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Category: Law

OU research reveals shocking level of online violence experienced by women and girls across the UK

OU research reveals shocking level of online violence experienced by women and girls across the UK

Over one in 10 women in England have experienced online violence, while three in 10 women (30%) have witnessed online violence Seven in 10 (68%) believe that current legislation is ineffective at tackling online violence against women and girls in England One in eight (13%) of women in England who experienced online violence say this […]

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Image shows backs of two police officers in high-vis jackets

Further funding for research into improving how Police investigate sexual violence

A team of researchers from the OU’s Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL) has secured another year’s funding (£600k) to continue their work, alongside Police to improve the way rape and sexual offences are investigated. Findings of Operation Soteria Bluestone, a report launched in 2021 in response to the Government’s End-to-End Rape Review, highlighted […]

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Attorney General champions government legal career at Open University

Attorney General champions government legal career at Open University

Diverse routes into law and how the work of government lawyers impacts all aspects of public life were themes discussed by the Attorney General as she spoke to the Open University’s law students. Attorney General, Victoria Prentis KC MP, visited The Open University campus in Milton Keynes on Thursday July 13 part of the Law […]

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Behind the scenes of the Parole Board

Behind the scenes of the Parole Board

Academics from the Faculty of Business and Law worked behind the scenes in a fascinating OU/BBC documentary about the process involved in hearing prisoners’ parole applications. In England and Wales annually, about 16,000 of the potentially most dangerous criminals are considered for parole before the end of their sentence and around 4,000 of them are […]

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Dungeons & Dragons licence changes threaten the fan community the game relies upon – legal expert explains

Dungeons & Dragons licence changes threaten the fan community the game relies upon – legal expert explains

Dr Kim Barker is a senior lecturer in law at The Open University specialising in internet law – particularly online games. Here she talks about the popular Dungeons & Dragons game and how its new licence is making major digital waves. Dungeons & Dragons has a longstanding appeal as a role-playing game – or as […]

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‘Alternative’ weddings could become legally binding – report

‘Alternative’ weddings could become legally binding – report

An Open University academic’s research has helped pave the way for the possibility of ‘alternative-style’ weddings becoming legally binding in England and Wales. Celebrants from non-religious belief organisations, such as humanists, already conduct legally binding weddings in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. If you attended a really personalised wedding-style ceremony this year, it was probably conducted […]

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OU academics contribute to new BBC Ideas film: ‘Does it ever pay to represent yourself in court?’

OU academics contribute to new BBC Ideas film: ‘Does it ever pay to represent yourself in court?’

Appearing in court without representation is becoming increasingly common. But is it a sensible strategy? Academics from The Open University’s Open Justice Centre have answered exactly this question in a new BBC Ideas film titled ‘Does it ever pay to represent yourself in court?’. Open Justice Centre Director Francine Ryan, Professor of Law and Social […]

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Governments, the law, and long-term issues for Ukrainian refugees

Governments, the law, and long-term issues for Ukrainian refugees

It could be many years before Ukrainian refugees will be able to go back home even if the war ended soon so governments in countries of refuge may need to be thinking of a long-term plan of action. That’s according to Dr Natalia Szablewska, Professor in Law and Society at The Open University who specialises […]

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No fault divorce: how the new law will reduce family conflict

No fault divorce: how the new law will reduce family conflict

Dr Andrew Gilbert is a Senior Lecturer in Law at The Open University and writes for The Conversation about a new divorce law that is set to reduce conflict between couples making things better for children following the divorce. After more than 50 years, the law governing divorce – the process of legally dissolving a […]

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The rise and rise of independent wedding celebrants

The rise and rise of independent wedding celebrants

Research conducted by Dr Stephanie Pywell, a Senior Lecturer in Law at The Open University, found that more and more couples are seeking the expertise of independent wedding celebrants for unique ceremonies. Most engaged couples in England and Wales have to choose between a religious wedding and a secular ceremony conducted in the presence of […]

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