29 July 2020 Blog Watchdog launches consultation on an NHS ‘Complaint Standards Framework’ The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has presented a report, called Making Complaints Count, to Parliament describing the NHS complaints system in “urgent need of reform and investment”... Share this article Bookmark this page 3 min read
29 July 2020 Blog Emergency legislation clarifies redundancy rights for furloughed employees The Government has published new legislation on a week’s pay which comes into effect on 31 July. Its aim is to clarify the dismissal-related rights of employees who have been furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which ends on 31 October... Share this article Bookmark this page 2 min read
29 July 2020 Blog Planning Aspects of the Business and Planning Act 2020 The Business and Planning Act 2020 (BPA 2020) received Royal Assent on 22 July 2020... Share this article Bookmark this page 1 min read
28 July 2020 Blog In search of green shoots: the Green Recovery from the Covid-19 crisis Over recent months the British public has demonstrated an unprecedented ability to respond collectively to the risks posed by coronavirus and in doing so, our lives in lockdown have naturally become more eco-friendly. Share this article Bookmark this page 2 min read
27 July 2020 Blog In search of green shoots: the Green Recovery from the Covid-19 crisis Over recent months the British public has demonstrated an unprecedented ability to respond collectively to the risks posed by coronavirus and in doing so, our lives in lockdown have naturally become more eco-friendly... Share this article Bookmark this page 2 min read
26 July 2020 Blog Response to consultation on public sector exit payments cap published The Government has published its response to last year’s consultation on implementing the public sector exit payment cap... Share this article Bookmark this page 2 min read
25 July 2020 Blog Higher Education: Stability, Restructuring and Student Protection On 3 July, the Office for Students (OfS) published Regulatory Notice 5 which brought in a new condition of registration for English higher education providers to help secure stability and integrity across the sector following concerns about certain institutional activities. Share this article Bookmark this page 3 min read
23 July 2020 Blog Data risks abound in a technological world In an era of virtual meetings and grappling with occasionally unfamiliar new technology in the course of home working, the potential for mishandling of information and for technological security failings remains - and is perhaps increased. Share this article Bookmark this page 2 min read
23 July 2020 Blog New guidance for visiting arrangements in care homes in England The long awaited guidance for establishing a visiting policy in care homes has now been published (22 July)... Share this article Bookmark this page 2 min read
21 July 2020 Blog EU court ruling raises questions over cross-border data transfer mechanisms Last week’s “Schrems II” ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union invalidated the “Privacy Shield” arrangements which are used as the legal basis for some transfers of personal data from the EEA to the US. Share this article Bookmark this page 1 min read
21 July 2020 Blog What next for Europe’s unitary patent plans? Many had thought that the combination of the UK’s withdrawal and the negative ruling of the German Constitutional Court in March had stopped this long-standing initiative in its tracks. Both the UK and Germany had central roles in the Unified Patent Court, and are essential to the ratification of the UPC Agreement. Share this article Bookmark this page 2 min read
21 July 2020 Blog An update on Europe's long-planned Unitary Patent The UK has recently confirmed its exit from the UPC system, depositing a formal withdrawal notification on 20 July... Share this article Bookmark this page 2 min read