Family Law Reform From the Queens Speech
The recent Queen’s Speech contained a number of key family law reform for various areas of the law. In particular, the speech unveiled a set of proposals aimed at reforming family law. The biggest set of family law reform contained within the speech relates to care and adoption. The Children and Social Work Bill has […]
A Conversation with Aijalon Gomes
Mr. Gomes is the American teacher who was held captive in North Korea during much of the year 2010. Today, Aijalon Gomes is one of a handful of westerners to have been held as an expatriate, international prisoner of conscience by the North Korean regime. Five years on from his ordeal, Mr. Gomes is living in […]
Is it Illegal to Deny Prisoners Legal Aid?
Refusing prisoners legal aid in both England and Wales which would enable them to question the way in which they are held could be illegal according to the Court of Appeal. The Howard League for Penal Reform and the Prisoners’ Advice Service (PAS) charities have both been given permission by senior judges to put forward […]
Fathers Family Court: Do They Get a Raw Deal?
Fathers Family Court – Do fathers get a raw deal from the family courts? It is not uncommon for fathers to claim that social workers, Cafcass officers and Judges discriminate against men when deciding issues about who a child should live with, or what contact arrangements should be in place. Recent research by academics at […]
Family Law Changes: How Have they Fared?
This April marked the very first anniversary of the family law changes to the family justice system and it was classed as the start of a cultural revolution. There are still a large number of family break-ups making the news which leads to questions surrounding whether the changes have had any real affect at all? […]
New Law Introduced Under the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act 2015
New law introduced in May under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 The first commencement order made under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 has been published. From 26th May 2015, this brought into effect the following: Section 153 which inserts a new section 27A into the Employment Rights Act 1996 […]
Zero Hour Contracts – New Rules
Exclusivity terms unenforceable in zero hours comes into force under s 164(1). This section inserts the Employment Rights Act 1996, Pt 2A, which renders unenforceable any exclusivity term (see s 27A(3)) in a “zero hours contract” (see s 27A(1)) and provides power to the Secretary of State to make further provision in relation to “zero […]
Citizens Advice Moves Towards Charging for Legal Advice
The Gateshead Citizens Advice Centre has recently created Job Law in response to demand for employment help.
Claimants Could Be Out of Pocket Following the New Riot Bill
The issues raised as a result of the UK riots which took place in 2011 has resulted in the Home Office publishing a draft riot bill to deal with them, however, there are concerns raised by insurers and lawyers that suggest claimants could be left out of pocket. The Riot Compensation Bill replaces the Riot […]
Royal College of Surgeons Propose to Limit Non-Specialist Treatment
The Royal College of Surgeons spoke to the BBC and reported that current protocol states that general practitioners, the kind of doctor you see for a chest infection or flu jab are allowed to perform nose job surgeries and alike. This poses a problem for patients, and claims have also been made by additional medical […]
Sunbed Burn: Shop Owners Could Face Claim for Damages
UK SUNBED owners could find themselves facing sunbed burn claims for damages following a landmark case in Australia. Jay Allen, 35, regularly used sunbeds over a four-year period at two Fitness First centres. He was later diagnosed with skin cancer, stage-three melanoma, and took action against the international fitness chain. He was awarded an undisclosed […]
Medical Defense Union: Shocked by Costs Increase
At the rate medical negligence expenses are increasing, The Medical Defense Union states that total sum could cost each taxpayer an astonishing £1,000 a year. Defendants of medical negligence claims called out to end the shocking financial burden that puts the National Health Service on hot water. The NHS Litigation Authority, a not-for-profit department of […]
Family Law Survey: The Challenges of Divorce at Christmas
A family law survey by national law firm Simpson Millar has revealed the complexities facing divorced and separated parents at Christmas time. The research showed that: 42% of newly separated parents cannot remain on speaking terms to make arrangements Dads feel greater need to compete for kids’ affections than mums after divorce or separation 30% […]
Dying Without a Will
Dying without a will is common. In the UK, approximately two thirds of all people who die don’t leave a will. This means they die intestate, and according to an article in the Guardian, new laws for these situations were introduced on October 1. The changes will not effect those who leave assets of less […]
Common Causes of Workplace Accidents
The common causes of workplace accidents revealed by the HSE’s data are slips, trips and falls, and manual handling injuries; all accidents that are potentially avoidable. According to the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE’s) most recent figures, more than 3 million working days were lost to workplace accident and injury in 2012/13, and cost the […]
Bear Scotland v Fulton: A Landmark Judgment
Until now employers have argued that compulsory, but not guaranteed overtime i.e. where the employer did not have to offer the overtime but, if offered, the worker had to work it, was not to be taken into account when calculating holiday pay. A landmark judgment in the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT), Bear Scotland v Fulton (joined […]
Children and Families Act 2014: Potentially Disastrous
Local Authorities face a huge challenge to meet the new demands of the Children and Families Act 2014, which came into force on the 1st September. According to leading education, health and social care lawyer Elaine Maxwell, inadequate funding and a lack of guidance on the new rules, many of which have yet to even […]
Do Tattoos Cause Hepatitis?
Do tattoos cause hepatitis? The risks of tourists acquiring hepatitis as a result of getting tattoos, piercings or pedicures while abroad has recently been emphasised by an Australian health organisation Helen Tyrrell, the CEO of Hepatitis Australia, warned in an interview with The Courier Mail that “any activity in which the skin is pierced can […]
NHS Staff Ratio Guidelines Fail to Set a Dangerlevel
New guidelines on NHS staffing levels have been criticised for failing to indicate a minimum nurse-to-patient ratio for high-quality care. The guidance, issued in July by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), is designed to flag-up dangerously low staff numbers in relation to patient need.
A Postman Dog Bite – Comes with the Job?
A postman running for his life down a garden path, being chased by an angry dog may be an amusing cartoon scenario, but UK postal workers probably wouldn’t find it funny.