Changes to Motoring Laws from April 2021
New rules affecting UK motorists are due to come into force this year. The Department of Transport confirmed the first of these changes takes effect from today, with a change in car tax rules from 1 April 2021. Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is increasing for less environmentally-friendly cars. The amount of VED due is based […]
Controversial Policing Bill Moves Closer To Becoming Legislation
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill has passed its second reading in Parliament with a majority of 96 votes. MPs voted 359-263 in favour of the legislation on 17th March 2021. An amendment by Labour leader Keir Starmer was defeated by 359-225 votes. The draft legislation aims to afford the police and UK government […]
Sentencing Reforms See Teenage Killers Face Longer Jail Terms
Teenage killers are to face longer jail sentences, under reforms announced by the justice secretary, Robert Buckland. Older teenagers in murder cases could see sentences almost doubled to up to 27 years. ‘Ellie’s law’ comes as part of wider criminal reforms which were introduced to Parliament on 9 March 2021. Ellie’s law follows a campaign […]
Right to Repair Law to be Introduced this Summer
A new law is due to be introduced this summer giving consumers in the UK the ‘right to repair’ on the electronic goods they buy. The new law aims to extend the lifespan of appliances such as fridges, TVs and washing machines by up to ten years and to make them cheaper to run through […]
Stamp Duty Holiday Extended Until 30 June
The UK Chancellor has confirmed in his Budget today that the £500,000 threshold for stamp duty will remain in place until 30 June. Under the temporary rules, homebuyers in England and Northern Ireland can continue to benefit from a higher threshold for stamp duty on house purchases. The tax break can see some homebuyers save […]
Conveyancing & witness-free electronic signatures – guidance imminent
HM Land Registry is expected to shortly release draft guidance on the use of electronic signatures that would exempt the requirement to have a witness to a conveyancing transaction. In a blog post last week, HMLR general counsel Mike Harlow said the organisation was “close” to sharing draft practice guidance for qualified electronic signatures. Land […]
Indoor & Outdoor Social Gatherings Above Six Banned in England from 14 September
Social gatherings of more than six people in England will become illegal from Monday 14 September. The new rule applies to people of all ages and will ban larger groups meeting anywhere socially indoors or outdoors. This includes gatherings in private homes, indoors and outdoors, and places such as pubs, restaurants, cafes and public outdoor […]
Compulsory Face Covering Rules Now in Force
The rules on wearing face coverings in England and Scotland have been extended from 8 August 2020. People must now wear face masks in museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship, as well as shops, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, supermarkets, takeaways, banks and on public transport. The mandatory requirements have become enforceable by law. […]
Home Office to End Use of Controversial Algorithm
The Home Office has confirmed it will cease use of its controversial algorithm within UK visa application processing. The announcement comes as migrant rights groups the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) and Foxglove prepared to challenge the use of the software by way of judicial review. Campaign groups claimed the tool was […]
High Court Rules Humanist Marriages Not Legally Recognised – Yet
Six UK couples have lost a landmark challenge over the legal recognition of humanist marriages. The High Court found that, despite constituting “discrimination”, humanist weddings are not legally recognised in the same way as religious ceremonies, but stopped short of saying the government is acting illegally. Under current law, couples marrying in a humanist ceremony […]
UK Unveils New Hong Kong BNO Visa
The UK is opening a new immigration route that will allow British National (Overseas) citizens from Hong Kong to come to the UK to live, work or study and will offer a path to British citizenship. The Hong Kong BN(O) visa will be available from January 2021 to Hong Kong’s British National (Overseas) passport holders […]
Landlord ‘No DSS’ Bans Ruled Unlawful & Discriminatory
A court in England has ruled that blanket bans on letting properties to people claiming housing benefits are unlawful, discriminatory and contrary to equality laws. The decision relates to the case of a single mother of two who became homeless after a letting agent refused to rent a property to her. She had been looking […]
MPs Back Immigration Bill & End of EU Free Movement
MPs have voted in favour of new legislation that will bring EU free movement to an end. Passing the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill is a critical phase in the government’s plan to introduce a new points-based immigration system for Britain from 2021. The Bill was approved at third reading by 342 […]
Trial By Jury Could Be Abolished In Some Cases As Courts Address Backlog
Jury trials could be temporarily abolished within a matter of weeks under new legislation, according to suggestions from Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland QC. The Lord Chancellor told MPs on the justice select committee that the measure was under ‘serious consideration’ as a potential solution to address the mounting backlog in criminal cases. All jury trials […]
Rebekah Vardy Brings Defamation Claim Against Coleen Rooney
Rebekah Vardy has issued legal proceedings against Coleen Rooney for libel. The dispute centres on what has become known as the ‘Wagatha Christie’ scandal, the two women’s highly public social media fall-out. In October 2019, Rooney took to Twitter to accuse Vardy of leaking personal information about her to the Sun newspaper, with stories that […]
Lockdown Legal Challenge Set For High Court
A crowdfunded legal challenge to the government’s lockdown policy will be heard at the High Court on 2 July. A Crowdjustice campaign, led by businessman Simon Dolan, has to date raised more than £182,000, with almost 5,500 people having donated to fund legal action against the government over ‘unlawful’ lockdown measures. The High Court will […]
No-Fault Divorces Set To Start From Autumn 2021
No-fault divorces are set to become available to divorcing couples from autumn 2021. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill was backed by 231 MPs against 16 in a House of Commons vote on 8th June 2020, and concluded its passage through the House of Commons yesterday on 17th June 2020. The Bill will now be […]
New Law Gives Local Authorities Powers To Fine Drivers £130 For Using Cycle Lanes
Drivers can be fined up to £130 for using cycle lanes, under a new law taking effect on 22 June 2020. The new powers, announced by the Cycling Minister Chris Heaton-Harris on 10 June, will see local authorities able to rely on CCTV to issue penalty charge notices to motorists breaking the rules. This includes […]
Sunday Trading Rules May Be Relaxed for Supermarkets
Supermarkets may soon be able to open for longer hours under government plans to help boost the post-lockdown economy. Under current rules, supermarkets in England and Wales are only permitted to trade for six consecutive hours between 10am and 6pm. However, new legislation is being drafted which would suspend the current Sunday Trading laws for […]
Daughter Wins Legal Challenge To Invalidate Mother’s Will
A daughter has successfully challenged her mother’s will in the High Court, giving her a share of the £325,000 inheritance. The deceased, Jean Clitheroe, had left her entire estate to her son, John, leaving nothing to her daughter, Susan Bond. Prior to her death in 2017, Mrs Clitheroe had drafted versions of her will in […]