EU Referendum - Voter Registration - A nightmare of a paper chase!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATPhL2gwHtOhavcB26a8_kI9vQoWApG9eminbW1_e57GRCVYJzEIhxWE0hpBTLm0wWFBMva5hyVCdjJoZAYOXlwhHEpU4OPSWC90_YcwZ6p0KiwbQyc73GXoNXPBXnUri8a1wOwvvnQ9V/s1600/Kinder+Downfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATPhL2gwHtOhavcB26a8_kI9vQoWApG9eminbW1_e57GRCVYJzEIhxWE0hpBTLm0wWFBMva5hyVCdjJoZAYOXlwhHEpU4OPSWC90_YcwZ6p0KiwbQyc73GXoNXPBXnUri8a1wOwvvnQ9V/s200/Kinder+Downfall.jpg" width="200"></a></div> I had planned to do a walk today: fresh air and exercise and all that.  Unfortunately, the weather turned dull with bouts of heavy rain so I abandoned the idea of the walk.  I suppose that I could have found something better to do but I ended up delving into the law behind Voter Registration for the EU Referendum.  Get a life I hear you say!  OK - but it demonstrated what an absolute mess our statute law is in.<br> <br> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br>

EU Referendum - Voter Registration - A nightmare of a paper chase!

I had planned to do a walk today: fresh air and exercise and all that.  Unfortunately, the weather turned dull with bouts of heavy rain so...

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Lord Judge ~ Ceding power to the Executive

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjRLi-a-tkxd18cmyY-eZ349j7BOqpsUMouTnLy02vzkiTpbO2o1n5SdqUhYmXTkKOECJ2gNAYzIAS2HiP8kxi2jgByM-f0Vi9akekqcKYYFtyMYoosfcs_gnEy8Bpf7rqB1Q7ePpAd3w/s1600/Lord+Judge+and+Henry+VIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjRLi-a-tkxd18cmyY-eZ349j7BOqpsUMouTnLy02vzkiTpbO2o1n5SdqUhYmXTkKOECJ2gNAYzIAS2HiP8kxi2jgByM-f0Vi9akekqcKYYFtyMYoosfcs_gnEy8Bpf7rqB1Q7ePpAd3w/s200/Lord+Judge+and+Henry+VIII.jpg" width="200"></a></div> Most members of the public would be surprised to learn that Parliament frequently hands to Ministers massive powers to make legislation.  The outcome is an enormous volume of material and that is, in itself, a cause for concern.  Whilst Parliament exercises some controls over this "Ministerial legislation" it is more often than not quite minimal.  Even more concern arises from the insertion of Henry VIII provisions into many Acts of Parliament.  Here is a brief look at the issue.<br>

Lord Judge ~ Ceding power to the Executive

Most members of the public would be surprised to learn that Parliament frequently hands to Ministers massive powers to make legislation.  ...

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British Citizens Overseas ~ Voting in the EU Referendum

<h5> </h5> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxT-VDBckQoBYNlDGiBIUjXIE1IBLOWpTXmbceddmjDkf4xm_75KjUnnl6a-w_OBW6vTDgJOuQ_R1usvh_ErqH-Rj3O6LcxkXAnDJPoQ03slJP3GALMWEwpvoWRP35tSL5T8OGx3fs7V4/s1600/Shindler+and+voting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxT-VDBckQoBYNlDGiBIUjXIE1IBLOWpTXmbceddmjDkf4xm_75KjUnnl6a-w_OBW6vTDgJOuQ_R1usvh_ErqH-Rj3O6LcxkXAnDJPoQ03slJP3GALMWEwpvoWRP35tSL5T8OGx3fs7V4/s200/Shindler+and+voting.jpg" width="200"></a></div> Today, the Supreme Court considered whether to give permission for an appeal in the EU Referendum Voting Rights case of R (Shindler and another) v Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and another.  Permission to appeal was refused and <a href="https://www.supremecourt.uk/news/permission-to-appeal-decision-24-may-2016.html">these brief reasons</a> handed down.<br> <br> <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/36/section/2/enacted">Section 2 of the EU Referendum Act 2015</a> deals with who may vote in the referendum - principally they are those who would be entitled to vote as electors at a parliamentary election in any constituency.<br> <br>

British Citizens Overseas ~ Voting in the EU Referendum

Today, the Supreme Court considered whether to give permission for an appeal in the EU Referendum Voting Rights case of R (Shindler and ...

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CCRC Statement following R v Jogee

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M7pVxl3r0YxH-o6JtZDu0N354Cqe28n1TDSPUCiXnHlXBXzDGF5EXqLjWxN4D7747VoAk7WkF22vFJbImOoz4PsvwXKLyq_NyUaeeZt6p3OAU3se4daanWcnkLKE2dHSBDqbsdKjDaeP/s1600/CCRC+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M7pVxl3r0YxH-o6JtZDu0N354Cqe28n1TDSPUCiXnHlXBXzDGF5EXqLjWxN4D7747VoAk7WkF22vFJbImOoz4PsvwXKLyq_NyUaeeZt6p3OAU3se4daanWcnkLKE2dHSBDqbsdKjDaeP/s200/CCRC+Logo.png" width="200"></a></div> As a consequence of the decision of the Supreme Court of the UK in R v Jogee, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has <a href="http://www.ccrc.gov.uk/the-ccrc-joint-enterprise-and-the-judgment-in-the-case-of-ameen-jogee/">issued this statement</a>.  The statement notes that there may be a "significant impact on the number of applications received by the CCRC" but also notes that "the decision will affect other cases only in very specific circumstances."<br> <br> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br>

CCRC Statement following R v Jogee

As a consequence of the decision of the Supreme Court of the UK in R v Jogee, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has issued this ...

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UK and the EU (12) - Final post of this series

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdGKI7NTkuJ77ImynHzS-Cx3vKy7kJsdua3xoUZbktc2WzJ0B1-smY_IbrxIZXlwJ3cZhqYtyY9F4qbdFoK90oLE49Sy0hnbrjDxndMPKTsTppoxypHsbquAToltc4NIpiLG1utQ1ZU_a/s1600/EU+referendum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdGKI7NTkuJ77ImynHzS-Cx3vKy7kJsdua3xoUZbktc2WzJ0B1-smY_IbrxIZXlwJ3cZhqYtyY9F4qbdFoK90oLE49Sy0hnbrjDxndMPKTsTppoxypHsbquAToltc4NIpiLG1utQ1ZU_a/s200/EU+referendum.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->On Thursday 23rd June, the United Kingdom will make its decision in the EU Referendum: Remain or Leave.  This series of 12 posts and an earlier post (<a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/brexit-referendum-few-points.html">Brexit ~ referendum ~ a few points</a>) are an attempt to present factual information to assist with what is undoubtedly a most difficult decision about the future of our nation.<br /><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />I spent a considerable amount of midnight oil writing a longer piece setting out my view and the reasons for it.  It was an interesting exercise but it led me to the conclusion that it is not the role of a law blog to seek to persuade anyone to vote one way or the other.  I have therefore settled for setting down the links to the main official information issued by government and Parliament as well as links to the earlier posts in this series.<br /><br />Above all, cast your vote.  As Abraham Lincoln said - "Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”  <br /><br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>The main official information:</b></i></span><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /><br />The results of the Prime Minister's negotiations with EU leaders are set out in <a href="http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/02/19-euco-conclusions/">European Council Conclusions of 18 and 19 February 2016.</a>  This "deal" will only apply if the UK referendum is in favour of the UK remaining a member.  This <a href="https://www.slaughterandmay.com/media/2535330/brexit-essentials-renegotiation-of-the-uk-relationship-with-the-eu.pdf">analysis by Slaughter and May </a>takes a useful look at the deal.  <br /><br />The Referendum Act 2015 required that certain material be published to inform the referendum -<br /><br /><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-best-of-both-worlds-the-united-kingdoms-special-status-in-a-reformed-european-union">The best of both worlds: the UK's special status in a reformed EU</a><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/504604/Alternatives_to_membership_-_possible_models_for_the_UK_outside_the_EU.pdf">Alternatives to membership: possible models for the UK outside the EU</a> </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rights-and-obligations-of-european-union-membership">Rights and Obligations of EU Membership</a></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Parliament has published </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">- <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/eu-referendum/">The UK's EU Referendum 2016 explained</a> and  <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/commons/commonslibrary/commons-library-news/eu-referendum-page/">EU Referendum: impartial information to help you decide</a> and - <a href="http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7213">Impact of an EU exit in key UK policy areas </a></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/review-of-the-balance-of-competences">Balance of Competencies Review</a> conducted between July 2012 and December 2014 produced 32 reports.   This was an extensive examination of most key policy areas.  It looked at what the EU does and how it affects the UK. </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>: Earlier posts in this series :</b></span></span></div><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"> </span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br /><br />20th February - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/brexit-referendum-few-points.html">Brexit ~ referendum ~ a few points</a> - including link to the deal secured by the Prime Minister <br /><br />UK and the EU (1) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-1-history-and-background.html">History and Background</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (2) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-2-eu-treaties-key-points.html">The EU Treaties - key points</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (3) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-3-parliament-commission-and.html">The Parliament, the Commission and the Court</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (4) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-4-freedom-of-movement-of.html">Freedom of movement of persons</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (5) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-5-referendum-people-need.html">Referendum - People need facts not slogans (Lord King)</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (6) -<a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-6-will-brexit-be-simple.html">Will Brexit be a simple process?</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (7) -<a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/uk-and-eu-7-your-rights.html">Your Rights</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (8) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/uk-and-eu-8-trading-bloc-or-emergent.html">Trading bloc or emergent State </a><br /><br />UK and the EU (9) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/uk-and-eu-9-monumental-referendum.html">A monumental referendum - information to assist</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (10) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/uk-and-eu-10-what-if-it-is-brexit.html">What if it is Brexit </a><br /><br />UK and the EU (11) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/uk-and-eu-11-more-on-what-if-it-is.html">The event horizon approaches - What if it is Brexit</a><br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

