One of the most talked about cases of recent times could be included in a number of sections of this edition, but as the implications of the SC’s decision on the definition of a woman for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 has particular relevance for employers, their policies, procedures and advisers, this seems …
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The ICO has fined a firm £60,000 following a cyber-attack. What is interesting is that the firm in question specialises in law relating to crime, military, family fraud, sexual offences, and actions against the police. The ICO found that the firm had failed to put appropriate measures in place to ensure the security of personal …
The government has updated its policy paper: ‘Commonhold White Paper: The proposed new commonhold model for homeownership in England and Wales‘. This is a topic which practitioners may need to become conversant with. While commonhold has been with us for 20 years, its meagre take up meant that it was largely consigned to history. However, …
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The SC has heard an important case regarding adverse possession which will be of interest to all property practitioners. The case summary is as follows: ‘Background to the Appeal This is a case about adverse possession. Mr Brown (the respondent) is the registered owner of land lying to the west of the Promenade, Consett, County …
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The EAT has heard an interesting case regarding unfair dismissal and maternity rights. The case summary is as follows: ‘Unfair dismissal – automatic unfair dismissal – section 99 Employment Rights Act 1996 – maternity rights – regulations 10 and 20(1)(b) Maternity and Parental Leave etc Regulations 1999 Practice and procedure – schedule 1 of the …
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Sentencing guidelines for those convicted of motoring offences committed while driving vehicles without the owner’s consent came into effect on 1 April 2025. They replace the earlier guidelines (which only covered sentencing by magistrates). The new guidelines cover four aggravated vehicle taking offences: causing death, causing injury, dangerous driving and causing vehicle/property damage. Criminal defence …
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Alienating behaviours vary in intensity, and in the extent of the emotional, social and psychological impact on the children. Such behaviours include manipulation, false allegations of abuse and encouraging bad feeling towards a parent. There is not yet any formal legal definition of parental alienation, but the Family Justice Council issued valuable guidance on the …
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The CA refused to make a placement order in favour of the aunt and uncle of M, who was 14 months old. M has been in care all his life but the aunt and uncle were not a realistic option for the placement. M’s mother has four children from a previous relationship. Soon after commencing …
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Was an older child’s expressed wishes and feelings the result of M’s influence and not, therefore, genuinely felt? This was a key issue of disagreement concerning a girl (C) at the centre of long, complex private law proceedings – the most difficult and depressing case Hale HHJ said he had ever presided over in 17 …
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HMLR has updated PG4 (Adverse possession of registered land). Section 5.5 Charges has been split into section 5.5.1 Existing charges affecting the adversely possessed land and section 5.5.2 Charges created by the squatter. The aim is to clarify that HM Land Registry will not automatically register a charge affecting any adjoining land owned by the …