Tag Archives: Legal Services

A new Government consultation aims to gather views on various aspects of their plans for regulation and tackling online harms, including: the online services in scope of the regulatory framework; options for appointing an independent regulatory body to implement, oversee and enforce the new regulatory framework; the enforcement powers of an independent regulatory body; potential redress mechanisms for online users; and measures to ensure regulation is targeted and proportionate for industry.

The Online Harms White Paper sets out the government’s plans for a world-leading package of measures to keep UK users safe online. — Read on http://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/online-harms-white-paper

Shortage of lay magistrates – become a magistrate – GOV.UK

The House of Commons Justice Committee has blamed government failure for the dramatic fall in magistrate numbers in England and Wales. The committee says the recent shortfall is “as frustrating as it was foreseeable” and that it has taken a “near crisis” to prompt the government into acting. In 2016, the committee warned the governmentContinue reading “Shortage of lay magistrates – become a magistrate – GOV.UK”

Jessica Easton supporting children and families without traumatic imagery Practitioner resource and guide that is free and accessible collection of ideas and advice for practitioners working in child sexual exploitation (CSE) and abuse.

Official home of VictimFocus and Jessica Eaton. Dedicated to fighting victim blaming of adults and children who have been affected by sexual violence, abuse and trauma. Delivering consultancy, training, psychology of abuse, resources and e-learning for professionals and public all over the world. — Read on victimfocus.org.uk/resources-for-professionals

Lone parents lose benefits cap challenge at supreme court – a stark reminder the the Courts are a check in the system but Government is in Charge.

Justices reject appeal despite Lord Wilson saying impact of cap was ‘undoubtedly harsh’ — Read on amp.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/15/lone-parents-lose-benefits-cap-challenges-supreme-court

“An Important UK Law On Racial Discrimination Is 50 Years Old” well worth revisiting – published by RightsInfo

An Important UK Law On Racial Discrimination Is 50 Years Old – RightsInfo — Read on rightsinfo.org/an-important-uk-law-on-racial-discrimination-is-50-years-old/

Today the High Court granted permission for a judicial review challenge to the exorbitant fees that the Home Office charges to children registering as British citizens. The Project for the Registration of Children as British Citizens argues that charging kids £1,012 to take up their legal entitlement to become British is unlawful.

The High Court has granted permission for a judicial review challenging the exorbitant fees that children registering as British citizens are forced to pay. — Read on http://www.freemovement.org.uk/permission-granted-registration-fees-judicial-review/

Home Affairs Committee airs “particular” concerns about the impact on children of court proceedings, and the lack of co-ordinated support for them. There is a need for more specialist children’s workers who are trained to recognise the impact of domestic abuse on children, and to ensure that the relevant statutory organisations respond to their needs. We recommend that the new Commissioner should have, as a priority in the first year of office, to review the impact upon children of the interaction between the family courts, children’s services, CAFCASS and the police, with particular reference to contact arrangements in domestic violence cases. (Paragraph 119)

Domestic Abuse – Home Affairs Committee – House of Commons — Read on publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmhaff/1015/101509.htm

The Equality and Human Rights Commission also drew attention to the fact that the removal of most private family law from the scope of legal aid affects women disproportionately, and of course the removal of most immigration law impacts people from certain ethnic minorities. Legal Aid: Post-Implementation Review – Hansard

Hansard (the Official Report) is the edited verbatim report of proceedings of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Daily Debates from Hansard are published on this website the next working day. — Read on hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2018-09-04/debates/B65C30AA-032A-4957-9064-EA19A3891488/LegalAidPost-ImplementationReview

More evidence emerges on impact of informal exclusions | ROTA – Race On The Agenda

Since 2012, ROTA has been gathering evidence on informal school exclusions, a practice which has continued, under various guises, including ‘off rolling’ and ‘home schooling’ to the detriment of pupils and their families who have experienced this. We report here on new information coming through, that suggests that the issue, far from going away, isContinue reading “More evidence emerges on impact of informal exclusions | ROTA – Race On The Agenda”

Evidence suggests contact with the criminal justice system in non-custodial settings is associated with higher mortality rates than those found in the general population, such neglect is concerning. Suicide and community justice | Health & Justice | Full Text

There has long been concern about the number of people who die in custody in England and Wales, particularly in prisons or police stations. The concern is obviously heightened when people die either at their own hand, or at the hands of others. Yet there has been selective critical gaze, and people who die whilstContinue reading “Evidence suggests contact with the criminal justice system in non-custodial settings is associated with higher mortality rates than those found in the general population, such neglect is concerning. Suicide and community justice | Health & Justice | Full Text”

Justice Update:Written statement – HCWS853 – UK Parliament

Government (at last) announces loosening of controls over to legal aid for unaccompanied and separated migrant children. Simple really, shame it required a Charity to widen the remit. Nothing short of a full reinstatement of Legal Aid is sufficient. — Read on http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-07-12/HCWS853

Collaboration is the Way Forward, says Report — Global Pound Conversation

A report by Herbert Smith Freehills, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and the International Mediation Institute reveals that parties want to resolve their disputes through “mixed mode dispute resolution” and collaborative processes, rather than adversarial processes like arbitration — Read on http://www.globalpound.org/2018/05/16/collaboration-is-the-way-forward-says-report/

New drive to help victims and witnesses give best evidence in South East – GOV.UK

Vulnerable victims and witnesses in the South East who need help giving evidence will soon have more support than ever – as the number of specially trained intermediaries continues to rise. — Read on http://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-drive-to-help-victims-and-witnesses-give-best-evidence-in-south-east

“Surrogate children are often left in legal limbo in Britain,” but the Times writes “reforms are on the way How the law is catching up with surrogacy”

Advances in medical science and shifts in attitudes to the meaning of family have led to a growth in non-traditional methods of procreation, including surrogacy.Ministry of Justice figures show that in the ten years to 2016, the number of parental order applications — the process by which legal pare — Read on http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/how-the-law-is-catching-up-with-surrogacy-zn988n0rv

Quite rightly ‘Resolution, The Law Society and Women’s Aid issue joint call to government to urgently ban cross-examination of victims by their abusers in the family courts – Womens Aid’

Resolution, The Law Society and Women’s Aid issue joint call to government to urgently ban cross-examination of victims by their abusers in the family courts – Womens Aid — Read on http://www.womensaid.org.uk/resolution-the-law-society-and-womens-aid-issue-joint-call-to-government-to-urgently-ban-cross-examination-of-victims-by-their-abusers-in-the-family-courts/

Growing number of children at risk of multiple dangers, major UK charity warns | Children & Young People Now

Read Growing number of children at risk of multiple dangers, charity warns and the latest children services news & best practice on Children & Young People Now — Read on http://www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/news/2005482/growing-number-of-children-at-risk-of-multiple-dangers-charity-warns

The ongoing programme of reform to the justice system in England and Wales poses potentially serious problems for “digitally excluded” users.

Thunderclap — Read on http://www.thunderclap.it/projects/70376-preventing-digital-exclusion

Court users “must buy in to reforms”, says MoJ as it pledges vulnerable will not be left behind – Legal Futures

Court users “must buy in to reforms”, says MoJ as it pledges vulnerable will not be left behind – Legal Futures — Read on http://www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/court-users-must-buy-in-to-reforms-says-moj-pledges-vulnerable-will-not-be-left-behind

“Despite having enough evidence to prove her own innocence at trial, she accepted her guilt to protect her fellow demonstrators” – disturbing

The Disappearing Trial Report | Fair Trials — Read on http://www.fairtrials.org/the-disappearing-trial-report/

Are people on low incomes are effectively being denied access to justice? Amnesty International have pointed out, the cuts have created a “two-tier justice system”, leaving the most vulnerable in society without legal support – RightsInfo

Would You Cope in Court Without a Lawyer? – RightsInfo — Read on rightsinfo.org/cope-court-without-lawyer/

Disclosing criminal convictions at work.

Many convictions are irrelevant or so past there rehabilitation period to be of no practical use. For this reason the CIPD have issued guidelines for employers. https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/emp-law/recruitment/pre-employment-checks-factsheet http://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/may/09/childhood-crimes-over-30-years-ago-show-dbs-checks-study

Have your say. Dangerous Dogs: Breed Specific Legislation inquiry – UK Parliament

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry into Dangerous Dogs: Breed Specific Legislation — Read on http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environment-food-and-rural-affairs-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/dangerous-dogs-breed-specific-legislation–17-19/

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched a consultation on the way it plans to regulate new data protection laws.’

Draft Regulatory Action Policy | ICO — Read on ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/ico-and-stakeholder-consultations/draft-regulatory-action-policy/

Is it time to extend FoI requests to suppliers of services to Local Authorities?

In its latest report, The Continuing Importance of Ethical Standards for Public Service Providers, the CSPL said there had been little real progress on measures to enforce ethical standards in outsourced public services.

Interesting case that has potential ramifications beyond the court. Security guard did not have authority to accept [court] informations ruled Admin Court

Local Government Lawyer – Security guard did not have authority to accept informations: Admin Court — Read on http://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php

Pair were shadow directors but didn’t breach duties, says court

LEGAL UPDATE: Two men were shadow directors of an insolvent property development company and so did owe the company fiduciary duties but their behaviour did not breach those duties, the High Court in England has ruled. “The judge said that it was clear that de facto directors had the same duties as regular directors andContinue reading “Pair were shadow directors but didn’t breach duties, says court”

Employment tribunals face ‘months’ of delay, lawyers claim – good time to mediate

Employment Lawyers Associaiton writes to president of the employment tribunals over ‘intense strain’. — Read on http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/employment-tribunals-face-months-of-delay-lawyers-claim-/5065834.article

The happy ending for this family does not help the thousands of other UK-born children whose pardon might not have British citizenship

Had the appeal been entertained, it would have determined whether children born in the UK but without British citizenship count as “persons from abroad” for the purposes of section 185 of the Housing Act 1996. — Read on http://www.freemovement.org.uk/case-on-housing-rights-of-uk-born-children-dismissed-as-academic/

Mediation is key to avoiding the blame games that leads to futile and costly court battles

The Guardian today reports that lack of no-fault divorce in England and Wales is forcing separating couples into unnecessary and unsuccessful courtroom battles to establish who caused the breakdown, according to a report by the Nuffield Foundation. In my experience as a mediator, this is very true but not just for couples divorcing but forContinue reading “Mediation is key to avoiding the blame games that leads to futile and costly court battles”

Good news for those appealing conviction arising from the Magistrates’ Court

The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) have worked very hard: 133 new Recorders being appointed & taking office with effect from 4 April 2018. “It is anticipated that more appointments will be announced in the coming months.” Why is this significant? Recorders often sit with two Magistrates listening to appeals from the lower court (Magistrates’ Court).Continue reading “Good news for those appealing conviction arising from the Magistrates’ Court”

Confidentiality and the grievance procedure explored

There is no such thing as a typical grievance – each one’s different and this means that it’s far more difficult for employers to make plans in advance. However, there are underlying themes to any grievance and one of the most important is confidentiality. Grievance procedures involve matters that, whilst relatively ro — Read onContinue reading “Confidentiality and the grievance procedure explored”

Appeal against the refusal on the part of the ET to grant a witness order. Appeal allowed.

The Claimant claimed that the reason for his dismissal was not, as the Respondent said, because his performance was unsatisfactory, but because of the racial dislike of the Claimant on the part of his line manager. The line manager no longer worked for the Respondent but had been in communication with them concerning his partContinue reading “Appeal against the refusal on the part of the ET to grant a witness order. Appeal allowed.”

Potentially defective divorce petitions/decrees (and a note on the future of online divorce)

Information about the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary of England and Wales. Read the latest judgments, news and speeches. — Read on http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications/defective-divorce-petitions-decrees/

“Children don’t appreciate they are in court, not on a computer game” | Penelope Gibbs | LinkedIn

“Children don’t appreciate they are in court, not on a computer game” | Penelope Gibbs | LinkedIn — Read on http://www.linkedin.com/pulse/children-dont-appreciate-court-computer-game-penelope-gibbs/

Man who lost job over immigration status has right to be in UK confirmed | UK news | The Guardian

Case of Michael Braithwaite, who has lived in UK since 1961, was expedited after media exposure — Read on amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/18/michael-braithwaite-man-who-lost-job-over-immigration-status-has-right-to-be-in-uk-confirmed