Legal News Round-Up – October 2023

Law Articles From Around the Web This Month…

In the first of a new feature, we’re going to provide a round-up of articles relating for across the web from the last month.

Focusing on criminal law, motoring law, sexual offences and regulatory law, we’ll keep you abreast of the big cases, law changes and latest legal features.

Legal Commentators express concerns over the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.

The Law Gazette have this week published an article expressing concern over the impact of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act – with concerns that serious loopholes aren’t being addressed by the former Lord Chancellor – Sir Robert Buckland MP – leading unscrupulous firms to exploit the opportunities these loopholes present. 

On the other side of argument, leading fraud experts were concerned that the level of increased compliance and obligations would lead to increased risk for operating in the UK – leading to larger corporate businesses looking elsewhere. 

To read the full article on the Law Gazette website click here.

Online Safety Bill

Greater safeguarding measures have been introduced to help protect children – and adult – internet users. 

The Online Safety Bill has become law – meaning companies have a greater obligation to protect younger internet – including taking measures to prevent them entirely from viewing content they shouldn’t – such as pornography. 

As part of whole host of stringent measures, the bill will also help bereaved parents access details from companies the information they hold about their children. 

It isn’t without it’s friction however, with concerns from message encryption giants WhatsApp threatening to pull out of the UK if they feel their ability to protect messages is compromised. 

You can read the full article on the BBC website by clicking here.

Pro-Palestinian protests raise calls for clarification over Hate Crime Law. 

Again from the BBC, and in the Commons this month a heated debate surrounding clarification of the Hate Crime Law emerged following arrests made at Pro-Palestinian protest marches over the course of the month. 

The main thrust of the debate seemed to centre around the use of the word “Jihad” on the protests, and whether it inferred pro-terrorist activity. 

With the whole terrible situation dominating the news headlines, this particular article is somewhat indicative of just how divisive the whole issue has become.

To read the article, click here.

New default speed limit of 20mph in Wales set to begin.

Despite recent protests, the “grace period” for those breaking the new 20mph default speed limit in Wales (which came into being back in September) is now over according to Lee Waters – the deputy minister in charge of the roll-out. 

In the ITV-X article, the minister also feels that the evidence suggests residents are already adapting to the new law, despite a petition being sent the Senedd (Welsh Government) with the highest number of signatures on in history.

You can read more about this in the article here.

And Finally – What Are The Laws Around Trick or Treating?

As it is the Halloween weekend, many will be out and about “trick or treating” with their children – at least I’d hope with the children! 

But are there any laws about knocking or rules around trick or treating which should be considered?

LBC’s website has put together an article which gives an insight into behaviour and your rights when it comes to trick or treating.

You can read this article here. 

How We Can Help

We are here to offer advice about any criminal, motoring, sexual offence or regulatory law cases. Please don’t hesitate to call us on 0161 477 1121 or email us for more information.