Law Commission Publishes Leasehold Housing Reform Plans
The Law Commission has put forward plans to make the leasehold system fairer and cheaper for Britain’s 4 million leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease. The UK leasehold system has come under criticism in recent years for becoming unfair and costly, with some leaseholders facing extortionate demands from freeholders and high and […]
Claims Portal Testing Enters Second Stage Ahead of Planned April Launch
The second phase of testing for the Litigation in Person (LiP) portal is due to start later this month, according to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). The introduction of the portal forms part of wider whiplash reforms under the Civil Liability Act. The LiP is being designed to allow personal injury claimants to manage small […]
UK Home Office Criticised for Refusal to Reveal ‘High Risk’ Countries
The Home Office has faced stark criticism from campaign groups for its decision not to reveal details of the algorithm used to filter UK visa applications. In response to a legal challenge brought by immigrants’ rights campaigners over use of its artificial intelligence programme, the Home Office provided a redacted list of countries in different […]
£500,000 data breach fine for Dixons Carphone
The parent company of Currys PC World has been fined £500,000 after the tills in its shops were compromised by a cyber-attack that affected at least 14 million customers. Between July 2017 and April 2018, hackers were able to install malware onto 5,390 computer systems and tills located at Currys PC World and Dixon Travel […]
Ethical Veganism is a Belief Protected by Law, Tribunal Rules
A dismissed employee has been told by an employment tribunal that his ethical veganism is protected against discrimination by UK law. The Employment Tribunal in Norwich held that the beliefs of an ethical vegan qualify as religious or philosophical beliefs and that the employee is entitled to equality protections under the Equality Act 2010. The […]
Controversial US Health Insurance Mandate Blocked Temporarily
A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily blocked President Trump’s order to deny visas to immigrants without health insurance. On October 4, 2019, a Presidential Proclamation suspended entry of immigrants into the US without approved health coverage or without the ability to pay for foreseeable medical issues within 30 days of entering the country. The […]
Online giants pledge to tackle fake online reviews
Facebook and eBay have signed agreements pledging to combat the use of fake and misleading reviews on their sites. Following an investigation by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last year, both sites have responded to the CMA’s demand to take measures to better identify, investigate and respond to fake and misleading reviews. Three […]
Overhaul of US Immigration Regulations Ahead of Election
2020 is set to bring wide-ranging reforms in US immigration regulations as the Trump Administration moves ahead with planned changes against a deadline of this year’s Presidential election. The proposed rules, as outlined in the Government’s Unified Agenda for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will, if enacted, profoundly affect employers, H-1B and L-1 visa […]
US Public Charge Update
A number of US courts have blocked the Trump Administration from using new, tougher rules on US immigration applications from low-income immigrants. The Public Charge Final Rule is currently being litigated and some courts have issued an injunction, preventing the new rules from being applied until the legal challenges are resolved. On August 14, 2019, […]
No Fault Divorce Bill Set to Go Before Parliament
The Ministry of Justice has announced that the so-called ‘no fault’ divorce Bill is to be one of the first bills tabled in the new Parliament. In news welcomed by the national family justice body, Resolution, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill is being reintroduced into Parliament on 7th January having first been promised by […]
Employer Round-up of Latest Employment Law Changes
A number of UK employment law changes have come into force in recent weeks. Employers should take careful note of these new rules and respond accordingly. Increase in the national minimum wage The new national minimum wage rates came into effect on 1st April 2019. Employers must now pay workers at least: Aged 25 and […]
Family Law Litigant in Person: Family Justice Council Releases Guide
Cuts to legal aid provision have led to an increasing number of people appearing as a family law litigant in person, particularly in divorce cases. The Family Justice Council have released a new guide, titled “Sorting Out Finances on Divorce” to help a family law litigant in person navigate the complicated issues involved. The guide […]
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 […]
Victorian Divorce Records Revealed
Historic divorce records revealed Information on how Victorian families lived, including details of their marriages, affairs and divorces have recently become available to the public. The UK Civil Divorce Records for 1858 to 1911 are now available online, thanks to family history website, Ancestry.co.uk. Divorce records unveiled The records have revealed details of around 70,000 […]