Victims’ right to review – could it affect the criminal justice system? – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted August 28th, 2014 in appeals, criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, news, victims by sally

‘Several criminals have been found guilty after victims of crime successfully appealed against the CPS’ original decisions not to bring charges. What has been the effect of the introduction of the “right to review scheme”? And could it affect the criminal justice system?’

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 28th August 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Law careers from restorative justice, to legal ombudsman, to media – OUP Blog

‘What range of career options are out there for those attending law school? In this series of podcasts, Martin Partington talks to influential figures in the law about topics ranging from restorative justice to legal journalism.’

Full story

OUP Blog, 19th August 2014

Source: www.blog.oup.com

Domestic abuse crime considered by ministers – BBC News

‘A new crime of domestic abuse could be created under plans being considered by ministers. Home Secretary Theresa May is consulting on creating the offence in England and Wales as part of attempts to improve police performance. Existing law already covers coercive and controlling behaviour – but it does not explicitly apply to relationships.’

Full story

Consultation

BBC News, 20th August 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Domestic violence could become a specific offence, David Cameron says – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 28th, 2014 in criminal justice, domestic violence, news, police, prosecutions by sally

‘The Prime Minister says he will consider a new offence for those who attack their partners that will take into account a pattern of abuse.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 25th July 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Victim right of review scheme sees 146 suspects charged with offences – The Independent

Posted July 21st, 2014 in criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, news, prosecutions, victims by sally

‘Almost 150 suspects have been charged for offences after alleged victims appealed against decisions not to prosecute them under the new right to review scheme, according to new figures.’

Full story

The Independent, 19th July 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Solicitors will close if fee cuts not delayed, warns Law Society chief – The Guardian

Posted July 21st, 2014 in budgets, criminal justice, fees, law firms, legal aid, news by sally

‘Hundreds of solicitors’ firms will close if the Ministry of Justice does not postpone fee cuts and delay changes to criminal legal aid contracts, the new president of the Law Society has warned.’

Full story

The Guardian, 21st July 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Transforming the criminal justice system: strategy and action plan – Ministry of Justice

Posted July 16th, 2014 in computer programs, criminal justice, delay, reports, victims, witnesses by sally

‘The “Criminal justice system 2014 to 2015: strategy and action plan” is an update on the version published last year.’

Full text

Ministry of Justice, 15th July 2014

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

A life and death question: hopes and fears rise as right to die decision nears – The Guardian

Posted July 14th, 2014 in assisted suicide, bills, criminal justice, doctors, news, parliament by sally

‘The House of Lords is to debate Lord Falconer’s bill aimed at clarifying the law on the right to end one’s life.’

Full story

The Guardian, 12th July 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New guidelines issued for reporting restrictions in the criminal courts – Judiciary of England and Wales

Posted June 20th, 2014 in courts, criminal justice, press releases, reporting restrictions by sally

‘A third updated set of guidelines on open justice and reporting restrictions in the criminal courts is published today by the Judicial College, Newspaper Society, Society of Editors and the Media Lawyers Association.’

Full press release

Judiciary of England and Wales, 16th June 2014

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Hate crime: should the current offences be extended? – Law Commission

In a report published today the Law Commission recommends reforms to ensure that the criminal justice system is able to make a stronger and more coherent response to hate crime.

Full story

Law Commission, 28th May 2014

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

Prisoners who have absconded should not be in open prisons, says Grayling – The Guardian

‘The justice secretary is to prevent prisoners who have absconded from being placed in open prison conditions after a convicted murderer went on the run for the third time.’

Full story

The Guardian, 19th May 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Giving the green light to (minor) unlawfulness – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted May 12th, 2014 in appeals, bills, criminal justice, judicial review, licensing, news by sally

‘Some big news for public bodies: it’s now alright to act unlawfully. Don’t get too excited though, there’s a catch: it’s only alright to act a little bit unlawfully. Sounds silly? I agree. But depressingly this is soon likely to be law as a result of the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill currently working its way through the House of Commons.’

Full story

Hardwicke Chambers, 8th April 2014

Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk

Review pushes criminal lawyers towards common training and smaller Bar – Legal Futures

‘A future where would-be criminal law barristers train together with solicitors and work at law firms before joining a “smaller, specialist Bar” later in their careers was sketched out yesterday in the government-commissioned review of criminal advocacy.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 8th May 2014

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Bar Council to consider Jeffrey report into criminal advocacy – The Bar Council

‘The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, will review and consider carefully the findings and recommendations made by Sir Bill Jeffrey in his report, “Independent Criminal Advocacy in England and Wales” published today by the Ministry of Justice.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 7th May 2014

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

‘Disquiet’ among judges over lawyer quality, report finds – BBC News

Posted May 8th, 2014 in criminal justice, judiciary, legal profession, reports by sally

‘There is “disquiet” among judges about the quality of lawyers in England and Wales’s crown courts, a report says. Former civil servant Sir Bill Jeffrey’s report raises concerns about training and the “talent pipeline” for future QCs and judges, and says keeping current arrangements is not “viable”. It also says defence lawyers should get special training before working on rape and other sexual offence cases.’

Full text of report

BBC News, 7th May 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Regina v White (Anthony) – WLR Daily

Regina v White (Anthony) [2014] EWCA Crim 714; [2014] WLR (D) 175

‘If a defendant, wrongly charged with offences contrary to section 16(1) of the Theft Act 1968, rather than under section 15A of the 1968 Act, was prepared to admit his dishonest transactions in relation to mortgage advances, it would be wrong to permit him to evade the consequences of his behaviour by refusing to substitute conviction of the correct offence simply in order to punish the prosecution for its egregious failures in relation to charging.’

WLR Daily, 15th April 2014

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Legal aid consultation ‘unlawful’, solicitors claim – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 10th, 2014 in consultations, criminal justice, illegality, legal aid, news, reports, solicitors by sally

‘Criminal solicitor groups have taken the first step towards a legal challenge to the government’s decision to press ahead with cuts to criminal legal aid.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 9th April 2014

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

R v O’Brien (Appellant) – Supreme Court

R v O’Brien (Appellant) [2014] UKSC 23 (YouTube)

Supreme Court, 2nd April 2014

Source: www.youtube.com/user/UKSupremeCourt

A voice for victims of crime – The Guardian

‘Justice isn’t just about sentencing: it’s about encouraging victims to come forward in the first place. Labour’s planned law will help. By Keir Starmer.’

Full story

The Guardian, 6th April 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Vulnerable witness reforms proposed by Keir Starmer in new ‘victims’ law’ – BBC News

‘Radical changes to the way vulnerable witnesses are treated in court are being considered by the Labour Party.’

Full story

BBC News, 7th April 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk