Sibling relationships in the care system – Transparency Project
‘A recent podcast on BBC sounds by ‘File on 4’ focused on separated siblings in the care system.’
Transparency Project, 19th January 2020
Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk
Children in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, says report – The Guardian
‘Children are being held in “harmful” solitary confinement in prison with some let out of their cells for just 15 minutes a day, a damning report from jail inspectors said.’
The Guardian, 21st January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Part 36 offers made exclusive of interest not valid, Court of Appeal rules – Local Government Lawyer
‘It is not possible to make a valid Part 36 offer exclusive of interest either generally or in the context of detailed assessment proceedings, the Court of Appeal has ruled in a case involving a local authority.’
Local Government Lawyer, 20th January 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
High Court rejects judges’ complaints about online divorce service – Legal Futures
‘A senior High Court judge has granted declarations making it clear that an online service has not broken conflict of interest rules or the Legal Services Act by helping divorcing couples draft their own documents and not use lawyers.’
Legal Futures, 21st January 2020
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Fake lawyer who represented clients in High Court faces jail time – Daily Telegraph
‘A man who pretended to be a qualified and experienced solicitor as he represented clients at the High Court is facing a possible jail sentence.’
Daily Telegraph, 20th January 2020
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Stalking: New order for stalker investigations has ‘teeth’ – BBC News
‘A court order to stop suspected stalkers under police investigation contacting victims could have made a “critical difference” to a woman killed by her ex-boyfriend, her father says.’
BBC News, 19th January 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Jack Simson Caird: The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and the Rule of Law – UK Constitutional Law Association
‘The general election on 12 December 2019 has fundamentally changed the political dynamic driving the Brexit process. The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill (WAB), which will become law before 31 January 2020, has been substantially revised (from the version which was presented in October 2019) to reflect this Government’s approach to Brexit. The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law has published a report that looks in depth at some of the main Rule of Law issues in the WAB. This version of the WAB indicates that this Government will take a different approach from the previous one in terms of dealing with some of the key constitutional issues arising from Brexit. This post examines some of the Rule of Law implications of the main constitutional issues in the WAB.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 16th January 2020
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
MPs call for unlimited fines for those who breach electoral law – The Guardian
‘Political organisations would face unlimited fines for breaking electoral law under new proposals to protect UK elections and referendums from “dirty money and dodgy data misuse”.’
The Guardian, 18th January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Immigration and Article 8: what did we learn in 2019? – UK Human Rights Blog
‘As in previous years, the courts in 2019 were particularly concerned with Theresa May’s attempts as Home Secretary to codify the Article 8 proportionality exercise into legislation. Those changes have had a significant impact on the approach of tribunals to appeals against deportation and removal on grounds of private and family life. Judges now have to apply a series of prescribed tests under the immigration rules, before going on to consider whether there are exceptional circumstances requiring a grant of leave.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 17th January 2020
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
Rent Repayment Orders, criminal standard, and new evidence on appeal – Nearly Legal
‘This was the appeal of a First Tier Tribunal decision on Ms Salva’s application for a rent repayment order.’
Nearly Legal, 19th January 2020
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
Ombudsman reminds councils of their foster carer school transport duties – Local Government Lawyer
‘Councils across England are being reminded about the financial support they must provide to foster carers’ school transport expenses following an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman into Wolverhampton council.’
Local Government Lawyer, 17th January 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
When to disapply subordinate legislation – Law Society’s Gazette
‘It is still relatively uncontroversial to suggest that, as a matter of public law, public authorities must comply with legislation. But what should public authorities do where such compliance would actually result in a breach of a right under the European Convention on Human Rights? In RR v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2019] UKSC 52, the Supreme Court held that it is not unconstitutional for a public authority to disapply a provision of subordinate legislation to avoid breaching a convention right. This is necessary under the Human Rights Act 1998. Public authorities will be looking to the horizon to see what impact this decision may have more widely.’
Law Society's Gazette, January 2020
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Trainee solicitor jailed after rape convictions – Legal Futures
A trainee solicitor who admitted multiple offences, including rape, committed in quick succession against two women in July 2019 was jailed last week for 14 years.
Legal Futures, 20th January 2020
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Proportion of UK prisoners with drug problem doubles in five years – study – The Guardian
‘The proportion of prisoners developing a drug problem in custody has more than doubled in the past five years, research suggests.’
The Guardian, 20th January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Tech Companies In Legal Bid Over UK’s Cancelled ‘Porn Block’ – Each Other
‘Four tech companies have launched legal action to pressure the government into introducing age verification (AV) checks for people accessing porn online.’
Each Other, 17th January 2020
Source: eachother.org.uk
Islamists get longer jail terms than far-right extremists – The Guardian
‘Islamist offenders convicted of online extremist crimes received prison sentences three times longer than those of their far-right counterparts, according to new analysis.’
The Guardian, 18th January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
BBC pays host Sarah Montague £400,000 over gender pay gap – The Guardian
‘The radio presenter Sarah Montague has won a £400,000 settlement and an apology from the BBC after complaining about unequal pay and conditions.’
The Guardian, 20th January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
