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UK COVID-19 Inquiry launches first investigation
The Inquiry Chair, Baroness Hallett officially launched the UK COVID-19 Inquiry and opened its first investigation into how well prepared the UK was for a pandemic. Baroness Hallett also set out the timetable for the next 12 months, with preliminary hearings starting later this year, and the first witnesses to… Read More
Scope of COVID-19 Inquiry to be broadened
Following the consultation period into the COVID-19 Inquiry Terms of Reference, the Chair Baroness Hallett has completed an analysis of the responses received. On 12 May 2022 Baroness Hallett wrote to the Prime Minister and recommended that the scope of the Inquiry be reframed to put potential inequalities at its… Read More
Liberty Protection Safeguards – an update
What? As contained in the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 (yet to come into force), the Liberty Protection Safeguards (“LPS”) are due to replace the current Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. LPS will provide a new framework for the protection of those aged 16 and over, in any setting who need… Read More
The draft terms of reference for the COVID-19 Public Inquiry have been announced
The draft terms of reference for the COVID-19 Public Inquiry have been announced. These are wide-ranging and cover the public health response, including how and when decisions were made; how the NHS and wider health and social care system responded, including issues or capacity and resilience; and the economic response. Read More
Success for Adam Smith as client acquitted of bribery charges
Adam Smith, partner in the Hempsons Regulatory and Crime London team, represented Noel Staunton throughout an NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHS CFA) investigation over the last six years. On Friday 4 March, Mr Staunton was acquitted of the two bribery charges brought against him, related to the placement… Read More
Hempsons inquest podcast series, No4
Hempsons inquest podcast series – episode 4 – ‘Giving evidence – what to expect’ Welcome to the fourth in Hempsons’ series of inquests podcasts with associates Liz Stokes and Elspeth Rose from Hempsons healthcare advisory team. These podcasts will take listeners through the journey… Read More
Procurement law post Brexit – does anything change for procurement practitioners at 11pm tonight?
At 11 o’clock tonight, the UK will leave the European Union. At that point, the Transition Period will kick in and apply until 31 December 2020. Therefore, on a practical level, nothing changes immediately for procurement professionals once we have left the European Union. The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 will… Read More
Court of Protection guidance: When not to go to Court and how to when you do
The Vice President of the Court of Protection has issued helpful guidance HERE on bringing proceedings in relation to proposed “serious medical treatment”. Introduction There is an expectation that 15 years after the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) every acute and mental health Trust will know enough… Read More
Limitation arguments – how hard can it be?
The cases of Ellis v Iyer and others [2018] EWHC 3505 (Ch) and Mossa v Wise [2017] EWHC 2608 (QB) show the hurdles Defendants face in seeking to successfully pursue a Limitation Defence. This note covers Ellis, with Mossa covered in part 2 of the three-part series. The… Read More
HJ v Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
“The opinion of a single joint expert who is not called to give evidence does not automatically trump the evidence of other witnesses either lay or expert.” The Judgment of Mr Justice Turner from 21 May 2018 in HJ (A Child) v Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2018] EWHC… Read More