Nearly 70% of rape victims drop out of investigations in England and Wales – The Guardian

‘Nearly 70% of rape survivors dropped out of the justice system in the fourth quarter of last year, according to official government data.’

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The Guardian, 30th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Law Commission calls for tighter rules on use of personal records in rape trials – The Guardian

‘Greater restrictions should be introduced on the use of rape complainants’ personal records and evidence relating to their sexual behaviour to avoid rape myths contaminating trials in England and Wales, a government-commissioned review has said.’

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The Guardian, 23rd May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS ‘cherrypicking’ cases to prosecute, say senior police chiefs – The Guardian

‘Two of Britain’s most senior police chiefs have accused prosecutors of “cherrypicking” cases to prosecute in court and warned that victims were being let down.’

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The Guardian, 18th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS Says: Conviction rates play no part in deciding whether or not to charge a case – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Conviction rates play no part in CPS decision making – so we know a story this week “CPS failing victims by cherry-picking cases” may have caused concern.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 19th May 2023

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

No cab-rank rule breach – yet – for barrister signatories of eco-resolution – Legal Futures

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) will not take action against barristers who have committed not to prosecute climate protestors or work for fossil fuel companies – at least until they actually refuse instructions.’

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Legal Futures, 18th May 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Police barred from requesting rape victims’ medical and school records – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 16th, 2023 in education, medical records, news, police, privacy, prosecutions, rape, victims by sally

‘Police will be barred from asking for rape victims’ therapy, health, school or other personal records unless it is “absolutely necessary” under new laws to reverse plummeting conviction rates.’

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Daily Telegraph, 16th May 2023

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Blood test for sleepy drivers could pave way for prosecutions – The Guardian

Posted May 9th, 2023 in accidents, blood products, news, prosecutions, road safety by sally

‘A blood test to measure whether a driver who has caused an accident was impaired by lack of sleep could be available within two years, making it easier to legislate against drowsy drivers or their employers.’

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The Guardian, 8th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Research Demonstrates Juries Convict in 58% of Rape Cases, on Average – Pump Court Chambers

Posted April 13th, 2023 in chambers articles, juries, news, prosecutions, rape, statistics by sally

‘Over the period 2007 to 2021, the jury conviction rate for all rape charges stood at an average of 58%, with a high of 75% in 2021, according to new research published in the Criminal Law Review[1]. In 2007, the jury conviction rate was 55%. This research was commissioned by senior judiciary following public concerns that the jury conviction rates for rape were extremely low, and analysed 5,623,800 criminal charges from January 2007 to December 2021, not just including sexual offences.’

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Pump Court Chambers, 9th March 2023

Source: www.pumpcourtchambers.com

PC Sharon Beshenivsky death: Man extradited and charged with murder – BBC News

Posted April 13th, 2023 in extradition, murder, news, police, prosecutions by sally

‘A 74-year-old man is due to appear in court later charged with the 2005 murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky after being extradited from Pakistan.’

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BBC News, 13th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Seven Just Stop Oil activists convicted over London road blockade – The Guardian

Posted April 6th, 2023 in demonstrations, environmental protection, London, news, prosecutions, roads by michael

‘Seven climate activists who glued themselves to the road outside the Natural History Museum in south-west London have been convicted of obstructing a highway.’

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The Guardian, 5th April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Scottish Prison Service faces first UK prosecution for corporate homicide – BBC News

Posted March 7th, 2023 in corporate manslaughter, news, prisons, prosecutions, Scotland by sally

‘Police have been told to investigate whether the Scottish Prison Service should be prosecuted over the death of a remand prisoner, the BBC can reveal.’

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BBC News, 7th March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘I know where the bodies are buried’: one woman’s mission to change how the police investigate rape – The Guardian

Posted March 7th, 2023 in London, news, police, prosecutions, rape, sexual offences by sally

‘For the past two years, Betsy Stanko has been leading an unprecedented investigation into why the police have been failing so badly to tackle sexual violence. But is there any chance of fixing a system that seems so broken?’

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The Guardian, 7th March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Victims of crimes committed by armed forces personnel to have say in justice – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted March 2nd, 2023 in armed forces, consultations, news, prosecutions, victims by tracey

‘For the first time, there will be a requirement to consider the views of those reporting a crime allegedly committed by a member of the armed forces when deciding whether a case should be dealt with by the civilian or military justice system.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 23rd February 2023

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

The law in action: how prosecutors apply centuries of legislation to contemporary crime – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted March 2nd, 2023 in assault, Crown Prosecution Service, lectures, news, prosecutions by tracey

‘Speech by Max Hill KC, Director of Public Prosecutions to the Oxford University Law Faculty, 24 February 2023.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 28th February 2023

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Drax: Legal action against power station owners dropped – BBC News

Posted February 24th, 2023 in causation, employment, health & safety, industrial injuries, news, prosecutions by sally

‘A prosecution against the owners of the UK’s largest power station has been dropped by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it has been announced.’

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BBC News, 23rd February 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Underage sale of knives: sentencing guidelines published – Sentencing Council

Posted February 21st, 2023 in children, news, offensive weapons, prosecutions, sale of goods, sentencing by tracey

‘New sentencing guidelines for sentencing retailers including large organisations and individual shop owners convicted of selling knives to children in England and Wales were published today by the Sentencing Council following consultation.’

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Sentencing Council, 15th February 2023

Source: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Four English councils bring half of legal actions for blue badge misuse – The Guardian

Posted February 20th, 2023 in disabled persons, fraud, local government, news, parking, prosecutions, statistics by tracey

‘Four councils are responsible for bringing more than half of the prosecutions in England for people abusing the use of disabled parking badges. Figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) show that Lambeth, Birmingham, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Bromley carried out 54% of all legal cases for people misusing the blue badge system, for the year up to the end of March 2021.’

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The Guardian, 20th February 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Joint enterprise prosecutions to be monitored for racial bias – The Guardian

‘Joint enterprise prosecutions in England and Wales are to be monitored after a legal challenge from campaigners who argued it disproportionately targets black males and young men.’

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The Guardian, 16th February 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Spiking: Low conviction rate is shocking, say victims – BBC News

‘A student who suspects she was a victim of spiking has said the low conviction rate is shocking but not surprising.’

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BBC News, 15th February 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Prosecutors drop attempted rape case against Mason Greenwood – The Guardian

‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there was “no longer a realistic prospect of conviction” after key witnesses withdrew their cooperation from the investigation.’

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The Guardian, 2nd February 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com