Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010

Public bill · Government · Presented

The measure would give people who voluntarily help in emergencies, and authorised volunteers, protection from personal lawsuits for ordinary negligence, while preserving liability for bad faith or gross negligence. It would provide legal advice to alleged victims of human trafficking, strengthen licensing and oversight of private security services, and support codes of practice on alcohol sales and advertising. Equality complaints could be handled more efficiently, with higher possible compensation in employment cases, while bankruptcy could end automatically after 20 years or be brought to court for discharge after six years in certain circumstances. Courts would gain stronger powers to enforce unpaid maintenance, including possible imprisonment for deliberate non-payment, and domestic-violence protections would be extended to people in same-sex or opposite-sex relationships and parents who share a child.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the law relating to civil liability for acts of Good Samaritans, volunteers and volunteer organisations; to amend the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995; to amend the Private Security Services Act 2004; to amend the law relating to the sale of intoxicating liquor; to amend the Employment Equality Act 1998; to amend the Equal Status Act 2000; to amend the Bankruptcy Act 1988; to amend the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976, the Solicitors (Amendment) Act 1994, the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009, the Statutory Declarations Act 1938 and the Domestic Violence Act 1996; and to provide for related matters

Last updated 12 April 2018