header-logo header-logo

NLJ this week: Consenting adults?

17 September 2020
Issue: 7902 / Categories: Legal News , Mental health
printer mail-detail
The complex and sensitive law on capacity to have sexual relations, is examined in NLJ this week by barrister Laura Davidson, No5 Chambers

Davidson looks at the recent case of A Local Authority v JB [2020] EWCA Civ 735, which concerned a man with difficulties in social interactions due to his Asperger’s Syndrome. He had a tendency to send inappropriate and sexually explicit and/or harassing messages to women and, due to a high risk he would commit a sexual assault, he received 1:1 supervision outside his supported living placement. He had been assessed by a clinical psychologist as unable to understand the concept of consent. However, the Court of Protection held that he did have capacity for sexual relations.    

Davidson covers the case, the appeal and the courts' reasoning throughout, and concludes with a three-page table summarising the key points of all the cases mentioned in the judgment.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Sports, education and charities practice welcomes senior associate

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Partner and head of commercial litigation joins in Chelmsford

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Firm strengthens Glasgow corporate practice with partner hire

NEWS
One in five in-house lawyers suffer ‘high’ or ‘severe’ work-related stress, according to a report by global legal body, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
The Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO’s) plea for a budget increase has been rejected by the Law Society and accepted only ‘with reluctance’ by conveyancers
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
back-to-top-scroll