Blog
From garage to unicorn – Employment law lessons for scaling tech teams
Catherine Bourne
11 January 2022
Medicinal Cannabis – Where Are We Now?
Guest author Edward Henry QC, of Mountford Chambers, considers the ongoing issues regarding access to medicinal cannabis, specifically relating to the treatment of children, in the United Kingdom (UK).
7 January 2022
Care Home sentencing a salutary reminder of the importance of fire safety responsibilities
On 5 January 2022, Bupa pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Bupa were ordered to pay a fine of £937,500 and prosecution costs of £104,000. This is the highest ever fine imposed for fire safety breaches under the Fire Safety Order in the UK.
16 December 2021
Costs not recoverable on ‘the nod’ - A warning for private prosecutors R (on the application of T M Eye Ltd) v Southampton Crown Court [2021] EWHC 2624 (Admin)
Last month, the High Court handed down judgement in R (on the application of T M Eye Ltd) v Southampton Crown Court reinforcing the correct approach to applications for an award from central funds for the costs of a private prosecution. Despite clear ‘Jurisdictional error’ on the part of the Crown Court, the appellant court took the opportunity to warn private prosecutors; applications will not be approved ‘on the nod’.
16 December 2021
Mythbusting: Motivation in Starting a Private Prosecution
Private prosecutions provide an effective way to seek justice; and particularly in circumstances when the traditional prosecuting agencies are unable or unwilling to act. Conducted appropriately they can be a useful, efficient and cost-effective tool to secure punishment of the guilty. Conducted badly they can be an expensive mistake with far reaching consequences.
In this blog series we draw on our experience of both bringing and defending private prosecutions to help clarify some of the common myths and misunderstandings about private prosecutions. In this blog we look at whether having an ulterior motive in starting a private prosecution can lead to problems down the line.
16 December 2021
Health and Safety - personal liability for directors operating in the built environment
The built environment presents health and safety risks like no other sector. Whether it be the risk of falls from height, hazardous substances, trapped by items collapsing or overturning, fire or moving vehicles there are a wide range of hazards that need to be managed from the outset. Directors can be held personally liable when health and safety duties are breached. In this blog we explore the scope of personal liability for directors in the built environment.