Data Protection Bill threat to legal privilege – The Bar Council

Posted March 8th, 2018 in barristers, bills, data protection, press releases, privilege by tracey

‘A Bill designed to give citizens more control over their data could end up stripping back the fundamental British right to confidential legal advice, the Bar has warned.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 5th March 2018

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Man jailed after taking staff hostage at bowling alley – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A man who held two members of staff at bowling alley hostage at gun point has been jailed for 12 years today.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 2nd March 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Sentencing Council launches new definitive guideline on bladed articles and offensive weapons offences – Sentencing Council

Posted March 2nd, 2018 in offensive weapons, press releases, sentencing by tracey

‘The Sentencing Council has published a new guideline for the sentencing of offenders convicted of the possession of a bladed article or offensive weapon, such as acid, in public, and of using one to threaten someone.’

Full press release

Sentencing Council, 1st March 2018

Source: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk

Man jailed for sharing “how to kill disbelievers” video – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted March 2nd, 2018 in press releases, sentencing, terrorism by tracey

‘A man who sent a text message containing a link to an extremist instructional video on how to kill someone using knives has been jailed for 16 months.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 2nd March 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

New edition of the Equal Treatment Bench Book launched – Courts and tribunals Judiciary

Posted March 2nd, 2018 in equality, judiciary, press releases by tracey

‘The Equal Treatment Bench Book has been updated, expanded and improved. It aims to increase awareness and understanding of the different circumstances of people appearing in courts and tribunals. It helps enable effective communication and suggests steps which should increase participation by all parties.’

Full text

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 28th February 2018

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

‘Mate Crime’ duo jailed for longer after Solicitor General intervenes in their case – Attorney General’s Office

Posted March 2nd, 2018 in appeals, false imprisonment, press releases, sentencing, wounding by tracey

‘Matthew Ward and Marcus Cullumbine have had their sentences increased after the Solicitor General referred them for being too low.’

Press release

Attorney General’s Office, 1st March 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

New website launched for barristers and chambers: MyBar self-service portal opens for Authorisation to Practise process 2018 – Bar Standards Board

Posted February 27th, 2018 in barristers, continuing professional development, internet, press releases by tracey

‘A new self-service website for barristers and chambers to renew their practising certificates, update regulatory information, pay the Bar Representation Fee (BRF), manage subscriptions and applications and to book training, has been jointly launched by the Bar Council and the Bar Standards Board (BSB).’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 26th February 2018

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

BSB agrees approach to improve transparency for clients of the Bar – Bar Standards Board

Posted February 26th, 2018 in advertising, barristers, consumer protection, fees, legal services, press releases by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has set out a revised approach to improve transparency standards for clients of the Bar. This responds to the recent Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) market study of legal services and takes full account of responses to a recent BSB consultation.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 23rd February 2018

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Bar Council responds to new AGFS announcement – The Bar Council

Posted February 26th, 2018 in barristers, fees, press releases by tracey

‘Responding to today’s announcement of a new Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS) the Chair of the Bar, Andrew Walker QC, said: “For years, our system of criminal justice has suffered from a remorseless succession of cuts in funding, and wholly inadequate investment. This has included huge cuts in the fixed fees payable to those defence barristers who carry out publicly-funded work in the Crown Court under the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS); cuts that, proportionately, have far exceeded those imposed on public service providers in any other sector. These are the very same barristers who are working tirelessly under an ever-increasing workload for those very same fees. Without their commitment, and their continued goodwill, the system would simply cease to function.” ‘

Full press release

The Bar Council, 23rd February 2018

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Home-ownership call for evidence – help make commonhold more common – Law Commission

Posted February 23rd, 2018 in consultations, Law Commission, leases, press releases, sale of land by tracey

‘The Law Commission is asking flat owners, housebuilders, mortgage lenders and lawyers to help shape a law which could help people own their flats outright. The independent legal body wants views on a little-known and little used home ownership status called commonhold, which provides an alternative to residential leasehold.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 22nd February 2018

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk/

Mother who poisoned and suffocated her baby is jailed for life – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted February 23rd, 2018 in children, murder, press releases, sentencing by tracey

‘A mother who suffocated and poisoned her eight-week-old baby, causing his death, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years and nine months today (22 February).’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 22nd February 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Man sentenced for raping teenage girl in Rotherham during early 2000s – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted February 12th, 2018 in child abuse, press releases, rape, sentencing by tracey

‘A man who raped a teenager on two occasions in the early 2000s has been convicted today (9 February) in one of a series of trials connected to allegations of child sexual abuse in Rotherham. He was sentenced to nine years in prison.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 9th February 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Nursery worker jailed for sexually assaulting pupil – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A nursery worker has been jailed for 12 and half years after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a young child in his care.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 8th February 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Daughter and grandson sentenced for murdering Betty Guy – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted February 9th, 2018 in murder, press releases, sentencing by tracey

‘The daughter and grandson of 84-year-old Betty Guy, who died at her home in Swansea, were found guilty of her murder on 6 February. Both were sentenced to life imprisonment today (8 February) and ordered to serve a minimum of 11 years.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 8th February 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Government asks Law Commission to look at trolling laws – Law Commission

Posted February 7th, 2018 in harassment, internet, Law Commission, press releases by tracey

‘The government has asked the Law Commission to review the laws around offensive communications and assess whether they provide the right protection to victims online.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 6th February 2018

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk/

Applying sharia law in England and Wales: independent review – Home Office

Posted February 1st, 2018 in islamic law, press releases, reports by tracey

‘Independent review by Professor Mona Siddiqui and a review panel of experts into the application of sharia law in England and Wales by sharia councils.’

Full press release

Home Office, 1st February 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Two men sentenced for supplying weapons and ammunition – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted February 1st, 2018 in conspiracy, firearms, press releases, sentencing, weapons by tracey

‘A man who sold firearms to criminals has been jailed for 14 years today for conspiracy to transfer prohibited weapons and ammunition. Dr Mohinder Surdhar was sentenced today at Birmingham Crown Court. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to conspiracy to transfer prohibited weapons and ammunition. His co-conspirator, Paul Edmunds was previously sentenced to 30 years in prison on 21 December for supplying guns and ammunition linked to more than 100 crimes around the country.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 31st January 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Pair guilty of indecent assaults on schoolboy – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted February 1st, 2018 in press releases, sexual offences, teachers by tracey

‘A retired teacher and his former partner have been found guilty of indecently assaulting a schoolboy more than three decades ago.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 31st January 2018

Souce: www.cps.gov.uk

BSB publishes new version of its Handbook – Bar Standards Handbook

Posted February 1st, 2018 in barristers, codes of practice, press releases, professional conduct by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today published the latest version of the BSB Handbook which contains the Code of Conduct for barristers in England and Wales. This introduces new authorisation to practise requirements, streamlines the public and licensed access rules, and introduces new obligations for barristers and BSB regulated entities to comply with the new Anti-Money Laundering Regulations. The new rules mean that there are four new reporting requirements for barristers looking to apply for or renew their practising certificates.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Handbook, 1st February 2018

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Code of practice issued under section 377A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 – Official Publications

‘This amended code provides guidance on the use of investigation powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002 by prosecutors (in England and Wales and Northern Ireland) and has been updated following amendment of POCA by the Criminal Finances Act 2017.’

Full press release

Official Publications, 31st January 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/government/publications