• Research Briefing

    The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands: tension between Japan and China in the East China Sea

    Tensions between Japan and China in connection with long-standing rival claims to sovereignty over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea have deepened since September 2012, with nationalist sentiment being stirred up in both countries. Taiwan also claims the islands. Japan, which administers the islands, does not accept that there is a dispute to be resolved. China insists that there is. This note briefly summarizes the competing claims and reviews developments over the last six months or so.

  • Research Briefing

    Defence Estate Rationalisation

    This note provides a summary of the main changes to the defence estate that have been announced since the Army basing review was published in March 2013. Further decisions on aspects of the defence estate, including the training estate and the Reserves estate are expected to be made over the course of 2013. This note will be updated as and when those plans are announced.

  • Research Briefing

    Roads: speed cameras

    This note outlines the legislative basis for speed cameras, the types of cameras in use and includes information on their funding. It also discusses issues surrounding their efficacy.

  • Research Briefing

    Heating oil and other off-gas grid heating

    This note sets out the regulation of the off-gas grid energy market, and possible sources of support for those who live off the gas grid and have to rely on other fuels such as heating oil or LPG to heat their homes.

  • Research Briefing

    The duty of the police to enforce the law

    There is case law to suggest that, although under a general duty to uphold the law, chief officers of police retain discretion as to the degree of effort they will attach to enforcing any particular law at any particular time.

  • Research Briefing

    Direct taxes: rates and allowances 2013/14

    This paper sets out the main changes to direct tax rates and allowances announced in the Budget on 20 March 2013. It lists the principal personal allowances which will be available against income tax in the tax year 2013/14, and it outlines the conditions necessary for eligibility for these allowances.

  • Research Briefing

    Council Tax 2013/14

    The average council tax for a band D household in 2013/14 is: £1,456 in England; £1,226 in Wales; and, £1,149 in Scotland. The average council tax for a band D household will rise by 0.8% in England and 3.2% in Wales. Council tax levels have been frozen in Scotland.

  • Research Briefing

    Draft Inheritence and Trustees’ Powers Bill

    In October 2008, the Law Commission began work on a project dealing with intestacy and family provision claims on death. In December 2011, the Law Commission published a final report and two draft bills. The Law Commission found “many instances where the current law is outdated, confusing or places unnecessary obstacles in the way of those with a valid claim to share in a deceased person’s assets”. It recommended a package of reforms “that would modify the current legal rules to reflect modern social expectations and to remove arbitrary or unduly technical aspects, while leaving intact the fundamental structure of the English law of “succession” to property on death”.

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