Defendant Told to Represent Herself at Court in Legal First
A woman accused of tampering with evidence in a murder trial has been told she must defend herself in court because there are no criminal defence barristers available. In what is believed to be a legal first, the defendant, Elishah Anderson, has now been instructed by Judge Peter Rook QC to defend herself. The trial, being held […]
Conveyancing Process Steps
Conveyancing is the term used to describe the legal and administrative process of transferring ownership of a property from one party to another. If you’re buying a property, it helps to understand the different stages of the conveyancing process. By knowing what should happen by when, and who is responsible for what, you can do your […]
UK to Abolish Human Rights Act & Override ECHR after Blocked Rwanda Deportations
The UK Government is set to introduce new legislation allowing it to ignore certain decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). A new British bill of rights is being put before Parliament on Wednesday 22 June, with the aim of abolishing the Human Rights Act (HRA) and reducing the influence of the ECHR […]
UK Financial Services Regulation Guide
Regulation of the UK’s financial services sector is vital in ensuring fair competition and protecting consumer interests and rights. This guide provides an overview of financial services regulation in the UK, from who is responsible for UK financial regulation, to which organisations are regulated and the potential consequence for organisations of failing to comply with […]
HMO & Private Rental Guide for Landlords
Your property may be deemed a ‘House in Multiple Occupation’ (HMO) if you rent it out to numerous tenants who aren’t family members and who share certain communal areas and facilities. HMO properties have become increasingly common in the private rental market as they are generally more profitable for landlords than conventional renting options. However, HMO landlords are […]
TA6 Property Information Form: Guide for Homebuyers
Buying a property can be both an exciting and stressful time. As part of the conveyancing process, the Property Information Form can be used to help to expedite the sale, provided this form is completed by the seller promptly and in full. In this guide, we explain what the Property Information Form is, what kind […]
Seller Lied on Property Information Form
Buying a new home can be incredibly stressful, with a lot at stake, given that this is likely to represent the most expensive purchase that any of us will ever make in our lifetimes. It therefore goes without saying that when we buy a property, we will want to make sure that we have been […]
Government Orders Urgent Review into Petrol Pricing
Kwasi Kwarteng, the UK’s business secretary, has asked the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) to conduct an urgent investigation into petrol station operators following concerns that retailers have not passed on the recent cut in fuel duty to consumers. In a letter to the UK’s competition watchdog, Mr Kwarteng wrote that people were “rightly frustrated” […]
What is Passing Off?
Passing off is when one party, whether intentionally or unintentionally, offers services or goods in a way that makes the purchaser believe they are buying from another party. This is seen as a misrepresentation that can damage the goodwill, profit and reputation of a person or business. Passing off is similar in principle to trademark infringement, except […]
Failing Social Landlords Face Inspections & Unlimited Fines
Failing social housing landlords risk unlimited fines and Ofsted-style inspections, under the Social Housing Regulation Bill. The new Bill is part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, aimed at reducing the number of low-quality rental housing by half by 2030 and ensuring people live in decent, well-maintained homes. Under the Bill, the Regulator of Social […]
Non Disclosure Agreements: How to Use NDAs
A non disclosure agreement in the course of business expressly prohibits the disclosure or use of proprietary information without permission. It is a legal contract by which one or more parties agree not to disclose confidential information as a necessary part of doing business together. Non disclosure agreements are also commonly referred to as confidentiality […]
World’s Biggest Four-Day Working Week Trial Starts in UK Today
More than 3,300 staff at 70 UK companies will begin trialling a four-day week from today with no pay cut. In what is understood to be the world’s largest experiment of the new working pattern, participating employers will continue to pay their employees 100% of their wages on the understanding that they maintain maximum productivity. The trial […]
Government Doubles Mediation Scheme for Separating Families
An additional £5.4 million in funding is being made available to separating families under the Government’s mediation voucher scheme. Under the scheme, divorcing couples receive £500 of vouchers to access mediation services to assist in resolving legal issues outside of court, such as child contact arrangements. The funding announced on 3 June 2022 more than […]
Flight Cancellation Refund: What Are Your Rights?
Passengers travelling from the UK have certain rights in the event their flight is cancelled or delayed. In this guide, we outline your entitlements and what airlines are legally obliged to offer you if your flight has been cancelled or delayed. What are you entitled to if your flight has been cancelled? If your flight […]
Councils Given New Powers to Issue Motoring Fines
Local authorities in England and Wales now have additional powers to fine motorists for “moving traffic offences” in a substantial change to the laws on fixed Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs). From 1 June 2022, councils can issue on the spot fines of up to £70 for motoring offences such as illegal turns, driving in cycle […]
Shortage of Judges Delaying Criminal Trials
Hundreds of criminal trials have been deferred at the last minute due to a shortage of crown court judges, prosecutors and defence counsel. According to a review of official numbers by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), 280 severe crime cases were delayed at short notice in the last three months of last year because no […]
ICO Fines Facial Recognition Firm Clearview AI & Orders Deletion of Data on UK Residents
Controversial startup Clearview AI has been fined more than £7.5 million by the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and ordered to destroy any data it holds on UK residents following several violations of UK data protection law. Breaches include using scraping technology to extract people’s photos from images and videos posted on news sites, social […]
Legal Smoking Age in England May be Raised to 18
The legal smoking age in England could be raised from 18 to 21, following a government assessment of plans to make England smoke-free by 2030. The independent assessment commissioned by Sajid Javid, the health minister, and chaired by Javed Khan, the former chief executive of the children’s charity Barnardo’s, is expected to propose increased taxes […]
UK Student Dependent Visa Requirements
If you’re considering the UK as a destination to study, one of the considerations may be whether student visa holders can bring their dependants with them. In the UK, it is possible for certain family members to join international students under the student dependent visa, provided certain requirements are met by both the student visa […]
Criminal Solicitors to Refuse Burglary Cases in Action Against Government Plans
Criminal defence solicitors are preparing to join the criminal bar in protest action against the government’s controversial plans to reform the criminal legal aid system. The London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association recently conducted a survey of its members on possible actions due to the continuing issue of low pay, including taking a full hour for […]