Retained EU Law Bill
The Law Society’s views on the Retained EU Law Bill as it enters its final stage in the House of Commons are covered by Personnel Today.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “The speed at which government proposes to review retained EU law is a recipe for bad law-making.”
Media can report from family law courts
Accredited journalists and legal bloggers were given the go-ahead to report on proceedings from the family courts on 30 January, report the Gazette, Today’s Family Lawyer and Family Lore.
A Law Society spokesperson said: “Transparency and open justice are important to help the public understand how the law works and how decisions are made. Provided it’s done in a sensitive manner, such reporting will be a valuable tool in re-educating the public. It can also raise awareness of what the rule of law means and why it’s important.
“We are pleased to see the pilot will not allow journalists to identify families. This sensitivity is important, particularly when children are involved.”
Court of Appeal judgment on damages in personal injury cases
The Court of Appeal handed down a landmark judgment that damages awarded to personal injury claimants who suffer both whiplash and non-whiplash injuries resulting from the same accident (a hybrid case) will be assessed independently of the other.
A Law Society spokesperson told Legal Futures and the Gazette: “We welcome the findings of the Court of Appeal that damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity for non-tariff injuries are valued and awarded independently of tariff injuries.
“However, solicitors working in the personal injury space, and their clients, would welcome further guidance about how these damages are to be calculated.
“Without this certainty, claimants who are suffering from mixed injuries will continue to be unclear about the level of damages they are entitled to and it may take longer for them to seek and access redress.”
Free legal advice
The Daily Mail and Mail On Sunday provide a helpful guide on where to get legal advice.
Readers are referred to our Find a Solicitor service.
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