 – Henderson Chambers
‘The Competition and Market Authority (“CMA”) has set up a task force to take action against companies which it considers are breaching consumer laws in the way in which they are dealing with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic (for example, companies refusing to provide cash refunds for goods and services which have been disrupted). The CMA has robust enforcement powers such that businesses would be wise to be careful as to how they balance their commercial interests with consumer rights in these difficult times.’
Henderson Chambers, 13th May 2020
Hundreds prosecuted for coronavirus-related attacks on emergency workers – The Guardian
‘More than 300 prosecutions for assaults on police and emergency workers were completed during the first month of lockdown, the director of public prosecutions, Max Hill QC, has revealed.’
The Guardian, 21st May 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Revenue And Customs v NCL Investments Ltd & Anor [2020] EWCA Civ 663 (21 May 2020)
High Court (Administrative Court)
Fisher, R (On the Application Of) v Durham County Council [2020] EWHC 1277 (Admin) (21 May 2020)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Clitheroe v Bond [2020] EWHC 1185 (Ch) (21 May 2020)
High Court (Commercial Court)
C Ltd v D & X [2020] EWHC 1283 (Comm) (21 May 2020)
High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)
Quaatey v Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust [2020] EWHC 1296 (QB) (21 May 2020)
CWD v Nevitt & Ors [2020] EWHC 1289 (QB) (21 May 2020)
High Court (Technology and Construction Court)
DBE Energy Ltd v Biogas Products Ltd [2020] EWHC 1285 (TCC) (20 May 2020)
Source: www.bailii.org
E-Bundling Guidance for Remote Hearings – Falcon Chambers
‘As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, on 19 March 2020, the Lord Chief Justice delivered a message in respect of the Civil & Family Courts in which he said: “The default position now in all jurisdictions must be that hearings should be conducted with one, more than one, or all participants attending remotely.” Legal professionals are naturally anxious to know what may be expected of them in practically in preparation for such hearings.’
Falcon Chambers, May 2020
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
