Legal News Articles
James Packer was invited on ABN Radio this morning to discuss the Supreme Court decision to consider additional arguments in the ‘Brexit’ appeal (29 November 2016)
The wheels of justice may ordinarily grind slow, but they have been turning at an almost dizzying speed in the most important constitutional case in living memory. Read more...
London Assembly debates whether capital should have pan-London suicide prevention plan (29 November 2016)
The London Assembly Health Committee is holding a meeting on Tuesday 29 November, to discuss suicide in London – including how suicide prevention work is co-ordinated and whether or not London should aspire to be a “zero suicide city”, like Detroit in the US. Read more...
NSPCC calls for government to do more to improve children’s access to mental health services (28 November 2016)
The NSPCC has responded to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, saying that the government “has again missed the opportunity” to show it is making progress on a country that works for vulnerable children and the mental health crisis they face. Read more...
Permit suspension for waste company after breach of conditions (28 November 2016)
The Environment Agency has partially suspended the environmental permit of a Chesterfield-based waste company, after it failed to comply with its permit conditions. Read more...
Sexual abuse in the spotlight (25 November 2016)
Investigation into Metropolitan Police declares 'failings' inchild sexual abuse cases and football sexual abuse claims leads to creation of a new hotline for the NSPCC. Read more...
262,000 GBP penalty after “untrained” worker sustains serious hand injury (25 November 2016)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted an Essex-based company, after a worker sustained a serious hand injury while using a drilling machine. Read more...
Welsh Government marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November 2016)
Welsh Assembly Communities Secretary Carl Sargeant has reiterated his commitment to tackling Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual violence, ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Friday, 25 November. Read more...
Life for “possessive, controlling and abusive” husband who murdered wife (25 November 2016)
The Central London Criminal Court has sentenced a man who killed his wife to life imprisonment, with a minimum sentence of 22 years. Read more...
The Children’s Society says Chancellor’s help for “just about managing” families is not enough (24 November 2016)
Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, Matthew Reed, has said that the Chancellor’s Budget offers only “measly morsels” for “just about managing” (JAMs) families, in light of nearly £11 billion of ongoing welfare cuts announced in 2015, which will cut support for struggling families in 2020. Read more...
Federation of Master Builders welcomes Chancellor’s 2.3 billion GBP Housing Infrastructure Fund (24 November 2016)
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has responded to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement by saying that doubling capital investment on house building and relaxing the timeline for deficit reduction is the right way to boost economic growth. Read more...
New Parole Board Rules come into force (23 November 2016)
The new Parole Board Rules laid before Parliament on 1 November 2016 come into force on Tuesday (22/11/16). Read more...
Immigration Minister welcomes Uruguay into Registered Traveller Service scheme (23 November 2016)
UK Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill has welcomed changes in the Registered Traveller Service scheme, which will enable visitors from Uruguay to apply to join the scheme and enjoy faster entry to Britain at the UK border. Read more...
Carbon monoxide fatality on board yacht investigated by MAIB (23 November 2016)
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has launched an investigation after the owner of a motor cruiser was found dead on board the vessel at Cardiff Yacht Club with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning (CO). Read more...
Increased sentence for prisoner who sexually assaulted fellow inmate (23 November 2016)
The Court of Appeal has increased the sentence of a serving prisoner for sexually assaulting a fellow prisoner in two separate attacks over Christmas 2014. Read more...
Inmates kept in jail beyond their sentence (23 November 2016)
The media has been inundated with news that the Prison Service is facing ‘meltdown’ as many convicts are being held months longer than their recommended release date. Read more...
Charity calls for end to mistreatment of medical evidence for torture survivors seeking asylum (22 November 2016)
The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture – Freedom from Torture – has said in a new report that Home Office asylum caseworkers disregard or mistreat expert medical evidence of torture and make clinical judgements about survivors’ injuries that they are not qualified to make. Read more...
Bogus health supplements company wound up after netting 3.7million GBP for making misleading claims (22 November 2016)
The High Court has wound up a Birmingham-based company, after an Insolvency Service investigation found it had been making false and misleading claims to vulnerable customers about the efficacy of health supplements it sold. Read more...
Mind calls on government for urgent action to prevent police holding mental health patients in cells (22 November 2016)
Mental health charity Mind is calling on parliament to end the use of police cells as “places of safety” for people in mental health crisis, after new data from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Lead for Mental Health revealed that some forces are still putting people who have a mental health condition in cells on a daily basis. Read more...
CDE invites ideas for using synthetic biology to create lighter and more protective military armour (22 November 2016)
The Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) has announced that it will spend up to £750,000 researching into new ways of using synthetic biology to create transparent materials that are thinner and lighter than used for existing armour, which could offer military personnel better protection. Read more...
