Legislation / Legal

OFT: The OFT has published recommendations to Government to improve the effectiveness of redress for consumers and businesses that have suffered loss as a result of breaches of competition law. The recommendations follow an informal consultation on an OFT discussion paper published in April.
 
Recent experience shows that harm to consumers may run into tens of millions of pounds in any given case.
However, responses to the consultation have confirmed that consumers and businesses wishing to bring legal proceedings continue to face significant barriers.
 
The OFT recommends that Government consult on a number of proposed measures to make private actions in competition law as effective as the Government's 2001 White Paper, A World Class Competition Regime, intended them to be.
Press release ~ Discussion paper and responses
 
MoJ: A law that protects victims and potential victims of forced marriage will come into effect next autumn, Justice Minister Bridget Prentice has said. 
 
The new law will enable courts to make orders to prevent forced marriages and to order the behaviour or conduct of those responsible for forcing another into marriage to change or stop or to impose requirements on them.  It also provides recourse for those already forced into marriage.  Failure to comply could lead to imprisonment.
Press release ~ Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act ~ FMU case studies ~ Joint FCO/Home Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) ~ The Ministry of Justice's Domestic Violence policy ~ The White Ribbon Campaign UK ~ Survivors Handbook ~ Islam online ~ Dealing with cases of forced marriage - Practice Guidance for Health Professionals ~ NHS: Forced Marriage Awareness ~ Domestic Abuse Website ~ JRF: Working with families where there is domestic violence
 
SGC: Offenders who deliberately fail to turn up for court cases should face prison sentences says a new guideline for judges and magistrates. Someone who jumps bail for the first time and causes significant delay or interference with the progress of the case could face a sentence of up to 40 weeks in the Crown Court or 10 weeks in a magistrates' court.
 
Repeat offenders are likely to get tougher sentences than first offenders.  Those who deliberately fail to surrender will face a starting point of 14 days custody and the sentence will increase as delay or interference becomes more substantial.
Press release ~ Guideline on fail to surrender to bail ~ Summary of consultation responses to the Council ~ Annexed Tables ~ Sentencing Advisory Panel
 
DCSF: The government has published the Education and Skills Bill and outlined plans to boost the skills & education of young people and adults. The Bill will raise the education & training leaving age to 18 by 2015, as well as strengthening the provision and support available to young people & adults to meet the ambition set out in the Leitch Review of achieving world class skills by 2020 – See ‘In the News’ section above.
Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story