Fine for H Samuel Over Unfair Pricing Promotions Online
High Street jewellery chain H Samuel has been fined £60,000 after pleading guilty to 17 breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. The company, owned by Signet Trading Limited, was investigated by the trading standards service of Torfaen Council in Wales for use of unfair pricing promotions online. The breached related to sale […]
High Court Rules in Accordance With Certified Copy of Will Where Original May or May Not Have Been Destroyed by Deceased
The High Court has ruled that an estate be administered in accordance with a certified copy of a will against a claim of revocation of the original by destruction. In Blyth v Sykes, the court considered how to deal with the presumption of revocation of a will by destruction when the original will cannot be […]
Cohabitants Warned Not to Fall Foul of Common Law Marriage Myth
A recent survey has revealed common law marriage remains a commonly held myth. 46% of the public believe that cohabiting couples form a common law marriage, according to the British Social Attitudes Survey 2019, conducted by The National Centre for Social Research. This figure increases to 55% among those with children, whereas 41% of households […]
Single Parents of Surrogate Children Granted New Rights to Apply for Parental Orders
Single parents of surrogate children are now permitted to apply for parental orders following a welcome change in the law. Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018, the rights of single parents have been brought in line with those of couples in being able to apply for parental responsibility where there […]
Changes to UK Immigration Rules January 2019
In its Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, the Government has laid down the latest changes affecting UK immigration policy. New Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme for Non-EU workers 2019 will see the introduction of a new two-year pilot scheme for seasonal employment in the horticultural sector. The scheme will initially be trialled with selected operators, […]
Immigration Health Surcharge has Doubled
From today, the UK’s immigration health surcharge has been doubled from £200 to £400 per visa applicant per year. The increase also applies to those eligible for the discounted rate, which has risen from £150 to £300. This affects students and those on youth mobility schemes. The new rates apply to all relevant applications made […]
Licensing Act 2003 Committee Review
The government’s response to the Lord’s’ review of the Licensing Act 2003 could arguably be described as one of “thank you but no thank you”. On the one hand, the government recognized the Lords’ report as making an “important contribution” to the possible future of the act; on the other hand, it rejected many of […]
Low risk gaming operators exempted from new AML rules
Money laundering is a centuries-old problem and one which has become a major concern in an age which is both global and digital. The nature of the gambling sector is such that it can be an attractive target for criminals, which is why reputable gambling operators have long seen the implementation of anti-money-laundering strategies as […]
Gambling operators to see new changes to fee structure in 2017
A new fee structure is coming into force for UK-licensed online gambling operators during 2017. The majority of operators will see a discount while a number will see an increase in their fees. The UK Gambling Commission along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have been working together on a consultation, with the […]
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 […]
Fatal Injury Rate in the UK
The UK consistently has one of the lowest fatal injury rate across the EU according to HSE statistics. Thankfully fatal injuries, classed as a personal injury resulting in the death of an injured person, are rare events In 2012 the standardised fatality rate was 0.58 fatalities per 100,000 workers. This compares favourably with other comparable […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]