UN concern over disciplinary case against UK lawyer for ‘boys’ club’ remarks – The Guardian

‘Four UN special rapporteurs have warned that disciplinary proceedings against a female barrister for saying a judge had shown a “boys’ club attitude” may send “a disconcerting message” to lawyers challenging gender bias in custody and domestic abuse cases.’

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The Guardian, 16th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Children missing from Home Office hotels likely to have been trafficked, report finds – The Guardian

‘Scores of asylum-seeking children are still missing from the UK’s Home Office hotels as a new report reveals that many are likely to have been trafficked.’

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The Guardian, 17th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

The meaning of maintenance – Nearly Legal

Posted July 16th, 2024 in appeals, housing, leases, local government, news, repairs, service charges by sally

‘London Borough of Tower Hamlets v Lessees of Brewster House and Malting House (2024) UKUT 193 (LC) (11 July 2024). This was an appeal to the Upper Tribunal on whether a service charge for major works to remedy structural defects to two blocks of flats was payable. It may well have broader significance for charges for building safety works, depending on lease terms.’

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Nearly Legal, 15th July 2024

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Update on limitation periods – Local Government Lawyer

‘A recent Court of Appeal ruling is a reminder of the applicable limitation periods for those procurements commenced under the current regime, write John Houlden, Laura Tudor and Abigail Cropper.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th July 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Interim relief in age assessment cases – revisited – Local Government Lawyer

‘Joshua Swirsky discusses a case where Upper Tribunal Judge Smith once again had to consider the balance of convenience in an age assessment case when interim relief is sought.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th July 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Local authorities, care orders and consent to confinement – Local Government Lawyer

‘Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon) analyses another striking decision from Lieven J.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th July 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Private hire operators outside London and their customers – Local Government Lawyer

Posted July 16th, 2024 in appeals, contracts, local government, London, news, taxis by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal over whether a private hire operator outside London is required by legislation to enter into a contract as principal with a person who makes a booking for their vehicle. Gerald Gouriet KC and Michael Feeney examine the ruling and its wider impact.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 15th July 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Law Commission publishes scoping paper on Decentralised Autonomous Organisations – Law Commission

Posted July 15th, 2024 in company law, computer programs, Law Commission, news by sally

‘Today, the Law Commission has published a scoping paper looking into how Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) can be characterised and how the law of England and Wales might accommodate them now and in the future. The paper seeks to identify current issues around DAOs to inform any future law reform or innovations.’

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Law Commission, 11th July 2024

Source: lawcom.gov.uk

People smuggler gets nearly a year extra time in jail for failing to payback over £65,000 of criminal profits in the Essex lorry deaths case – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Today (11 July 2024) at Margate Magistrates’ Court, Gheorghe Nica, 46, was ordered to serve a further eleven and half months imprisonment after failing to payback £65,157.65 which he was ordered to pay in a proceeds of crime confiscation hearing. All of the Confiscation Order monies recovered from Nica, which a Judge has determined is his available assets, will be paid by way of compensation to the families of the 39 victims.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 11th July 2024

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Notionally Flawed? Notional Assessments in LSPO Applications – Financial Remedies Journal

‘The past weeks have brought two more High Court judgments considering the practice of deducting a percentage from an LSPO applicant’s costs provision by way of a “notional standard assessment”. The first, JK v LM [2024] EWHC 1442 (Fam), was a judgment of Cobb J doubling down on the practice. The second, KV v KV [2024] EWFC 165, was a judgment of Peel J, taking a more ambivalent approach, suggesting it be used as a “cross check” and highlighting that it may operate unfairly in some cases. Cobb J’s elevation to the Court of Appeal may see his approach becoming dominant. The unfairness caused by the “notional assessments” in LSPO applications has been explored by us previously. Here we argue that it is also conceptually flawed.’

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Financial Remedies Journal, 11th July 2024

Source: financialremediesjournal.com

Inquiry into headteacher’s suicide says ‘macho culture’ of inspections must end – The Guardian

Posted July 15th, 2024 in inquiries, mental health, news, ombudsmen, suicide, teachers by sally

‘An independent inquiry into the death of the Reading headteacher Ruth Perry has called for an end to England’s “macho culture” of inspections and school accountability.’

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The Guardian, 12th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Assisted dying researcher sues police over arrest – BBC News

‘A PhD student researching assisted dying is suing police for damages over her arrest after travelling with a woman from Wales who had doctors in Switzerland help to end her life.’

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BBC News, 12th July 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Which prisoners will be released from jail early? – BBC News

Posted July 15th, 2024 in early release, Ministry of Justice, news, police, prisons, statistics by sally

‘The government has announced emergency measures to deal with prison overcrowding in England and Wales.’

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BBC News, 12th July 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ampleforth inquiry finds alleged serious abuse against pupils in last 10 years – The Guardian

‘An inquiry into the running of a prestigious private school said it uncovered a string of “serious abuse allegations” committed against pupils by monks and staff within the last decade.’

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The Guardian, 12th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Sheer torment’: Home Office apologises after asylum approvals retracted – The Guardian

Posted July 15th, 2024 in asylum, documents, government departments, immigration, news, refugees by sally

‘The Home Office has apologised to asylum seekers granted leave to remain in the UK who then had their decisions retracted.’

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The Guardian, 15th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Security guard ‘obsessed’ with Holly Willoughby jailed for life for plotting to kidnap, rape and murder her – The Independent

Posted July 15th, 2024 in imprisonment, incitement, kidnapping, murder, news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences by sally

‘An “obsessed” security guard who purchased items for a “kidnap kit” including shackles and chloroform has been handed three life sentences for plotting to abduct, rape and cut the throat of TV personality Holly Willoughby.’

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The Independent, 13th July 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Report hits out at ‘glacial’ progress in plan to stamp out police racism – The Independent

Posted July 15th, 2024 in government departments, news, police, racism, reports by sally

‘A damning report has hit out at “glacial” progress in police chiefs’ flagship plan to stamp out racism in Britain’s forces.’

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The Independent, 15th July 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Remote licensing hearings are lawful: High Court – Local Government Lawyer

Posted July 12th, 2024 in licensing, local government, news, remote hearings by sally

‘Councils can hold remote licensing hearings lawfully under the Licensing Act 2003, according to a ruling handed down today (11 July) by the High Court.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 11th July 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Teenager found guilty of shaking partner’s baby to death – The Guardian

‘A teenager who at 16 shook a four-month-old baby to death has been found guilty of murder.’

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The Guardian, 11th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

EHRC consultation: Updated guidance on sexual harassment – Kingsley Napley Employment Law Blog

‘The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has today launched a consultation on its long awaited updated technical guidance on sexual harassment and harassment at work.’

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Kingsley Napley Employment Law Blog, 9th July 2024

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk