John Bercow: Formal complaint lodged against former Commons Speaker – BBC News
‘A complaint has been made against former Commons Speaker John Bercow by a previous senior advisor.’
BBC News, 23rd January 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Windrush man who served in British army for nine years told there is no record of him – The Independent
‘A Windrush man who was told the UK government had no record of him despite having spent nearly a decade serving in the British army says he is struggling to obtain compensation two years on.’
The Independent, 23rd january 2020
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Domestic abuse cases abandoned too quickly when victims retreat – study – The Guardian
‘Police and prosecutors are dropping domestic abuse cases far too readily when victims become reluctant to pursue complaints against often violent partners, an official inspectorate report has warned.’
The Guardian, 23rd January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Labour MP accused of sexual assault fails in anonymity bid – The Guardian
‘A Labour MP has failed in his bid to stop his name from being revealed in reporting of an upcoming employment tribunal case taken by a woman who has accused him of sexual assault and harassment.’
The Guardian, 22nd January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Court of Appeal rejects council bid for borough-wide injunction, issues guidance on tackling unauthorised encampments – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by the London Borough of Bromley over a High Court judge’s refusal to grant a borough-wide injunction on encampment at all accessible public spaces in the council’s area.’
Local Government Lawyer, 21st January 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Paul Canfield discusses the impact of PS, Abdi Dahir, CF v R [2019] EWCA Crim 2286 – Broadway House Chambers
‘It is widely recognised that mental health disorders may be relevant to sentencing. However, there is currently no definitive guideline that can be used in relation to the sentencing of offenders with mental health conditions and disorders. Although the Sentencing Council is currently working towards a definitive guideline that will set out overarching principles, draft guidelines should not be used by a sentencer (see, eg, Boakye [2013] 1 Cr App R (S) 2 and Connelly [2018] 1 Cr App R (S) 19). So where does that leave an offender facing sentencing who live with a mental disorder or learning difficulty where it may have a substantial impact?’
Broadway House Chambers, 15th January 2020
Source: broadwayhouse.co.uk
The Stalking Protection Order – 25 Bedford Row
‘Stalking has become a serious infringement of the lives of both women, men, young girls and boys. One in five women and one in ten men are likely to be victims in their lifetime and the prosecution for stalking offences demonstrates a rising trend in offending.’
25 Bedford Row, 20th January 2020
Source: www.25bedfordrow.com
Up High and Down Low: ownership of airspace and subsoil – Hardwicke Chambers
‘In this podcast Daniel Gatty and Priya Gopal discuss the law regarding freehold and leasehold ownership of airspace above and subsoil below land and buildings.’
Harwicke Chambers, 16th January 2020
Source: hardwicke.co.uk
Divorce or Separation: Impact on Leave to Remain – Richmond Chambers
‘January is often referred to as the ‘divorce month’ and according to recent reports 8th January is a popular day to dissolve marriages. There are many who are in the UK with leave to enter or remain and are dependent on their relationship or marriage or civil partnership. What happens if this applies to you and your relationship permanently breaks down? What action do you need to take if you separate or get divorced? What are the implications of a relationship breakdown and can you remain in the UK?’
Richmond Chambers, 17th January 2020
Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk
Criminal legal aid solicitor struck off for accounts rule breaches – Legal Futures
‘A solicitor has been struck off after nearly 40 years in practice after admitting that the difficulties of relying on payment from criminal legal aid work overwhelmed him.’
Legal Futures, 21st January 2020
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Default Interest? That is just under 290% p.a. – KCH Garden Sq
‘An interesting part of my work involves advising and appearing in cases in which there are loans from companies that specialise in loans to “distressed borrowers”. I have acted both for and against loan companies in that area of business, and so I have been able to see the issues from both sides.’
KCH Garden Sq, 16th January 2020
Source: kchgardensquare.co.uk
Cybercrime laws need urgent reform to protect UK, says report – The Guardian
‘Britain’s cyber-defences are being endangered by the outdated Computer Misuse Act, which prevents investigators from dealing effectively with online threats while over-punishing immature defendants, according to a legal report.’
The Guardian, 22nd January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Tribunal Judge loses case of race discrimination against fellow Judges – Ely Place Chambers
‘Employment Judge Snelson has handed down judgment in Kumrai v Ministry of Justice and others, an unusual case involving serious allegations of race discrimination by members of the senior judiciary in which the Claimant and all three Respondent witnesses were serving Tribunal Judges. The Claimant, a Judge of the First-Tier Tribunal, sued both the Regional Judge and President of the relevant chamber together with the Ministry of Justice, for direct race discrimination, harassment and victimisation.’
Ely Place Chambers, 14th January 2020
Source: elyplace.com
“Chilling” failures to comply with the Mental Capacity Act – Doughty Street Chambers
‘In A (Fact-Finding), HHJ Clayton strongly criticised, and awarded costs against, a local authority and Clinical Commissioning Group after their pursuit of a fundamentally flawed approach to the best interests of P, a young man with a severe global delay, who was unable to communicate verbally.’
Doughty Street Chambers, 20th January 2020
Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk
Criminalising the possession of “terrorist propaganda”: a human rights analysis – UK Human Rights Blog
‘The Home Office is proposing to legislate for a new criminal offence relating to the “possession of the most serious material glorifying or encouraging terrorism”.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 21st January 2020
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
Welsh parents lose opt-out for sex, relationship and religious education – The Guardian
‘Parents in Wales will soon lose the right to withdraw their children from lessons on sex and relationships or religion, provoking concern among both church groups and secular campaigners.’
The Guardian, 21st January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
