Review of the law and powers to deal with unauthorised caravan sites and developments
This joint consultation – carried out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice – covers police and local authority powers, court processes, government guidance, the provision of legal sites and the impact on settled and nomadic communities. The consultation will run until 15 June 2018.
Improving the home buying and selling process: summary of responses to the Call for Evidence and government response
This consultation outcome comprises a summary of the responses to the home buying and selling call for evidence, and the measures to be taken by government in response.
New sentencing guidelines for arson and criminal damage proposed
The Sentencing Council has published proposed new guidelines covering arson and criminal damage offences. The consultation is seeking views on various areas of the draft guidelines, including culpability and harm factors and the proposed sentence levels. Following the consultation, a definitive guideline will be drawn up. The consultation will run until 28 June 2018.
Countries where you can enforce child maintenance decisions
The list of countries with Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders (REMO) for decisions made by courts in the UK, ie, where parents can apply to enforce or change a child maintenance decision has been updated.
Sentencing Council publishes new guideline on domestic abuse
A new domestic abuse sentencing guideline has been published. ‘Overarching principles: domestic abuse definitive guideline’ identifies the principles relevant to the sentencing of cases involving domestic abuse, outlines how the seriousness of offences should be assessed, and highlights other factors that should be taken into account.
Family proceedings: parents with a learning disability
Guidance issued by the President of the Family Division primarily to draw attention to the guide ‘Good practice guidance on working with parents with a learning disability’.
Practice Guidance: First-tier Tribunal (Health Education and Social Care Chamber). Appeals against statements of special educational needs
This Practice Guidance is issued by the Chamber President to offer guidance to tribunal judicial office holders and to tribunal users about the practice to be adopted in relation to the hearing of appeals in respect of statements of special educational needs in the First-tier Tribunal (Health Education and Social Care Chamber) after 31 March 2018.
Government to professionalise the estate agent market
New measures, announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, will be introduced to professionalise the estate agent market, driving up standards and bringing an end to ‘rogue managing agents’ .
Protecting consumers in the letting and managing agent market: Government response
Sets out the government’s response and proposed approach for a new regulatory framework for letting and managing agents.