‘Private probation companies responsible for supervising more than 200,000 offenders in England and Wales face total losses of more than £100m, even after a £342m “bailout” by the Ministry of Justice, MPs have been told.’
The Guardian, 17th January 2018
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Victims of the serial sex attacker John Worboys have welcomed a possible reversal of the Parole Board’s decision to release him this month amid growing calls at Westminster for a urgent review of the case.’
The Guardian, 14th January 2018
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘In December 2017 there was a considerable outcry following the case of Liam Allan, a middle class white man studying criminology who had been charged with rape. Crucial material was not disclosed or properly reviewed by the police which totally undermined the case against the defendant and the case was dropped. The Director of Public Prosecutions apologised, an enquiry into disclosure is to follow, the police were slammed, and the issue was raised with the Prime Minister in the House of Commons. Even the Daily Mail got in on the act and other cases have also been dropped since.’
Legal Voice, 10th January 2018
Source: www.legalvoice.org.uk
‘What legal principles connect publicity for the 17 year-old Charlie Pearce (born 3 July 2000), a double rapist and attempt murderer (R v Pearce (Press Restrictions) Haddon-Cave J (7 December 2017)) and privacy for a stalking mother who, with her cohabitant (‘Mr JM’) tried to disrupt her 10 year-old daughter T’s foster placement (Re T (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 1889 (23 November 2017)).’
Transparency Project, 31st January 2018
Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk
‘The justice secretary has pledged to implement a “key principle” of “change or explain” when racial discrimination is found in the justice system.’
BBC News, 19th December 2017
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘When the police investigate a criminal offence, it may not be necessary to formally arrest a suspect. In the past, it would be common practice that those being questioned by the police were arrested. Now, with the introduction of the 28-day bail limit, it is becoming a more accepted method for the police to question suspects by way of a ‘voluntary interview’.’
Legal Voice, 8th December 2017
Source: www.legalvoice.org.uk
‘Bach Commission vice-chair and former judge Sir Henry Brooke has demanded action to reverse assaults on the criminal justice system, claiming the ‘liberties of England are at risk’ because of cuts in funding.’
Law Society's Gazette, 4th December 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Criminal suspects who attack police dogs should be jailed for up to five years under a specific new offence, MPs will say this week. Sir Oliver Heald, a former solicitor general, is to call for legislation to cover those who injure “service animals”, including guide dogs and animals assisting police and military officers.’
Daily Telegraph, 2nd December 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Speech by the Lord Chief Justice: Justice – Mental Health and Fair Trial Report.’
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 28th November 2017
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
‘The Law Society is taking High Court action against the government’s latest criminal legal aid reforms over concerns that the ‘fragile’ sector will not be able to withstand further cuts.’
Law Society's Gazette, 28th November 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Specialist prosecutors should review all decisions to charge suspects with mental health vulnerabilities and the defence of insanity should be amended, a law reform charity has said.’
The Guardian, 27th November 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has released guidance for those concerned about potentially unreliable forensic toxicology tests. This follows police investigations into the potential manipulation of forensic toxicology test results at two private companies, Trimega Laboratories Limited and Randox Testing Services. The test results were used as expert evidence in England and Wales. The guidance includes examples which aim to help people understand where toxicology tests may have been used as part of decision making in court cases, and provides advice for those who believe their case may have been adversely affected by manipulated test results.’
Family Law, 24th November 2017
Source: www.familylaw.co.uk
‘The recent mass review of 10,000 criminal case samples shows what can happen when commercial demands get in the way of vital public services.’
The Guardian, 27th November 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Both the deceased and her daughter were under the care of the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust due to mental illness issues. There had been a series of incidences in which the daughter was found to have been violent or threatening to specifically her Mother and also to police officers and other carers which culminated in her being admitted to hospital pursuant to section 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983. She subsequently escaped and was then returned to hospital. A decision was made to move her to an open ward from which she absconded again and went missing, subsequently being discovered to be back at her Mother’s house. Concerns were raised between the hospital and the police about the welfare of her Mother in such circumstances and there appeared to be a dispute about the responsibility of the two authorities to act. After further concerns were raised by other family members about the disappearance of the Mother, police attended at the home and discovered the Mother’s body; her daughter was arrested in connection with her death.’
Park Square Barristers, 2nd November 2017
Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk
‘It is clear that some iconic species of animals are on the brink of extinction. This is not just a crisis for those countries in which those species live, but a global issue. It will ultimately take a collaborative world-wide response to combat the problem.’
Drystone Chambers, 6th November 2017
Source: drystone.com
‘Around 50 drug-driving prosecutions have been dropped because original test results may have been “manipulated”.’
BBC News, 21st November 2017
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Fresh delays have hit the government’s scandal-hit programme for the electronic tagging of offenders, which mean the next-generation satellite tracking tags will not come into use until early 2019, MPs have been told.’
The Guardian, 13th November 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Use of non-custodial sentences in England and Wales has fallen sharply but risen significantly in Scotland, according to a report highlighting their effectiveness in preventing re-offending. The comparative study by the Centre for Justice Innovation reveals that over the past decade there has been a 24% decrease in the number of community sentences imposed in England and Wales compared with an 18% increase in Scotland.’
The Guardian, 3rd November 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Too many children are being criminalised by the courts, the most senior family judge in England and Wales has warned. Sir James Munby, president of the family division of the High Court, said that the Crown Prosecution Service should look at changing its charging policy for children so that fewer of them end up in the criminal courts.’
Daily Telegraph, 1st November 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Far-reaching reforms to the police, justice system and health service in England and Wales are needed to reduce the risk of people dying in custody, a long-delayed report has concluded.’
The Guardian, 30th October 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
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