Hope for domestic violence victims who need access to legal advice for family issues
March 22nd, 2017
A condition for domestic violence victims to access legal aid, which enforces a 5 year time limit, has been encouraged to be changed. The time limit which is currently applied when assessing whether a domestic violence victim is entitled to legal aid results in a number of victims being denied legal advice when the violence was inflicted over five years ago. These restrictions on access to legal advice were initially introduced as a cost-saving measure in 2012 under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act, however it has been criticised ever since.
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It’s all in the name - Background & Judgement (C (Children) (Child in Care: Choice of Forename), Re [2016] EWCA Civ 374)
March 13th, 2017
The Court of Appeal has upheld an injunction issued by the High Court which prevents a mother from registering her twins with her chosen forenames. The Court exercised its inherent jurisdiction in order to prohibit the mother in this unusual case.
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Rise in number of unexpected mental health trust deaths
February 24th, 2017
The number of unexpected deaths of patients engaging with mental health services has increased by 50% over the past three years; an investigation by BBC’s Panorama has shown. Since 2012-13 the figures have increased from just over 2000 to just over 3000 and cover both patients detained in hospital and those being treated in the community.
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Cardiff County Court v Lee: Enforcement of a Suspended Possession Order
February 23rd, 2017
In the recent case of Cardiff County Court v Lee (Flowers) the Court of Appeal ruled that landlords must seek permission from the court before being able to apply for a warrant of eviction if a suspended possession order is breached.
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It should no longer be presumed that all parents are entitled to have contact with their children in cases of domestic abuse, says Sir Justice Cobb
February 6th, 2017
Practice Direction 12J FPR 2010 which allows parents to see their children, without taking into account history of domestic abuse, has been urged to be changed without hesitation.
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