UK and the EU (12) - Final post of this series

On Thursday 23rd June, the United Kingdom will make its decision in the EU Referendum: Remain or Leave.  This series of 12 posts and an earl...

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The Baronetcy of Pringle of Stichill ~ Reference under Judicial Committee Act 1833 s.4

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXi5IJZEVi6cIiy_FuepFE6zyoIOG3MBp3ySM5C4jhKDPFxgB3fg4Le1FhbfkEuBCvks9iapCdUv9-h9oj9YhbzSBugImYv8p_H3JDzSErnkSg_JHsNdQTE4DQoUeKNBmF6Nr5gRal9hbN/s1600/Pringle_of_Stichill_arms.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXi5IJZEVi6cIiy_FuepFE6zyoIOG3MBp3ySM5C4jhKDPFxgB3fg4Le1FhbfkEuBCvks9iapCdUv9-h9oj9YhbzSBugImYv8p_H3JDzSErnkSg_JHsNdQTE4DQoUeKNBmF6Nr5gRal9hbN/s200/Pringle_of_Stichill_arms.svg.png" width="181" /></a></div><span style="color: red;"><b>Updated 20th June:</b></span><br /><br />On Monday 20th June, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council will give its advice to Her Majesty in the Pringle Baronetcy reference - see <a href="https://www.jcpc.uk/cases/jcpc-2015-0079.html">Judicial Committee website</a>.  On the 10th of November 2014, HM The Queen made a reference to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council under section 4 of the Judicial Committee Act 1833 so as to obtain the Opinion of the Committee as to which of the Applicant (Norman Murray Pringle) or Respondent (Simon Robert Pringle) should be entered on the Official Roll of the Baronetage in respect of the Baronetcy of Stichill.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/a-legal-rarity.html">Previous post 14th October 2015</a>.<br /><br />The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has advised Her Majesty that Norman Murray should be enrolled as the Baronet - <b><a class="more" href="https://www.jcpc.uk/cases/docs/jcpc-2015-0079-judgment.pdf" title="Judgment (PDF)">Judgment (PDF)</a> and </b><b><a class="more" href="https://www.jcpc.uk/cases/docs/jcpc-2015-0079-press-summary.pdf" title="Press summary (PDF)">Press summary (PDF)</a></b>

The Baronetcy of Pringle of Stichill ~ Reference under Judicial Committee Act 1833 s.4

Updated 20th June: On Monday 20th June, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council will give its advice to Her Majesty in the Pringle Baron...

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UK and the EU (11) - The event horizon approaches - What if it is Brexit

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnsjZRcafnHY_wSm3f_UhfC9Ce7gohyphenhyphenxbp0R1KYHbm3VnaReTFxfnk9VAfuaU_IxLh5gCBiINe0vTlGpLkpb31kOeIWEIB4ProbFg4lWW8-VYP4rdMeMvjJmHr9INSgBkZgekrPRTy8hU/s1600/Event+horizon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnsjZRcafnHY_wSm3f_UhfC9Ce7gohyphenhyphenxbp0R1KYHbm3VnaReTFxfnk9VAfuaU_IxLh5gCBiINe0vTlGpLkpb31kOeIWEIB4ProbFg4lWW8-VYP4rdMeMvjJmHr9INSgBkZgekrPRTy8hU/s200/Event+horizon.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA53l7AG7Pg">Event Horizon</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Suppose that the outcome of the EU Referendum is Leave.  The UK will then start its journey along Brexit Road - a road without any detailed road map.  This post takes a somewhat speculative look at some of the matters that might arise along the way.  First of all, a couple of points of law:<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />1.   The referendum result does <u><b>NOT</b></u> bind the UK government or Parliament in law.  There is nothing in this Referendum Act (or elsewhere) to require - <u>as a matter of law</u> - the government or Parliament to either do anything at all or to do any particular thing.  For further discussion on this point see the article by David Allen Green in the Financial Times (£) - <a href="http://blogs.ft.com/david-allen-green/2016/06/14/can-the-united-kingdom-government-legally-disregard-a-vote-for-brexit/">Can the UK government legally disregard a vote for Brexit</a>?<br /><br />2.   The Treaty on European Union (TEU) <a href="http://www.lisbon-treaty.org/wcm/the-lisbon-treaty/treaty-on-European-union-and-comments/title-6-final-provisions/137-article-50.html">Article 50</a>  sets out the ground rules for withdrawal.  Art 50(1) - "Any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements."<br /><br />So, what are the constitutional requirements in the UK?  Since this referendum result will not, in domestic law, bind the government or Parliament it would seem that Parliament ought to somehow endorse the result.  Unless that is done there may not actually be a "Decision" for the purposes of Article 50.<br /><br />The formal process set out in Article 50 does not begin until the British government gives notice to the European Council.  The notice would trigger everything including the 2 year (possibly extendable) timescale as set out in the Article - see Art 50(3).  Precisely what constitutes "notice to the European Council" seems not to be specified but it probably requires a formal communique of some sort from the British government to the European Council President.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>The process of leaving - some issues arising:</b></i></span><br /><br /><u>Things would undoubtedly be very tricky POLITICALLY</u> and there would be much to do <u><b>BEFORE</b></u> any formal Article 50 notice of Brexit is given to the EU.   <br /><br />1.   The government will have to respond in an appropriate way to the Brexit vote.  That will require a sensible withdrawal plan setting out clearly the steps to be taken.  There would be little point posting a letter straightaway to the European Council giving notice of withdrawal as required by <a href="http://www.lisbon-treaty.org/wcm/the-lisbon-treaty/treaty-on-European-union-and-comments/title-6-final-provisions/137-article-50.html">Article 50</a> (TEU). All that would do is kick start the withdrawal process without any clear idea of how the process would be conducted.  The government would do well to take a sensible period (say 6 months or so) to <u>establish and consult </u>about such a withdrawal plan.<br /><br />2.   Parliament itself may feel the need to assert its right to be consulted at all stages.  That might entail some form of Parliamentary Committee being established to monitor and report on events as they unfold. <br /><br />3.   Talks with the EU about the withdrawal process would be essential and these should take place <u>before</u> any notice is given under Article 50.  That would enable both sides to have a clear understanding of the process to be followed.<br /><br />Article 50(2) requires that an agreement shall be negotiated in accordance with <a href="http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12008E218&from=EN">Article 218</a>(3) of the TFEU and it shall be concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council, acting by a qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.<br /><br />Article 218 TFEU sets out a procedure for negotiation of agreements: - "The Commission, ........, shall submit recommendations to the Council, which shall adopt a decision authorising the opening of negotiations and, depending on the subject of the agreement envisaged, nominating the Union negotiator or the head of the Union's negotiating team" - [Art 281(3) with some words omitted].<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">In passing, it can be noted that Art 218(11) provides that<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> a Member State, the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission may obtain the opinion of the Court of Justice as to whether an agreement envisaged is compatible with the Treaties.</span><br /><br /></div>4.   A further point is Art 50(4) which would operate to exclude the UK from certain discussions in the European Council including any decision on whether to extend the 2 year timescale.  Particular clarity would be required on the matter of participation.  Crucially, this could make it very difficult (if not impossible) for the UK to assume the <a href="http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/council-eu/presidency-council-eu/">EU Council Presidency</a> planned for July 2017.<br /><br />5.  Before giving formal notice, the UK would have to have some clear idea about whatever trading and other arrangements it wanted to have with the EU in the future.  Similarly, the European Union would need to have a clear view as to what it was prepared to accept.  At least that would form a starting point for Brexit negotiations.<br /><br />6.  Before giving formal notice the British government would have to have a very clear understanding of the position of the devolved governments in the UK.  As an example, if the referendum result was a Brexit majority in England but not in Scotland then what would happen?  Even to ask such a question is to get a glimpse of the Pandora's Box which may open.<br /><br />7.  Would the approval of Parliament be required before giving formal notice of withdrawal?<br /><br />Article 50 is not in play here since the Article states that "Any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union <u>in accordance with its own constitutional requirements</u>."<br /><br />Negotiations to enter into a new Treaty are normally the province of Ministers who negotiate under prerogative powers (see <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/243164/7239.pdf">Ministry of Justice Consultation Paper 26/2007</a>).  Parliament is involved in the ratification of treaties - see <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/25/part/2">Part 2 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010</a>.<br /><br />Negotiations about withdrawal from the EU Treaties would be conducted by (or on behalf of) Ministers.  Parliament would inevitably become involved since the European Communities Act 1972 would have to be repealed (and replaced with appropriate new legislation).<br /><br /><br />At least, all of this seems to point to a political need to obtain the approval of Parliament before entering into formal negotiations.   In any event, Parliament would expect to have its say on the outcome of any talks with the EU prior to the time of formal notice. <br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Could the UK give notice under Article 50 but rescind the notice later?</b></i></span><br /><br />Art 50(5) - If a State which has withdrawn from the Union asks to rejoin, its request shall be subject to the procedure referred to in Article 49.<br /><br />It seems that there is nothing legally to prevent the UK rescinding its notice to quit but it is a moot point whether this situation would ever arise.  It appears that it would be a matter for agreement between the UK government and the EU. <br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Could a Brexit Vote lead to a General Election?</b></i></span><br /><br />One possibility is that the Prime Minister resigns having been unable to win his Remain argument.  The most recent Prime Ministerial resignation is that of Tony Blair in 2007.  HM The Queen appointed Gordon Brown as Prime Minister and he held the office until the General Election in 2010.  Thus, a Prime Ministerial resignation does not trigger a General election.  (Whether it should do so is another issue).<br /><br />The Fixed-Term Parliaments Act (FTPA) determines when there may be another General Election.  The FTPA is discussed in <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/uk-and-eu-10-what-if-it-is-brexit.html">UK and the EU - No. 10</a><br /><br />Essentially, the next election will be in May 2020 unless a general election is called because one of the procedures in <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/14/section/2/enacted">section 2 of the FTPA</a> is applied.  These are basically - (1) that the House of Commons votes for an early election (note the two-thirds requirement) or (2) that there is a successful motion of no confidence in the government and that is not reversed within 14 days.  Parliament cannot be otherwise dissolved.<br /><br />The only other way to a General Election would be for Parliament to repeal the FTPA and, as part of doing so, put other arrangements in its place.  (Note: I do not think that simple repeal of the FTPA would result in a return to the "Prime Minister can call the shots" system that existed before the FTPA though Parliament could legislate for such a system). <br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Could a Brexit vote be ignored or not acted upon?</b></i></span><br /><br />It would be politically impossible to simply ignore a Brexit vote.  The more likely approach will be that Ministers will enter into talks with the EU - (<u>not at this point formal negotiations</u>) - to see what the EU position is.  Similarly, they will see what the view of the devolved governments is.<br /><br />It is quite possible to envisage scenarios where the government (or Parliament) might think that the result was not decisive enough. An article <a href="https://constitution-unit.com/2016/04/28/in-the-event-of-a-leave-vote-brexit-would-dominate-westminster-for-years/">by Lord Lisvane (a former Clerk of the House of Commons)</a> and published by the Constitution Unit suggests this possibility -<br /><br />"If the result is narrow and the turnout is low then the possibilities become a lot more complicated. Remember that the outcome of the Scottish independence referendum was 55.3 per cent No, 44.7 per cent Yes, on an extremely high turnout of 84.59 per cent. If the result on June 23 was, say, 51 to 49 in favour of Leave on a turnout of 55 per cent then that would move quite a lot of goalposts – especially if Scotland had voted to stay and England to leave. The Prime Minister could say that such a result is not sufficiently decisive and so we will negotiate heads of agreement on withdrawal, and then have a second referendum to decide whether to trigger the exit process on that basis."<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>How would Brexit itself be handled?</b></i></span><br /><br />Legislation will be necessary to deal with the vast volume of legislation involved in the UK's membership of the EU.  The aim of any such legislation would be to implement the final withdrawal agreement by whatever date membership ceases.  It would not necessarily involve the removal from domestic law of everything linked to the EU since the withdrawal agreement will have to deal with the on-going UK-EU relationship.  It is perfectly possible to envisage a number of matters remaining in place such as the European Arrest Warrant system.<br /><br />To cope effectively with what is likely to be a lengthy and complicated process, it seems likely that Parliament will enact enabling legislation and leave it to Ministers to make implementing legislation.  I have a vision of yet another Act<a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/lord-judge-ceding-power-to-executive.html"> amounting to an enormous Henry VIII power</a> !<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Endpiece: </b></i></span><br /><br />Withdrawal from the EU will be a legally interesting process but it is potentially a nightmare politically.  The UK government would need to obtain the best possible deal for the British people.  The EU will obviously act (as it must) in its own best interests.  What those are in these circumstances must be a matter of speculation at the moment. <br /><br />Those who have read the above may well think that Brexit is a process best avoided.  Alternatively,   you may think that the difficulties are not insurmountable and that travelling along Brexit Road is necessary.   You might think either of those things - I cannot possibly comment!  <br />  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>: Earlier posts in this series :</b></span></span></div><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"> </span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br /><br />20th February - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/brexit-referendum-few-points.html">Brexit ~ referendum ~ a few points</a> - including link to the deal secured by the Prime Minister <br /><br />UK and the EU (1) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-1-history-and-background.html">History and Background</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (2) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-2-eu-treaties-key-points.html">The EU Treaties - key points</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (3) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-3-parliament-commission-and.html">The Parliament, the Commission and the Court</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (4) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-4-freedom-of-movement-of.html">Freedom of movement of persons</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (5) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-5-referendum-people-need.html">Referendum - People need facts not slogans (Lord King)</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (6) -<a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-and-eu-6-will-brexit-be-simple.html">Will Brexit be a simple process?</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (7) -<a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/uk-and-eu-7-your-rights.html">Your Rights</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (8) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/uk-and-eu-8-trading-bloc-or-emergent.html">Trading bloc or emergent State </a><br /><br />UK and the EU (9) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/uk-and-eu-9-monumental-referendum.html">A monumental referendum - information to assist</a><br /><br />UK and the EU (10) - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/uk-and-eu-10-what-if-it-is-brexit.html">What if it is Brexit </a><br />     <br /><br /><br />

UK and the EU (11) - The event horizon approaches - What if it is Brexit

Event Horizon Suppose that the outcome of the EU Referendum is Leave.  The UK will then start its journey along Brexit Road - a road without...

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Inquests - legal aid for families

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMySHPIpJU8b_XyE6D19kohMHEC23POlQ1l1KWgHbnXLpbVkDBTCnAXsvcqWxdScI1p3CYIOhWsHsfSbAFuCG9C5OeLPAmsK8U6D7o3cIvZiJaZGT8VD2JDvfF1Y17r58z6MMQZxHkci14/s1600/Coroner+Court+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMySHPIpJU8b_XyE6D19kohMHEC23POlQ1l1KWgHbnXLpbVkDBTCnAXsvcqWxdScI1p3CYIOhWsHsfSbAFuCG9C5OeLPAmsK8U6D7o3cIvZiJaZGT8VD2JDvfF1Y17r58z6MMQZxHkci14/s200/Coroner+Court+sign.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->An amendment to the <a href="http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2016-17/policingandcrime.html">Policing and Crime Bill</a> aimed at getting parity of representation for families at inquests failed in the House of Commons on 13th June.<br /><br />At the end of the debate Mr Andy Burnham MP said - "It is disappointing that the Government were not even able to accept the principle that we should have equal funding. It would have been a step forward if they had been able to do so. I understand that they are asking <a href="http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2016/04/bishop-james-jones-to-report-on-hillsborough-families-experience.aspx">Bishop James Jones to look at these matters</a>, but of course, this issue goes much broader than Hillsborough. It is about fairness in our criminal justice system, and I believe that the Government are missing an opportunity by not acting on it quickly. Quite frankly, it is obscene for police forces to continue to spend large amounts of money on hiring aggressive lawyers to challenge families in the way that they do at inquests. This scandal should not be allowed to continue, and we in the Opposition will continue to fight against it until there is real change.<span data-column-number="1598" id="1598"><span class="column-number">​"</span></span><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div class="hspara">The <a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2016-06-13/debates/1606138000001/PolicingAndCrimeBill">full debate is HERE</a> and the <a href="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2016-06-13a.1510.2&s=andy+reed">voting for individual members is HERE</a>.   The new clause 63 (now defeated) is set out below.  It would have made funding for legal representation dependent on a recommendation by the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Police Force under investigation.  This would hardly have been seen as satisfactory.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /><br />Lack of legal representation at most inquests is a very serious issue for families particularly when a public authority is amply represented.  <br /><br />The Policing and Crime Bill has now gone to the House of Lords where I hope that this matter will be revisited but with a view to providing funding for legal representation at inquests where ANY public authority is represented by lawyers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="hspara">New clause 63—<i>Police and Crime Commissioners: parity of funding between police and families at inquests—</i></div><div class="hspara">“(1) A police and crime commissioner has the duties set out in this section when the police force they are responsible for is a Properly Interested Person for the purposes of—</div><div class="hspara">(a) an inquest into the death of a member of an individual’s family, or</div><div class="hspara">(b) an inquest into the deaths of members of a group of families,</div><div class="hspara">under the Coroners Act 1988.</div><div class="hspara">(2) The police and crime commissioner must make recommendations to the Secretary of State as to whether the individual’s family or the group of families at the inquest require financial support to ensure parity of legal representation between parties to the inquest.</div><div class="hspara">(3) If a police and crime commissioner makes a recommendation under subsection (2) then the Secretary of State must provide financial assistance to the individual’s family or the <span data-column-number="1457" id="1457"><span class="column-number">​</span></span>group of families to ensure parity of funding between families and the police.</div><div class="hspara">(4) The individual’s family or the group of families may use funding authorised under this section solely for the purpose of funding legal representation at the inquest.”</div>

Inquests - legal aid for families

An amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill aimed at getting parity of representation for families at inquests failed in the House of Commo...

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Justice Committee - The Magistracy (2)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYSvOPzYRjuC8vDEH0SltM4LND1JdOkm8AnJ-8Jm7UQw2UFpTFbv8EM4EhT3H11LVlUzx_2xJrKMOT7cxFjnZk8rJ8mBU12D5aZ6UbURfzKrU0IqSWmUidUdQMoF4hfBjQ16K4n8TjSIL/s1600/Parliament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYSvOPzYRjuC8vDEH0SltM4LND1JdOkm8AnJ-8Jm7UQw2UFpTFbv8EM4EhT3H11LVlUzx_2xJrKMOT7cxFjnZk8rJ8mBU12D5aZ6UbURfzKrU0IqSWmUidUdQMoF4hfBjQ16K4n8TjSIL/s200/Parliament.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/justice-committee/">House of Commons Justice Committee</a> is conducting an <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/justice-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/role-of-the-magistracy-inquiry-15-16/">Inquiry into the Role of the Magistracy</a> and has concluded its evidence sessions.  The first of those sessions was covered in an earlier post on 24th March - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/justice-committee-magistracy.html">Justice Committee - The Magistracy</a>.  <br /><br />A <a href="http://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/eeae08d6-44a9-461a-857f-40f59cb9cd22">second session was held on 10th May</a> and this took evidence from six Magistrates.   The final <a href="http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/3ba47a7b-c776-4023-839a-9601150d674a">session was held on 7th June 2016</a> with evidence from the Magistrates' Association; the Senior Presiding Judge (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/people/lord-justice-fulford">Lord Justice Fulford</a>) and the Chief Magistrate (Mr Howard Riddle) and, finally, from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice (Mr Shailesh Vara MP).<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /><br />These sessions are reasonably lengthy but are worth watching for those seeking to be informed about the many issues confronting the Magistrates and the Magistrates' Courts.  This post does not seek to address all of those issues but they included whether Magistrates ought to specialise more; the relationship between Magistrates and District Judges (Magistrates' Courts); the new Single Justice Procedure; Court closures; Recruitment of Magistrates and Diversity; Sentencing Powers etc.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>The future?</b></i></span><br /><br />Perhaps we see through a glass darkly* as to what the future may hold.<br /><br />Clearly under consideration is a "Unified Criminal Court" and it seems that it will have "lay justices" as part of its judiciary though no details are available.  A similar "unification" process took place in the family jurisdiction with the creation in 2014 of the <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/the-family-court-for-england-and-wales.html">Family Court - Crime and Courts Act 2013.</a><br /><br />The Unified Criminal Court is referred to in the January 2015 Report by Sir Brian Leveson - <a href="https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/review-of-efficiency-in-criminal-proceedings-20151.pdf">Review of Efficiency in Criminal Proceedings</a> - (page 92).  <br /><br />It seems from the evidence given by Lord Justice Fulford that there is support within the senior judiciary for trial by jury for many lower level offences to be removed.  This may be linked with additional sentencing powers for Magistrates.  Limitation of trial by jury is essentially cost driven.  It is claimed that jury trial is expensive and that it can be disproportionate to the issues in the case.  For the moment I will leave that topic to one side and concentrate on another - Legal Aid.<br /><br />Legal Aid seems to have had no mention at all in the committee's sessions.  In the present legal system, criminal cases are either dealt with by the Magistrates' Court or by the Crown Court.  The rules to obtain legal aid differ between the two.  In the Magistrates' Court, legal aid will not be granted for representation unless the defendant meets BOTH a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criminal-legal-aid-means-testing">means test </a>AND an interests of justice test.  If more work is ever to be given to Magistrates then it is, I submit, vital that the whole question of legal aid for representation is reconsidered carefully since the issues in cases can be more complex and the consequences for individual defendants greater.  It was sad to observe a Parliamentary Committee talking about increasing the powers of Magistrates without also saying that legal aid needs to be examined.<br /><br />It is also rather surprising that the Justice Committee's evidence sessions did not look at the role of <a href="https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/jp-court/about-jp-courts">Justices of the Peace in Scotland</a> since those reforms may hold possibilities for England and Wales. <br /><br />* 1 Corinthians 13:12

Justice Committee - The Magistracy (2)

The House of Commons Justice Committee is conducting an Inquiry into the Role of the Magistracy and has concluded its evidence sessions.  ...

