‘Lady in the Lake’ murder: Gordon Park’s conviction upheld – BBC News

‘Three senior judges have rejected a posthumous appeal against the conviction of Gordon Park, the so-called “Lady in the Lake” killer.’

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BBC News, 1st May 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Domestic abuse prosecutions fell by 24% at end of 2019 – The Guardian

‘The number of domestic abuse prosecutions fell by almost a quarter in the last three months of 2019, compared to the previous year, according to quarterly figures released by the Crown Prosecution Service. Rape prosecutions also fell 23% in the last three months of 2019 compared to a year prior, maintaining a historic low.’

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The Guardian, 30th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jeremy Bamber lawyers seek review of CPS refusal to disclose evidence – The Guardian

Posted April 30th, 2020 in Crown Prosecution Service, disclosure, evidence, judicial review, murder, news by sally

‘Lawyers representing Jeremy Bamber, who is serving a whole life sentence for killing five members of his family in 1985, will ask the high court to review the refusal of the Crown Prosecution Service to disclose evidence they believe could undermine his conviction.’

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The Guardian, 30th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jennifer Collins: Coronavirus and the Spread of Crime Control – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘In this post I analyse some of the contradictions present in the current penal response to Covid-19 in England and Wales, represented in a recent Crown Prosecution Service press release. Coercive criminal law measures which clearly and proportionately penalize those who endanger emergency workers, or engage in fraudulent conduct, may be justified. But civil liberties must be considered on both sides. I challenge the punitive narrative which celebrates sending those convicted of coronavirus crimes to prisons where Covid-19 has the potential to be rampant. The rights to life and health of offenders—put at risk in overcrowded prisons—must also be considered.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 28th April 2020

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Prosecuting Domestic Violence – New Law Journal

‘On Saturday 15 February, Caroline Flack’s tragic death became widespread news across the country. Having been charged with common assault of her boyfriend, Lewis Burton, she pleaded not guilty on 23 December last year and was due to face trial on 4 March. On the same day that she took her life, a statement from Ms Flack’s management strongly criticised the Crown Prosecution Servce (CPS) for pursuing the case, citing its knowledge of her vulnerability and the lack of support from the alleged victim.’

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New Law Journal, 26th March 2020

Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk

Suspects to avoid criminal charges in UK during Covid-19 crisis – The Guardian

‘Suspected offenders are set to avoid criminal charges under unprecedented new guidance to ease the burden on the justice system during the coronavirus outbreak.’

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The Guardian, 14th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

High Court overturns decision not to prosecute rape allegation – UK Human Rights Blog

‘The Divisional Court has recently handed down a novel decision in R (FNM) v DPP, considering the right of complainants to a fair opportunity to make representations to the Director for Public Prosecutions (“DPP”), and for those representations to be considered, when conducting a review under the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme (“the VRR Scheme”).’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 14th April 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Crown prosecutor with PTSD was not discrimination victim – Legal Futures

‘An experienced Crown prosecutor who resigned after developing post-traumatic stress order (PTSD) from being threatened at a magistrates’ court was not discriminated against, an employment tribunal has ruled.’

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Legal Futures, 26th March 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Secret policy change by CPS cut number of rape trials, high court told – The Guardian

‘A legal challenge over alleged changes to Crown Prosecution Service policy on bringing charges in rape cases has been dismissed by the high court.’

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The Guardian, 17th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ealing rape victim’s family donate £10,000 to legal claim against CPS – The Guardian

‘The family of Jill Saward, the Ealing rape victim who became a leading figure in the fight against sexual violence, has donated thousands of pounds to a legal challenge against the Crown Prosecution Service.’

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The Guardian, 14th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS failed to tell inspectors of internal review revealing rape case failings – The Guardian

‘The Crown Prosecution Service conducted a secret internal review that exposed its failings in rape cases – but failed to share it with inspectors who were conducting an official inquiry for a major government investigation into rape, the Guardian can reveal.’

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The Guardian, 15th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Caroline Flack: authorities to review pursuit of assault case – The Guardian

Posted March 4th, 2020 in assault, Crown Prosecution Service, domestic violence, news, suicide, victims by sally

‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will review its handling of the assault case against the late Love Island host Caroline Flack.’

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The Guardian, 4th March 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Impact on rape victims of police phone seizures to be reviewed – The Guardian

‘The impact on rape victims of police seizures of their mobile phones is to be examined as the Metropolitan police begin piloting a data inspection system designed to limit invasion of privacy.’

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The Guardian, 16th February 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Barristers warn of strain on defendants after Caroline Flack death – The Guardian

‘The death of the Love Island presenter Caroline Flack has prompted questions about the way the justice system deals with allegations of domestic abuse and the strains imposed on defendants.’

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The Guardian, 16th February 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS knew rape ‘ambition’ could have perverse consequences – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Crown Prosecution Service was aware in 2015 that its conviction rate “levels of ambition” could have unintended consequences, the Gazette can reveal.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 5th February 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Police sending a third fewer rape cases to prosecutors, figures show – The Guardian

‘Rape victims are finding it increasingly difficult to access justice as police refer fewer cases to the Crown Prosecution Service and fewer allegations of rape are being prosecuted and convicted, according to new figures.’

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The Guardian, 30th January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Have confidence, come forward, rape victims urged – BBC News

‘”Have confidence, come forward,” the director of public prosecutions has told victims of rape, as the number of prosecutions continues to fall.’

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BBC News, 30th January 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

The Impact of Releasing Suspects ‘Under Investigation’ (RUI) – Drystone Chambers

Posted January 30th, 2020 in bail, chambers articles, Crown Prosecution Service, news, police by sally

‘Decisions about bail impact the physical and mental well-being of both complainants and defendants. It is imperative that the right decision about bail is made at the start of an investigation. We have recently seen an explosion in the use of RUI; this article addresses both the problems around RUI as well as potential solutions to it.’

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Drystone Chambers, January 2020

Source: drystone.com

Extinction Rebellion activists cleared after arresting officer books holiday during trial – Daily Telegraph

‘A group of Extinction Rebellion (XR) protestors who brought City of London Airport to a standstill were given £280 to cover travel costs to court, after their case collapsed because a key police witness is on holiday.’

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Daily Telegraph, 28th January 2020

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Filming partner without their consent during sex ruled a criminal offence – The Guardian

‘Anyone who films a partner during sex without their consent is committing the criminal offence of voyeurism, the court of appeal has ruled in a case that may affect the Crown Prosecution Service’s apparent reluctance to bring charges.’

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The Guardian, 28th January 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com