The Brexiteers: Enemies of Parliament (21 November 2016)
On 3rd November 2016 the High Court ruled in the case of Miller that the UK Government does not have the power to trigger Article 50 of the EU Treaty without parliamentary approval. Quoting the Fire Brigades Union, the court held that ‘the executive cannot exercise the prerogative power in a way which would derogate from the fulfilment of a statutory duty’. The Daily Mail labelled the judges involved ‘Enemies of the People’. Read more...
Reform of the Personal injury sector (21 November 2016)
Since the Jackson reforms - Personal Injury claims have fallen by 23,000 resulting in a £520 million saving for insurers. One would therefore expect insurance premiums to have reduced since the reforms, yet they seem to be on the rise. Read more...
New housing zones announced by Sandwell Council “will drive 400million GBP development of new homes” (21 November 2016)
Sandwell Council in the West Midlands has announced new housing zones for Smethwick and Wednesbury Read more...
New housing zones announced by Sandwell Council “will drive 400million GBP development of new homes” (21 November 2016)
Sandwell Council in the West Midlands has announced new housing zones for Smethwick and Wednesbury Read more...
Men who have experienced domestic violence urged to seek help (21 November 2016)
Hart Council in East Hampshire has launched a campaign to encourage men who experience domestic abuse to seek help available. Read more...
New chair of Migration Advisory Committee (21 November 2016)
The Home Secretary Amber Rudd has appointed Professor Alan Manning as the new chair of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). Read more...
Wales invests 10million GBP upgrading cardiac care units (21 November 2016)
The Welsh government has announced more than £10 million in funding to enable hospital cardiac units to replace key laboratory equipment. Read more...
Sefton Council establishes working group looking into CAHMS (21 November 2016)
Sefton Council on Merseyside has set up a Working Group looking into Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) in the area – and is calling on service users to share their views. Read more...
UK to consider continuing co-operation with Europol to tackle terrorism and cybercrime (18 November 2016)
Policing Minister Brandon Lewis has notified Parliament of the government’s intention to opt-in to Regulation (eu) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Union agency for law enforcement co-operation (Europol), in line with its right to do so under protocol 21 to the EU Treaties. Read more...
Company director and roofing contractor prosecuted after man dies falling through fragile roof (18 November 2016)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a company, its director and a self-employed contractor, after a man died after falling through a roof light. Read more...
Bankruptcy restriction order for failing to pay assets to HMRC and Official Receiver (18 November 2016)
A bankruptcy restriction order has been imposed on a man who failed to pay HMRC with his only asset and then failed to pay the Official Receiver. Read more...
Allocation: Which track? (17 November 2016)
The court has a duty to manage cases, in order to deal with the cases effectively, expeditiously and fairly it is necessary to use those powers. Essentially, the court is given the power to take an active part in the management of the case. The courts manage cases by making Orders, which set directions to the parties as to what they have to do and by when. Read more...
House price index shows average 7.7% increase in property prices (17 November 2016)
The UK House Price Index on house price changes for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has revealed that September figures show an annual price increase of 7.7%, taking the average property value in the UK to £217,888. Read more...
Mind calls for removal of sanctions threat for mental health patients at Jobcentre Plus (17 November 2016)
Mental health charity Mind has responded to a report about Jobcentre Plus, saying it is concerning that soon Work Coaches in Jobcentres will become the only source of support for thousands of people with mental health problems who are currently out of work. Read more...
Croydon Tram Crash: Why did it happen? (16 November 2016)
After the tram crash in Croydon on 9th November 2016, experts insist that trams remain one of the safest forms of public transport. Read more...
Children with difficult behaviour can become victims of ‘Witchcraft’ Child Abuse (16 November 2016)
It is our experience that a number of care applications are issued by Local Authorities due to physical abuse to children as a result of ‘Witchcraft Child Abuse’. As practitioners we have to be very much aware that this form of physical abuse exists. We also have a duty to recognise the signs where such form of punishment has been applied in order to protect children and be able to represent parents and children adequately.
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House building rises to highest level in eight years (16 November 2016)
New figures show that the number of new homes in the UK has risen by its highest level in eight years, with the number of new homes built rising by 11% in the last year. Read more...
Wales publishes revised Cancer Delivery Plan (16 November 2016)
The Welsh Government has published a revised Cancer Delivery Plan to deliver better results for cancer patients in Wales. Read more...
Manslaughter sentences increased under ULS scheme (16 November 2016)
The Court of Appeal has increased the sentence of two teenagers convicted of manslaughter following referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. Read more...
New 18million capacity fund will “turbo-charge” house building (16 November 2016)
The government has announced a new £18 million fund to accelerate house building on larger sites.
