Legislation / Legal
OFT: The British Holiday & Home Parks Association and the National Caravan Council have agreed with the OFT, to offer fairer terms & conditions to consumers buying holiday caravans sited on holiday parks. Both associations, whose membership makes up a significant proportion of the holiday caravan park sector, approached the OFT to discuss model terms & conditions contained in the Purchase Agreement and Licence Agreement for a Holiday Caravan Pitch.
Press release ~ British Holiday & Home Parks Association ~ National Caravan Council ~ Guidance on unfair terms in holiday caravan agreements ~ 'A fair pitch for your caravan'
MoJ: The Legal Services Complaints Commissioner has published a Special Report critical of the Legal Complaints Service's (LCS) handling of Coal Health Compensation complaints. The report is the result of a second investigation the Office of the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner's audit team has undertaken within an 18-month period into the LCS's handling of Coal Health Compensation complaints.
The findings contained in this report show that different financial outcomes are being achieved for miners depending on a bewildering array of variables including whether a Member of Parliament is involved, the LCS caseworker handling the complaint and the co-operation of the solicitor's firm being complained about. Administrative failures and ineffective management controls have contributed to the problem of sick miners and their dependants losing out on financial compensation.
Press release ~ Office of Legal Services Complaints Commissioner ~ Special Report critical of the Legal Complaints Service's (LCS) handling of Coal Health Compensation complaints ~ July 2006 report
ScotGov: The Scottish Government has given its backing to Green MSP Patrick Harvie's proposal for a Sentencing of Offences Aggravated by Prejudice (Scotland) Bill. The legislation will be taken forward early this year as a handout Member's Bill.
The Scottish Government proposes to extend statutory aggravations where a crime is motivated by hostility or ill will towards a victim based on their actual or presumed sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability.
Press release ~ Working Group on Hate Crime Report ~ Working Group on Hate Crime ~ Capability Scotland ~ Scotland’s hate crime catch-up — Disability Now ~ Stonewall Scotland ~ Equality Network
ScotGov: Modifications to the Emergency Workers Act have approved by the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee. The Scottish Government made a commitment to extend the Act to enhance the protection provided to NHS staff and extend it to GPs, other doctors, nurses and midwives working in the community.
This extension to the Act is intended to provide additional protection for GPs, nurses and midwives working in the community and to send out a strong message that violence against any healthcare worker is unacceptable and will not go unpunished".
ScotGov: Scottish Ministers have asked officials to begin work on hosting a firearms summit (at the earliest practicable date) to identify how best to reform the law on firearms, including air weapons - ensuring that the view of all of those with an interest will be represented and a clear plan for progress developed.
Mr MacAskill has written to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith inviting the UK Government to jointly host the event - involving gun control campaigners, rural & shooting groups, law enforcement and other interests.