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Extending the Voter registration deadline

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRa6RBidrTIQelSR9bXgbtz7Obuooyt3XvRKc7PsMJ3Wm7-cG4NPzieYW6KZF-lsATzbg7stWoKX2MDv4mXeC6AvD8eQ3NYxWjkbhzTzSLZijSs_Db9suv-YYXNERzWrGilNZSp2vF3pF/s1600/Last+chance+to+register.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRa6RBidrTIQelSR9bXgbtz7Obuooyt3XvRKc7PsMJ3Wm7-cG4NPzieYW6KZF-lsATzbg7stWoKX2MDv4mXeC6AvD8eQ3NYxWjkbhzTzSLZijSs_Db9suv-YYXNERzWrGilNZSp2vF3pF/s200/Last+chance+to+register.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Update 10th June:</b></i></span>  The Regulations were approved by both Houses of Parliament on 9th June.  It seems likely that House of Commons will examine further the problems that arose.  See <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/636/pdfs/uksi_20160636_en.pdf">The Regulations</a> - "made" at 6.29 pm on Thursday 9th June.  Somewhat in excess of 400,000 people were added to the electoral register over 8th and 9th June.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Original post:</b></i></span><br /><br />Here is a link to the draft Regulations which are to be put to Parliament for approval today (9th June) - <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2016/9780111147405/pdfs/ukdsi_9780111147405_en.pdf">The European Union Referendum (Voter Registration) Regulations 2016</a>.   See also <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2016/june/mps-debate-european-union-voter-registration-regulations-2016/">House of Commons - Debate on Voter Registration Regulations</a>.<br /><br /><br />The power to make these Regulations is stated to be - sections 4(1) and (5), 9(5) and 11(1) of the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/36/contents/enacted">European Union Referendum Act 2015</a>.<br /><br />The reason for the extension (from midnight Tuesday 7th June to midnight Thursday 9th June) is that the computer system handling registrations was unable to cope with late demand on Tuesday evening - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36462425">BBC News 8th June</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Convoluted law-making:</b></i></span><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /><br />The UK does not have specific tailor-made legislation for referendums and so it has been necessary to legislate on each occasion that a national referendum has been held.  The process adopted (so far) is to apply existing electoral law to the referendum but with some changes where appropriate.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/36/section/4/enacted">Referendum Act 2015 section 4 </a>enables Ministers to make "Conduct Regulations" and permits those regulations to apply (with or without modifications) the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/2/contents">Representation of the People Act 1983</a> to the referendum.  <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2016/9780111142967/contents">The European Union Referendum (Conduct) Regulations 2016 </a>were duly made. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2016/9780111147405/pdfs/ukdsi_9780111147405_en.pdf">The European Union Referendum (Voter Registration) Regulations 2016</a> will amend <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2016/9780111142967/schedule/1">Schedule 1</a> (cut and paste technique) of the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2016/9780111142967/contents">The European Union Referendum (Conduct) Regulations 2016</a><br /><br />Individuals will have registered between midnight 7th June and the making of the Regulations.  Questions of retrospective legislation may arise.  Even if the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/30/section/4">Interpretation Act 1978</a>* ensures that registrations on 9th June are in order then it is possible that registrations on 8th June may not be covered.  However that may be legally, I cannot see anyone actually trawling the computer system to see who registered on 8th June - but you never know! <br /><br />For now, let's see how this goes!<br /><br /><i><u>Extra note 10th June</u></i> - Having said the above, the actual Voter Registrations Regulations were made at 16.29 hours on 9th June and they come into force (according to regulation 1) when they are made - i.e. 16.29 hours on 9th June.  This may mean that there is a legal gap between midnight 7th June and 16.29 on 9th.  Whether this will matter is a moot point but it's of interest.  On this see <a href="http://www.headoflegal.com/2016/06/09/the-draft-eu-voter-registration-regulations-2016/">Carl Gardner's Head of Legal blog 9th June 2016</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/faq/voting-and-registration/what-is-individual-electoral-registration">Individual Voter Registration explained</a><span style="color: red;"><i><b> </b></i></span><br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Footnote:</b></i></span><br /><br />*Section 4 states ....<br /><br />An Act or provision of an Act comes into force—<br /><br />(a)where provision is made for it to come into force on a particular day, at the beginning of that day;<br /><br />(b)where no provision is made for its coming into force, at the beginning of the day on which the Act receives the Royal Assent.<br /><br />This extends to subordinate legislation because of <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/30/section/23">section 23</a>. <br /><br /><br />

Extending the Voter registration deadline

Update 10th June:   The Regulations were approved by both Houses of Parliament on 9th June.  It seems likely that House of Commons will exam...

