Legal experts worldwide draw up ‘historic’ definition of ecocide – The Guardian

‘Legal experts from across the globe have drawn up a “historic” definition of ecocide, intended to be adopted by the international criminal court to prosecute the most egregious offences against the environment.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 22nd June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Drill music as bad character evidence – 6KBW College Hill

‘The past decade has seen the emergence of ‘drill music’ content increasingly used by the prosecution in criminal trials involving young, black, male defendants accused of gang-related offences.’

Full Story

6KBW College Hill, 13th June 2021

Source: blog.6kbw.com

New minimum standards for rape and sexual assault victim support – Crown Prosecution Service

‘We know that when victims have good emotional and practical support from our excellent ISVA partners, and close liaison with police and prosecutors, the criminal justice process becomes more manageable for them and justice outcomes improve. Currently there is a gap on setting out what best practice looks like – this framework aims to close that gap. New minimum standards for the support of rape and sexual violence victims have today (Friday 18 June) been published by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).’

Full Story

Crown Prosecution Service, 17th June 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Law Commission seek views on corporate criminal liability – Law Commission

‘The Law Commission is seeking views on whether, and how, the law relating to corporate criminal liability can be improved so that they appropriately capture and punish criminal offences committed by corporations, and their directors or senior management.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 9th June 2021

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk/

Why The Government Needs To Halt The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill – Each Other

Posted June 8th, 2021 in bills, criminal justice, minorities, news, stop and search, young offenders by sally

‘Even if you are not a keen follower of new government legislation, chances are you have already heard of The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.’

Full Story

Each Other, 7th June 2021

Source: eachother.org.uk

Lord Chancellor outlines his plans to recover the justice system from COVID-19 – Ministry of Justice

‘The Lord Chancellor spoke at the Law Society to thank the hidden heroes who kept justice moving during the COVID-19 pandemic and outlined his plans for recovering the system, as well as propelling it towards a better future.’

Full speech

Ministry of Justice, 4th June 2021

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Rape cases in England and Wales will be hit hard by backlog, says police chief – The Guardian

‘Rape and domestic violence cases in England and Wales will be among the worst hit from the growing backlog in the judicial system, and trials could soon start collapsing because of severe delays, the new crime commissioner for England’s second biggest force has warned.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 6th June 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Rape victims in England and Wales to give video evidence to boost convictions – The Guardian

‘Rape victims in England and Wales will be able to provide their evidence on video prior to a trial to help improve conviction rates, it is understood.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 17th May 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS review findings for first year of coronavirus prosecutions – Crown Prosecution Service

‘The CPS has now reviewed a full year’s worth of cases charged under the coronavirus legislation, as part of our commitment to ensuring the laws are being applied consistently and correctly. Prosecutors checked 1,821 finalised cases under the Coronavirus Act and Health Protection Regulations between 26 March 2020 and 31 March 2021.’

Full Story

Crown Prosecution Service, 13th May 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Court case delays left assault victim waiting over a year – BBC News

Posted April 23rd, 2021 in assault, budgets, coronavirus, criminal justice, Crown Court, delay, news, trials, victims by sally

‘The government has announced emergency funding to help tackle huge delays in court trials.’

Full Story

BBC News, 23rd April 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police ‘decided not to investigate’ more crimes during coronavirus pandemic, watchdog says – The Independent

Posted April 21st, 2021 in coronavirus, criminal justice, news, ombudsmen, police, statistics, victims by tracey

‘Police in some areas of Britain have “increased the number of crimes they decided not to investigate” during the coronavirus pandemic, a watchdog has revealed.’

Full Story

The Independent, 20th April 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ep 140: Harriet Wistrich on Criminal Justice for Women – Law Pod UK

Posted April 13th, 2021 in criminal justice, news, podcasts, women by sally

‘Following International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Emma-Louise Fenelon spoke to Harriet Wistrich, founder of the Centre for Women’s Justice about the many ways in which the UK criminal justice system is failing women.’

Full Story

Law Pod UK, 12th April 2021

Source: audioboom.com

Police cannot tackle all Covid breaches as crime returns to pre-pandemic levels, senior officer warns – The Independent

Posted April 12th, 2021 in burglary, coronavirus, criminal justice, news, police, theft, violence by tracey

‘Police will not be able to respond to all breaches of coronavirus restrictions as crime rises towards pre-pandemic levels, a senior officer has warned.’

Full Story

The Independent, 12th April 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

I’ve seen how the UK justice system is crumbling. Why doesn’t the government take action? – Dominic Grieve – The Guardian

Posted April 6th, 2021 in budgets, civil justice, courts, criminal justice, legal aid, news, prisons by sally

‘From decrepit court buildings to legal aid cuts, the service has been brought to its knees. And there’s little hope of change.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 5th April 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

MI5 undercover agent policy held lawful – UK Human Rights Blog

‘In Privacy International & Ors v Secretary of State for Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs & Ors [2021] EWCA Civ 330, the Court of Appeal held that the policy which authorises officers of the Security Service (MI5) to run undercover agents who participate in the commission of criminal offences is lawful.’

Full Story

UK Human Rights Blog, 26th March 2021

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Children: Public Law Update (March 2021) – Family Law Week

‘John Tughan QC of 4PB considers the latest judgments that Public law child lawyers need to know about.’

Full Story

Family Law Week, 24th March 2021

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Public Accounts Committee warns of “huge backlogs” in courts, justice system under “unprecedented pressure” – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Ministry of Justice “faces significant risks across the full range of its services, without a clear sense of prioritisation” and huge backlogs that have built up are causing “unacceptably long waiting times for people to access justice”, the Public Accounts Committee has said.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 24th March 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Fatal truth: how the suicide of Alex Reid exposed the hidden death toll of domestic violence – The Guardian

‘Nine months after the outgoing and talented nurse started dating Peter Yeung, she was dead. Her story highlights a shockingly common but overlooked cause of death among women.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Shrewsbury 24: how industrial action led to 47-year fight for justice – The Guardian

‘The industrial action that led to the convictions of union activists and a 47-year campaign to clear their names took place as Edward Heath’s Conservative government sought to weaken the economic power of trade unions.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 23rd March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Shrewsbury 24: court of appeal overturns 1970s picketing convictions – The Guardian

‘Court of appeal judges have overturned the criminal convictions of a group of trade unionists, including the actor Ricky Tomlinson, after a campaign lasting more than four decades.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 23rd March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com