HLPA’s response to the MoJ consultation paper on reform of the County Courts has been submitted and can be read here [link to .doc file].
Consultations
District Heating Charges consultation response
In response to threatened Judicial Review proceedings by Pierce Glynn, the DCLG agreed to a consultation on tenant’s liability for district (or block) heating charges levied by a local authority. Such charges are not challengeable as a service charge under s.18-25 Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 by reason of s.26. Further, Housing Act 1985 s.105 provided for regulations to be made to require such service charges to be calculated and levied reasonably. No such regulations have been made. Tenants of a local authority therefore have no way to challenge the reasonableness of the charge for district heating levied, or its [... read more]
County Court consultation
As if the proposed implementation of the Jackson reforms wasn’t enough, the MoJ has issued a consultation on reforming the County Court system. Amongst the highlights, raising the small claims limit to £15,000 from £5,000, compulsory mediation for small claims and compulsory discussion of mediation for other claims.
The consultation document is here. Closing date 30 June 2011.
HLPA response on reform of civil litigation costs
HLPA’s response to the consultation on the reform of civil litigation costs (after Jackson) was sent to the MoJ on 14 February 2011. This is particularly important for HLPA memebers in view of the proposals on disrepair CFA funding and costs shifting in other areas.
A copy of the response can be downloaded here [doc]
Legal Aid Reforms Response
HLPA’s response to the consultation on Legal Aid reforms was sent to the Ministry of Justice today, 14 February 2011.
A copy of the response can be downloaded here [doc]
Legal Aid reform response draft
The first draft of HLPA’s response to the consultation on legal aid reform is now available for suggested additions and amendments in the member’s forum.
The final response has to be sent to the MoJ for 14 February 2011, so please add any views or suggestions in the forum as soon as possible, to give time to finish off what is a lengthy document.
Thanks to all who have drafted sections (in no particular order): William Ford, Ian Greenidge, Giles Peaker, Katie Brown, Erica French, Viv Gambling, Robert Latham and HLPA junior members. And thanks to James Harrison for putting it [... read more]
Civil Litigation costs consultation – notes for discussion
Robert Latham is overseeing the HLPA response to the consultation on reform of civil litigation costs and funding. The closing date is 14 February 2011.
Running in parallel with the legal aid reform consultation, this is a vital issue for access to justice for clients in the future won’t be able to access legal aid funding, and for continued viability for practitioners.
Robert has prepared a briefing note on the proposals, which can be downloaded here [doc]. Responses are asked for as soon as possible to enable the full consultation response to be prepared and submitted. Responses should be sent to [... read more]
A Fairer Future for Social Housing – Response
HLPA’s response to the ‘Fairer Future’ consultation document on Social Housing has been sent to the DCLG on 17 January 2011. The response can be read here [doc]
Social Housing reform consultation details
The DCLG consultation [link to PDF] entitled ‘A Fairer future for Social Housing’ is due for responses by 17 January 2010 and the proposals are to be included in the Localism Bill for February. The forum for members’ to discuss the proposals is here. David Watkinson’s summary of the proposals follows.
This consultation paper can easily be obtained from the DCLG website. It is 58 pages. The proposals are contained between pages 19-50. It is intended that they will become part of the [... read more]
Equalities Office Consultation
“Equality Act 2010: The public sector Equality Duty: Promoting equality through transparency”
HLPA’s response 15/11/2010