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Deepcut

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAx-7Zx6Avu5rbEQMhnxJGfKeoS3YgVrULYK0w2wZpHoGN62bMfAlxKu86fQep3zzlPgtuQ3oUOO45EOBkmbvZ1bYvK9K9bNu1FcrGMO1OLj59duWJBBv3jWSPTnV9J3Ew6nozexp9UZY/s1600/Deepcut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAx-7Zx6Avu5rbEQMhnxJGfKeoS3YgVrULYK0w2wZpHoGN62bMfAlxKu86fQep3zzlPgtuQ3oUOO45EOBkmbvZ1bYvK9K9bNu1FcrGMO1OLj59duWJBBv3jWSPTnV9J3Ew6nozexp9UZY/s200/Deepcut.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Update - Addendum 6th June 2016 </b></i></span><br /><br />Privates Sean Benton (died June 1995) - Cheryl James (died November 1995) - Geoff Gray (died September 2001) - James Collinson (died March 2002).  They were all at Deepcut Barracks and all died from gunshots - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35458611">BBC News 1st February 2016</a>. <br /><br />The website <a href="http://www.deepcut-the-truth.uk/category/articles/">Deepcut The Truth</a> has the following about each of the soldiers - <a href="http://www.deepcut-the-truth.uk/sean-benton/">Sean Benton</a> (5 wounds to his chest) - <a href="http://www.deepcut-the-truth.uk/cheryl-james/">Cheryl Jones</a> (a gunshot to the head) - <a href="http://www.deepcut-the-truth.uk/geoff-gray/">Geoff Gray</a> (two gunshots to the head) - <a href="http://www.deepcut-the-truth.uk/james-collinson/">James Collinson</a> - (a gunshot to the head).<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />An inquest into the death of Cheryl James has just ended.  <br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>This inquest was ordered by the High Court in 2014 and was conducted by Brian Barker QC (sitting as Nominated Coroner)- see the <a href="https://digitalpressoffice.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/final-james-inquest-conclusions-3-6-16-galley-copy.pdf">Inquest Factual Findings 3rd June 2016</a>.  The inquest was Article 2 compliant (see para 3.13).  Art 2 compliance has arisen from recognition at the highest levels of the judicial system that the European Convention on Human Rights requires States to look at the circumstances in which death occurred where authorities of the State (e.g. Police or the Military) may be involved.  In the words of the Coroner: "... the circumstances in which Ms James came by her death, as well as the means by which she died, must be considered and, at very least, any causative matters included in the record of inquest."  (Note also - <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/section/5">Coroners and Justice Act 2009 section 5</a>).<br /><br />The Coroner considered whether to make a report under <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1629/part/7/made">Regulation 28 of the Coroners (Investigation) Regulations 2013</a> but decided that it was not necessary given improvements already made but he noted that the Army "has still some way to go in changing attitudes and culture" (para 65.5).<br /><br />The death was recorded as suicide.  The circumstances were that Ms James was posted as a lone female guard contrary to Army Policy; the risk of self-harm to trainees during lone armed guard duty had not been adequately recognised nor had adequate steps been taken to reduce that risk.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Reaction of Cheryl James' parents:</b></i></span><br /><br />It is reported that Ms James' parents are disappointed at the outcome of the inquest and their statement makes serious criticisms - <a href="https://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/sites/default/files/Des%20final%20press%20STATEMENT%20JUNE%2003%2016%20V11.pdf">Statement by Cheryl James' parents</a> - and expresses the view that the "evidence did not lead to this verdict."  They find it deeply regrettable that the experiences of other young women and men were ruled out of scope at the inquest."<br /><br />Concern is expressed that "some individuals have been less than truthful" and it is noted that the Commanding Officer (at the time) of Deepcut continues to deny the extent of the problems and denies any responsibility for overseeing such a brutal and abusive environment.  Counsel for Surrey Police - Mr John Beggs QC - does not escape their criticism - " ... we found Mr Beggs' approach to be unnecessarily adversarial and unpleasant."  <br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> 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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Further inquiry?</b></i></span><br /><br />Former Chief of the General Staff General The <a href="https://www.royalarmouries.org/about-us/people/trustees/lord-dannatt">Lord Dannatt</a> agreed on TV that there should be an Inquiry into the Deepcut deaths - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uenVNrNIY_E">BBC Newsnight</a>. Lord Dannatt was CGS from 2006-9.<br /><br />In March 2006 a review conducted by Nicholas Blake QC reported - <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/228930/0795.pdf">The Deepcut Review</a> (508 pages).   Mr Blake made 34 recommendations but also recommended that a public inquiry was not necessary.  That would not of course prevent the Minister from establishing one and there appears to be a strong case for one to be held in order to understand matters such as how the culture at Deepcut developed and the extent to which bullying and sexual offences took place.  There is also a need for the public to be assured that the Army is now a better place for recruits that it was at Deepcut in the 1990s and early 2000s.<br /><br />The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/272303/6851.pdf">government's response to the Deepcut Review is available</a> and indicates that government accepted most of the recommendations and agreed that a Public Inquiry was not required (see para 8 of the government's response).<br /><br />It was disappointing to note that the response said - "Recommendation <span class="highlight selected">31 </span>(availability of legal representation for families at inquests) is not readily reconciled with the general character of inquests."  According to the government response, the reasoning behind that statement is that "an inquest is an inquisitorial, non-adversarial fact finding process of limited scope which does not make findings of civil or criminal liability."  Exceptional funding may be available and an application should certainly be considered if Article 2 may be engaged- see the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/civil-news-exceptional-funding-guidance-in-inquest-cases">Guidance issued in August 2015</a>.  The guidance followed on from the case of <a href="http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2015/402.html">Letts v Lord Chancellor </a>[2015] EWHC 402 (Admin).<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmdfence/63/6302.htm">Defence Select Committee's Third report of session 2004-5</a> is also highly relevant.   <br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Addendum 6th June 2016:</b></i></span><br /><br />The BBC programme (59 mins) - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07c6l27">Deepcut: The Army's shame</a> is available until about the end of June via iplayer.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/news/press-releases-and-statements/cheryl-james-verdict-liberty-calls-reform-tackle-pervasive">Statement by LIBERTY </a><br /><br />Liberty represents the families of three of the four young recruits who died at Deepcut between 1995 and 2002 – including Ptes Sean Benton and James Collinson – and will continue to seek the fresh inquests they and their families deserve. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/sites/default/files/Des%20final%20press%20STATEMENT%20JUNE%2003%2016%20V11.pdf">Statement by Cheryl James' parents </a><br /><br />The Telegraph - General Sir Nick Carter - <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/03/deepcut-tragedy-will-be-constant-reminder-of-the-debt-of-care-we/">Deepcut tragedy will be constant reminder of the debt of care we owe recruits </a>

Deepcut

Update - Addendum 6th June 2016  Privates Sean Benton (died June 1995) - Cheryl James (died November 1995) - Geoff Gray (died September 2001...

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A few items of legal interest

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgByT8xCuDXWlpTcNCi93AwCI4fWAFav8-I3eo9xHba9NslAz2Zy7DSPDvrt9LKGhxyT4qtj9XaerPV99NdZb-U5sdd9YtgBVChcYtAaduLKIA_Lk7s3-LxrvvthqrfshFpXqGAnHK00I/s1600/Pendle+summit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgByT8xCuDXWlpTcNCi93AwCI4fWAFav8-I3eo9xHba9NslAz2Zy7DSPDvrt9LKGhxyT4qtj9XaerPV99NdZb-U5sdd9YtgBVChcYtAaduLKIA_Lk7s3-LxrvvthqrfshFpXqGAnHK00I/s200/Pendle+summit.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Whilst the impending EU referendum is dominating the news, here are some other items of interest.<br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><div dir="ltr" lang="en">1) Excellent <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07cvlmb">BBC Law in Action on history of crimes against humanity and genocide as international crimes</a>. By Joshua Rozenberg. </div></blockquote>2) Julie Hambleton - The Justice Gap - <a href="http://thejusticegap.com/2014/05/hierarchy-justice-yewtree-birmingham-bombings/">The hierarchy of justice: why Yewtree but not the Birmingham bombings</a>?  .... and, it seems, <a href="http://news.sky.com/story/1705180/new-inquests-into-1974-birmingham-pub-bombings">New Inquests have been ordered</a>.    <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6jHGxZJe1Y">Video - Birmingham pub bombings: Inquests reopened.</a>   For a view that this can only lead to heartache see the article by Chris Mullin - <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/01/birmingham-bombings-inquest-only-bring-heartache">The Guardian 1st June 2016 </a><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />My post of 26th November 2014 - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/the-birmingham-pub-bombings-1974.html">The Birmingham Pub Bombings 1974 - another day that should live in criminal infamy.</a>  In that post I looked at the case, the trial, the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, various improvements to the law but cautioned against any complacency that miscarriages of justice cannot occur today.<br /><br />See also the website <a href="http://justice4the21.co.uk/">Justiceforthe21</a><br /><br />In <a href="http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKSC/2011/20.html">McCaughey</a> [2011] UKSC 20 the UK Supreme Court held (by a 6:1 majority) that, a Coroner holding an inquest must comply with the procedural obligation under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.  This applies even where the death occurred prior to the coming into force of the Human Rights Act 1998 (i.e. 2nd October 2000).  The McCaughey case arose from death in 1990 at the hands of British Forces in Northern Ireland.<br /><br />On the Coroner's decision to resume the inquests see the <a href="https://www.no5.com/news-and-publications/news/1416-nageena-khalique-qc-confirms-the-coroner-s-decision-in-the-birmingham-pub-bombing-inquests/">article by Nageena Khalique QC 1st June 2016</a>. The coroner held that the power to resume the inquest was preserved notwithstanding the changes in legislation between 1974 and 2016. It was held that the inquests were suspended and the requisite power to resume the inquest was preserved by paragraph 8, Schedule 1 of the CJA 2009. <br /><br />3) The Round-up: <a href="https://ukhumanrightsblog.com/2016/05/31/the-round-up-criminal-justice-close-to-breaking-point/">Criminal justice close to breaking point</a> - UK Human Rights blog 31st May.<br /><br />4) Michael Gove's new advisory panel on <a href="http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/analysis/features/criminal-justice-new-advisory-council/5055458.fullarticle">how to improve the Criminal Justice System</a> - Law Society Gazette 28th May.<br /><br />5) <a href="http://www.marilynstowe.co.uk/2016/05/25/the-secret-family-courts-narrative-has-a-lot-to-answer-for/">The secret family courts narrative has a lot to answer for</a> - John Bolch on the Marilyn Stowe blog<br /><br />6) Here is a useful website by Scoop It! covering <a href="http://www.scoop.it/t/children-in-law">Children in Law </a><br /><br />7) The Guardian - <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/31/the-guardian-view-on-the-conviction-of-hissene-habre-africa-points-the-way">The conviction of Hissène Habré: Africa points the way </a><br /><br /><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

A few items of legal interest

Whilst the impending EU referendum is dominating the news, here are some other items of interest. 1) Excellent BBC Law in Action on history ...

