Three-quarters of sexual violence survivors subjected to rape myths in court – The Guardian

‘Three-quarters of survivors of sexual violence are subjected to rape myths during cross-examination, such as being asked what they were wearing or if they were out for revenge, according to research.’

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The Guardian, 10th October 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Qualified Legal Representatives – the challenges so far – Becket Chambers

‘For cases issued after 21 July 2022, the Court has jurisdiction to appoint a Qualified Legal Representative (“QLR”). In family cases, the necessity for such an appointment usually arises upon application of section 65 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 or amendments to the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 which restricts litigants in person from cross-examining parties or witnesses in certain circumstances.’

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Becket Chambers, 2nd July 2024

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

Court of Appeal criticises judge who ‘entered the arena to an impermissible extent’ – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 2nd, 2024 in cross-examination, judges, news, witnesses by tracey

‘A judge accused of cross-examining an appellant during a hearing about a rejected residence card did not act fairly in his conduct and determination of the case, the Court of Appeal has found.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 1st July 2024

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Controversial Suspected Inflicted Head Injuries pilot launched: Lawyers raise concern about lack of consultation and potential unfairness – Transparency Project

‘When a child suffers a head injury which medical professionals suspect may be inflicted, safeguarding processes are triggered, often leading to care proceedings and the removal of the child from the care of their parents, usuall y for many months and sometimes forever.’

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Transparency Project, 27th June 2024

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Curbs on expert cross-examination could lead to wrongful removals, family silks warn – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 25th, 2024 in child abuse, children, cross-examination, expert witnesses, news, pilot schemes by tracey

‘Senior family lawyers have warned that a little-known pilot project centring on the role and use of expert evidence will see children wrongly taken from their families. The Department for Education-funded pilot is up and running at NHS trusts in Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham with little information available to either the public or family law specialists.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 24th June 2024

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Test of dishonesty in Ivey applies to deprivation decisions – EIN Blog

Posted March 12th, 2024 in citizenship, cross-examination, evidence, fraud, news by tracey

‘Ullah v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024] EWCA Civ 201 (06 March 2024). In a case raising an elementary issue of procedural fairness, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal of Mr Ullah—a Pakistani national—against the UT’s erroneous decision to dismiss his appeal reversing the FTT’s first instance decision to allow his appeal from the SSHD’s decision to make an order to deprive him of British citizenship.’

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EIN Blog, 12th March 2024

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Case Comment: TUI Limited v Griffiths [2023] UKSC 48 – UKSC Blog

‘In this case, Catherine McAndrew, a Senior Associate in the Insurance and Reinsurance team at CMS, comments on the Supreme Court’s decision in TUI Limited v Griffiths [2023] UKSC 48, which was handed down on 29 November 2023.’

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UKSC Blog, 26th January 2024

Source: ukscblog.com

Griffiths v. TUI UK Limited: Evidence, Challenge and Fairness – UK Human Rights Blog

‘The central question facing the Supreme Court in Griffiths v TUI UK Limited [2023] UKSC 48 concerned the extent to which a party must put criticisms of a witness’ evidence to him in cross-examination. The Supreme Court made clear that the general rule in civil cases is that a party is required to challenge by cross-examination the evidence of any witness (whether factual or expert) if he wishes to submit that the evidence should not be accepted by the court. Importantly, this rule is not confined to allegations that the witness is dishonest. The rule is, however, a flexible one; it will not always be necessary for every point of challenge to be put to a witness, and in some cases (such as where evidence is “manifestly incredible”) it may not apply at all. Although the Supreme Court gave a conceptually clear answer to the question before it, difficult practical issues are likely to continue to arise for trial advocates who wish to challenge factual or expert witness evidence.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 3rd January 2024

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Griffiths v TUI [2023] UKSC 48: The Supreme Court unanimously agrees with MC Hammer – “U can’t touch this” – St John’s Chambers

‘The Supreme Court today handed down its long-awaited judgment in the case of Griffths v TUI [2023] UKSC 48. It is a thorough, important, and helpful statement (or, depending on one’s view, re-statement) of the laws and rules of evidence, what must be put to a witness before that evidence can be challenged in closing submissions, and the limits on any Judge’s power to dismiss relevant evidence which has not been challenged (or challenged sufficiently) at trial. At the heart of the judgment is the Court’s assessment of what it means for the parties to have a fair trial.’

