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NLJ this week: ‘Isolationist mindset’ on display in government’s approach to human rights

21 January 2022
Issue: 7963 / Categories: Legal News , Constitutional law , Human rights
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Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC laments the direction of travel of the UK government when it comes to human rights and turns his attention to the current Lord Chancellor’s stated views, in this week’s NLJ

In an excoriating piece, Bindman notes the government’s proposals for reforming the Human Rights Act 1998 ignores the advice of the Gross review, in fact ‘flatly contradicting Gross’s recommendations’.

He warns that, rather than wanting to remove weaknesses in the law, the government appears motivated by an ‘isolationist mindset at the very time when international commerce, climate change, the spread of disease, and even the very survival of life on the planet demand maximal commitment to international coordination and jurisdiction’.

Bindman writes: ‘The government must not throw away Britain’s long-established role as champion of the rule of law and human rights worldwide. The government’s retreat in the opposite direction is paradoxical. It betrays a proud tradition. It is inward-looking and isolationist.’ 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Freeths—Ruth Clare

Freeths—Ruth Clare

National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Partner appointed head of family team

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

Firm strengthens agriculture and rural affairs team with partner return

NEWS
Conveyancing lawyers have enjoyed a rapid win after campaigning against UK Finance’s decision to charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a recruitment drive for talented early career and more senior barristers and solicitors
Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)
The Solicitors Act 1974 may still underpin legal regulation, but its age is increasingly showing. Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Morrison-Hughes of the Association of Costs Lawyers argues that the Act is ‘out of step with modern consumer law’ and actively deters fairness
A Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruling has reopened debate on the availability of ‘user damages’ in competition claims. Writing in NLJ this week, Edward Nyman of Hausfeld explains how the CAT allowed Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen’s alternative damages case against Meta to proceed, rejecting arguments that such damages are barred in competition law
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