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General Election 2015 ~ Thanet South and allegations of unlawful electoral expenses

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx96WFAcfmFVD0DOfgcAdR7XjM9AFu_u_jKuCaFiZV00x0gWCRl8vKYb-3I03XzRZn90WrWFork-pz0qH_o0b9YifNn0z1uXsodeYFwAadVoz-hFOqOycaznwxYhE3W43hJyMvwm87b1w/s1600/Thanet+South.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx96WFAcfmFVD0DOfgcAdR7XjM9AFu_u_jKuCaFiZV00x0gWCRl8vKYb-3I03XzRZn90WrWFork-pz0qH_o0b9YifNn0z1uXsodeYFwAadVoz-hFOqOycaznwxYhE3W43hJyMvwm87b1w/s200/Thanet+South.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000948">General Election 2015</a> resulted in a Conservative government and it has a working majority in the House of Commons of 17 - (<a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/current-state-of-the-parties/">State of Parties</a>).  This was rather a surprise at the time since the majority of political commentators expected the outcome to be a "<a href="http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/elections-and-voting/general/hung-parliament/">hung Parliament</a>" with the possibility of a further coalition government.  As with all General Elections there were some notable political casualties including the UK Independence Party Leader Mr Nigel Farage who lost his seat to Conservative Mr Craig Mackinlay.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />The Daily Mail 1st June 2016 reported the decision of District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) Barron at Folkestone Magistrates' Court granting the Kent Police a further 12 months to investigate allegations relating to undeclared, or improperly declared, election expenses in Thanet South during the 2015 General Election.  It appears that several other Police Forces are investigating allegations of a similar nature.  Here are some media reports of the court's decision:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thanetgazette.co.uk/Kent-Police-granted-bid-extend-Tory-election/story-29348758-detail/story.html">Isle of Thanet Gazette 1st June 2016</a><br /><br />The Guardian 1st June - <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/01/judge-grants-extension-to-police-investigation-into-tory-election">Judge grants extension to police investigation</a> ....   <br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-3620308/Police-extra-time-investigate-Tory-electoral-fraud-claims.html">Daily Mail 1st June - Kent Police given more time to investigate Tory electoral fraud claims</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/01/judge-says-nigel-farages-defeat-by-tories-could-be-ruled-void-ov/">The Telegraph 1st June</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://5essexcourt.co.uk/dijen-basu-qc-instructed-to-advise-on-police-investigation-into-the-election-expenses-allegations/">5 Essex Court have stated</a> that <a href="http://5essexcourt.co.uk/people/dijen-basu/">Dijen Basu QC</a> is to advise the Police in their investigation into the election expenses allegations:-<br /><br /><div class="x_MsoNormal">"The allegations centre on the Conservative Party’s Battlebus2015 campaign, where activists were bussed into key marginals in order to campaign in the 2015 General Election. The constituencies concerned include South Thanet, where Nigel Farage was defeated by the conservative candidate. The Battlebus2015 visited 29 constituencies and the Government’s working majority in the House of Commons is only 17."</div><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Expenses limits:</b></i></span><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br />Limits are placed on election expenses by the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/2/section/76">Representation of the People Act 1983 section 76</a> and returns relating to expenses have to be made of all election expenses incurred by or on behalf of a candidate - <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/2/section/81">section 81</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/2/section/176">Section 176</a> of the same Act states:<br /><br />"A proceeding against a person in respect of any offence under any provision contained in or made under this Act shall be commenced within one year after the offence was committed ...."<br /><br />Following amendment by the Electoral Administration Act 2006, the section goes on to permit a magistrates' court to extend the time limit if there are (a) exceptional circumstances which justify the granting of the application, and (b) that there has been no undue delay in the investigation of the offence to which the application relates.  Extension of time may be up to a maximum of 24 months after the (alleged) offence was committed.<br /><br />The District Judge concluded that there were "exceptional circumstances" - media reports note that he said "wholly exceptional".  He must have also been satisfied that there was no undue delay in the investigation.  Unfortunately, it seems that his detailed reasons are not available at the present time though the <a href="http://www.thanetgazette.co.uk/Kent-Police-granted-bid-extend-Tory-election/story-29348758-detail/story.html">Isle of Thanet Gazette 1st June 2016</a>  published a quite extensive report of the hearing.<br /><br />The granting of this time extension will be the only involvement of the Folkestone Magistrates' Court in this matter unless actual prosecutions are commenced in that locality.<br /><br />The judge also made an order under section 176 relating to retention of documents - <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/2/section/176">sections 176(2C) and 2D.</a><br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Corrupt and Illegal Practices:</b></i></span><br /><br />The <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/2/section/173">Representation of the People Act 1983 section 173</a>  provides that a person already elected to a seat in the House of Commons but who is convicted of a corrupt or illegal practice shall vacate the seat.<br /><br /><div class="x_MsoNormal">A person convicted of an illegal practice in an election is liable to a fine and is disqualified from voting or from holding any elective office for 3 years from conviction. A person convicted of a corrupt practice is liable to imprisonment for up to a year and is disqualified for 5 years. An MP convicted of either an illegal or corrupt practice must vacate his/her seat, prompting a by-election.</div><br /><br /><div style="background: white;"><b><i><span style="color: red;">Election Law and the</span><span style="color: red;"> Law Commission:</span></i></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div><br /><div style="background: white;"></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">The <a href="http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/electoral-law/">Law Commission has noted that</a>:</span></div><div style="background: white;"><br /></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">"Electoral law in the UK has grown complex, voluminous, and fragmented, with many statutes and secondary legislation governing a long list of elections and referendums. The twin aims of the project are to ensure, first, that electoral laws are presented within a rational, modern legislative framework, governing all elections and referendums under statute; and second, that the law governing the conduct of elections and referendums is modern, simple, and fit for purpose."</span></div><div style="background: white;"><br /></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">The Law Commission issued an <a href="http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/electoral_law_interim_report.pdf">Interim Report on Electoral Law</a> on 4th February 2016 and made a considerable number of recommendations (see Appendix A to the report).  When announcing the Interim Report, the Law Commission noted that the three Law Commissions (i.e. Law Commission, Scottish Law Commission and Northern Ireland Law Commission) -</span></div><div style="background: white;"><br /></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">"are recommending that the process for challenging elections should be modernised, making it easier for parties to understand and use, and that judges be given the power, in appropriate cases, to limit the potential costs for challengers. They also recommend that existing electoral offences should be updated and made easier for the electorate, officials and prosecutors to understand, and that the maximum sentence for serious electoral offences be increased to ten years."</span></div><div style="background: white;"><br /></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">Chapter 12 of the Interim Report looks at Election Expenditure. </span></div><div style="background: white;"><br /></div><div style="background: white;"><b><span style="color: black;">Response from Government to the Commission's report is awaited</span></b><span style="color: black;">. </span></div>

General Election 2015 ~ Thanet South and allegations of unlawful electoral expenses

The General Election 2015 resulted in a Conservative government and it has a working majority in the House of Commons of 17 - ( State of Pa...

