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Opinion

Review of baby deaths highlights shortcomings in care

A report launched on 19 November 2015 by Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audit and Confidential Enquiries across the UK (MBRRACE-UK) has highlighted fundamental failings in antenatal monitoring and…

November 24, 2015
Opinion

Countering terrorism or preventing free speech?

University students are at the forefront of a battle against the government’s Prevent policy which, they say, turns students into suspects and academics into informants. Students Not Suspects toured the…

November 23, 2015
Opinion

Labour legal aid review – time for change?

On 3 November Lord Bach and Karl Turner MP hosted the launch of a major Labour consultation and review of its policy on legal aid. It was their view that…

November 23, 2015
Blog

The future of section 20 – the impact of the recent case of Re N (Children) (Adoption: Jurisdiction) and comments by the President of the Family Division

The use of section 20 of the Children Act 1989, the provision for a child to be voluntarily and accommodated by a local authority, with the consent of those with…

November 23, 2015
Opinion

Compulsory re-testing for drivers over the age of 70?

Are drivers of 70 years and over, safer drivers than those under the age of 20? Data indicates that drivers under the age of 20 are involved in more fatal…

November 20, 2015
Opinion

‘Pay to Stay’ – Market economics has no place in social housing

Market rent levels, particularly in London, have been rising consistently at a somewhat meteoric rate for the last decade or more, even in the depths of the depression. Private sector…

November 19, 2015
Opinion

Could this be the End to Lifetime Tenancies?

David Cameron proposes to permanently end lifetime council homes (secure tenancies) and replace these with new fixed-term tenancies for all new council tenancies. The latest government proposals once again show…

November 16, 2015
Blog

Who should act as deputy?

If a person lack sufficient mental capacity to manage their own finances, the Court of Protection will appoint a finance deputy to look after their financial affairs for them. The…

November 16, 2015
Blog

The Ugly Side of Beauty

Non invasive cosmetic procedures are a booming market. Treatments involving facial fillers, laser treatments, and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments are, amongst others, regularly performed in up and down the…

November 13, 2015
Opinion

Disciplinary hearings – a problem shared

I am regularly asked by employees “who can come with me to my disciplinary hearing”. My answer to this question has been fairly well rehearsed over the years along the…

November 12, 2015
Blog

Independent review into deaths and serious incidents in custody

An independent review into deaths and serious incidents in custody will need to challenge difficult and uncomfortable issues if it is to lead to real systemic change, prevent further deaths…

November 11, 2015
Blog

Why is a professional deputy necessary?

When a child recovers a substantial compensation award, the court prefers to have a professional deputy in place at least for the first few years. Often the parents are keen…

November 9, 2015
Blog

Increase in mental health detentions shows ‘services are in difficulties’

The Mental Health Act 1983 determines how and when a person can be detained in hospital without their consent for assessment or treatment. Mental Health campaigners have expressed concern that…

November 6, 2015
Opinion

Road Traffic Accidents – the need for dedicated legal representation

The media is often saturated with stories of people receiving huge sums of money for minor or frivolous claims, coupled with those text messages telling us that there is a…

November 6, 2015
Blog

Inhuman treatment of elderly detainee a symptom of our broken immigration detention system

The appalling case of Alois Dvorzac, an 84-year-old man with dementia and heart disease who suffered a fatal heart attack whilst an immigration detainee, has given a shocking insight into…

November 5, 2015
Blog

Remember … remember (some simple tips to avoid any injuries) this 5th November

One of the reasons fireworks injuries continue to occur is because people don’t consider how dangerous these devices can be. People don’t realise, until it’s too late, that the risk…

November 5, 2015
Blog
  • property-disputes

Letting Agents now obliged to notify landlords and tenants of charges

With the housing crisis continuing to grow competition between tenants to secure a rental property is higher than ever pushing rents up. Letting Agents are keen to cash in on…

November 5, 2015
Blog

Mental health provision in crisis: documentary shines a light on system in need of radical change

BBC Panorama’s Britain’s Mental Health Crisis programme shown last week provided a worrying insight into the perilous state of mental health care and services across the country. The programme focused…

November 3, 2015
Blog

Why it’s important to make a living will

Living wills, also known as advance directives, are a written record of the medical treatment and care you would want to receive if you were incapacitated and were unable to…

November 2, 2015
Blog

Evicting inconsiderate tenants

I read with amusement a feature in the Metro about a landlord’s notice to his inconsiderate tenants which included the following ‘rules’: 3. No yodelling at any time 4. Do not…

October 30, 2015
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