Category: criminal justice

Judicial response to the publication of the Attorney General’s unduly lenient referral statistics – Judiciary of England and Wales

Posted July 22nd, 2011 in criminal justice, news, sentencing, statistics by sally

“The Deputy Head of Criminal Justice, Lord Justice Thomas, has responded to the statistics released today by the Attorney General’s office. These statistics report the number of cases where the Attorney General asked the Court of Appeal to decide whether a sentence imposed by the Crown Court was unduly lenient.”

Full story

Judiciary of England and Wales, 21st July 2011

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Criminal lawyers will shudder at plans to introduce competition to legal aid – The Guardian

Posted July 8th, 2011 in competition, criminal justice, legal aid, news, tenders by tracey

“Tucked away on page 52 of the government’s response to the legal aid green paper were words that would make many criminal lawyers shudder: ‘We intend to consult on detailed proposals for introducing competition in criminal proceedings later in the year.’ ”

Full story

The Guardian, 7th July 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

“Justice in Times of Austerity” – speech by Commissioner Viviane Reding now available – The Bar Council

Posted June 23rd, 2011 in criminal justice, criminal procedure, dispute resolution, EC law, speeches by sally

“Vice-President of the European Commission and the first Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, Viviane Reding delivered the keynote address at a seminar on ‘Justice in Times of Austerity’, co-hosted by the Bar Council, the Criminal Bar Association, the Family Law Bar Association and the European Circuit of the Bar of England and Wales.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 22nd June 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Ken Clarke threatens to cut free legal aid for suspects – The Independent

Posted June 23rd, 2011 in criminal justice, legal aid, news by sally

“Kenneth Clarke faced anger last night after threatening to scrap the automatic right of arrested suspects to receive free advice from a solicitor.”

Full story

The Independent, 23rd June 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Squatters should not be occupying legal aid arguments – The Guardian

Posted June 22nd, 2011 in criminal justice, human rights, legal aid, legal representation, news, squatting by sally

“The biggest winding back of access to justice in the legal aid system’s history is not getting the attention it deserves.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

David Cameron upsets prison reformers with sentencing crackdown – The Guardian

Posted June 22nd, 2011 in criminal justice, news, prisons, sentencing, sexual offences, violent offenders by sally

“David Cameron has announced plans to impose a surprise tough ‘two strikes and you’re out’ mandatory life sentence in a move that looks set to dash justice secretary Kenneth Clarke’s hopes of stabilising the record 85,000 prison population in England and Wales.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Kenneth Clarke may ditch ‘soft justice’ reforms – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 8th, 2011 in budgets, criminal justice, news, sentencing by tracey

“The Prime Minister has sent Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke back to the drawing board over sentencing reforms in a bid to reimpose the Tories’ law and order standing.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th June 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

New criminal justice stats underline need to tackle reoffending – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 27th, 2011 in criminal justice, news, recidivists, sentencing by sally

“New Criminal Justice Statistics – published for the first time today – show a dramatic increase in the number of criminals who persistently reoffend.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 26th May 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Just one criminal jailed for every 93 crimes – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 26th, 2011 in criminal justice, news, sentencing, statistics by sally

“Just one criminal is jailed for every 93 offences committed, figures showed.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 26th May 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Conservatives risking reputation on law and order, say ministers – The Guardian

Posted May 23rd, 2011 in budgets, criminal justice, industrial action, news, police by sally

“Senior Tories have raised concerns that the party is risking its reputation for being strong on law and order as the police unveiled plans for a summer campaign of protest against coalition cuts.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Government publishes draft protocol for new police and crime commissioners and chief constables – Home Office

Posted May 13th, 2011 in criminal justice, police, press releases by tracey

“In the journey towards the introduction of the first Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in May 2012, the government today published a draft protocol setting out the relationship between PCCs and Chief Constables.”

Full press release

Home Office, 11th May 2011

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

£5m scheme to divert mentally ill offenders from prison – The Guardian

Posted March 28th, 2011 in criminal justice, imprisonment, mental health, news by sally

“The first stage in setting up a national service to divert mentally ill people from prison is due to be announced by the health secretary, Andrew Lansley, and the justice secretary, Ken Clarke.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th March 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Crime victims’ advocate network to be established – BBC News

Posted March 21st, 2011 in criminal justice, news, victims, witnesses by sally

“Victims of crime – and witnesses to it – in England and Wales are to be given a ‘louder voice’ thanks to a £1m government initiative.”

Full story

BBC News, 21st March 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ken Clarke warned over ‘catastrophic’ community punishment cuts – The Guardian

Posted March 9th, 2011 in budgets, community service, criminal justice, news by sally

“Imminent budget cuts are set to create a funding ‘black hole’ in the criminal justice system with catastrophic consequences for innovative community sentences, experts have warned.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th March 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Classifying offenders could lead to criminal justice revolution – The Guardian

Posted March 2nd, 2011 in budgets, criminal justice, news, statistics by sally

“Imagine being able to predict which offenders will go on to commit serious crimes. Juliet Rix on a new system that could have a drastic impact on the justice system.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd March 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘Serious concerns’ over UK Supreme Court change – BBC News

Posted March 1st, 2011 in criminal justice, news, Scotland, Supreme Court by sally

“The Scottish government is to outline its ‘serious concerns’ about plans which it says could threaten the historic independence of Scots law.”

Full story

BBC News, 1st March 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

International Criminal Practice Seminar, 9th March – The Bar Council

Posted February 28th, 2011 in barristers, continuing professional development, criminal justice, news by sally

“This event is aimed at criminal practitioners, clerks and practice managers who are interested in learning about how to expand their criminal practices internationally. The seminar will be Chaired by Peter Lodder QC, Chairman of the Bar Council and will feature a panel of speakers who will talk briefly on areas of international criminal work, regional opportunities and practical strategies for involvement.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 25th February 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Justice system delays endemic, research shows – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted February 24th, 2011 in criminal justice, criminal procedure, delay, legal profession, news, police, probation by sally

“Law Society research submitted to the government last week has identified a ‘lack of communication’ pervading the justice system that is causing delays throughout the process.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 24th February 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Justice ‘heading for meltdown’ – The Independent

Posted February 21st, 2011 in criminal justice, news, prison officers, prisons by sally

“The Government is playing Russian roulette with public safety and the criminal justice system is heading for meltdown, the Prison Officers’ Association warned.”

Full story

The Independent, 20th February 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Criminal justice reform at a time of austerity: what needs to be done? – The Guardian

Posted February 11th, 2011 in criminal justice, news, prisons, rehabilitation by sally

“A criminologist reflects on lessons to learn from the way in which governments, New Labour in particular, have approached crime.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th February 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk