Browne Jacobson news

May 2008 sees Browne Jacobson publish its authoritative report on public sector efforts to deliver the benefits of shared services. The report Shared Services Survey 08 took particular care to focus on the social care, education and health sectors.
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The business case for sharing services is indisputable. As every public servant knows, Sir Peter Gershon’s much vaunted review of public services recommended, in 2004, annual efficiency savings of 2.5% for 2005-8, rising to 3% for 2008-11. The Gershon review, along with the Lyons report on local government finance, focussed on the opportunity to realise improvements by joining up back office functions.
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Amid increasing and arguably disproportionate publicity about injuries to children on school trips, and teachers’ concerns about liability in the case of an accident, Mark Blois of law firm Browne Jacobson explains the relevant law in this area and signposts the guidance available to professionals.
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In April 2008 a new Corporate Manslaughter law finally found its way onto the statute book. It will no longer be necessary to prove that an individual who could properly be identified as the directing mind of an organisation is guilty of gross negligence. Instead liability for the new offence depends on a finding of gross negligence in the way in which the activities of the organisation are managed.
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Historically most local authorities (LAs) have from time to time sought to reorganise local school provision. In recent years the number of authorities tackling this challenging and highly emotive issue has increased. Mark Blois, Head of Education at law firm Browne Jacobson looks at the difficult choices facing local authorities and schools within the context of a changing and highly complex legal landscape.
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