30 March 2020
COVID-19 and the FCA - Scams, short selling and more
The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a significant impact on all aspects of the financial services industry, including on firms, customers, regulators, capital markets and their participants. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to engage closely with the sector as it seeks to respond effectively to the current crisis. This has included releasing a number of statements relating to various matters including scams, short selling, operational and financial resilience, and financial reporting.
27 March 2020
Policing Domestic Abuse in the age of Austerity and “Lockdown”
Sadly, the uncertain period of "lockdown" is likely to place a considerable strain on many relationships. The inability of family members to leave the house, the fear of unemployment and consequent financial pressures which arise from “lockdown”, have the potential to cause difficult times for many relationships. Prior to the Covid-19 epidemic, the police and the CPS pursued a proactive approach towards domestic abuse, which often resulted in the partner who was the recipient of the complaint being arrested and/or prosecuted.
26 March 2020
COVID-19 - The legal basis for lockdown
Last week saw the first steps towards a national lockdown when on the night of Friday 20 March the Prime Minister “told” certain businesses to close. What powers does the government have to do this? The answer is to be found here in the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, which contains broad but not unlimited powers to make regulations to protect health.
25 March 2020
The Coronavirus Bill: Can justice be done by video link?
The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced businesses all over the world to adapt to a new way of working, practically overnight. The criminal courts are no different and as an essential public service it is imperative that technology is utilised to ensure that they can continue to function in the midst of the crisis. The emergency Coronavirus Bill (‘the Bill’) is set to introduce a number of new measures to try and keep the criminal courts running in these unprecedented times.
25 March 2020
COVID-19: Managing health and risk whilst in police custody - an update
On 19 March 2020, Crimeline published the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s strategic overview and high-level guidance for forces concerning custody function during the COVID 19 pandemic (Operation Talla). The document is essential reading and should be considered in conjunction with the most relevant provisions of the PACE Codes of Practice. The NPCC’s recognises the diverse nature of custody estates and notes that Forces should develop local policies. However, the document should provide the framework to ensure a consistency of standards.
