header-logo header-logo

Less is more

25 June 2009
Issue: 7375 / Categories: Legal News
printer mail-detail

Government

There are too many laws and too many policy initiatives being launched, according to MPs.

A report by the Commons Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) into the state of government in Britain, published last week, concludes that many aspects of Britain’s governing structure and principles work well.
However, PASC warns there are too many ministers, which has resulted in an excessive number of initiatives being launched and laws being introduced. PASC urges government to concentrate less on responding to short-term political pressures and more on ensuring good basic administration. It suggests prime ministers appoint smaller governments, pass fewer new laws, and leave ministers in their posts for longer.
Tony Wright MP, Committee chair, says: “Now more than ever, there needs to be a wholesale change in the political culture to arrest the decline of public trust in government.

“In thinking about the nature of good government, we have gone back to first principles to propose a number of reforms to how Britain is governed. These are designed to encourage tighter, more focused government, and a stronger emphasis on achieving good basic administration and high standards in public life.”

Issue: 7375 / Categories: Legal News
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll