Legislation / Legal

MoJ: New Cremation Regulations designed to help prevent another Harold Shipman-type murder have been published. The Regulations, which follow a full public consultation, allow bereaved families to inspect the medical forms of a deceased family member before a cremation takes place and are expected to come into force in January 2009.
 
Dame Janet Smith's 'Third Shipman Inquiry Report' made clear that many of the forms completed by Shipman were wholly inaccurate. Under the new Regulation, families will be able to draw the medical referee's attention to any concerns about unexpected symptoms or discrepancies in the case.
 
The Coroners and Death Certification Bill combines proposals to modernise the coroner system with Department of Health proposals to establish an independent body of medical examiners to scrutinise the causes of death given by doctors on death certificates in those cases which are not referred to the coroner.
Press release ~ The Cremation (England & Wales) Regulations 2008, forms and guidance for practitioners ~ Dame Janet Smith's Shipman Inquiry Reports ~ Coroners and Death Certification Bill
 
MoJ: The Government has launched two new tribunals, consisting of a First-tier and an Upper Tribunal.  This is part of an overhaul of the tribunals' structure designed to strengthen the system and achieve improved & consistent standards for tribunal users.
 
Most tribunal jurisdictions, currently administered by the Tribunals Service, will transfer into the First-tier and Upper Tribunal in phases from 3 November, implementing a key part of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.
 
The important change for users comes with the establishment of the Upper Tribunal and the First-tier's onward appeal rights to it.  For some jurisdictions this will create new statutory appeal rights and for others bring the appeal rights within the tribunals rather than the courts.
Press release ~ First Tier Tribunal ~ Upper Tribunal ~ Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
 
LR: The Land Registration (Amendment) Rules 2008 came into force on Monday 10 November. The amendments will see most notable changes in the areas of identification checks, new forms and standard restrictions.
 
The following statutory provisions also come into force on Monday 10 November 2008:
* The Commonhold (Land Registration) (Amendment) Rules 2008
* The Land Registration (Proper Office) (Amendment) Order 2008
Press release ~ Land Registration Rules amendments 
 
HO: The age at which someone can apply for a marriage visa is increasing. From 27 November 2008 both parties in a marriage will have to be 21 before a marriage visa can be issued.  Raising the age is just one part of the Government's work to crackdown on forced marriage and on those who attempt to abuse the marriage visa route.
 
The Home Office has also published detailed guidance to help businesses prepare for the ‘go-live’ (on 27 November) of Tiers 2 and 5 of the points system by publishing on the two tiers.  Under these tiers - which cover skilled and temporary workers - employers will be held accountable for the workers they bring into the country, with a new sponsorship scheme holding businesses responsible for those they employ.
Press release ~ Marriage Visas: The Way Forward ~ Guidance for businesses on Tiers 2 and 5 ~ Statement of Intent for Business and Special Visitor Visas
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