Spotlight on child protection in family courts – Ministry of Justice

‘A panel of experts will review how the family courts protect children and parents in cases of domestic abuse and other serious offences, Ministers announced today (Tuesday 21 May).’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 21st May 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendment) Bill introduced to Parliament – Law Commission

‘The Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendment) Bill has been introduced into Parliament. This short technical Bill is necessary to pave the way for the main Sentencing Code Bill to be introduced as a consolidation Bill. Once passed, the Sentencing Code will introduce a “clean sweep” of the old sentencing law so that anyone convicted once the Code is in force would automatically be sentenced under the current law.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 23rd May 2019

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk/

Youth gang members receive life sentences after vicious attack on rival – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Four young men, three of them teenagers, received life sentences today (21 May 2109) after a Snapchat video and a conversation between offenders in the back of a police van helped secure their conviction for the murder of a 16-year-old boy.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 21st May 2019

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Chancellor of the High Court talks about the future on visit to Germany – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

‘On a two-day visit to Germany, the Chancellor of the High Court, Sir Geoffrey Vos, met with judges, lawyers and officials in Bavaria and Berlin to discuss Lawtech and the work of the Business and Property Courts. He spoke at the Palace of Justice in Munich on the position of English law and UK jurisdiction after Brexit to an audience of 120 judges, lawyers and business people, all members of the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany and the Munich Juridical Society.’

Full press release

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 21st May 2019

Us Too? Bullying and Harassment in the Legal Profession – International Bar Association

‘The legal profession has a problem. In 2018, the International Bar Association (IBA) and market research company Acritas conducted the largest-ever global survey on bullying and sexual harassment in the profession. Nearly 7,000 individuals from 135 countries responded to the survey, from across the spectrum of legal workplaces: law firms, in-house, barristers’ chambers, government and the judiciary. The results provide empirical confirmation that bullying and sexual harassment are rife in the legal profession.’

Full press release

International Bar Association, 15th May 2019

Source: www.ibanet.org/Default.aspx

BSB seeking views on pupillage recruitment and advertising timetable – Bar Standards Board

Posted May 8th, 2019 in advertising, barristers, press releases, pupillage by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is writing to key stakeholders to ask whether it should be made mandatory for Chambers and other Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs) providing the pupillage / work-based learning component of Bar training to bring their recruitment timetable into line with the Pupillage Gateway. Currently, the gateway timetable is between November and May. All pupillages must currently be advertised on the Gateway but the BSB believes that obliging all those offering pupillage to recruit to the same timetable would make recruitment fairer for all candidates.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 7th may 2019

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Inquiry announces new investigation into child protection in religious organisations and settings – Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

‘The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has announced a new investigation into child protection in religious organisations and settings. The investigation will be thematic and will review the current child protection policies, practices and procedures in religious institutions in England and Wales.’

Full press release

Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, 2nd May 2019

Source: www.iicsa.org.uk

New prison anti-corruption taskforce unveiled – Ministry of Justice

‘A specialist taskforce to tackle staff corruption in jails has been announced by Justice Secretary David Gauke today (4 May 2019).’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 4th May 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Even more people set to benefit from online court reform – Ministry of Justice

‘New legislation making it even easier for court users to apply for small money claims or divorce online was unveiled in the House of Lords today (1 May 2019).’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 1st May 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Home Secretary to take action against violent content online – Home Office

Posted April 25th, 2019 in gangs, internet, police, press releases, violence by tracey

‘A new £1.4 million social media hub will be fully operational at the end of May.’

Full press release

Home Office, 24th April 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Dignity of women in custody ensured by planned law change – Home Office

Posted April 25th, 2019 in detention, police, press releases, women by tracey

‘Police will have to ask female detainees whether they are likely to require sanitary products, which they will be given free, under Home Office plans.’

Full press release

Home Office, 24th April 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

New programme to boost judicial diversity – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted April 25th, 2019 in diversity, judiciary, press releases by tracey

‘Lawyers from underrepresented groups will be better supported to become judges following the launch of a new online education programme today (24 April).’

Full press release

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 24th April 2019

Source: www.judiciary.uk

New edition of BSB Handbook introduces new Bar qualification rules – Bar Standards Board

Posted April 2nd, 2019 in barristers, codes of practice, legal education, licensing, press releases by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today published a new edition of its Handbook which sees new Bar qualification rules come into force.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 1st April 2019

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

BSB signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Inns of Court – Bar Standards Board

Posted March 28th, 2019 in barristers, inns of court, legal education, press releases by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) last night signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Inns of Court. It recognises the vital role that the Inns will continue to have in the education, training and qualification of barristers in England and Wales when new Bar qualification rules go live next week.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 28th March 2019

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org

Government backed Stalking Protection Bill receives Royal Assent – Home Office

Posted March 18th, 2019 in bills, press releases, stalking by tracey

‘A new civil order that will help protect victims of stalking has received Royal Assent today, and is included as part of the government’s wider commitments to tackle violence against women and girls.’

Full press release

Home Office, 15th March 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

New guidance for prosecutors on mental health conditions and disorders – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted March 14th, 2019 in Crown Prosecution Service, mental health, press releases, prosecutions by tracey

‘Guidance for prosecutors on dealing with defendants with mental health issues has been updated to reflect growing understanding of different conditions, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced today. The revised guidance is designed to assist decision making throughout the life of a criminal case, from the initial decision to prosecute, through fitness to plead to sentencing. It has been developed to understand changes in the mental health landscape such as diversion services, and community concerns about the impact on the criminal justice system. A consultation has now been launched so that the views of the public, charities, and health and legal professionals can be considered further before the guidance is finalised.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 12th March 2019

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Former football coach jailed for offences against young boys – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A former youth football coach has been jailed for 13-and-a-half years for sexual offences against two young boys. He was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 6th March 2019

Kingpin of North Wales drugs gangs sentenced – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted March 5th, 2019 in drug offences, drug trafficking, gangs, press releases, sentencing by tracey

‘The boss of a multi-million pound class A drug-smuggling operation, has been sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment.’

Full press reelase

Crown Prosecution Service, 1st March 2019

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Lord Chief Justice sets up advisory group on Artificial Intelligence – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted March 5th, 2019 in artificial intelligence, courts, judiciary, press releases by tracey

‘To make sure the Judiciary of England and Wales is fully informed about developments in artificial intelligence (AI), the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon, has set up a new advisory body.’

Full press release

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 4th March 2019

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Is social media harming our criminal justice system? – Attorney General’s Office

‘Publication of the government’s response to its Call for Evidence on the impact of social media on the administration of justice.’

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 5th March 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/ago