The United Nations plays a crucial role in upholding international human rights standards, so let’s talk about one of its most well-known legal documents.

Dentists have the lawful right to refuse patients, but the law prohibits them from doing so in some circumstances. Image credit: Wix.com. Dental care providers can lawfully choose which patients they accept, but they must not refuse to do so if it’s classed as discriminatory. For example, refusing to accept Muslim or autistic people solely because of who they are would almost always be unlawful. In the UK, discrimination against certain characteristics — such as age, religion, sexuality, race, disability, gender identity, and political beliefs — is prohibited under a variety of different laws. The main legal documents that prohibit discrimination are the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010, international treaties, and the common law, as well as case law. And, if you believe that you have been unlawfully discriminated against, you may have grounds for legal action and/or to make a complaint. Now that we’ve covered the law on when dentists don’t have the right to refuse patients, when can they legally do so? Dentists can refuse patients for any reason they see fit so long as it’s not discriminatory or against a written contract between their patients and the practice concerned. For example, a dental practice could refuse to take a patient if they are fully booked, have grounds to believe the patient won’t pay for their treatment, or for any other reason not prohibited by the law. Now that we’ve covered when dentists can refuse a patient legally, how do you know if you’ve been unlawfully denied an appointment? Generally speaking, when you attempt to make an appointment, you will either be accepted or turned away and have the reason given in writing or over the phone. And, so, if the practice says that they can’t accept patients with hidden disabilities — such as autism, ADHD, or Down Syndrome — and no aggravating factors are involved, then that would typically be discriminatory. However, there are exceptions, so it’s best to contact Citizen’s Advice or a qualified legal counsel if you’re unsure whether you’ve been treated unlawfully by the practice.

Two teachers were sacked and criminally convicted back in 2018 for reportedly assaulting an autistic student. Both members of staff, 52-year-old Sandra Humphrey and 50-year-old Sharon Benton, were immediately investigated after the 12-year-old victim’s parents reported the two staff members for allegedly assaulting him, resulting in their dismissal for gross misconduct after the allegations were proven. The two former teachers — who worked for Stephenson Academy, a specialist SEN school for young people with additional support needs near Stantonbury — were reported to Thames Valley Police, which led to their two-day criminal trial at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court. They were both found guilty of common assault against the boy and then received their sentences. The two defendants were ordered to pay a £300 fine, a victim surcharge of £20 each, and given a 6-month conditional discharge (neither were jailed for the assault, though, which is reported to have angered many locals). The two former staff members will almost certainly have a hard time finding most jobs in social care, law enforcement, work involving children or vulnerable people, and many other types of work due to their proven assault on the boy and their criminal records.

The seafront saw a rise in visitors this summer amid the warm and sunny weather. Families have taken the opportunity to make the most of the holidays with their loved ones with many visitors coming from abroad, particularly Australia. All appeared to be enjoying the weather and time at the beach with no reported incidents this month.

The UK is often said to have a so-called legal doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, and this article will explain it in depth. The doctrine of the sovereignty of the Westminster Parliament in London supposedly means that the ultimate authority lies with the elected lower House of Commons and the upper unelected House of Lords, which makes today’s modern Parliament. This ancient legal principle was believed to have been established after the passing of the Bill of Rights 1689, an Act of the UK Parliament drafted after the Glorious Revolution to resolve the conflict between ordinary people and the legislature and guarantee individual liberties while maintaining the rule of law, and is still partly recognised by the Judiciary today. However, in reality, it doesn’t function exactly how some people interpret it, and it does come with fundamental limitations established under both unwritten conventions and written domestic and international law, as well as through historical judgements from both international and domestic law courts. Some of the limitations of the so-called absolute unlimited sovereignty of the Westminster legislature were established by its very own legislation — like the Scotland Act 2016, the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, the Human Rights Act 1998, the European Communities Act 1972 (currently repealed), the Magna Cartas of 1215 and 1297, the Equality Act 2010, the Petition of Right 1627, the Acts of Union 1707 and 1800, the Act of Settlement 1701, the Constitution of Canada Act 1982, the Scotland Act 1998, the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Government of Ireland Act 1920, the Union with England Act 1707, the Treaty of Union (partially in force to this day but amended by the Acts of Union), and the Government of Wales Act 1998, as well as several other constitutional acts of Parliament. These principles are enshrined as a fundamental part of the constitution of the United Kingdom; and, so, the legislative branch must follow the conditions set out in these Acts should it wish to amend, replace, or repeal them, several independent legal sources and institutions have confirmed. And, while these pieces of legislation are one of the most well known and important elements of the UK’s constitution, there are still many other fundamental limitations of the authority of Parliament established through the senior law courts of the UK and also by certain international institutions, tribunals, institutions, and courts with jurisdiction over the UK — which were established through several historical court judgments and international legal documents accepted by the United Kingdom throughout its history. And, in addition to the many binding international treaties accepted and ratified by the UK, the common law, case law, and judicial decisions and precedents of the senior domestic courts of the Union of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (which, together, make up the sovereign European country of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consisting of four member countries and located in the northwestern part of Europe) plays a crucial role as to what legal authority the legal institutions — including the devolved governments and parliaments, the national Westminster Parliament, and the national Government, as well as local authorities — have, what their limitations are, and the duties and responsibilities that come with their authority. These limitations were imposed through various acts of Parliament, judicial decisions, legal documents predating Parliament, and international treaties and decisions from their respective enforcement institutions (for example, the European Court of Human Rights of the CoE and its Committee of Ministers, the International Court of Justice of the UN, tribunals and courts established through treaties, and the courts of the UK when interpreting international treaties), as well as highly persuasive and politically sensitive (but not officially binding) unwritten conventions — two of the most famous and commonly cited international treaties being the European Convention of Human Rights 1949 of the Council of Europe, which the UK is still currently a member of due to the Council not being part of the European Union, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1966 of the United Nations — that the UK has signed and ratified throughout its history, and these place a fundamental legal limitation on the powers of the UK Judiciary, executive branches, and legislative authorities. The decisions of the domestic and international courts and tribunals, which were established through international and domestic constitutional law, bind all public authorities, which includes Parliament and not just the executive. The UK legislative branch is, unfortunately for those looking to abuse their authority but generally respected by supporters of the rule of law, no exception. The common law and case law of the senior courts has also placed limitations on the powers of the legislature throughout the history of the UK, and one of the most well known judgments affecting today’s constitutional framework was handed down by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (UKSC) on 24 September 2019 with all 11 Justices unanimously ruling that former Prime Minster Boris Johnson had no right to request that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II suspend Parliament, as it was an unconstitutional attempt to interfere with the House of Commons’ constitutional duty to hold Johnson’s 2019 Conservative Government to account over the Brexit process. The Court also cancelled the suspension of Parliament, allowing it to continue its work and hold the Government accountable. Shortly after the ruling, MPs returned to Westminster, and the Order in Council was ruled void (of no affect and not binding). The R (on the application of Miller) (Appellant) v The Prime Minister case of 2019 has set a historical legal precedent — which is binding on the lower courts of England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland — as it was decided by the highest Court of the land.

A group of cyber criminals, known as Rhysida, are under criminal investigation after sensitive data was stolen from the Library, according to The Guardian newspaper. The investigation was launched after personal data and other sensitive information was seen for sale online and offered to the highest bidder, and the Libray has urged its members and those with accounts on the site to change their login information — like passwords — and hunt for their personal data online to protect themselves from the black-hat criminal hacking group. The hackers reportedly found a bug in the organisation's security system and then used the opportunity to hack its servers. The incident is currently being investigated by the National Cyber Security Centre, the police, and likely the National Crime Agency. Although Rhysida claimed to have hacked the Library and are believed to have done so, this has not been officially confirmed, nor proven, at this stage. The entire network of the British Library is currently under repair, as it was taken over by the hackers, and it is recommended that customers avoid the website or its public WiFi where possible.

An Act of the News, which aims to help protect the rights of those using its services. Article 1: Every person has the right to be heard, and this must be respected by the News. Article 2: To repeal this Act, a court with valid jurisdiction must rule this to be unconstitutional, or LCN and its readers must vote a 50% majority. Article 3: LCN must fulfill its ethical obligations even where they have the potential to break international law. Article 4: It is forever our command that all rules passed by the News be in compliance with the Constitution and that every team member — including the Founder and President — be held to account equally for any alleged violations of the rules or the Constitution. Article 5: All shall be innocent when accused of violating the Constitution or the rules of the News and its departments except where evidence proves the allegations against the defendant to be true by valid judgment of all LCN committees and/or by a court of the law. Article 6: All committees must maintain a clear separation of powers, and no person shall attempt to interfere with the Supreme Authority of Accountability. The Representatives Committee, for example, must be independent of the LCN Constitutional Committee, Community, Governors Committee, Board Oversight and Management Committee, Advisory Committee, Community Board, all team members and users of the News’s services, Universal Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission, Municipal and Local Representatives Board, National Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission, Municipal Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission, LCN’s Founder, the President, and any other constitutionally empowered department. Article 7: No person shall face prejudice or be accused of something they didn't do, and an investigation must be launched and verified to confirm the facts until any confirmation be made with the exception to clearly stated accusations — accusations, not sworn statements. Article 8: No person shall be barred from voting in LCN elections, and members reserve the right to vote and take part in all LCN meetings. An exception, however, does apply to fraud and serious criminal activity related to voting and where it is deemed to pose a risk to the News or its members and readers to enable them to vote, but this is to be determined by the Supreme Authority of Accountability. Article 9: The Founder and the President are not to be above any rule except where specifically empowered otherwise, and the members and readers of the News have the constitutional right to rebel if their complaints are not heard or acted upon. Article 10: When a rule is passed or repealed, it must be voted by a 50% majority and then be signed by the Presidents of each committee and then the President and the Founder. If any of the powerful officials refuse to sign the Proposal, they must provide their reason in writing so that they can be held to account accordingly. However, the ultimate decision remains with those asked to sign the Proposal and not any other person except the Supreme Authority of Accountability. Article 11: Freedom of the press is forever a guaranteed right and cannot be infringed by anyone — not even the Supreme Authority. Debates in each department, committee, or ally must not be interrupted by any group or individual, and all elections ought to be free for all and no one's liberty be infringed without the due and valid process of law or the Constitution and its valid rules made under it. Article 12: Everyone has the right to freedom of speech with the same protection afforded as freedom of the press has under Article 11 of the Bill of Rights Act 2023 and the Constitution. Article 13: LCN must not bow down to external pressures or interference where an obstruction of justice or the press is likely to occur if those pressures are obeyed.

This document is an addition to The Constitution of Littlehampton Community News (2023) and does not undermine its effect in any way. Article 1: No Amendments, changes, or alterations shall be made to any part of the Constitution of the News without a 75% majority vote of all constitutionally founded teams — the LCN Constitutional Committee, Community Representatives Committee, Governors Committee, Board Oversight and Management Committee, Advisory Committee, Community Board, all team members and users of the News’s services, Universal Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission, Municipal and Local Representatives Board, National Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission, Municipal Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission, LCN’s Founder, the President, and any other constitutionally empowered department. Article 2: All departments must remain independent of one another but may work together provided they follow the Constitution and protect this necessary document. Article 3: All constitutional departments are to be separate from one another and shall, at all, times ensure that they follow the Separation of Powers. They may, however, work together provided they follow the requirements of Article 2. Article 4: The LCN Constitutional Committee members may serve a lifetime during good behaviour and may only be removed via the exact way the Constitution may be altered under Article 1 or by a court with the relevant jurisdiction if appealed to a judge. They are appointed by all specified in Article 1 with no limit to how many members may hold the Office of the Constitutional Committee, and anyone can apply. Their duties are to enforce, uphold, and protect the independence of each department and protect the Constitution and be the final source of appeal before the Supreme Authority of Accountability. They can take the necessary measures, independent of LCN, to uphold the Constitution and determine the validity of all rules and decisions made by LCN and its members and departments under the powers delegated to them under the Constitution, ensuring those decisions don’t contradict the Constitution. They may block decisions if they can be proven to be in violation of the Constitution with a 75% majority of the Committee. They may also block emergency orders after 72 hours, which the Representatives may also do. Article 3: The President and the Founder shall remain independent of each other and must follow the provisions of Articles 2 and 3 alongside any other requirements set by the Constitution. Neither of them are above the Constitution unless specifically exempted by it, and the same applies to all members and departments. Article 4: Bribery, bullying and dishonesty, corruption, and misconduct are instant grounds for the dissolution of any member, Representative, or constitutionally empowered official after an Investigation of all departments and a 75% majority vote of all confirms the accusations to be nothing but the truth. Article 5: All persons using our services have the Right to Anonymity unless a valid court-issued subpoena is submitted to us for a serious crime against any individual, entity, or business. Any data we have of the suspect must be sent back to the requesting court discreetly and within the time period specified on the warrant sent to the IID Department from the judge. Subsection 1: An exemption to Article 5 shall be valid if the warrant issued is reasonably believed to be issued for an unlawful, politically motivated, or malicious prosecution of the accused and if it’s deemed to be unethical or not in the best interests of society. This Subsection shall be valid so long as Articles 2 and 3 are adhered to in relation to the 75% majority vote of all, which will determine how the News will respond to the subpoena request. Article 6: All policy decisions must pass a 50% majority vote through the LCN Constitutional Committee, Community Representatives Committee, Governors Committee, Board Oversight and Management Committee, Advisory Committee, Community Board, all team members and users of the News’s services, Universal Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission, Municipal and Local Representatives Board, National Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission, Municipal Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission, LCN’s Founder, the President, and any other constitutionally empowered department before they become valid to enforce with the exception to Emergency Procedures, which may last for 30 days. Emergency Procedures must be reviewed through the same procedure as everyday policy decisions after 30 days or shall be automatically invalidated if a 50% vote is not held after the final three days under the Threshold (three days after 30 days from when the Procedure was issued). Article 7: The Community Representatives Committee are the voice of LCN’s members and are elected once every three years. They cannot be removed unless otherwise stated by the Constitution or if they breach Article 4. They have a duty to hold decision makers to account and give their votes on LCN policy proposals — and so do all other constitutional departments and officials. They must also represent the views of the general public whether or not they have registered on LCN’s services or servers. Article 8: Any person can make a proposal for LCN to vote on a new policy or to change existing policies, and a vote must be held within 49 days from the date their proposal reaches 30,000 signatures. However, LCN officials must have their proposal heard within 6 months with or without 30,000 signatures, and this time limit decreases to 15 days from the date their proposal reaches 5,000 signatures. Article 9: The Governors Committee is an advisory Committee that represents the views and concerns of LCN and its members, and they have the constitutional right to be heard by the Complaints Management Board that they choose to contact (whether that be their local, national, or universal Board). Their concern must be heard within 20 days, while the general public must first go through the Governors Committee to then appeal to another Committee of their choice; all appeals must be heard within one calendar month. This Committee has the power to directly advise other committees and represent their complainants, but they can’t take action themselves unless a constitutionally valid policy delegates them the power to do so. However, they can issue up to three warnings to team officials, but they must then contact the CMB, who can grant them permission to take action on their behalf. Article 10: The Board Oversight and Management Committee is an influential, independent Chair Group made up of several random people that join LCN policy proposal debates. They can voice their concerns and opinions when the Speaker says “I, the Speaker, authorise the Oversight to speak”, and the Speaker can do the same for anyone else. Each person must take turns and remain respectful and reasonable and take accountability for their actions, and it’s the constitutional duty of the Speaker — who is elected by the Community Representatives Committee by a 50% majority — to enforce this rule. Section 1: It is the right of any person, anonymous or not, to join a Virtual Conference and be heard by the Board Oversight every time a new policy proposal is discussed, and the Oversight must share each and every opinion at the debate. Each Board member has one vote, and they are to be elected by LCN’s site members once a year so that they remain independent of LCN and can continue their constitutional work without interference. Article 11: The Universal Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission is responsible for the overall conduct of LCN officials and can enforce both the Constitution and all valid policies. It has the constitutional power to do this. Section 1: The Municipal Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission has the same powers as its Universal counterpart but should focus more on complaints in and around their area. However, they retain the full LCN jurisdiction of the centralised Commission and have the same powers under this Section. Section 2: The National Complaints Management and Disciplinary Commission has the same powers as its Universal counterpart but should focus more on complaints in and around their country. However, they retain the full LCN jurisdiction of the centralised Commission and have the same powers under this Section. Section 3: The Municipal, National, and Universal Committees can issue warnings, sanction members, and address concerns, as well as ban members and officials from the News if they break either valid policies or the Constitution. Article 12: All decentralised departments shall possess the same powers as their centralised counterparts of LCN. Article 13: The Advisory Committee is a group of independent LCN officials and members, who advise all LCN officials on how to act, and they can give an Advisory Interpretation Notice to any official — including the President and the Founder — on how the Constitution works, whether policies could be unconstitutional, and how to protect the LCN security and better uphold the Constitution and LCN policies. These independent members must fill out a form to join. Then, their advice must be addressed before any decision or proposal is made, each member of the Committee will have a right to vote or request a proposal. Article 14: This Article provides all officials of LCN with the Office of the Constitutional Committee and gifts every official with the same LCN powers, rights, protections, and privileges but ensures that the Separation of Powers is upheld by all, and it is the duty of all officials to uphold and protect the Constitution. Article 15: LCN must request the consent of any person it wishes to collect data from unless it’s being used for intelligence purposes or the prevention of crime and unethical practice. Article 16: All LCN officials must use their discretion when enforcing either LCN policy or the Constitution and may only exercise their constitutional rights when justified to do so. Article 17: The Supreme Authority of Accountability is sovereign when handling appeals from the Constitution, and LCN must follow its decisions unless they're proven to be politically motivated, invalid, or biased or unlawful/unethical. LCN must also take into account the decisions of any court whether or not the ruling judge has jurisdiction over the News, but it's not constitutionally obliged to cooperate in this case. Article 18: LCN policy shall be valid so long as it has been voted by a 50% majority of all LCN officials and members. It shall not have any affect if it violates the Constitution, as this is the supreme source of policy of the News. Article 19: The Constitution may be changed through a Constitutional Review Appellate Proposal, but this can only passed with a 75% majority of all service members and LCN officials. It is then up to the Founder to make the final decision, but he/she must take into account the advice of the President and his/her team and provide a valid reason for not passing the Proposal. If rejected, the Proposal must be reviewed by all officials and resubmitted to the Founder — who shall not be dismissed from the News without the consent of the Supreme Authority if they find him/her guilty of corruption, fraud, unethical violence, terrorism, or bullying. Article 20: Individual departments' policies shall have the affect of LCN central policy within their departments when central policies have not addressed the topic in question. But they must follow the Constitution and central policy. Internal policies must receive a 50% majority vote of their department and all of its officials and service users. Article 21: No official shall be punished, dismissed, or silenced by LCN for whistleblowing so long as the complainant has probable cause to believe the allegations to be true. Section 1: An unproven allegation must clearly state that it is reasonably believed to be true but cannot be sworn to be the truth. Section 2: Provided whistleblowers follow Article 21 and Sections 1 and 2, they shall be constitutionally protected. Article 22: LCN Guidance may be written by any official and should be taken into account. It advises officials on the interpretation of central and local LCN policy and even the Constitution. It must, however, be signed by the President and Founder and not be found to violate the Constitution, and it's not an official source of policy and is, therefore, not required to be adhered to. Article 23: LCN must protect its sources unless a serious crime is reasonably suspected of a source we hold any data of. Section 1: Serious crime specifically includes murder, aggravated assault, any violent crime, animal abuse, corruption, fraud, or terrorism. Article 24: LCN may collect intelligence, information, and data of any person it is investigating for a suspected crime, unethical wrongdoing, or disturbance in the community. But the IID and Founder must be informed of the investigation. Article 25: The Independent Crime and Investigation Department is responsible for the prevention, detection, and investigation of crime in the community and must act on all complaints sent to them by members or officials. Article 26: LCN must follow the law where possible when investigating alleged wrongdoing or for the purposes of investigative journalism. Subsection 1: It can justify not following the law if doing so could interfere with the Freedom of the Press or if doing so would cause harm to property, animals, people, or the environment — or a failed investigation for a suspected serious crime or wrongdoing. Article 27; LCN shall enjoy the Freedom of the Press when acting in an ethical manor and following the Constitution, and content can only be removed if it's deemed to cause serious harm or organised criminal trends. Censorship is strictly forbidden by Article 27. Article 28: The Constitution shall not contradict itself, and no successful argument shall be made that one Article is more important than another unless the Supreme Authority of Accountability rules otherwise. And all Articles shall be equally important and have the same level of interpretation and affect. Article 29: Constitutional allies shall only be valid where both LCN and the other service follow the agreement set. Their policies shall take priority for their service over LCN policy unless agreed otherwise, but the Constitution of LCN shall remain supreme over its partners' policies unless they vote themselves out of LCN's jurisdiction by a 50% valid majority of their team unless agreed otherwise. And LCN policy shall take priority when its constitutional allies' policies don't provide a solution to any situation by addressing the issue concerned. Section 1: The LCN Constitution is supreme over all valid constitutional allies through their agreement until their team officials and any service members are given the chance to vote to depart from LCN and provided a valid 50% majority is accomplished. A vote can only be held 5 days after the Declaration of Departure is made, and no person or group shall attempt to prevent this constitutional right of any LCN allies looking to leave the News by a valid vote without consent from the Supreme Authority. Section 2: LCN cannot ovveride a valid majority vote after a successful Declaration of Departure under Section 1 of Article 29. Section 3: The Supreme Authority of Accountability shall no longer hold jurisdiction over LCN's constitutional allies once a successful vote has been achieved, and LCN will no longer have any say on their decisions or complaints. Section 4: LCN policy shall be taken into account by its constitutional allies but will only be mandatory to follow if agreed by the constitutional allies. This is excluding the Constitution, which is supreme over the policies of both constitutional allies and LCN and its departments and entities. Section 5: LCN-created departments have no constitutional right to depart from LCN's jurisdiction without the consent of both the President and Founder in writing. These are different to constitutional allies, which this Section defines constitutional allies of LCN as originally independent entities that agreed to join LCN by agreement to follow the LCN Constitution and any additional terms in the agreement if applicable and which have the right to leave upon a successful Declaration of Departure is accomplished. Article 30: Copyrighted material on LCN's services shall always be the property of its creator unless explicitly agreed otherwise. Article 31: LCN must not give in to external pressure in respect to its journalistic duties, and all shall be treated equally and with respect Section 1: LCN must be independent of the state, society, other publishers, law enforcement, and any monarchy or supreme ruler of any nation. Section 2: LCN cannot be biased towards a particular individual, group, or political party except when writing opinion pieces or Comment & Analysis articles. Article 32: Everyone has the right to protest, whistleblow, speak out, and campaign against the News and its constitutional allies. Article 33: No person or group shall face penalty without good reason. Article 34: LCN must prioritise EU and international law before UK, or other local, law. The News must also take into account the decisions of courts around the world that would generally not have jurisdiction for UK matters. Section 1: The News must recognise the law of the EU, particularly the European Convention on Human Rights, and international law before local law. It must also respect the fundamental laws of the UK — like the Statute of Marlborough 1267, the Bill of Rights 1989, the Magna Carta, the Human Rights Act 1998, the rulings of the UK Judiciary, and all other laws except where they can be proven to prevent the fundamental work of independent journalism or freedom of the press/expression. This is to be decided by the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary of the UK and, if appealed from the Supreme Court, potentially the European Court of Human Rights or even the international courts. Section 2: A defence to non-compliance with the law is provided by Constitution 1 of the News where LCN has acted in the public interest and following the law would have the potential to affect the free reporting of the press or all and any other fundamental rights. Article 35: No LCN official, or anyone else representing the News, shall disturb any person that has a sign on their property against cold calling with two constitutional defences. Subsection 1: An LCN official may have a defence if challenged if their actions were urgent and there was no alternative way of communicating with the resident; if it was in the public interest; or where an investigation into criminal activity or societal wrongdoing requires the official(s) to ignore the notice in protection of any person, property, or potential loss of crucial evidence. If an official or representative of the News must do this, they must inform the Independent Crime and Investigation Department of LCN in writing of their actions, how the interaction or operation went, and any other information related to the exercise of this constitutional defence. Subsection 2: A defence may also be considered to cold calling where there was no sign displayed, the sign was not clearly displayed, or the visit was necessary for public protection. Article 36: LCN must always inform any person they collect data from provided that it's not related to the investigation of crime or ethical wrongdoing except where it wouldn't be practical to do so or if doing so could place any person in harm's way. There is also a defence where the data is part of an intelligence bulk surveillance operation in protection of the safety of society or any person or their property. Article 37: LCN must not gather intelligence from the users of its services without their express consent except where the Privacy Policy of the News says otherwise and provided that it wouldn't identify those wishing to remain anonymous when contacting the News. The Policy must be on the LCN website and be easy to find by the average person. The same rule also applies to cookies, marketing ads, affiliate links, and third-party advertising. Subsection 1: There are several constitutional defences to this, such as: the protection of public safety. But these must always be logged when a defence is used so that those exercising the defence can be held accountable by LCN or a court of law. No defence shall be valid unless it's recorded in writing with all of the relevant information related to the case/matter or investigation. Article 38: No one is above the Constitutions of LCN, and these (and any other) documents must remain entrenched except where a 75% majority vote was successfully accomplished by the users of LCN, its team members and departments, officials, constitutional allies, and any other person representing LCN. The President and the Founder must also agree to the change and be willing to put it into affect. Section 1: Each member or official of LCN may only have one vote per session requiring a vote — such as the introduction of a new Policy Proposal or an attempt to alter the Constitution. Article 39: The fundamental rights, freedoms, and guarantees provided by international law and the European Convention on Human Rights shall take supremacy over domestic law, and LCN must respect this. Rulings and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and all international courts shall also take supremacy over domestic legislation. Provision 1: Where a domestic court rules against LCN and there is conflict between local law and the fundamental rights of the Convention or international law, LCN has a duty to, and must, refuse to acknowledge the ruling. Any such domestic ruling shall be invalid and, thus, not legally enforceable. Article 40: LCN may introduce and remove constitutionally valid rules (orders, codes, acts, policies, civil procedures, etc) and expect to have them enforced and prioritised above all other statutes of LCN departments and allies with the exception to any constitutional text or conflict with the Constitution. And LCN may entrench these with special provisions required to amend, repeal, or alter these. Chapter 1: All rules must be voted for by a 50% majority of LCN's team members to be passed or repealed except where entrenchments are included in the rules — in which case, those must also be followed. Chapter 2: LCN departments can expect their valid rules to be enforced where there is no conflict with LCN rules or the Constitution and where a 50% majority has been achieved. They may entrench these rules, but LCN rules and the Constitution will automatically supersede the rules of its municipal departments where there is conflict. These rules will only apply to the respective departments in which they were passed. Article 41: No one is above the Constitution, and this shall forever be our command and the demand of the common people. This must also be upheld in a court of law and by the Supreme Authority of Accountability, which this Article defines as: (a) municipal courts and national courts, (b) appellate courts, (c) treaty courts, and (c) the international courts. Bands A–C is the category of the hierarchy of supremacy granted to the courts by the Constitution, and Band C is the primary authority and Band A the less-powerful courts.

Many people are worried about their privacy in the technology world, and just the thought of wiretapping makes some of us cringe. Under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2016, law enforcement have the power to remotely monitor devices of those suspected of a serious crime — like human trafficking or terrorism — and where either a court has issued a warrant or the Home Secretary has authored the surveillance, but there are strict rules on such a major intrusion on citizens’ privacy. And the Home Secretary can’t sign off wiretap requests in bulk, as each request must be reviewed individually and on a case-by-case basis. Otherwise, any evidence collected may be dismissed in court. This power could still be abused, though, so it comes with criticism. In the past, for example, protesters and activists have had their communications monitored, devices tapped, and then faced political arrest. And this in an example of an unlawful, or potentially unconstitutional, wiretap under both statute law and the common law of the Judiciary.

Security officers randomly check the building at Anchor Springs, which used to be a Waitrose several years ago but is now unoccupied, at around 4–5am most mornings. One security guard acknowledged their limitations on the powers available to them but said they’d perform a citizen’s arrest on any criminal they stumble across under Section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and the common law made by judges, which is the supreme law that gave Parliament the right to make laws (Acts of Parliament) several decades ago. While it’s not the guards’ official duty to keep the external area of the building safe, they said they’d use whichever powers the law permits them to use if a crime took place in their presence. For example, robbery or assault. And they are friendly, professional, and approachable and will answer any questions provided they have the time to do so.

Some people suggest that the country has no national law enforcement agencies similar to France or the USA, but this is not the case. As most of us already know, France has two national police forces, and the States have several federalised agencies that enforce the law. But the UK also has many national law enforcement agencies, such as: the National Crime Agency, the Serious Fraud Office, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the British Transport Police, the Secret Service, the Ministry of Defence Police, Customs and Immigration Control, the Border Force, and a few others. Therefore, the idea that the Kingdom only has local police is untrue, and even they have full jurisdiction across the entire country, so we could technically count them as national law enforcement in a way. Prison officers also hold many powers of a police constable, according to the House of Lords.

The Force is responsible for keeping the borders safe and ensuring that all entering and leaving the country follow the relevant laws. The agency is accountable to both Parliament and ministers of the Government with the Home Secretary taking overall responsibility. Officers of the Border Force get their powers from the Borders Act 2007, which also allows them to exercise the powers of a police constable. They also have additional powers under the common law and the Borders, Citizenship, and Immigration Act 2009. Additionally, they also have several other powers under various statutes, such as: the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and the Trade in Goods (Categories of Controlled Goods) Order 2008. The Independent Office for Police Conduct handles complaints of the Border Force and is obliged to do so by law.

A homeowner fired at three thugs attempting to rob his home in Washington, USA, a short while ago, reports the Inside Edition. The men were quick to leave the scene after the man fired his gun at them, and the incident is still under investigation.

Emergency services rushed to the Littlehampton Harvester after a fire broke out and destroyed the entire building. Crowds gathered to watch the horrific scene while firefighters struggled to tackle the blaze as a cloud of smoke spread around the area. Police cars rushed to the incident to manage traffic and keep everyone safe, and ambulances later arrived on scene. Locals are advised to stay alert while walking along South Terrace or the seafront, as there may be road closures and restricted access for pedestrians.

Services will not be running due to damaged wires but are set to continue later this morning, according to Angmering staff. Tickets are currently accepted on the 700 bus services between Brighton and Littlehampton, and replacement services might not be running from Angmering. Strikes are also planned over the next few weeks, reports National Rail.

Leaving the European Union has given politicians more power to pass laws without being challenged by the Commission. Holding the powerful to account is an essential part of a strong democracy, and the Union was an independent authority responsible for holding Parliament to account. This might no longer be the case, though, because of the UK's withdrawal. The vote to leave the EU succeeded by a less-than-2% majority, raising questions as to whether another vote should be held.

Vets currently have the legal right to take the lives of "unruly" dogs with little-to-no understanding of their behaviour. Yet, the Judiciary won't give conscious terrorists and serial killers the death penalty. Dogs can often be retrained after attacking people if they're given the right help and support but should not have their lives taken for behaviour they believed to be normal amid their previous "training".

Owners have been urged to keep their pets cool this summer and avoid transporting them by car unless absolutely necessary. Pets must be kept safe from the extreme temperatures, as they could become severely ill and dehydrated. Leaving pets unattended in hot vehicles is a bad idea and has killed millions of dogs in Europe over the past few years. Animals can be kept cool with fans, icey water, and frequent showers but should be checked on regularly to ensure they don't suffer the consequences of the heatwave.

Local candidates must either live or work in the area they wish to represent, according to the Local Government Association. Currently, a Glasgow resident could stand in a Plymouth election provided they work there or have a similar involvement in the area. This has attracted national criticism and is sometimes discussed in Parliament. Most people wish to be represented by passionate members of their local communities, not outsiders.

Struggling families could be prevented from becoming political candidates if they are bankrupt or were previously in debt. Aspiring councillors must meet strict requirements in order to stand in an election. For example, they could be disqualified if they have criminal records or were prosecuted in a civil/criminal court.

Failure to pay most debts is not an arrestable offence, but creditors can use the civil courts to retrieve what's theirs. Fraudulent conduct is always against the law, but simply refusing to pay most debts is generally a matter for the county courts and will rarely be of concern to the police.

Trespassers cannot usually be tried criminally for trespassing on private property but could face civil action, according to legal professionals in the UK. Trespass is generally a civil matter but could become criminal if the trespasser uses any amount of force to enter the premises. This applies even if no damage was caused, as simply pushing an unlocked gate open to gain unauthorized entry could be considered breaking and entering. Property owners have the right to use reasonable force to remove a trespasser. However, the police are generally unlikely to attend civil disputes but could remove the trespasser on behalf of the landowner under civil law — which anyone could do, as that's how security staff have the right to remove people from private venues. They could also keep the peace and wait for the trespasser to commit a criminal offence, allowing them to take action on the spot.

Some bus drivers choose to restrict access to certain seats amid fears of catching COVID-19 from passengers sitting near them, according to an employee. Some drivers are at risk of becoming seriously ill if they catch the virus, and that's why they take the precaution. Therefore, it's important to respect this rule on the local bus services; it will be clearly displayed if it applies on your journey, or you will be asked to vacate from the seat.

London already has several passes for commuters — including the Oyster — but they're not valid outside of the TfL area. Allowing people to register for a pass would allow out-of-pocket individuals to use public transport and pay at a later date; it would be especially useful for teenagers, disabled people, and the elderly. However, there is no option to pay later at this stage. Local authorities could fund the passes for those who meet the eligibility requirements, making travel easier for many people.

Violent offenders have been assaulting and mugging countless innocent victims almost everywhere, and the police have been unsuccessful in preventing the attacks. Possession of knives, threatening behaviour, robbery, assault, burglary, organised crime, and breach of the peace are the most common offences, according to several police forces. However, many of these offenders face little-to-no action, chief constables have admitted.

