A hard hitting report carried out by the Legal Services Board has accused the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) of being institutionally racist and abusing powers to the detriment of solicitors from ethnic minorities. The Report goes on to accuse the SRA of offering impunity to many City firms have when breach of practice rules occurred,… Read More
A report by MP’s claims The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has a ‘long way to go’ as a regulator, despite the recent improvements. The report highlighted many previously reported criticisms, such as the lack of inspections carried out, failure to replace key members and the discontinuation of the whistleblowers helpline. Specialist community care lawyer Kelly… Read More
Here at Swain & Co. we were not surprised to hear the Liam Stacey had lodged an appeal to his 56 day imprisonment sentence. The sentence appeared harsh and highly led by the publicity that surrounds this case. District Judge John Charles had stated when sentencing, that “at the moment not just the footballer’s family,… Read More
HMIP Inspection Report was published yesterday (23 March 2012) revealing there were serious shortcomings in terms of self-harm and suicides, no work had been done with equality, and particularly ethnic minority prisoners who remain isolated at the prison. Perhaps the most serious, there was no real oversight of the use of force by prison officers.… Read More
It has been estimated that approximately 7% of the 900,000 Crown Court cases are subject to errors. This includes the possibility of cases being dropped inappropriately, it also means that some cases will be being unjustifiably brought to trial. Swain & Co recently handled a case where the CPS acted wholly inappropriately and unlawfully in… Read More
Our Criminal Defence team at Swain and Co solicitors are committed to keeping up to date with criminal cases worldwide which may change the face of the criminal justice system and establish trends in relation to youth justice. Amy Groves says; “As criminal defence specialists it is always interesting to look at rulings in other… Read More
Housing Benefit Ruling Landlords are not party to tenants’ housing benefit appeals. This was the outcome of a hearing in the Court of Appeal, the decision from which was published on 28th March 2012. Specialist housing solicitor Kelly Evans of Swain & Co said, “Salisbury Independent Living Ltd. had sought to bring appeals against decisions… Read More
Legal Aid reforms challenged The government has suffered two further defeats over its planned legal aid reforms. Peers have voted in favour of amendments to retain funding for children and young people. Samantha Lee, a Partner and specialist Family and Childcare lawyer at Swain & Co said, “I welcome this development as it is… Read More
Swain & Co supports calls for tougher regulations on hair dye companies The cosmetics industry will soon find out whether Brussels will place regulations on the use of hair dyes. Melanie Lidstone-Land, a specialist personal injury lawyer at Swain & Co says, “In the coming weeks a report from the European Commission’s scientific committee will… Read More
Swain & Co. Solicitors welcome the decision of the Supreme Court which opens the way for insurance claims for exposure to asbestos. Personal Injury specialist Vicki Wright says: “The Court ruled that insurance companies were liable if supplying insurance at the time that the employee was exposed to asbestos rather than when the symptoms appeared.… Read More