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Queen's Speech 2016 ~ Human Rights, Sovereignty, Primacy. Power!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE-_hS7eJW5hPcRtenmD99CPluTPM2vAOnc0muL5WxGj5exNs6GBD86urpJ2hYDydg_pWKboBrnvxV1iqO4JiCcwRWvn1IGq-5ZBbaynzYMvvUyuQX4UI_t6yJdX5g58rShZPMBgGPVPQ/s1600/State+Opening+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE-_hS7eJW5hPcRtenmD99CPluTPM2vAOnc0muL5WxGj5exNs6GBD86urpJ2hYDydg_pWKboBrnvxV1iqO4JiCcwRWvn1IGq-5ZBbaynzYMvvUyuQX4UI_t6yJdX5g58rShZPMBgGPVPQ/s200/State+Opening+2016.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Amid splendid and colourful pageantry, HM The Queen delivered the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/queens-speech-2016">Queen's Speech 18th May 2016</a> .   <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/queens-speech-2016-background-briefing-notes">Background Briefing Notes</a> were issued by the Cabinet Office and see Briefing material for the House of Lords debate on the Queen's Speech - <a href="http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/LLN-2016-0024">Home, Legal. Constitutional and Devolved Affairs 12th May 2016</a><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />The Queen's Speech contained these terse sentences:<br /><br />"<span style="color: blue;"><b>Proposals</b></span> will be brought forward for a <span style="color: blue;"><b>British Bill of Rights</b></span>."  "My ministers will uphold the <span style="color: blue;"><b>sovereignty of Parliament </b></span>and the<span style="color: blue;"><b> primacy </b></span>of the House of Commons."  [<span style="color: blue;"><b>My emphasis</b></span>].<br /><br />The <span style="color: blue;"><b>highlighted</b></span> words raise the very fundamental question of POWER.  Strong protection for human rights results in weaker EXECUTIVE power over the individual.  "Sovereignty" is about power in relation to international bodies (e.g. the European Court of Human Rights).  "Primacy" is concerned with the power balance between the House of Commons and the House of Lords.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Will the UK remain a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights</b></i></span><br /><br />This<br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/documents/joint-committees/human-rights/correspondence/160517_Letter_MG_to_Chair_BoR.PDF">letter (17th May) from Michael Gove to Harriet Harman</a> indicates that the government has not necessarily ruled out leaving the European Convention on Human Rights in the longer term but there are no immediate plans to do so.<br /><br />Withdrawal from the Convention should be inconceivable and any suggestion to do so can only come from a government more interested in its own executive power than the rights of the people.  The Convention is a key element of membership of the Council of Europe and the UK is a founder member of the Council.  Withdrawal would risk that membership and would reduce the standing of the UK internationally.<br /><br />There could be very serious repercussions in Northern Ireland because the Convention is a major element within the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136652/agreement.pdf">1998 Belfast Agreement</a> - a foundation stone of the "peace process."   Withdrawal from the Convention would also undermine the devolution settlements for Scotland and Wales - see <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/18/conservatives-human-rights-act?CMP=share_btn_tw">Keir Starmer QC article The Guardian 20th May</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>British Bill of Rights:</b></i></span><br /><br />Human rights are a vital and important aspect of modern law and many beneficial changes to law have come about as a result - see <a href="http://rightsinfo.org/about/">Rightsinfo</a> and <a href="http://echrblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/new-echr-factsheets.html">ECHR Factsheets</a>    This blog contains many posts on human rights and explains the ways in which individuals have benefited as a result - e.g. <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/why-we-need-our-human-rights-2-right-to.html#more">Why we need our human rights - No. 2 - Right to Life</a><br /><br />What would a Bill of Rights contain?   The Gove- Harman letter informs us that - "the Bill of Rights will remain faithful to the principles in the ECHR."  The word "principles" suggests that the Bill of Rights will not be mere replication of the European Convention and it suggests that the Human Rights Act 1998 will be repealed.  The Background Briefing Notes state:<br /><br />”The purpose of the Bill is to: Reform the UK human rights framework. The main benefits of the Bill would be: To continue protecting fundamental human rights. It would also better protect against abuse of the system and misuse of human rights laws and would restore common sense to their application. This will deliver on the Government's manifesto pledge to introduce a British Bill of Rights and reform human rights law. The main elements of the Bill are: These rights would be based on those set out in the European Convention on Human Rights, while also taking into account our common law tradition. The government will consult fully on the proposals when they are published in due course."<br /><br />This only raises further questions such as - Which rights are regarded by the government as "fundamental" - Precisely what is meant by "abuse" of the system and "misuse" of human rights laws - What does "based on" the European Convention mean - How will the "common law tradition" inform the process.<br /><br />Regrettably, much of this points to some form of system offering weaker protection for human rights within the UK than is available under the present law.   Any proposals will have to be anxiously considered to determine precisely what will be protected and <u>HOW will it be protected</u>.  The Human Rights Act 1998 contains strong mechanisms for protection and repeal of the Act (as seems inevitable) may well weaken protection.  Weak protection for rights could result in the rights themselves being largely illusory.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Sovereignty:</b></i></span><br /><br />The Briefing Notes assert that "Parliamentary sovereignty is one of the most fundamental principles of the constitution and the Government is committed to ensuring that it is upheld."<br /><br />Nothing legally would be achieved by an assertion that Parliament is the supreme law-making body for the UK.  It already is!  That is not in doubt.  Similarly, an assertion that British courts are not bound by decisions of the European Court of Human Rights would be otiose since that is already the position and is actually recognised by the structure of the Human Rights Act 1998.<br /><br />The position vis-a-vis the law of the European Union is more difficult since national law has to give way to EU law where the two have taken contrary positions - <a href="http://www.europeanlawmonitor.org/eu-legal-principles/eu-law-does-european-law-override-national-law.html">European Law Monitor - EU Law: Does European Law override national law?</a><br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Primacy of the Commons:</b></i></span><br /><br />The creation of primary legislation - Acts of Parliament - is governed by the <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/laws/parliamentacts/">Parliament Acts</a>.   Those Acts basically limit the powers of the Lords over most Bills to a delaying power and when a Bill is certified as a "money bill" (i.e. a Bill designed to raise money through taxes or spend public money) the Lords may not amend it.<br /><br />In recent times, secondary legislation has been used extensively by government to legislate for its policy objectives.  The Parliament Acts do not apply to secondary legislation.<br /><br />In October 2015 the Lords voted to DELAY (not reject) the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2015/9780111138946">Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates)(Amendment) Regulations 2015</a> - see <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=tax+credits">Previous post 27th October 2015</a>. <br /><br />Angered by this, the government set up a review under the Chairmanship of Lord Strathclyde.  The government is seeking to limit the powers of the Lords in relation to secondary legislation.<br /><br />Strathclyde reported and, interestingly, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee of the House of Commons is against implementation of his recommendations - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/secondary-legislation-and-powers-of.html">Law and Lawyers 15th May</a>.<br /><br />As the elected Chamber of Parliament, the Commons should have primacy over monetary legislation but it is going too far to limit the powers of the Lords over ALL secondary legislation.  That would be a major change to our constitutional arrangements - see - <a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/secondary-legislation-and-powers-of.html">Secondary legislation and the powers of the Lords</a>.<br /><br />Secondary legislation receives far less scrutiny in Parliament than primary legislation and this leads to a major increase in executive power.   It is, quite simply, a "power grab."<br /><br />Interestingly, the<a href="http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=tax+credits"> cuts to tax credits was dropped</a> in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Autumn Statement. <br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Summary:</b></i></span><br /><br />The government appears to be seeking a weaker form of Human Rights protection than at present and they may seek to exclude recourse to European Convention rights in some situations such as the operations of British Forces abroad.  This will be tested when their proposals are unveiled.   The sovereignty question seems to be about enhancing power over institutions such as the European Court of Human Rights.  The question of "primacy" is about increasing the power of the House of Commons (the business of which is mostly dominated by the executive) at the expense of the Lords.  In these ways, important protections may be dismantled and executive power increased.  The need for vigilance has never been greater.<br /><br />These articles are of interest .....  <br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/18/conservatives-human-rights-act?CMP=share_btn_tw">The Conservatives need to accept the Human Rights Act, and move on</a> - Keir Starmer QC MP - The Guardian 18th May.<br /><br /><a href="https://publiclawforeveryone.com/2016/05/18/the-2016-queens-speech-and-the-constitution/">The 2016 Queen's Speech and the Constitution</a> - Professor Mark Elliott - Public Law for Everyone 18th May.<br /><br /><a href="http://rightsinfo.org/queens-speech-tell-us-bill-rights/">What did the Queen's Speech tell us about the Bill of Rights? </a>- Rights Info 18th May<br /><br />

Queen's Speech 2016 ~ Human Rights, Sovereignty, Primacy. Power!

Amid splendid and colourful pageantry, HM The Queen delivered the Queen's Speech 18th May 2016 .   Background Briefing Notes were issu...

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