Bullying has resulted in thousands of preventable suicides every year over the petty differences and abilities between bullies and their unfortunate victims. Discrimination and judgemental remarks are just two of the many forms of bullying, but these are the most common and need to be discussed more in society. Bullying only seems to be discussed when it's too late or a situation arises, but it often goes unchallenged when no violence is used.

Passengers have been warned that unruly conduct will not be tolerated and could see them banned from flying or even arrested. The Airport works closely with Sussex Police, Security, Customs, the Border Force, the National Crime Agency, and other partners to keep the area safe and protect its flights. Passengers caught breaking the law onboard a flight will be dealt with by the authorities when the plane lands and may also face a ban from flying altogether.

LCN Journalist Dwayne Hards has expressed his concerns regarding potentially"over-the-top" involvement of social workers across the UK. Social workers can be helpful and protect genuinely at-risk children but have also been known to overstep the line of safeguarding into bullying when they become aware of common behaviours — like consensual relationships, sexting, and using marijuana — of their younger clients. And, while technically offences, public services — including the police, CPS, and Judiciary — have no interest in criminalising young people without good reason. Yet, some social workers instantly jump to unrealistic conclusions that often do more harm than good to their clients and those around them despite there often being no immediate risk of harm. An independent investigation could help ensure that all social workers have been trained well and are treating their clients equally and with respect and dignity. It would also hold the bad to account while keeping genuine support workers' reputation stronger than before, and this could be an effective step towards rebuilding the public's trust in local authorities and our public services. The message is clear: I support the genuine work of those trying to make a difference but will never justify the actions of the ones doing avoidable harm to their clients.

The constitution consists of several documents — like the Magna Carta — that were written after major historic events. Constitutional limitations prohibit Parliament from controlling the Judiciary and obliges that they follow the rule of law. It must also follow valid rulings of the House of Lords and the Supreme Court. The Bill of Rights, the Magna Carta, the two Acts of Union, democracy, court rulings, international law, and the rule of law are just some of the many limitations placed on the legislature. When some people say that the UK doesn't have a written constitution, this isn't true; we do have one but in several documents.

Lidl are opening a second store in Worthing and have even agreed to pay for nearby road refurbishments. The chain will replace the locations of two stores, Halfords and Bensons for Beds, this year, according to local councillors. The new plan has been approved by the Borough Council and is currently being discussed by the community. Councillors have also welcomed the plan, saying it will significantly benefit the community and help the Council fix parts of Lyons Way faster. Lidl have said several handicap spaces will be built for those with a blue badge with an additional ten spots for parents. However, Russ Cochran, a Conservative Councillor of Northbrook Ward, expressed his views, saying he doesn't think enough spaces have been provided. In response, Lidl said that the amount was reasonable and will benefit their customers' needs.

Three men were arrested after a joint investigation caught them smuggling £2m worth of marijuana from Jamaica to Birmingham Airport, the Border Force said. The group hid the smuggled substances in tins of fruit and have now received their sentences at Derby Crown Court — one of which was a 5-year jail term. They used a "religious organization" to smuggle the drugs in fruit tins, which was part of a wider network of organised crime and exploitation of many vulnerable people, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The matter was investigated by both the National Crime Agency and the Border Force with local police also involved.

Sussex Police are investigating an alleged robbery after the bus driver called 999 to report the incident, according to the victim. Sitting on a quite bus, the victim was approached by another boy, believed to be around 14–17 years old, and robbed of his possessions — which are believed to be worth around £200 in total. Earlier this year, Stagecoach South said tbey were unable to provide the local police with CCTV footage under GDPR, so involving the CID may be the next step, a member of the force told the News. No further information can be released at this stage, as the case is still under investigation by the authorities.

A 51-year-old woman called the Fire Department over 15,000 times in Japan and has now been dealt with after she ignored several warnings from the local police. The offender made false calls to the ambulance service and the Fire Department but said she committed the offences because she was "lonely" despite receiving several warnings from the authorities of Matsudo, Tokyo, where she currently lives.

A teenager was arrested at Durrington High School after staff saw her in possession of the weapon, Sussex Police said. Students followed the School's lockdown procedure, and no injuries were reported. Officers are still investigating the incident and will take the appropriate action. Possession of an offensive weapon is a serious offence and can see offenders jailed for up to four years, face unlimited fines, or both upon successful conviction in court.

A 25-year-old drug dealer has been jailed after police officers saw him dealing drugs on Bristol Terrace in the North East. Officers found a knife, wraps of cocaine and heroin, and two mobile phones on the 25 year old after they searched him. An officer gave chase to the man and caught him. However, he might not have been caught if it wasn't for him ditching his bike on the street where the police were, as they used this to catch the offender. When caught, the man was swiftly arrested and put before Newcastle Crown Court shortly after his arrest. He was sentenced to 3 years and 1 month behind bars.

The new 500 Littlehampton–Chichester route was launched yesterday and is now open to the public, according to Stagecoach. The buses will run every 30 minutes from 5:30am until midnight on weekdays with similar times on Saturdays. Its Sunday times are, however, reduced and will only run every hour from 7am until midnight. The 500 departs from Anchor Springs, Littlehampton, and ends at the Bus Station in Chichester. It runs via Yapton, Barnham, Fontwell, Tangmere, and the outskirts of Chichester but avoids Bognor Regis and Felpham. Its journeys take approximately 45 minutes, according to Google Maps. The service is run by Stagecoach and was launched in partnership with the County Council. It was launched to make travelling by bus easier for all.

A large black purse was reported missing near the War Memorial in the Town Centre this evening, causing severe distress. Anyone who happens to come across the purse should contact Littlehampton Community News by email as soon as is practically possible, as the item is of great value to its owner — who happens to be a young girl — and previously belonged to a relative. It has her money, identity, and other valuables. according to the group desperate to find it. In the event that anyone has the purse and isn't willing to hand it in, it's crucial to do the right thing before it's too late. LCN will make a police report in an attempt to help find the purse, but we need the public to stay vigilant during this time.

