Protection for a philosophical belief: why some beliefs but not others? – The 36 Group
‘Fergus McCombie employment law expert at 36 Commercial comments on recent tribunal decision.’
The 36 Group, 9th January 2020
Source: 36group.co.uk
The President of the Family Division’s New Guidance on Reporting in the Family Courts (3rd October 2019) – Becket Chambers
‘Faced with the competing claims of transparency and privacy, free speech and family life, family law will always incline towards the latter. Its first instincts are protective, guarding the intimacies and lives of its own subject families and, particularly, its children.[1] First and foremost, family proceedings are and remain private matters. This fundamental principle holds fast. However, things are not simply as they were before. Successive Presidents of the Family Division have now expressly addressed the subject in the form of three separate occasions. At the very least, it is clear that the dynamic is being given careful thought. Whilst the guidances do not amount to a tilting of the scales, they are nevertheless guidances specifically designed to address acts of reporting. When President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby issued two guidances on transparency and anonymisation. Sir Andrew McFarlane, the current President, has now (as of October 2018) issued further guidance specifically dealing with applications to lift and vary reporting restrictions.’
Becket Chambers, 15th January 2020
Source: becket-chambers.co.uk
Brexit: What You Need To Know On Unaccompanied Child Refugee Rights – Each Other
‘The latest version of Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) – which will write prime minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal into law – is being debated in the House of Lords this week.’
Each Other, 14th January 2020
Source: eachother.org.uk
Sikhs, beards and “hygiene”: Sethi – Law & Religion UK
‘In Mr R Sethi v Elements Personnel Services Ltd [2019] ET 2300234/2018, the Claimant, a practising but unbaptised Sikh, applied for a job with the Respondent: a specialist agency providing temporary staff for the hospitality industry, mainly at five-star hotels. He attended an induction course at which he was asked to sign various documents including the Respondent’s standard Contract for Agency Workers, which included the Respondent’s Code of Conduct. The Code provided, înter alia, that “No beards or goatees are allowed”. He explained that he would not be able to shave off his beard for religious reasons.’
Law & Religion UK, 15th January 2020
Source: www.lawandreligionuk.com
Solicitors’ group tip-off leads to activist’s conviction – Legal Futures
‘A campaigner who used her email address as a committee member of the Solicitors International Human Rights Group (SIHRG) to conduct unlawful immigration law work was convicted this week.’
Legal Futures, 15th January 2020
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Congolese torture survivor gets Home Office reprieve – The Guardian
‘A torture survivor from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is celebrating after a Home Office U-turn allowed him to stay in the UK.’
The Guardian, 15th January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Humanist weddings and the Marriage (Approved Organisations) Bill – Law & Religion UK
‘On 9 January, Baroness Meacher introduced the Marriage (Approved Organisations) Bill in the House of Lords.’
Law & Religion UK, 14th January 2020
Source: www.lawandreligionuk.com
Solicitor fined for acting in conflict of interest – Legal Futures
‘A solicitor who acted where there was a real conflict of interest and paid out almost £6m from buyer clients before they had obtained any security in the flats they were hoping to buy, has been fined for misconduct.’
Legal Futures, 14th January 2020
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Fifth of adults in England and Wales abused as children, figures suggest – The Guardian
‘About one in five adults in England and Wales experienced a form of child abuse before they turned 16, figures suggest.’
The Guardian, 14th January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Home Office proposes offence of possessing terrorist propaganda – The Guardian
‘A new offence relating to possession of terrorist propaganda that glorifies or encourages extremism could be introduced to toughen up UK anti-terror laws.’
The Guardian, 14th January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Michael Oluronbi: Birmingham pastor guilty of raping children – BBC News
‘A church pastor repeatedly raped children after “holy baths” he claimed would ward off evil.’
BBC News, 14th January 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
High Court (Administrative Court)
Haden, R (On the Application Of) v Shropshire Council [2020] EWHC 33 (Admin) (14 January 2020)
High Court (Chancery Division)
HM Attorney General v Zedra Fiduciary Services (UK) Ltd [2020] EWHC 18 (Ch) (14 January 2020)
MCX Dunlin (UK) Ltdd v Revenue And Customs [2020] EWHC 11 (Ch) (13 January 2020)
High Court (Family Division)
High Court (Queen’s Bench Division)
Walsh v CP Hart & Sons Ltd [2020] EWHC 37 (QB) (13 January 2020)
Bass v Ministry of Defence [2020] EWHC 36 (QB) (13 January 2020)
Demand Media Ltd v Koch Media Ltd [2020] EWHC 32 (QB) (13 January 2020)www.bailii.org
Court wellbeing protocol targets ‘last minute’ culture – Legal Futures
‘Birmingham Family Court will today introduce a wellbeing protocol which aims to end a ‘last minute’ work culture that increases stress on practitioners outside of work hours.’
Legal Futures, 14th January 2020
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Staff shortages leave probation service in crisis, report finds – The Guardian
‘Public safety is at risk as huge workloads and staff shortages continue to place the probation sector under pressure, inspectors have said, while officers lack the “professional curiosity” needed to spot potentially dangerous behaviour among offenders managed in the community.’
The Guardian, 14th January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
UK courts “under attack” from Russian manipulation – Litigation Futures
‘The corrupt leaders of Russia are manipulating courts and tribunals around the world – with a particular focus on the UK – with “blatant lies, forged documents, and utterly implausible explanations”, it was claimed today.’
Litigation Futures, 13th January 2020
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
Electrical safety checks – soon with added regulation – Nearly Legal
‘The draft of The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 has been laid in Parliament. The regs require a resolution of each house, so this will not be an immediate approval, but should be soon – it looks like the intention is for the Regs to be in force from 1 April 2020.’
Nearly Legal, 13th January 2020
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
Contempt and pre-action conduct – Law Society’s Gazette
‘In the landmark decision in Jet2 Holidays Limited v Hughes & Hughes [2019] EWCA Civ 1858, the Court of Appeal (Sir Terence Etherton MR, Hamblen and Flaux LJJ) confirmed that the High Court has jurisdiction to commit for contempt of court in respect of false witness statements made under a pre-action protocol (PAP) even though proceedings were never issued.’
Law Society's Gazette, 13th January 2020
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
