A new approach: access to justice in criminal cases – LegalVoice

“Anyone concerned over the need to check the power of the police and prosecution authorities by providing a counter-balance holding these state funded entities to account may find this paper helpful, writes Robin Murray. It is a proposal to save millions of pounds of tax-payers’ money whilst at the same time preserving independent access to justice, an essential pre-requisite to prevent abuse and injustice to which anyone of us, high or low can become a victim.”

Full story

LegalVoice, 5th February 2013

Source: www.legalvoice.org.uk

What has the European Court of Human Rights ever done for us? – The Independent

Posted January 15th, 2013 in appeals, civil justice, courts, criminal justice, human rights, news by sally

“The Court of Human Rights has a bad press in Britain – but for thousands of desperate people it is their last shot at justice.”

Full story

The Independent, 14th January 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Unreliable Evidence – BBC Radio 4

Posted January 8th, 2013 in criminal justice, criminal procedure, delay, evidence, news by sally

“Clive Anderson and top lawyers and judges reveal why the wheels of our legal system turn so slowly and discuss concerns that Government proposals to speed up proceedings in our criminal courts could lead to injustices.”

Listen

BBC Radio 4, 2nd January 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Victims to be given back their voice – Home Office

Posted December 14th, 2012 in criminal justice, press releases, punishment, restorative justice, victims by tracey

“Victims of antisocial behaviour and low level crime will be able to have their say on out-of-court punishments of offenders, the Home Office announced today.”

Full press release

Home Office, 13th December 2012

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Regina v Smith (Mark) – WLR Daily

Regina v Smith (Mark) [2012] EWCA Crim 2566; [2012] WLR (D) 362

“The court had to identify the potential victim in a restraining order under section 5A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 to reflect the underlying purpose of the provision to protect that person or class of persons from an acquitted defendant and could only impose an order if satisfied that the defendant was likely to pursue a course of conduct which amounted to harassment within the meaning of section 1 of the Act.”

WLR Daily, 29th November 2012

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

A restorative justice system – the view from the bench – Ministry of Justice

Posted November 30th, 2012 in criminal justice, news, restorative justice by tracey

“Lawrence Kershen QC, a commercial mediator at Tooks Chambers and former Chairman of the Restorative Justice Council, discusses restorative justice in the criminal justice system. Restorative justice allows victims of crime to be given the opportunity to confront their offender and to have a say in the resolution of the offence.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 29th November 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Women and the criminal justice system: what do the latest statistics show? – The Guardian

Posted November 23rd, 2012 in criminal justice, news, sentencing, statistics, women by tracey

“Statistics published by the Ministry of Justice today look at women and the Criminal Justice System.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd November 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Further review of disclosure in criminal proceedings: sanctions for disclosure failure – Judiciary of England and Wales

Posted November 22nd, 2012 in criminal justice, disclosure, reports, sanctions by tracey

“The further review was established to consider the specific issue of sanctions for disclosure failure by both the prosecution and the defence; whether the sanctions available, together with judicial case management powers, are adequate to secure compliance with disclosure duties and, if not, whether there are options for strengthening those sanctions.”

Full review

Judiciary of England and Wales, 22nd November 2012

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Black Holes in the Legal Cosmos – A Hitchhiker’s Guide – Speech by Mr Justice Foskett

Posted November 19th, 2012 in civil justice, criminal justice, judiciary, media, news, speeches by sally

Black Holes in the Legal Cosmos – A Hitchhiker’s Guide (PDF)

Speech by Mr Justice Foskett

King’s College London Law Alumni Autumn Lecture, 15th November 2012

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Minimum sentences, minimum justice – Zenith Chambers

Posted October 30th, 2012 in criminal justice, firearms, news, sentencing by sally

“A five year old girl, Thusha Kamaleswaran, was shot through the spine and paralysed from the waist down for life, in March 2011. She was in her uncle’s shop in Stockwell, London, when two bullets were fired from a gun by a gang member from outside into the shop. Three men were put on trial for the shooting, and convicted at the Old Bailey on 26th March 2012. The jury at the trial were shown CCTV footage of Thusha skipping happily in the aisle in her pink dress and red cardigan shortly before she was struck. ”

Full story (PDF)

Zenith Chambers, 23rd October 2012

Source: www.zenithchambers.co.uk

Crown Court means testing of criminal legal aid – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 30th, 2012 in consultations, criminal justice, legal aid, news by sally

“The proposals set out in this consultation paper seek to improve the effectiveness of the Crown Court means testing scheme of criminal legal aid.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 30th October 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Home Secretary Speech to ACPO Autumn Conference – Home Office

Posted October 26th, 2012 in criminal justice, police, speeches by tracey

“Speech by the home secretary on 23 October 2012.”

Full speech

Home Office, 25th October 2012

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Criminal Cases Review Commission Triennial Review – call for evidence – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 19th, 2012 in budgets, Criminal Cases Review Commission, criminal justice, news, quangos by sally

“In order to review the continuing need for the functions and the form of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, and its statutory powers to perform these functions, the review team is seeking evidence from a wide range of bodies in response to the two principle aims stated by Cabinet Office (as detailed above). The review would particularly welcome hearing from applicants (current, previous or those who may potentially apply) to the Commission.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 19th October 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Young offenders should be screened for brain injuries – The Guardian

Posted October 19th, 2012 in criminal justice, mental health, news, young offenders by sally

“A report published on Friday makes some surprising and rather alarming claims. Apparently, 60% of young people in custody say they have experienced a traumatic brain injury. To put this figure into perspective, the incidence of brain injury is typically higher in the population under 25 than in older people, but recent research cited in the report suggests it is higher still for under-25s who find themselves involved in the criminal justice system.”

Full story

The Guardian, 19th October 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

The revolving door of EU criminal justice – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted October 19th, 2012 in criminal justice, EC law, news, veto, warrants by sally

“There has been much in the press recently about the UK Government being minded to opt out, and/or in, of EU criminal justice measures. The implications of this decision will be significant to the UK’s ability to investigate and prosecute crime. So what does it all mean?”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 18th October 2012

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Home Secretary Oral Statement on European Justice and Home Affairs powers – Home Office

Posted October 16th, 2012 in criminal justice, EC law, police, speeches, treaties by tracey

“Oral statement delivered on Monday 15 October 2012.”

Full statement

Home Office, 15th October 2012

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Criminal law opt-out – our justice system deserves better – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted October 15th, 2012 in criminal justice, EC law, jurisdiction, news, veto, victims, warrants by tracey

“Recently there has been concern in the legal world and media about the potential loss of EU criminal justice and judicial cooperation measures which are incorporated into English law.”

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 12th October 2012

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Theresa May takes first step to opting out of EU law and order measures – The Guardian

Posted October 15th, 2012 in criminal justice, EC law, jurisdiction, news, police, veto by tracey

“Britain will on Monday take steps towards opting out of a series of EU law and order measures in a move designed by the Tories to show that they are living up to their pre-election Eurosceptic pledges.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th October 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Flexible courts to open in dozens of areas – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 11th, 2012 in courts, criminal justice, magistrates, news, pilot schemes by sally

“Thousands more people will benefit from flexible courts, Criminal Justice Minister Damian Green said today as he unveiled a list of dozens of new pilot areas.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 11th October 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

‘Swift justice’ pilot schemes unveiled – BBC News

Posted October 11th, 2012 in courts, criminal justice, magistrates, news, pilot schemes by sally

“A substantial increase in the number of flexible criminal justice pilot schemes across England and Wales is to be announced by the government.”

Full story

BBC News, 11th October 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk