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25 June 2009
Issue: 7375 / Categories: Legal News
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Less is more

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
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
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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