Legislation / Legal
ScotParl: The Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee has welcomed measures to ensure that people diagnosed with pleural plaques will continue to be able to claim damages. Publishing its report, the committee recommended support for the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill. However, the committee also expressed concern about the potential financial implications of the bill and questioned the adequacy of its Financial Memorandum.
Press release ~ Committee report ~ Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill ~ Memorandum ~ Other related Committee documents
ScotParl: Changes to out-of-area placing requests and additional support needs tribunals will be examined by the Scottish Parliament's Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee as part of its scrutiny of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill. The committee would like to hear from individuals and organisations with an interest or personal experience in supporting children and young people with additional support needs.
Press release ~ Call for evidence on the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill (SP Bill 16) ~ Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill
BMPI: The Right Honourable Sir William Gage made his opening statement as Chairman during the preliminary hearing event for the Baha Mousa Public Inquiry, which has been formally set up under the Inquiries Act 2005. From now on, the Inquiry is to be based at Finlaison House in Furnival Street, London.
The Inquiry is primarily concerned with the circumstances surrounding the death in 2003 of one man, Baha Mousa, and the treatment of others detained with him in Basra, Iraq, by soldiers of the 1st Battalion, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment.
Court Reporting rules: Sir William Gage would like to highlight that at the Court Martial of seven servicemen arising out of these events, the presiding Judge Advocate made an order, which remains in force for this Inquiry, requiring the media not to publish certain features & information in relation to the Defendants. If anybody has submissions to make in relation to this order, or any related matter affecting other service personnel, they must contact Sir William Gage in writing by 14 November 2008.
DWP: The Health and Safety Offences Act 2008, which will increase penalties and provide courts with greater sentencing powers for those who flout health & safety legislation, has been welcomed by DWP Ministers. It received Royal Assent on 16 October 2008 and will come into force in January 2009.
The Act raises the maximum penalties that can be imposed for breaching health & safety regulations in the lower courts from £5,000 to £20,000 and the range of offences for which an individual can be imprisoned has also been broadened.