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The Coronation of His Majesty, King Charles, took place yesterday afternoon in Westminster and was celebrated by millions of people around the world. The Coronation is a ceremonial celebration and was based purely on religious hundred of years ago. However, it's generally regarded as a traditional celebration and has been for over 100 years. This event is celebrated the most in Commonwealth countries, according to the Royal Family. Most councils across the UK took part in the Coronation and gave residents the chance to celebrate its tradition.

Several bus companies across the nation have agreed to continue charging passengers just £2 to travel until 30 June. Most bus journeys should only cost passengers a maximum fare of £2, but some operaters have refused to take part. The guidelines were set to finish at the end of March, but the Department for Transport made the decision to extend the deal amid inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.

Anyone caught jumping off the Pier could be slapped with a £50 fixed penalty notice if spotted by the authorities, signage shows. Visitors are being warned not to dive at the attraction amid fears for divers' safety, and those caught flouting the rule could be penalised by civilian staff or the police under a local by-law set by the Council. However, alternatively, words of advice, warnings, or education could be given.

Anyone feeling unsafe in the City of London can safely request help from security guards in most venues by using a codeword — Angela — when they need urgent help. The guidelines currently apply to the City of London but are gradually being deployed across most parts of the UK in a desperate attempt to prevent unprovoked attacks.

Drivers bypassing the speed limit by any amount can be dealt with by the police under current traffic legislation but are unlikely to face penalties for driving 2mph above it, a local Constable has explained. A reportedly effective alternative to speeding penalties, drivers could be given the option to attend a driver's awareness course, but they may have to pay for this. However, they will avoid points/fines if they admit the offence and accept the course but might not be given the opportunity if they have a bad driving record or are argumentative with the police. In the worst-case scenario, drivers could be prosecuted for speeding if appropriate. Figures show that driving above the posted speed limit is one of the most common factors involved in accidents on the road.

Stalkers are a serious threat to their targets and could harm them at any time but will not be able to do this in prison, and that's why it needs to be reported immediately. Thousands of innocent people have been murdered by their stalkers every year, and some of these situations could have been avoided if action was taken sooner. Several charities have been set up to support the victims of stalking, working alongside law enforcement to protect them. There are several signs to tell if you're being stalked, such as: being sent gifts, receiving threatening material, noticing unexplained changes to your devices, and feeling like someone is watching you. If these signs are noticed by a could-be victim, they should take action immediately and get advice.

Legislatures have made running away from home while under a certain age a criminal offence in some states, but this may be against federal law and the Constitution. A state full of religion, Oklahoma is said to be home to some of the strictest legislation in the entire country, and its police departments are reportedly strict with what-they-call "troublesome" teens. Texas is comparable and has many similarities, while other states — like New York — take a softer approach to low-level crime and teenagers hanging out past "bedtime". Teenagers should have the right to feel independent and leave their homes as they please, many independent advocates argue. However, for any changes to be made, the state governments will have to be challenged in a federal court or the US Supreme Court, reports the media.

Sworn constables are gifted with the power of lawful arrest across the UK irrespective of what they're wearing but must present their warrant card when requested. Contrary to popular belief, a constable can arrest you off duty and does not have to present their warrant card if taking part in a covert operation unless exercising their policing powers during an encounter.

Constitutional law sets limits to power and is in place to protect citizens' liberties and fundamental rights from the powerful but was not merged into one document. Laws in violation of the Constitution are not valid and cannot be enforced by the courts, and this also applies to acts of Parliament. Parliament can add to the Constitution but are unable to change, alter, or amend it. And, while judges can't officially remove a law, they can decide how it will be interpreted or even declare it invalid. Laws are made by Parliament and other authorities under powers given to them by the revelent statutes; case law is made by judges; precedent is made by the courts; constitutional law was formed throughout UK history and is amended by the courts; EU law was made by the European Commission; and international law consists of different treaties, ICJ rulings, UN decisions, and deals with other nations. The UK does have a written Constitution, and it's untrue to say that it doesn't. However, it can't be found in a single document and may be hard to understand.

A local parent was fined £70 for parking at the Anchor Springs Car Park after mistakenly displaying a permit for a different part of the Town Centre, and the Council blindly rejected his appeal. Council officers have the lawful authority to penalize any driver in breach of the parking regulations on public roads and in their car parks but are strongly advised to use their discretion before issuing a ticket. However, they don't always do this and have been accused of issuing unfair penalties on numerous occasions over the years.

Anyone with the right tools can eavesdrop on unencrypted data travelling between devices via the internet but will not be able to do so if it's encrypted with a VPN. VPNs are designed to stop people — like hackers, your ISP, and even the authorities — from monitoring what you do online and interfering with your web traffic. However, they will only encrypt data sent over the internet and not through other means. They work by routing your internet activity through a remote server instead of the one provided by your broadband provider, but your ISP can tell that you're using a VPN and how much bandwidth is being used but cannot see what's being sent/received. Anyone using a VPN will be keeping their online activity secure and should, therefore, be less vulnerable to data breaches if using a reliable service, such as: NordVPN. Also, you can bypass internet restrictions — like parental controls and state censorship — when connected to a VPN server.

Young people have missed out on learning for months on end when the Government decided to shut most public settings during their COVID-19 response, data shows. Education is a fundamental liberty for all young people under domestic legislation, EU law, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, some people — the UK Government included — claim that previous coronavirus policies allowed ministers to damage the education system. Thousands of young people's lives have been ruined by Government officials and the Department for Education amid the constant closures of most public schools, and this is a constitutional issue that the Supreme Court needs to address urgently. In the UK, the overall responsibility to protect students' right to an education lies with the government of each nation, but councils also have a say in how local services — including schools — operate.