Victims will have say in jurisdiction of criminal cases involving armed forces – Law Society’s Gazette

‘For the first time, the views of alleged victims will be considered when deciding whether the civilian or military justice system should deal with criminal cases involving a member of the armed forces.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 27th October 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Law compelling convicts to be in court for sentencing expected in King’s Speech – The Independent

Posted October 25th, 2023 in criminal justice, government departments, judges, judiciary, news, trials by sally

‘A law allowing judges to force convicted criminals to be in court for their sentencing will be in the King’s Speech, the Justice Secretary has indicated.’

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The Independent, 25th October 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Woman raped by ex-partner left traumatised by English family courts – The Guardian

‘A woman who was raped by her former partner has told how her fight for justice in the family courts left her traumatised.’

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The Guardian, 21st October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Drug-spiking reports rise fivefold but proportion leading to charges fall – The Guardian

Posted October 23rd, 2023 in criminal justice, drug offences, news, sexual offences, statistics by tracey

‘Drug-spiking incidents reported to the police have increased five-fold in five years, yet the proportion leading to a criminal charge is falling, freedom of information (FoI) requests show.’

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The Guardian, 23rd October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Prison reforms will cut reoffending and put worst offenders behind bars for longer – Ministry of Justice

‘A fundamental shake-up of the justice system that takes dangerous offenders off the streets for longer while rehabilitating lower risk offenders has been outlined today by Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk.’

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Ministry of Justice, 16th October 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Nitrous oxide to be illegal from November – Home Office

‘Possession of nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas”, will be illegal from 8 November 2023.’

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Home Office, 18th October 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Courts increase sentences for child sex offenders – Attorney General’s Office

‘Figures released as part the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme annual statistics for 2022 show there were 23 child sex offence sentence increases. This was followed by 10 sentences increased for rape offences and 7 for cases involving grievous bodily harm.’

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Attorney General's Office, 17th October 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

“Relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid cab-rank rule – Legal Futures

‘It seems “relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid the cab-rank rule by relying on exemptions, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has said.’

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Legal Futures, 17th October 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

CPS prosecution guidance on protests and demonstrations in light of the Middle East conflict – Crown Prosecution Service

‘The CPS is aware that following the recent disturbing events in the Middle East, the public and many different communities may be concerned about protests or demonstrations. The CPS recognises that whilst in the main demonstrations and protests will be peaceful and lawful, there may be incidents of public disorder and it is possible that some individuals may commit criminal offences.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 13th October 2023

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences launched – Home Office

Posted October 13th, 2023 in criminal justice, disclosure, fraud, government departments, news by tracey

‘An independent review into disclosure and fraud, led by Jonathan Fisher KC, has launched to make it quicker and easier to bring criminals to justice.’

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Home Office, 12th October 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

UK’s ‘broken’ criminal justice system is in ‘chaos’, former victims’ tsar warns – The Independent

Posted October 3rd, 2023 in criminal justice, delay, news, victims by sally

‘The “broken” criminal justice system is in “chaos” with Rishi Sunak’s government showing “no creative thinking” in its approach to easing the courts backlog, the former victims’ commissioner has warned.’

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The Independent, 3rd October 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Five more ex Post Office workers have convictions set aside – Criminal Cases Review Commission

‘Five more former sub-postmasters have had convictions set aside after their cases were sent back to court by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).’

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Criminal Cases Review Commission, 28th September 2023

Source: ccrc.gov.uk

Trudi Warner reveals the dark secret of English courts: juries do have the right to follow their consciences – The Guardian

Posted September 27th, 2023 in climate change, criminal justice, demonstrations, freedom of expression, juries, news by sally

‘The solicitor general taking action against a climate protester who held up a sign outside court raises a vital issue for criminal justice.’

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The Guardian, 27th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Why do rape and sexual assault victims find it hard to go straight to police? – BBC News

Posted September 20th, 2023 in criminal justice, media, news, police, rape, sexual offences, statistics, victims, women by sally

‘Four women have accused Russell Brand of rape and sexual assault in a joint investigation between the Sunday Times, the Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.’

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BBC News, 19th September 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Honour-based abuse: Government rejects calls for legal definition – BBC News

‘The government has rejected calls for a legal definition of honour-based abuse.’

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BBC News, 15th September 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Speech by the Lord Chief Justice: Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Conference 2023 – Courts & Tribunals Judiciary

Posted September 12th, 2023 in anonymity, civil justice, criminal justice, media, news, remote hearings, rule of law, speeches by tracey

‘Open Justice Today Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Conference 2023.’

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Courts & Tribunals Judiciary, 11th September 2023

Source: www.judiciary.uk

New collaboration on scoping study on international cooperation in criminal law – Law Commission

Posted September 8th, 2023 in criminal justice, international law, Law Commission, news by tracey

‘In a new initiative, the Law Commission of England and Wales has invited the Criminal Law Reform Now Network (CLRNN), an established research network, to look at whether a law reform project on international cooperation in criminal law is needed and, if so, what the scope might be.’

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Law Commission, 7th September 2023

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Seventeen years: what does Andrew Malkinson’s wrongful conviction say about the appeals process? – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal overturned Andrew Malkinson’s conviction for rape and related assault offences, for which he had spent 17 years in prison. An appeal in 2006 upheld the verdict and applications to the Criminal Case Review Commission (CCRC) in 2012 and 2020 were denied. Finally, a third application last year convinced the CCRC to order fresh DNA analysis. It was this evidence as well as treatment of some previously undisclosed information to do with Malkinson’s witness identification which secured his release.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 29th August 2023

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Andrew Malkinson: independent inquiry announced into wrongful conviction – The Guardian

‘Ministers have announced an independent inquiry into the circumstances and handling of the Andrew Malkinson case after he was exonerated last month over a rape for which he wrongly spent 17 years in prison.’

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The Guardian, 24th August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘An activist blob’: Tory party attacks on lawyers – a timeline – The Guardian

‘Critical language used to blame lawyers for thwarting immigration policy dates back to Boris Johnson era.’

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The Guardian, 16th August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com