The Hansard Society is organising an online briefing to elucidate the parliamentary process surrounding the Assisted Dying Bill, formally known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Scheduled for 26 November 2024, the event precedes the Bill's Second Reading in the House of Commons. The briefing will explore the intricacies of Private Members' Bills (PMBs), focusing on procedural challenges, potential government involvement and the Bill's prospective journey through both Houses. Experts, including Sir David Natzler, former Clerk of the House of Commons, will discuss key issues such as speech limits, filibustering and closure motions. The event aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the legislative landscape that will influence the Bill's progression, without delving into the merits of assisted dying itself.

The Hansard Society has published a blog on how delegated legislation is being used to tackle the prison crisis. The blog examines three policy changes—early release, shorter recalls of prisoners, and early deportation—and the role of delegated legislation in enacting them. In particular, the Hansard Society considers the scrutiny process for the Draft Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods) Order 2024, the Draft Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Suitability for Fixed Term Recall) Order 2024 and the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Removal of Prisoners for Deportation) Order 2023, SI 2023/1368.

Hansard Society has published ‘Back to Business 2024: A guide to the start of the new Parliament’. The new Parliament will assemble on 9 July 2024 and Hansard has said the guide aims to explain the ceremonial, legislative, organisational and procedural processes that are engaged at the start of the Parliament. The guide covers the Parliamentary calendar, the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the House of Commons, State Opening of Parliament and King’s Speech, setting up Select Committees and the Budge and Estimates.

The Hansard Society has released Episode 45 of the Parliament Matters podcast, titled 'Inside the hidden world of law-making: A conversation with Nikki da Costa'. In the latest episode, Nikki da Costa, former Director of Legislative Affairs, explores the intricate process of crafting a King's Speech and the behind-the-scenes workings of the Parliamentary Business and Legislation Cabinet Committee. The evolution of parliamentary tactics and the potential new strategies MPs might use when dealing with a government with a strong majority are also discussed.

The Hansard Society has released a podcast on the Private Members' Bill (PMB) ballot, where Dr. Daniel Gover discusses the value of PMB and what to look out for in the coming months. This follows the PMB ballot for this parliamentary session being drawn, allowing 20 MPs to introduce a law of their choice. The podcast also discusses the Winter Fuel Allowance means-test, whether Jeremy Corbyn and the 'Independent Alliance' group can ‘make a difference’, and who the key candidates are for Chairs of the new Select Committee.

The Hansard Society's recent podcast highlights a growing debate over the role of Parliament in public inquiries. Currently, Ministers hold the authority to determine inquiry chairs and define remits. However, a recent House of Lords Committee proposal suggests granting Parliament a more significant role in establishing inquiries into state failures and national disasters. This recommendation aims to adopt a more systematic approach to implementing inquiry recommendations and potentially enhance the independence and effectiveness of such investigations. The proposed shift in responsibility from ministerial to parliamentary oversight represents a potential significant change in the UK's approach to public inquiries and their subsequent implementation. The discussion comes at the start of the podcast.

Prohibited; forbidden.

The concept whereby an employee suffers from the conduct of, or an act by, an employer or another person which is in the form of harassment.

This Practice Note considers harassment under the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010), namely subjecting someone to unwanted conduct which is related to a relevant protected characteristic (race, sex etc), where the conduct has the purpose or effect of violating the victim’s dignity or creating an environment that is intimidating (eg bullying), hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive. Sexual harassment (ie unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which has the requisite purpose or effect), and the duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment, are dealt with separately in Practice Note: Sexual harassment and the duty to prevent it. Harassment by third parties and the employer’s duty to prevent such harassment are also covered separately, in Practice Note: Harassment by third parties and the duty to prevent it. The Practice Note also considers the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (PHA 1997) (see: Protection from Harassment Act 1997, below). This Practice Note contains references to case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). For guidance on whether judgments of the CJEU are binding on UK courts, see Practice Note:

Crime analysis: Could Willoughby’s campaign of harassment against his former employer be justified if his aim was to prevent or detect a crime? Akua Reindorf, a barrister at Cloisters Chambers, discusses the Supreme Court’s decision.

This Practice Note examines the extension of discrimination law in Great Britain to require employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment of their employees by third parties (third party harassment). It looks at the extent of the requirement, which protected characteristics are covered, and the conduct which is likely to be in scope. The Practice Note also suggests some practical steps which employers can take to seek to ensure that they meet their obligations. From 30 October 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025) amends the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010) to introduce protections for employees against harassment by third parties. Under the new provisions, employers will be liable if they permit any of three forms of harassment under EqA 2010, s 26 by a third party against any of their employees. This Practice Note sets out the position as it is expected to apply from 30 October 2026. Commencement regulations for the relevant statutory provisions are awaited, which may contain transitional provisions. EHRC, Acas and other guidance This

This Practice Note explains the offences of harassment under section 1(1) and (1A) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (PHA 1997), and putting a person in fear of violence under PHA 1997, s 4. It examines the elements of the harassment offences under PHA 1997, s 1(1) and (1A), including what constitutes a course of conduct and harassment, the knowledge requirement and, for the section 1(1A) offence, the necessary intention. It also considers alternative verdicts and sentencing. The Practice Note also considers restraining orders. In relation to the offence of putting a person in fear of violence under PHA 1997, s 4, this Practice Note considers the elements of the offence, including the requirements relating to a course of conduct, fear of violence, harassment and knowledge, together with alternative verdicts and sentencing. The basic offences of harassment under PHA 1997, s 1(1) and (1A) are summary-only offences. For the aggravated form of offence, see Practice Note: Intentional harassment, alarm or distress. For information on offences relating to stalking, see Practice Note: Stalking. For further information