Legal News Articles
Failings recorded in report on police disclosure - Just how many are affected? (31 July 2018)
Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) report on police disclosure looking at 1,290 cases to determine how many displayed failings. A stark 556 of those cases showed a lack of compliance in disclosing vital evidence to the defence. Read more...
Pimlico Plumbers Ltd and another v Smith: Supreme Court finds that plumber was a ‘worker’ - Is the gig up? (26 July 2018)
Gary Smith, a plumbing and heating engineer, carried out work solely for Pimlico Plumbers Ltd (Pimlico) for 6 years until 2011. After suffering a heart attack in January 2011 Mr Smith sought to reduce his hours to 3 days a week. His request was rejected by Pimlico and the van he rented was taken away. He subsequently claimed unfair dismissal, unlawful deduction from his wages, pay for a period of statutory annual leave and discrimination by virtue of his disability. Read more...
Owens v Owens: five year separation upheld in no-fault divorce (26 July 2018)
Tini Owens and Hugh Owens, 68 and 86 respectively, have been married for 50 years and have two adult children. When Mrs Owens petitioned for a divorce claiming she endured a “loveless marriage”, her husband refused, leaving her no choice but to seek help from the courts. Their verdict: ‘Mrs Owens must remain married to Mr Owens for the time being’ until they have been separated for 5 years. Read more...
Civil Liberties Group Launches Legal Challenge Over Police Facial Recognition Technology (26 July 2018)
Automatic facial recognition (AFR) technology uses CCTV and other video surveillance to determine the assumed identity of an offender. Whilst this appears to be in the public interest, many are being wrongly targeted and asked to prove their identity as a result of its use. Read more...
Legal Aid ‘deserts’ making access to justice increasingly more complex (20 July 2018)
The Ministry of Justice has promised to review the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO) 2012, after recent pressure from MPs and peers who have identified numerous legal aid ‘deserts’. An issue solicitors at Duncan Lewis have already identified as a concern and acted upon for some time. Read more...
The Judgment is in: Unaccompanied Minors are now eligible for Legal Aid (19 July 2018)
Just as the Law Society brings a challenge against the government for cuts to criminal defence work under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO) 2012 at the High Court, in another judicial review, the challenge is over. Legal aid is to be restored for unaccompanied minors and separated children following the judicial review brought by The Children’s Society in their five year campaign. Read more...
Girl with Cerebral Palsy Awarded £15 million in Damages (19 July 2018)
A girl who was deprived of oxygen for 35 minutes prior to her birth, leaving her with cerebral palsy has been awarded more than £15m in damages from the NHS. Read more...
Domestic Abuse Survivors and Children found Sleeping Rough (19 July 2018)
Survivors of domestic abuse and their children were found to be sleeping rough after being unable to find safe accommodation says charity Women’s Aid. Women’s Aid stated that the survey of some of the most vulnerable women who have sought out help from the charity were unable to access refuge immediately, with 12% of women forced to sleep rough before making contact, including pregnant women and women with children. Read more...
Changes to the Immigration Rules (19 July 2018)
The Government has recently announced the changes to the Immigration Rules affecting a number of categories. The government aims to provide protection and support to those who are most vulnerable by encouraging highly talented students and workers to the come to the UK. This was recently demonstrated in changes to immigration rules. Read more...
Police Encouraged to Record Harassment of Women as a Hate Crime (18 July 2018)
Police forces have been encouraged to recognise the public harassment of women as a gender hate crime following the largely positive support of a two year scheme in Nottingham that has adopted the policy. Read more...
Landmark ruling allows UK homeowners to sue over the spread of Japanese Knotweed (18 July 2018)
Following a recent ruling in the Court of Appeal, homeowners can now sue neighbours if the nuisance plant, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia Japonica) encroaches on their land. Read more...
Doctors and Nurses to be removed from the Tier 2 Visa Cap (17 July 2018)
The Home Office recently announced new plans to make it easier for doctors and nurses who are able to come to the UK to work. Read more...
Upskirting: Government plans to make it a criminal offence (11 July 2018)
After the recent private members bill by Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse brought to Parliament was blocked by Tory MP Sir Christopher Chope, Theresa May has reassured that the Government still plans to make upskirting a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of 2 years imprisonment. Read more...
Sapphire Stait Offers Free Legal Advice to Women at the Birmingham Freedom Project (10 July 2018)
Childcare and Family Solicitor Sapphire Stait has set up a free legal advice clinic at the Birmingham Freedom Project in Kings Heath, Birmingham, providing legal advice on family and childcare matters to those women who have been affected by domestic abuse. Read more...
Recent Prison Law Test Case highlights the Importance of Scientific Evidence (10 July 2018)
A recent adjudication involving a prisoner accused of smoking ‘spice’ has stressed the importance of scientific evidence and expertise in prison law cases. Read more...
Grenfell Inquiry: Lack of Communication and Co-ordination (10 July 2018)
This week, the inquiry heard from several fire fighters who were the first on the scene at the Grenfell Tower tragedy on 14 June 2017. Fire fighters had mixed views on the stay put advice with some telling residents to leave the building and others stating that they should stay put in their flats. This raises huge cause for concern as to what training, if any, was provided to the fire fighters regarding the stay put policy and what type of plan of action is required when tackling in a high rise fire. Read more...
NHS 70th Anniversary Report: An Institution of Strengths and Weaknesses (5 July 2018)
The NHS celebrates its 70th anniversary today, 5th July 2018, with many people looking at the longevity of the institution, asking what it is that the NHS does well and what it may be falling behind in compared to other nations’ health services. Read more...
Japanese Knotweed: Menace to Property? (5 July 2018)
Japanese Knotweed is an extremely invasive plant with a bamboo like stem which can spread rapidly causing damage to building foundations, wall structures, and paving. Homeowners are entitled to claim damages for diminution of value or any loss suffered as a result of the Japanese Knotweed, injunction against re-infestation, and costs of removal. Read more...
Leaked Home Office report says cocaine has been ‘flooding’ into the UK leading to a crime epidemic (2 July 2018)
An epidemic of violent crimes across the UK was believed to have been caused by cocaine flooding into the county, a leaked Home Office document warned. Read more...