BAILII: Recent Decisions
Law firm “under no duty” to disclose counsel’s advice to funder – Litigation Futures
‘The High Court has struck out claims brought against a City law firm that a litigation funder said did not pass on the “pessimistic views” expressed by counsel about a case it was backing.’
Litigation Futures, 5th March 2020
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
Landmark Immigration Bill to end free movement introduced to Parliament – Home Office
‘The bill will end free movement and give the government full control of UK borders for the first time in four decades.’
Home Office, 5th March 2020
Source: www.gov.uk/home-office
Court of Appeal clarifies the law on marriage formalities (Akhter v Khan) – Family Law
‘Family analysis: Siddique Patel, solicitor at Shoosmiths, discusses the decision of the Court of Appeal overturning that of Williams J when he ruled that an Islamic Nikah ceremony could be classed as a void marriage giving rise to financial remedies.’
Family Law, 5th March 2020
Source: www.familylaw.co.uk
The traps in the Divorce etc Bill that could cause as much harm as finding fault – Family Law
‘Traditional marriage etiquette recommends sending out wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the big day. Under the proposed new divorce reform, a spouse might have the same amount of notice of the ending of their marriage.’
Family Law, 5th March 2020
Source: www.familylaw.co.uk
Everton football fan convicted of hate crime – Crown Prosecution Service
‘A football supporter who shouted racial abuse at a player during a game between Crystal Palace and Everton in August 2019 has been convicted of a hate crime.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 4th March 2020
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
‘Astonishing breakthrough’: Munby hails access to family justice data – Law Society’s Gazette
‘A national support service representing children in family court cases has opened up its data to researchers as part of wider efforts to understand how well the family justice system is working. Cafcass has transferred its file data to the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank, which is based at the University of Swansea. Cafcass said the move was part of a strategy to exchange knowledge and learning with key partners such as the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, set up by the Nuffield Foundation to improve the use of data and research in the family justice system.’
Law Society's Gazette, 3rd March 2020
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Supreme Court president refuses to rule out stepping down if Boris Johnson tries to politicise judiciary – The Independent
‘The president of the Supreme Court has declined to rule out resigning if Boris Johnson attempts to politicise the judiciary.’
The Independent, 4th March 2020
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Oxford dean accused of failing to report child sexual assault claim – The Guardian
‘The head of a prestigious Oxford college has been accused of failing to disclose an allegation of sexual assault of a minor to police or safeguarding officials.’
The Guardian, 4th March 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Commons spends more than £800,000 on paying off former staff – BBC News
‘The House of Commons has paid out hundreds of thousands of pounds in non-disclosure and settlement agreements with former employees, according to official figures.’
BBC News, 5th March 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Victims given right to challenge attackers’ release from prison in new code – The Independent
‘Victims of violent and sexual offences are being given the automatic right to challenge their attackers’ release and apply for restrictions to protect themselves.’
The Independent, 5th March 2020
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Sentencing Code unveiled in Parliament – Ministry of Justice
‘Plans to simplify the country’s complex sentencing laws moved a step closer today (5 March 2020) as Ministers unveiled a Bill in Parliament.’
Ministry of Justice, 5th March 2020
Souece: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
Police watchdog drop investigation into Scotland Yard’s contact with Caroline Flack before her death – Daily Telegraph
‘The police watchdog has dropped its investigation into the Metropolitan Police’s contact with Caroline Flack before her death.’
Daily Telegraph, 4th March 2020
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Save The Children misled public while failing to deal with sexual harassment allegations against top bosses, report reveals – The Independent
‘Save the Children UK let down women who complained and the public through serious failures including a cover-up in how it handled sexual harassment claims against senior staff, according to a watchdog’s damning report.’
The Independent, 5th March 2020
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Aston Villa and Leicester City settle sexual-abuse claims – BBC News
‘Aston Villa and Leicester City have paid damages to five victims of a football scout convicted of child sex abuse, the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme has learned.’
BBC News, 5th March 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Michael Phillips death: Three guilty of burglary revenge killing – BBC News
‘Three men including a company director have been found guilty of killing a man in revenge for a burglary.’
BBC News, 3rd March 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Over £3m in fines and £1m for NHS in CMA pharma probe – gov.uk
‘Following an investigation, the CMA has found that 4 pharmaceutical companies broke competition law in relation to the supply of an antidepressant.’
gov,uk, 4th March 2020
Source: www.gov.uk
Parties praised after first trial in capped costs pilot – Litigation Futures
‘The first case under the capped costs pilot reached trial last week, with the judge commending the parties for their “significant degree of collaboration” to make it work.’
Litigation Futures, 2nd March 2020
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
Recent Statutory Instruments – legislation.gov.uk
The Van Benefit and Car and Van Fuel Benefit Order 2020
The Taxes (Interest Rate) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
The Video Recordings (Labelling) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
The Financial Assistance for Environmental Purposes (England) Order 2020
The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2020
The National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
Source: www.legislation.gov.uk
