Weekly Notes

This week’s roundup of legal news and comment includes the UK’s response to a chemical weapons crime, plus developments in family law, domestic abuse, hate crime, civil procedure and Brexit, inter alia. Crime Chemical weapons On 14 March 2018 the UK’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jonathan Allen, gave a Security Council… Continue reading

This week’s roundup of legal news and comment focuses on prison reform, court closures, legal aid and employment law, with a trip back in time and a couple overseas. Prisons Gauke talk On 6 March the Justice Secretary delivered his first major speech on prison reform at the Royal Society of Arts in London. This… Continue reading

This week’s roundup of legal news and comment includes recent Brexit words and deeds, a media regulatory reversal, clashes between law and religion, charities, child abuse and the law of property. But first, a cold snap: New Square, Lincoln’s Inn in the recent snow, taken by Barbara Rich, of 5 Stone Buildings. Brexit Prime Minister’s Mansion… Continue reading

This week’s roundup of legal news and comment includes legal aid for criminal advocacy, the traumas of jury service, the stresses of life at the bar, the conduct of the judiciary and where we are with Brexit. (Updated with additional links 27 Feb 18)   Legal Aid Crime doesn’t pay: the reboot of AGFS Criminal… Continue reading

This week’s roundup of legal news and comment includes court closures, video links, absconding bail, the right to be forgotten and media regulation. Courts Less physical more virtual As part of the massive HMCTS Reform programme, old and under-used courts are being closed and others refurbished, as the justice system gears up for a world… Continue reading

This week’s roundup of legal news and comment includes charity regulation, media support, the law on trolling and intimidation, and the parole board. [Updated 15.02.18] Charities Regulation, reputational risk and safeguarding obligations The revelations in the media over the last week about Oxfam’s failure properly to investigate and deal with allegations of sexual misconduct by… Continue reading

This week’s roundup of legal news and comment focuses on access to justice and is dedicated to the memory of the late Sir Henry Brooke, who did so much to promote these things. Here he is at the Bach Commission (photo: Bar Council, from an article in Legal Voice) Sir Henry Brooke We were very… Continue reading

‘We need to be in touch with the real world; we need to make sure that we all play our part in promoting the highest standards, and in ensuring that we achieve and enhance the quality, integrity and best practice to which we aspire.’ Sir  Geoffrey Vos, Chancellor, speaking to the Chancery Bar Association’s annual… Continue reading

This week’s roundup of legal news and comment includes legal aid and the rule of law, parole board transparency revisited, a court reporting crisis, and a divinely inspired judicial intervention in the jury room. Legal Aid Cash for courts not cases, says Gauke The new Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, David Gauke,… Continue reading

This week’s roundup of legal news and comment includes a ministerial reshuffle, transparency of parole board and coroner’s court decisions, and media regulation. Politics All change at the Ministry As with the changing of the guard (depicted), cabinet reshuffles seem to involve a lot of individuals marching in and out of Downing Street, with not… Continue reading