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Serious and organised crime costs the UK at least 24 billion each year- says Home Secretary (15 November 2016)
Home Secretary Amber Rudd has told the Financial Conduct Authority’s Financial Crime Conference that the scale of the UK’s financial services sector means it is vulnerable to organised crime – including fraud, money laundering and corruption. Read more...
Welsh Government launches support campaign for victims of domestic violence (15 November 2016)
The Welsh Government has launched a new campaign asking people to make a stand against violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
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10,000GBP fine after window fitter suffers fatal fall from height (15 November 2016)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a Southampton window installation company, after a worker suffered fatal head injuries following a fall from a ladder. Read more...
Change of Circumstances: Priority Service for Tier 2 & 5 Sponsors (14 November 2016)
The Home Office have recently introduced a Priority Service for A-Rated Sponsors. Read more...
Government asks providers to register to accept Tax-Free Childcare customers (14 November 2016)
The government has published advice for childcare providers regarding Tax-Free Childcare. Read more...
Siân Pearce discusses how previously dismissed Judicial Reviews can be effectively resurrected (14 November 2016)
On 27 October 2016 an order was made by the Upper Tribunal setting aside a previous order to dismiss the applicant’s application for Judicial Review of an Age Assessment. The original order was on the basis that the Applicant was not present or instructing his solicitors to take part in proceedings. The Order setting aside the dismissal was made 10 months after the application was dismissed.
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Mind responds to Inquiry by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (14 November 2016)
Mental health charity Mind has responded to the publication of an Inquiry by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Read more...
North Tyneside Council Trading Standards seizes confectionary e-liquids which could cause poisoning (14 November 2016)
North Tyneside Council’s Trading Standards team has seized dozens of potentially harmful e-liquids, which look like children’s sweets and other foodstuffs. Read more...
Durham council and police make two arrests and seize cash and illicit tobacco in dawn raids (14 November 2016)
A woman in her late fifties and a man in his late sixties were detained on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of illicit tobacco, in a raid at Seaham, carried out by Durham Trading Standards with support from Durham Constabulary. Read more...
Suspended sentence for putting homeowner at risk of CO poisoning (14 November 2016)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a builder for putting a homeowner at risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning following renovations to their house in Cardiff. Read more...
Fine and CBO after Kettering resident breaches Noise Abatement Notice for anti-social behaviour (11 November 2016)
Kettering Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a resident for noise disturbances, under new anti-social behaviour powers. Read more...
99,000GBP penalty for care home fatality, after staff fail to heed family’s warning to cut up respite resident’s food (11 November 2016)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a care home for the elderly, after a respite resident, who had difficulties with swallowing, choked to death on food which staff had not cut up. Read more...
571GBP fine for fishing with rod licence during closed season (11 November 2016)
The Environment Agency has prosecuted a man for fishing without a rod licence during closed season. Read more...
A persistent battle against Immigration test fraud continues (10 November 2016)
The ‘TOEIC’ (Test of English for International Communication) uproar began in 2014 when the SSHD (Secretary of State of the Home Department) made a decision to cancel particular individuals’ visas. These individuals had leave to remain in the United Kingdom on the grounds that they had obtained their English Language qualification certificate by means of fraud. The SSHD were only particularly interested in those who had sat the TOEIC examination.
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Nine years in jail for stabbing man on Birmingham tram (10 November 2016)
Birmingham Crown Court has sentenced a 28-year-old man to nine years in jail, after he stabbed a commuter as they disembarked the Midland Metro in Bilston. Read more...
26-month prison sentence for online stalking which resulted in victim’s suicide (10 November 2016)
Wolverhampton Crown Court has sentenced a 42-year-old man to 26 months in jail, after he pleaded guilty to charges of stalking. Read more...
Essex Community Scheme helps new mothers overcome feelings of isolation (10 November 2016)
A woman who suffered with depression after the birth of her 11-year-old daughter is using her own experiences to help others, as part of a countywide initiative to tackle social isolation.
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123,000GBP penalty after worker severs thumb in machinery (10 November 2016)
The Health and Safety Executive has prosecuted a packaging company, after a worker’s thumb was severed due to the company’s failure to take adequate measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. Read more...
Record numbers of children are contacting the NSPCC about suicidal thoughts (10 November 2016)
According to the NSPCC’s Childline, children as young as 8 years old have contacted the Charity seeking help with anxiety. In fact the number of young people reaching out for help has increased sharply. Read more...
Tier 2 UK Immigration Rules - Are You Ready for the Changes? (9 November 2016)
New decisions and changes in Immigration Law show no signs of slowing down. Within the field of Immigration, we have been hit by staggering increases in Immigration tribunal fees, the landmark High Court ruling regarding Article 50 and detention curfews imposed by the Home Office being deemed unlawful. Read more...