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St John's Chambers, 29th November 2023

Source: www.stjohnschambers.co.uk

Qualified legal representatives will now get expenses but Law Soc says fees ‘still too low’ – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Law Society has welcomed the announcement that expenses will be added to the qualified legal representative (QLR) scheme in domestic abuse cases, but says fees are still too low.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 11th December 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Barrister fee increase to help vulnerable victims bring attackers to justice – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 30th, 2023 in barristers, cross-examination, Ministry of Justice, news, victims, video recordings by tracey

‘Fees for barristers who help vulnerable witnesses and victims to pre-record a cross examination will rise to £1,000, the government announced today (25 October 2023).’

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Ministry of Justice, 25th October 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Contemnor required to attend an in person hearing for cross examination (Deutsche Bank AG v Sebastian Holdings Inc and another) – Gatehouse Chambers

‘Dispute Resolution analysis: An admitted contemnor subject to a suspended warrant for committal has been ordered to attend in person for cross examination in relation to the assets of a company he controlled. His request to attend the hearing remotely by video link from Connecticut was refused.’

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Gatehouse Chambers, 15th September 2023

Source: gatehouselaw.co.uk

Pre-recorded evidence improves rape victims’ experience of court – Ministry of Justice

‘Rape victims who pre-record their evidence are more likely to have a better experience of the court process, findings published today (3 April 2023) reveal.’

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Ministry of Justice, 3rd April 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Woman allegedly raped as a teenager calls for change after ‘horrendous’ trial – The Guardian

Posted March 13th, 2023 in cross-examination, news, rape, retrials, sexual offences, trials, victims, young persons by tracey

‘A woman who alleges that she was raped as a teenager by an older man has called for changes to the judicial process after finding the experience of going to trial traumatic.’

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The Guardian, 12th March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Charities urge Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to guarantee better protection for women in Family Courts – Family Law

Posted February 21st, 2023 in cross-examination, domestic violence, family courts, harassment, news, victims by tracey

‘The Family Courts are failing survivors of domestic abuse, according to 28 leading women’s charities, solicitors and survivors. A letter signed by the group has been delivered to Secretary of State for Justice Dominic Raab today, calling for urgent action to stop the practice of perpetrators of domestic abuse from cross examining their victims in court.’

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Family Law, 20th February 2023

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Domestic abuse victims ‘still being cross-examined by alleged perpetrator’ – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Victims of domestic abuse are still being cross-examined by alleged perpetrators in the family courts despite the “appalling practice” being banned by the Domestic Abuse Act, women’s charities and solicitors have told the lord chancellor.

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Law Society's Gazette, 12th February 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Mother v Father [2022] EWHC 3107 (Fam): I was not allowed to give evidence or cross-examine in family court: can I appeal? – Becket Chambers

Posted January 10th, 2023 in appeals, chambers articles, cross-examination, family courts, news by sally

‘This article provides an overview of the court’s powers in limiting evidence heard during family court proceedings. I will be examining some key lessons on this topic as heard in the recent case of Mother v Father [2022] EWHC 3107 (Fam).’

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Becket Chambers, 20th December 2022

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

Where are we with Section 65 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021? – Garden Court Chambers

Posted January 10th, 2023 in chambers articles, cross-examination, domestic violence, news by sally

‘The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 came into force in April 2021. Section 65 of the Act (which amends the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (MFPA) creates prohibitions which “prohibit cross-examination in person”.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 23rd December 2022

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Healthcare Enabled Fraud – 3PB

‘Keoghs recently wrote about their triple success in defeating claims for psychological injury arising out of road traffic accidents. The common denominator of the three claims was that each of the Claimants sought to rely upon the medical evidence of a specific Consultant Psychologist. Sharan Sanghera acted for the Defendant in one of those Claims, her comment on the case appears below.’

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3PB, 13th December 2022

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

“Would you believe it? The relevance of demeanour in assessing the truthfulness of witness testimony” – Supreme Court

Posted October 28th, 2022 in cross-examination, judges, speeches, witnesses by tracey

‘At a Glance conference: 12 October 2022 Keynote address “Would you believe it? The relevance of demeanour in assessing the truthfulness of witness testimony”
Lord Leggatt’

Full speech

Supreme Court, 12th October 2022

Source: www.supremecourt.uk