Blog
Striking a Balance? Industrial Action & Employment Law Update
In today’s climate it is unsurprising the UK is facing the highest rates of industrial action in many decades, across many sectors and professions. Strike is the word on everyone’s lips. As an employee you will want to know what protection you have, and as an employer what action you can and should be taking, […]
Owen v Black Horse Limited [2023] EWCA Civ 325 – no strike out despite the Claimant’s absence at trial
Summary and background The Court of Appeal has interpreted the rules for non-attendance on the small claims track in a manner consistent with rule 39.3 in finding that an absent Claimant nevertheless “appeared” at his trial, through his legal representative. The Claimant’s claim under the unfair relationship provisions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 related […]
Part 36: Is there any value in a split liability offer?
In the recent case of Mundy v TUI UK Ltd [2023] EWHC 385 (Ch), the High Court (Collins Rice J) provided helpful clarification about when Part 36 offers deal with an apportionment of liability. Mr Mundy went to Mexico on an all-inclusive holiday supplied by the Defendant, TUI. Unfortunately, Mr Mundy suffered from food poisoning […]
International Women’s Day 2023
On International Women’s Day this year, a group of lawyers from the regions solicitors’ firms and barristers’ chambers, along with professionals from allied industries gathered to celebrate. This year’s theme being “embrace equity”. It was the launch of “Legally Flushed” the brainchild of Imogen Robins a barrister at Pump Court Chambers. The event was held […]
Should those convicted of serious offences be compelled to face their victim’s family?
The current Justice Secretary Dominic Raab thinks so. The recent, tragic murders of Sabina Nessa and Zara Aleena have prompted Mr Raab to consider new legislation which will see those convicted of serious offences compelled to attend court and face the families of those they have harmed. Both convicted murderers Jordan McSweeney and Koci Selamaj […]
Research Demonstrates Juries Convict In 58% Of Rape Cases, On Average
Over the period 2007 to 2021, the jury conviction rate for all rape charges stood at an average of 58%, with a high of 75% in 2021, according to new research published in the Criminal Law Review[1]. In 2007, the jury conviction rate was 55%. This research was commissioned by senior judiciary following public concerns […]
The Not-so-Beautiful Game
In February 2023, BBC Radio 5 Live released the results of a questionnaire canvassing the experiences of 927 grassroots referees. The statistics make for grim reading, although will come as little surprise to anyone who has played Sunday league football. Amongst the most notable figures are the following: 375 of respondents had received abuse pertaining […]
Mixed Injuries post Whiplash Reforms – Where are we now?
The much awaited judgment in the mixed injury test cases of Rabot v Hassam and Briggs v Laditan [2023] EWCA Civ 19 was handed down by the Court of Appeal on 20 January 2023. However, the divided judgment in these leap frog appeals is likely to raise as many questions as it answers and will […]
Senior Traffic Commissioner clarifies the relationship between the number of vehicles specified on an Operator’s Licence and the number of vehicles held and used
On 12 December 2022, The Senior Traffic Commissioner published important proposed changes to the Statutory Guidance. The changes are currently out for consultation, and the consultation itself closes on 16 January 2023. Of significance are the proposals to amend Statutory Document No. 0, ‘Introduction to Operating Licensing’ and Statutory Document No. 4, which covers Operating […]
Inflation and the Gender Pension Gap
Albert Einstein once said “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn’t, pays it”. Whether the above quote can be attributed to Einstein is questionable, but there can be no disputing the power of compound interest. The June 2022 Office of National Statistics, Consumer Prices Index […]
Loneliness and the Bar
A barrister’s working style can create prime field conditions for the fog of loneliness to descend, so here’s a look ahead to Loneliness Awareness Week (with the apt acronym LAW!) and how we can better support ourselves and each other. Loneliness at the Bar by Tim Akers was first featured in the June edition of […]
The Whole Life Order: Have the Floodgates been Opened?
Events that occurred in March 2021 instituted a widespread heated debate both domestically and internationally as a consequence of the murder of Sarah Everard at the hands of police officer Wayne Couzens. It sparked a global women’s safety movement and erosion of public confidence in police protection, alongside sparking conversations around inequality, misogyny and victim-blaming. […]