118,000GBP penalty after worker dies beneath collapsed pile of waste (9 November 2016)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a Kent-based waste and recycling company, after an employee died when waste material collapsed on top of him. Read more...
Cabinet Office counter-fraud initiative saves taxpayer 198million (9 November 2016)
The Cabinet Office has revealed that its counter-fraud initiative has saved nearly £200 million for the taxpayer. Read more...
Second prosecution for Sheffield retailer caught selling illegal tobacco (9 November 2016)
Sheffield Trading Standards has prosecuted a shop owner found selling illegal tobacco for a second time. Read more...
West Oxfordshire District Council sets up joint counter-fraud unit with other councils (8 November 2016)
West Oxfordshire District Council has joined forces with authorities across neighbouring Gloucestershire to establish a specialist unit to tackle fraud and the misuse of public funds – and to assist with enforcement and prosecution across the region. Read more...
Extra 4.7million to improve education and training of social workers (8 November 2016)
Education Secretary Justine Greening has announced extra investment in social care to give vulnerable children the best possible chance of a successful future. Read more...
100,000GBP in fines after controlled waste is illegally disposed of in garden (8 November 2016)
The director of a waste company has been prosecuted, after controlled waste was illegally disposed of in the garden of a private residence. Read more...
Doctors call for a helpline for prescription drug addicts (7 November 2016)
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for a 24-hour helpline to be introduced to help patients addicted to prescription drugs. Read more...
Six months in jail for arranging illegal entry into the UK (7 November 2016)
A Leicester man has been jailed for six months, after he pleaded guilty to arranging the illegal entry into the UK of two Iraqi nationals from France. Read more...
York Council children in council care project wins national award (7 November 2016)
York Council’s Children in Council Care project “Show Me That I Matter” (SMTIM) has won a national award. Read more...
14-month jail term for causing death by careless driving (7 November 2016)
A motorist who was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when his car collided with a wall has been jailed for 14 months, after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of his passenger by careless driving. Read more...
Free oral cancer checks offered by Medway Council as part of Mouth Cancer Action Month (7 November 2016)
Medway Council is offering residents free oral health check ups in support of November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month.
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Environment Agency prosecutes two men for illegally burning wood without licence (4 November 2016)
The Environment Agency has prosecuted a director and employee of a waste management company and a landowner for illegal wood disposal.
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Gang sentenced to more than 56 years for violent robbery (4 November 2016)
Preston Crown Court has jailed four men for more than 56 years for carrying out an armed robbery at a family home. Read more...
London Assembly backs civil partnerships for different-sex couples (4 November 2016)
The London Assembly has backed an appeal against a High Court decision preventing a different-sex couple from forming a civil partnership. Read more...
Prison officers calls for urgent action on Britain’s bloodbath prisons (3 November 2016)
Steve Gillan of the Prison Officers Association has warned the new Justice Secretary Liz Truss that prison officers could take control of prisons and impose their own working practices, rather than following government procedures, because of the increase in violence inside Britain’s jails. Read more...
Government to strengthen safeguarding for refugee children in UK (3 November 2016)
Edward Timpson MP – who was appointed Minister of State for Vulnerable Children and Families at Department for Education in July 2016 – has said that the government is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and providing help for those in genuine need of international protection. Read more...
The London Assembly is pushing for greater devolved powers from government to improve the private rented sector in London (3 November 2016)
The Assembly agreed a motion calling for the same devolved powers for London, as was given to the Welsh and Scottish governments. Read more...
39,000GBP penalty after worker suffers serious head injuries (2 November 2016)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a Buckinghamshire waste equipment maintenance firm, after a worker suffered serious head injuries when a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) overturned. Read more...
Islington Council issues FPNs in environmental crime crackdown (2 November 2016)
Islington Council in north London has handed out four fixed penalty notices for fly tipping, in an ongoing crackdown on environmental crime.
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£1,114 penalty for fly tipping in Bradford (2 November 2016)
A 23-year-old man caught fly tipping on land in West Bowling, Bradford, has been prosecuted and fined £1,114.
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Norfolk companies prosecuted after worker suffers serious injuries (2 November 2016)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted two Norfolk-based companies, after a worker suffered life-changing injuries following an overhead power line strike. Read more...
Lorry driver caused deaths of four family membersthrough inattention and distraction (2 November 2016)
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said that a lorry driver who killed four members of the same family by using his mobile phone while driving had caused the deaths as a result of “inattention and distraction”. Read more...
Cambridge City Council expands target for resettling refugees (1 November 2016)
Cambridge City Council has announced that it is expanding its target to welcome 100 refugees, including people from Syria, as part of government schemes to resettle people from war torn countries. Read more...
Selby hosts second mental health conference in November (1 November 2016)
Selby District Council in North Yorkshire has announced a second mental health conference, following the success of the first ever mental health conference in Selby. Read more...