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24 March 2020 / David Emmerson OBE
Issue: 7880 / Categories: Opinion , Covid-19 , Family
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The ebbs & FLOWS of social isolation

David Emmerson offers a potential lifeline to those facing an increased threat of domestic violence during the COVID-19 crisis

 

These are unprecedented times with the full effect of COVID-19 on the economy and people’s health still to be fully understood.  The immediate future appears to be that an increasing number of people will have to self-isolate. If the situation does not improve then the government has lockdown measures enforceable by fines and patrols by the police and army.  An inevitable consequence of forcing families to remain in their homes amid very trying social and economic conditions is that there will be a significant rise in domestic abuse. We know victims of domestic abuse who already suffer from social isolation can really have devastating impacts on the safety, health and wellbeing of sufferers.


With self-isolation and lockdown brings pressures and the temptation to ease pressures through drink and drugs. The lack of variety and mounting boredom will be a factor.  The intense strain on individuals means that there

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NEWS
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The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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