Civil sanctions are no soft option – The Guardian
“The Law Commission’s proposals on regulation are welcome – but no easy alternative to a busybody state.”
The Guardian, 26th August 2010
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Category: criminal justice
Simplifying the Criminal Law – Law Commission
“We have published a consultation paper proposing changes to the law relating to the offences of public nuisance and outraging public decency.”
Law Commission, 31st March 2010
Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk
Public to have bigger say in criminal sentencing – Daily Telegraph
“Members of the public are to be given a much bigger say in the process which sees criminals having their sentences increased if they are ruled to be too lenient.”
Daily Telegraph, 28th March 2010
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Brown defends silence over jailing of Venables – The Independent
“The Prime Minister has defended the Government’s refusal to explain why one of the murderers of James Bulger has been returned to prison, as new claims emerged that the killer had a recent history of violence and drug abuse.”
The Independent, 5th March 2010
Source: www.independent.co.uk
LCJ warns of ‘undoubted danger’ to administration of justice – Law Society’s Gazette
“The lord chief justice has warned that budgetary pressures on the prosecution and the courts are having a ‘very real impact’ on the administration of justice and said there is ‘an undoubted danger’ that the situation could worsen.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 11th February 2010
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Bar Council launches Judicial Review of Government’s Consultations on Criminal Legal Aid – The Bar Council
“In accordance with the Pre-Action Protocol for Judicial Review Claims, solicitors acting for the Bar Council have today written to the Legal Aid Minister, Lord Bach and to the Chairman of the Legal Services Commission, Sir Bill Callaghan in order to advance proceedings for judicial review of the Government’s consultations on criminal legal aid. ”
The Bar Council, 10th February 2010
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Bar Council to launch legal action against MoJ – Law Society’s Gazette
“The Bar Council and the Criminal Bar Association are set to take the government to court for the first time in 20 years over what they claim are ‘inadequate and unfair’ consultations on new fees for criminal legal aid work.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 8th February 2010
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Attorney General: Keynote Speech – CPS National Schools Project Launch – Attorney General’s Office
“Attorney General: Keynote Speech – CPS National Schools Project Launch.”
Attorney General’s Office, 4th February 2010
Source: www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk
Junior Criminal Bar under threat from botched Legal Aid Reforms warns Commons Committee – The Bar Council
“The influential House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has today (2 February) published a damning report on the Legal Services Commission’s handling of legal aid reform.”
The Bar Council, 2nd February 2010
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Lord Chief Justice Publishes Administration of Justice Review – Judiciary of England & Wales
“The Lord Chief Justice’s ‘Review of the Administration of Justice in the Courts’ was published today. His report covers matters of importance to the judiciary relating to the administration of justice in England and Wales during the 2008-2009 Legal Year (1 October 2008 – 30 September 2009).”
Judiciary of England & Wales, 3rd February 2010
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
Criminal justice measures in force – Ministry of Justice
“Changes to the law over evidence and bail are among some of the new measures that will, from today, further rebalance the criminal justice system in favour of victims and the law-abiding majority.”
Ministry of Justice, 1st February 2010
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
MPs warn of criminal justice ‘crisis’ – Law Society’s Gazette
“A committee of MPs has warned that the criminal justice system is ‘facing a crisis of sustainability’ as government spending on prisons takes resources away from other aspects of criminal justice.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 18th January 2010
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
The Big Question: Do juryless trials risk obscuring the transparency of justice? – The Independent
“Why are we asking this now?
This week Britain’s first crown court criminal trial to take place without a jury in more than 400 years started at the Royal Courts of Justice. The case, involving four men accused of a £1.75m armed robbery, is being heard by a judge, sitting alone, who will decide upon the men’s guilt or otherwise.”
The Independent, 14th January 2010
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Young black people and the criminal justice system: second annual report – Ministry of Justice
“Second annual report to the Home Affairs Select Committee on progress made in taking forward the recommendations of its inquiry.”
Ministry of Justice, 10th December 2009
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Court of Appeal (Criminal) Review of the Legal Year 2008/2009 – Judiciary of England and Wales
“Court of Appeal (Criminal) Review of the Legal Year 2008/2009.”
Judiciary of England and Wales, 11th December 2009
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
Anger over ‘cost-cutting’ plans for serious criminal cases – Law Society’s Gazette
“Solicitors and barristers have reacted with anger to last-minute ‘cost-cutting’ proposals on pay for the most serious criminal cases, which they say ‘drive a coach and horses through two years of patient and careful negotiation’.”
Law Society’s Gazette. 10th December 2009
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Criminal law: youth justice and sentencing – Law Society’s Gazette
“Major changes are being made to the way that courts may sentence young offenders. On 27 April, provisions were brought into force to increase the use of referral orders. These are mandatory if the offence is imprisonable and a first-time offender admits the offence and all connected offences, and the court does not deal with the matter by way of an absolute discharge, hospital order or custodial sentence.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 3rd December 2009
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Youth Rehabilitation Order and youth justice provisions – Ministry of Justice
“This circular contains information on the Youth Rehabilitation Order as well as other youth justice related changes.”
Ministry of Justice, 30th November 2009
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Vulnerable Defendants in the Criminal Courts – Prison Reform Trust
” ‘Vulnerable Defendants in the Criminal Courts’ reviews the provision of support in the court system for adults with learning disabilities or learning difficulties. The second half of the report examines the situation for children.”
Prison Reform Trust, 1st December 2009
Source: www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk
