Safeguards governing investigatory powers come into effect – Home Office

‘Government commences final provision in the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 subject to the double-lock safeguard requiring judicial approval.’

Full press release

Home Office, 28th November 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Criminal justice statistics – new resource – Sentencing Council

Posted November 27th, 2018 in criminal justice, press releases, statistics by tracey

‘We have published a new data resource for academics, researchers and others with an interest in the criminal justice system. Criminal justice statistics pulls together sources for the main, routinely produced statistical publications on crime and justice from the major government departments, including the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office and the Office for National Statistics.’

full press release

Sentencing Council, 26th November 2018

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

Bar Council reaction to Lord Chancellor’s AGFS announcement – The Bar Council

Posted November 27th, 2018 in barristers, consultations, criminal justice, fees, pilot schemes, press releases by tracey

‘Responding to the Lord Chancellor’s announcement during Saturday’s Bar Council Annual Conference of more funding for the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS) Andrew Walker QC, Chair of the Bar, said: “The Lord Chancellor’s announcement that there will be further funding for the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS), following the recent consultation, is welcome. So too are his comments about the future – about the scope to improve the way in which criminal defence advocates are paid, and his commitment to working together with the professions to make criminal advocacy sustainable.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 26th November 2018

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Crackdown to stop rogue bailiffs making lives a misery – Ministry of Justice

Posted November 26th, 2018 in bailiffs, debts, press releases by tracey

‘Sweeping Government reforms in 2014 significantly curtailed bailiffs’ powers, as well as improving transparency and ensuring those with outstanding debts knew their rights.
Having listened to concerns from charities, debt advice organisations and others, the Government has today launched a Call for Evidence to seek views on what more should be done to protect the public.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 25th November 2018

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

Vital action taken in fight against modern slavery – Home Office

Posted November 22nd, 2018 in forced labour, press releases, trafficking in human beings, Vietnam by tracey

‘The UK and Vietnam have announced a new partnership to tackle modern slavery. The 2 countries today (Monday 21 November) signed a memorandum of understanding on human trafficking that will allow for greater collaboration around intelligence sharing, supporting victims and prevention work.’

Full press release

Home Office, 21st November 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

New Sentencing Code to help prevent unlawful sentences being handed out – Law Commission

Posted November 22nd, 2018 in Law Commission, press releases, sentencing, statute law revision by tracey

‘A new Sentencing Code will reduce the number of unlawful sentences being handed out and save £250 million over ten years, the Law Commission has announced today. When they sentence offenders, judges have to contend with more than 1,300 pages of law filled with outdated and inaccessible language. This law is contained in over 65 different Acts of Parliament, and has no coherent structure. This makes it difficult for judges to identify and apply the law they need, which can slow the process of sentencing and lead to mistakes.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 22nd November 2018

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk/

Review of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 – Home Office

‘This review sought to measure changes in outcomes before and after the implementation of the Act, to provide an indication of whether its aims are being achieved.’

Full press release

Home Office, 19th November 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Courts to pilot more flexible hours for the benefit of the public – Ministry of Justice

Posted November 16th, 2018 in courts, flexible working, pilot schemes, press releases by tracey

‘Early and late sittings will be piloted in civil and family courts, giving people greater access to hearings that can fit around their busy lives.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 16th November 2018

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

Man jailed for targeting grieving families with online abuse – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A man who admitted targeting Facebook memorial pages with sickening messages has been jailed for 14 months today (15 Oct) at Newcastle Crown Court.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 15th November 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Sentencing Council launches online sentencing guidelines for use in the Crown Court – Sentencing Council

Posted November 8th, 2018 in internet, press releases, sentencing by tracey

‘The launch of the Crown Court guidelines online marks the latest step in the Council’s programme to deliver guidelines in a digital format that is immediately accessible, quick and easy to use, and designed to support the ways in which Judges, Magistrates and other users work.’

Full press release

Sentencing Council, 8th November 2018

Source: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Latvian human trafficking gang jailed for East Midlands plot – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Nine members of an organised crime group based in the East Midlands and Latvia have been jailed for human trafficking offences against 28 victims.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 7th November 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

New research questions link between austerity and legal aid cuts – The Bar Council

‘New research commissioned by the Bar Council reveals the full scale of a decade of dis-investment in justice and argues that decisions to make wholesale budget cuts cannot be blamed on austerity measures alone.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 1st November 2018

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Confiscation regime review to ensure crime doesn’t pay – Law Commission

‘Confiscation laws will be reviewed to ensure they’re effectively depriving convicted offenders of their ill-gotten gains, the Law Commission has announced today.’

full press release

Law Commission, 7th November 2018

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Law Commissions open consultation into new rules for UK’s self-driving future – Law Commission

‘The Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission are launching the first of a series of public consultations about crucial legal reforms which will ensure the country is prepared for the introduction of automated vehicles.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 8th November 2018

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Publication of revised Code for Crown Prosecutors – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted October 26th, 2018 in codes of practice, Crown Prosecution Service, press releases by tracey

‘Revisions to the Code for Crown Prosecutors have been unveiled today by Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 24th October 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Bar Council: LASPO has failed – The Bar Council

‘Legislation passed five years ago has failed to meet its aims and has created an unfair and inefficient justice system, says the Bar Council as new research shows the true impact of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO).’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 25th October 2018

Government not to legislate for level crossings reform – Law Commission

Posted October 9th, 2018 in health & safety, Law Commission, legislation, press releases, railways, transport by tracey

‘The Law Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission have noted the UK Government’s decision not to introduce legislation to implement our 2013 joint Report on Level Crossings. Instead, administrative changes are proposed that are very much in the spirit of our recommendations.’

Full press release

law Commission, 8th October 2018

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk/

Disabled victims of hate crime receiving improved service from prosecutors – report – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted October 9th, 2018 in Crown Prosecution Service, disabled persons, hate crime, press releases by tracey

‘A network of prosecutors dedicated to tackling hate crime has helped the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) improve the experience of disabled victims, an inspection report has found.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 9th October 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

People traffickers jailed after exploiting vulnerable and homeless people – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A gang of human traffickers, including six members of the same family, have been jailed for more than 24 years’ for trafficking and exploiting vulnerable and homeless people.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 4th October 2018

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Specialist financial crime unit to crack down on prison gangs – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 4th, 2018 in crime, money laundering, press releases, prisons by tracey

‘A new specialist unit will identify and freeze bank accounts linked to organised crime behind bars, Justice Secretary David Gauke announced today.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 2nd October 2018

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