Doing time: confessions of a crime reporter – The Guardian

Posted April 25th, 2016 in criminal justice, media, news by sally

‘Duncan Campbell has reported on the most infamous cases of the past 50 years, from the Rosemary West trial to the Hatton Garden heist. The veteran journalist recalls a life in crime.’

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

“Boring” hearings or judges who interrupt? Neuberger knows what he likes – Legal Futures

‘The written advocacy of continental European lawyers makes for “boring” court proceedings, according to the President of the Supreme Court.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 19th April 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Drone pilots could face up to five years in prison if they put aircraft in danger – The Independent

Posted April 18th, 2016 in aircraft, criminal justice, fines, health & safety, news, prosecutions by sally

‘Drone pilots are liable to criminal prosecution if they fail to conduct a flight in a safe manner.’

Full story

The Independent, 18th April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Tiny proportion of stalking cases recorded by police, data suggests – The Guardian

‘Only a tiny proportion of all stalking cases are recorded by police, figures have suggested, leading to calls for more training for police to recognise the crime and provide support to victims.’

Full story

The Guardian, 18th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

CPS responds to HMCPSI/HMIC Digitisation Report – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted April 15th, 2016 in criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, internet, press releases by sally

‘Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary have today published a joint report on the Effectiveness of Digital Systems within the Criminal Justice System. The report highlights that significant progress has been made and the CPS has been at the forefront of that change.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 13th April 2016

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Police and prosecutors ‘losing sensitive evidence’ – BBC News

‘Sensitive details held by police and prosecutors in England are being lost because evidence is still being shared on computer discs, watchdogs say.’

Full story

BBC News, 13th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

What sort of justice do survivors of sexual war crimes want? – The Guardian

‘Convicting perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict is a milestone but we also need to enable survivors to build their future.’

Full story

The Guardian, 12th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Regina v Roberts (Mark) and others- WLR Daily

Regina v Roberts (Mark) and others [2016] EWCA Crim 71

‘In each of the 13 applications before the court, the applicants applied for an extension of time in which to apply for leave to appeal against sentences of imprisonment or detention for public protection (“IPP”)), imposed between 2005 and 2008 under the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Before the sentence of IPP was amended by the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, the court was required to make the assumption that an offender was dangerous if he had been convicted on an earlier occasion of a specified offence, unless it was unreasonable to do so. Where he was found to be dangerous, and over 18, the court was required to pass a sentence of IPP or life imprisonment; the 2003 Act removed all discretion from the court once it was found that the offender was dangerous. All the applicants had either been detained in custody long after the expiry of the minimum term or had been recalled for breach of licence. The applicants submitted (1) that whatever might have been the position at the time the sentences of IPP were passed, the Court of Appeal had power under section 11 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 to pass sentences that, in the light of what had happened over the intervening years, now would be the proper sentence; (2) the Court of Appeal should reconsider the assessments made by sentencing judges in the light of R v Lang [2005] EWCA Crim 2864; [2006] 1 WLR 2509, and (3) a time could and had been reached when the length of the imprisonment was so excessive and disproportionate compared to the index criminal offence that it could amount to inhuman treatment under article 3 or arbitrary detention under article 5 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. That was because the detention no longer had any meaningful link to the index offence. A much delayed review of a sentencing decision could therefore be a mechanism the court could employ to avoid a breach of those Convention Rights. As the period now served by each of the applicants was so much longer than any conceivable determinate sentence would have required, the continued detention amounted to preventative detention and was therefore arbitrary. ‘

WLR Daily, 18th March 2016

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Children in care homes ‘excessively criminalised’ – The Guardian

Posted March 30th, 2016 in care homes, children, criminal justice, news, police, statistics, young offenders by sally

‘Children living in care homes are “excessively criminalised” compared with other boys and girls, campaigners have said.’

Full story

The Guardian, 30th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lammy Review of BAME representation in the Criminal Justice System: call for evidence – Ministry of Justice

Posted March 21st, 2016 in criminal justice, diversity, equality, evidence, press releases by sally

‘In January 2016 the Prime Minister invited David Lammy MP to find out why official figures show that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups appear to be over-represented at most stages of the criminal justice system, and what can be done about it. This is an independent review. It aims to make sure that everyone is treated equally, whatever their ethnicity.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 21st March 2016

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

Speech by Lord Justice Fulford for NPCC: National Criminal Justice Performance Conference – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted March 17th, 2016 in case management, courts, criminal justice, judges, speeches by sally

‘Speech by Lord Justice Fulford for NPCC: National Criminal Justice Performance Conference.’

Full speech

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 16th March 2016

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

New forensic science service planned – BBC News

‘A new forensic and biometrics service is planned by the Home Office, four years after it controversially abolished its predecessor.’

Full story

BBC News, 12th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Senior judge voices concern over police investigation control – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 9th, 2016 in criminal justice, judiciary, news, police, time limits by sally

‘Judges must “tread carefully” if they are granted powers to control the length of police investigations, the senior presiding judge for England and Wales has said in response to human rights organisation Justice’s report on complex and lengthy criminal trials.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 7th March 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Why is domestic abuse still not taken seriously in UK courts? – The Guardian

Posted March 8th, 2016 in criminal justice, domestic violence, news, sentencing, victims, women by sally

‘Female victims left in fear for their lives speak out about the failure of the justice system to punish abusers with long prison sentences.’

Full story

The Guardian, 8th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Online abuse: ‘existing laws too fragmented and don’t serve victims’ – The Guardian

‘The chief constable leading the fight against digital crime is calling for new legislation to tackle an “unimagined scale of online abuse” that he says is threatening to overwhelm the police service. Stephen Kavanagh, who heads Essex police, argues it is necessary to consolidate and simplify offences committed online to improve the chance of justice for tens of thousands of victims.’

Full story

The Guardian, 4th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Millions spent on legal cases that fail to reach court – Daily Telegraph

‘National Audit Office warns criminal justice system ‘not delivering value for money’, with victims facing delays, collapsed cases and postcode lottery.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 1st March 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

The pints of justice? Could courts cases be heard in pubs? – Daily Telegraph

‘Lord Chief Justice appears to agree with calls to have cases heard in hotels and pubs as one in five courts are closed.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 23rd February 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Early guilty pleas: Justice for whom? – UK Human Rights Blog

‘New guidelines incentivising people accused of criminal offences in England and Wales to plead guilty as early as possible were proposed last week. While existing rules allow for a maximum one-third reduction in the sentence to those who plead guilty at the ‘first reasonable opportunity’, this benefit is now only available to those who plead guilty at their very first court hearing, with the available reduction falling on a steeper sliding scale thereafter.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 15th February 2016

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Regulatory offenders could face lower fine discounts if they wait to plead guilty, says expert – OUT-LAW.com

‘Companies which face prosecution for health and safety, environmental and other regulatory breaches would have to plead guilty at an earlier stage or risk higher fines under new proposals put forward by the Sentencing Council, an expert has said.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 12th February 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Review of the youth justice system – Ministry of Justice

Posted February 12th, 2016 in criminal justice, news, reports, young persons, youth courts by sally

‘An interim report of emerging findings from the review of the youth justice system.’

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 9th February 2016

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