‘Any person over the age of 18 who is convicted of a criminal offence after 15 April 2015 will find that they have to pay “relevant court costs” (or criminal courts charge) in addition to a number of other payments.’
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 14th October 2015
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk
‘Legalising cannabis would raise taxes worth hundreds of millions of pounds and produce large savings for the criminal justice system, a private analysis for the Treasury has concluded.’
The Independent, 13th October 2015
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A report commissioned by the International Bar Association’s (IBA) access to justice and legal aid committee has criticised the “lack of timely provision of legal aid” in the UK. The committee commissioned the Bingham Centre for Rule of Law to conduct research on International Access to Justice: Legal Aid for the Accused and Redress for the Victims of Violence which was published this week.’
Legal Voice, 8th October 2015
Source: www.legalvoice.org.uk
‘A new statutory ban on referral fees in criminal cases is among proposals announced by the Legal Aid Minister Shailesh Vara today.’
Ministry of Justice, 1st Ocotber 2015
Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
‘The Ministry of Justice is considering restricting litigators from instructing advocates within the same firm as part of proposals to enhance the quality of criminal advocacy.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 1st October 2015
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘The imposition of mandatory, punitive fines in English and Welsh criminal courts has undermined respect for the law and introduced US-style plea bargaining that results in false convictions, an influential legal thinktank has warned.’
The Guardian, 30th September 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Budget cuts can go too far and prevent government agencies from fulfilling their public service roles effectively, the new chief inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service has warned.’
The Guardian, 23rd September 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘The supreme court is next month to consider radically reforming the law of joint enterprise, after claims that it drags innocent people into the criminal justice system and excessively punishes those on the periphery of violent crime.’
The Guardian, 22nd September 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Speech by the Lord Chief Justice to the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges, 15th September 2015 Association.’
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 17th September 2015
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
‘The forensic science regulator is reviewing a series of sexual assault cases to examine whether poor evidence gathering at crime scenes may be compromising criminal justice in the UK, she has told the Guardian.’
The Guardian, 17th September 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘The outcry over the new financial penalties for anyone convicted of a crime presents Michael Gove with a crucial test of his willingness to jettison flawed policies inherited from Chris Grayling, his predecessor as Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor.’
The Independent, 11th September 2015
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Greece is not alone in suffering from budget cuts arising from the era of austerity. In the UK, local councils, libraries, museums – all public services have been cut. Criminal Justice has not escaped this cost-cutting. The consequence has been fewer police officers on the streets, less money for legal aid lawyers, and closures of Magistrates courts. Prisons too have been hit; the government has reduced the amount it spends running correctional facilities. This has meant fewer programs and services for prisoners, more austere prisons as well as more work for fewer prison officers.’
OUP Blog, 28th August 2015
Source: www.blog.oup.com
‘The Law Society has today published an online map to show how Ministry of Justice plans to close 91 courts and tribunals across England and Wales will affect solicitors.’
Full story
Law Society’s Gazette, 14th August 2015
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘The Howard League for Penal Reform has called for a review of the “unfair and unrealistic” Criminal Courts Charge, which “ penalises the poor and encourages the innocent to plead guilty”. The mandatory charge of up to £1,200 is imposed on those who admit committing minor misdemeanours, regardless of their circumstances.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 10th August 2015
Sorce: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘Compensation has been reduced for sexual assault victims who have criminal convictions. But we need to stop insisting that traumatised people should be model citizens.’
The Guardian, 7th August 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘A charity today called for an urgent review of criminal courts charges after collating cases which it says prove the fees are ‘unrealistic and unfair’.’
Full story
Law Society’s Gazette, 5th August 2015
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘People who have witnessed a crime are significantly less likely to trust the justice system than the rest of the public, according to new research published by the Government.’
The Independent, 5th August 2015
Source: www.independent.co.uk
It is plain that across the board there is a desire for change in relation to women and criminal justice. Many examples exists of wonderful, creative, worthwhile and even evidently successful projects in relation to diverting women away from custody and improving conditions for women who lose their liberty. Research related to women and criminal justice is ongoing from a range of respected and vociferous advocates such as Women’s Breakout, The Prison Reform Trust, Women in Prison and Halsbury’s Law Exchange to name but a few – many working together to effect change. There is no doubt that evidence and recommendations from each of these respected bodies – and more alongside them – will call for real change, offering genuine educated and reasonable arguments for doing so. However arguably (at least for now), the real “power” lies with the Courts, ergo it is the Courts who need to be at the vanguard of change.
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 3rd August 2015
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk
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