Family & Civil Law Archives

In Focus

Pride in the UK: From its roots to today

Friday, 10 February, 2023

On 1 July 1972 the UK’s first Pride march was held in London. This date was chosen as the nearest Saturday to the anniversary of the riots, or uprising, at the Stonewall Inn in 1969, where LGBT+ patrons had been targeted by the New York Police Department. Liberation organisations were inspired to action, and Pride marches have since become annual events throughout the UK and around the world. This LGBT+ history month, this article explores 50 years of Pride.
Research Briefing

Protection for Whistleblowing Bill [HL]: HL Bill 27 of 2022–23

Monday, 21 November, 2022

The Protection for Whistleblowing Bill [HL] would introduce several protections for whistleblowers, including the establishment of an independent Office of the Whistleblower. The bill would also create offences relating to the treatment of whistleblowers and the handling of whistleblowing cases. It would also repeal the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
Research Briefing

Public Order Bill: HL Bill 61 of 2022–23

Wednesday, 26 October, 2022

This government bill would introduce powers to address protestors that cause serious disruption. This includes new criminal offences such as those relating to: locking on; tunnelling; obstructing major transport works; interfering with key national infrastructure; and interfering with the access to, or provision of, abortion services. The bill would also introduce serious disruption prevention orders, as well as give the secretary of state the power to bring civil proceedings against those causing serious disruption as a result of protest-related activities. The bill has proven controversial, with some arguing that it could threaten the right to protest. The government states that the bill would plug what it argues are gaps in existing legislation to better protect the public from serious disruption caused by protestors.
In Focus

Women, hereditary peerages and gender inequality in the line of succession

Monday, 03 October, 2022

Fewer than 90 peerages can be inherited by a female heir thereby limiting the number of women eligible to stand and be elected to the House of Lords as hereditary peers. This article examines proposals put forward by campaign groups, and some parliamentarians, to change the rules that prevent women inheriting peerages.
Research Briefing

Women, Peace and Security Bill [HL]: HL Bill 22 of 2022–23

Friday, 05 August, 2022

The Women, Peace and Security Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative). The bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 9 September 2022.
Research Briefing

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill: HL Bill 37 of 2022-23

Thursday, 14 July, 2022

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill 2022–23 is intended to address the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles by establishing a new independent commission for reconciliation and information recovery, limiting criminal investigations and legal proceedings, and providing for a new oral history initiative and memorialisation strategy.
Research Briefing

Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill: HL Bill 30 of 2022–23

Thursday, 23 June, 2022

This proposed law seeks to reform and strengthen the protections for freedom of speech and academic freedom in higher education.
In Focus

Istanbul Convention: Preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence

Thursday, 23 June, 2022

The UK signed the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention, in 2012. On 17 May 2022, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced that the UK’s laws were now compliant with the treaty and the government intended to ratify. The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has welcomed the ratification, but has expressed concern about two reservations the UK wishes to make from the treaty.
Research Briefing

Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 7 of 2022-23

Wednesday, 22 June, 2022

On 8 July 2022, the second reading of the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL] is scheduled to take place in the House of Lords. The bill is a private member’s bill introduced by the Bishop of Durham. The bill would disapply provisions of the Welfare Reform Act 2012, as amended by the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, which implemented the two-child limit to universal credit.
Research Briefing

Front-loaded Child Benefit Bill [HL]: HL Bill 6 of 2022–23

Wednesday, 15 June, 2022

The Front-loaded Child Benefit Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Farmer (Conservative). It aims to allow recipients of child benefit to receive, if they wish, a higher rate of child benefit when a child is younger in exchange for a lower rate when the child is older. This would be an alternative to the current system whereby a flat rate is paid throughout childhood. Two thinktanks put forward similar proposals prior to 2010. The bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 8 July 2022.
In Focus

The Equality Act 2010: Impact on disabled people

Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

The Equality Act 2010 is the main piece of domestic legislation governing disabled people’s rights in the UK; it replaced several separate pieces of discrimination legislation. A 2016 House of Lords committee review contained recommendations for improvements to the 2010 Act. In September 2021, the House of Lords Liaison Committee examined whether these recommendations had been implemented. The committee’s 2021 report is due to be discussed in the House of Lords on 21 June 2022.
In Focus

Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill

Thursday, 24 March, 2022

On 1 April 2022, the House of Lords is due to debate the second reading of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill. The private member’s bill would raise the minimum age of marriage and civil partnership in England and Wales to 18. It would also expand the scope of legislation dealing with forced marriage to include any conduct to facilitate the marriage of someone under the age of 18.
In Focus

Constitution Committee report: Covid-19 and the courts

Friday, 11 March, 2022

In March 2021, the House of Lords Constitution Committee published the ‘Covid-19 and the Courts’ report. This made several recommendations to the Government, including for continued investment in remote hearing technology. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the report on 23 March 2022.
Research Briefing

Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill

Tuesday, 08 March, 2022

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill is a government bill that is being fast-tracked through Parliament. It completed its second reading and remaining stages in the House of Commons on 7 March 2022. The bill would make provision in three areas: part 1 would introduce a register of the beneficial owners of overseas entities that owned land in the UK; part 2 would make changes to strengthen unexplained wealth orders; and part 3 would make changes to sanctions legislation to help deter and prevent breaches of financial sanctions.
In Focus

International Women’s Day 2022: gender gaps across the world

Friday, 04 March, 2022

Despite years of international attention on the issue, global gender gaps remain. Data published by the World Economic Forum in 2021 showed that global gender gaps remained in education, health, economics and politics. This article looks at findings from the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021, as well as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women and girls.

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