Chairman’s letter to sentencers on imposition of community and custodial sentences – Sentencing Council
‘Earlier this month, the Chairman of the Sentencing Council, Lord Justice Treacy, wrote to all sentencers to remind them of the requirement to follow the Council’s Imposition of Community and Custodial Sentences Definitive Guideline, which has been in force since February 2017. Courts are statutorily bound to follow sentencing guidelines unless it is in the interests of justice not to do so.’
Sentencing Council, 24th April 2018
Media watchdog upholds complaint by council over “distorted” coverage of foster case – Local Government Lawyer
‘The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has upheld a complaint by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets against a national newspaper’s coverage of a fostering case.
IPSO concluded that The Times had breached Clause 1 (Accuracy) in an article headlined ‘Judge rules child must leave Muslim foster home’, which was published on 30 August 2017.’
Local Government Lawyer, 25th April 2018
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
New taskforce to take action against violent crime – Home Office
‘Home Secretary announces membership of new cross-party taskforce to take action against violent crime.’
Home Office, 25th April 2018
Source: www.gov.uk/home-office
Police officer who stole drugs ordered to repay £135,000 – Crown Prosecution Service
‘A police officer who stole and sold the illegal drugs he was meant to dispose of has been ordered to pay back more than £135,000.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 24th April 2018
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
Speech by Sir Brian Leveson: The Pursuit of Criminal Justice – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
‘Speech by Sir Brian Leveson: The Pursuit of Criminal Justice.’
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 26th April 2018
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
Legal profession facing talent drain as mental health problems surge – Law Society’s Gazette
‘The proportion of trainees who have experienced mental health problems has more than doubled in the last year, a survey has found, as junior lawyers continue to report severe levels of stress. In its 2018 resilience and wellbeing survey, the Law Society’s Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) found that 39% of trainees reported suffering from mental health problems, up from 19% last year. Among the division’s members as a whole, 38% of respondents said they had experienced mental health problems in the past year, up from 26% last time.’
Law Society's Gazette, 27th April 2018
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Judicial shortages pose threat to court system, top judge warns – The Guardian
‘The effective operation of the courts in England and Wales is under threat due to problems of judicial recruitment, increasingly heavy workloads and deteriorating working conditions, according to the lord chief justice. In his first appearance before the Lords constitution select committee in his new post on Wednesday, Lord Burnett of Maldon also highlighted the growing problem of death threats being made against judges on social media and the need to provide protection.’
The Guardian, 25th April 2018
Source: www.theguardian.com
Immigration lawyers using delaying tactics to keep illegal immigrants in Britain, High Court says – Daily Telegraph
‘Immigration lawyers are using delaying tactics to keep illegal immigrants in Britain, High Court judges have said. Law firms are “buying time” by filing endless “hopeless” appeals and applications “with a view to generating new Home Office decisions” and keeping the process going for longer, two senior judges said.’
Daily Telegraph, 26th April 2018
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Self-harm and violent attacks hit record high in prisons across England and Wales – The Independent
‘Self-harm and violent attacks have hit record levels in prisons across England and Wales as campaigners warn of a “system in crisis”. More than 11,600 prisoners harmed themselves in 2017 – a record high – and the number of separate incidents rose by 11 per cent to 44,600.’
The Independent, 26th April 2018
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Former Salvation Army members jailed for sexual abuse in 70s and 80s – Crown Prosecution Service
‘Three men have today jailed for sexually abusing young female members of the Salvation Army in Blackpool in the 1970s and 1980s.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 23rd April 2018
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
Guidance on the Capacity to Litigate in Proceedings Involving Children – April 2018 – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
‘This guidance has been produced to assist judges in the Family Court to resolve mental capacity issues concerning parties to family law proceedings. Designed to be practical and accessible, it will point the judge to key rules and statutory provisions. Lawyers instructed in family proceedings may also find this guidance valuable.’
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 26th April 2018
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
Guidance on Financial Needs on Divorce: Edition 2 – April 2018 – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
‘The FJC has now published the second edition of this useful guide for the family judiciary, courts and legal advisers. Since the publication of the first edition in June 2016, the guidance has established itself as an invaluable tool in relation to the making of orders to meet financial needs following divorce and the dissolution of civil partnerships.’
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 26th April 2018
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
M-A (A Child), Re [2018] EWCA Civ 896 (25 April 2018)
Armstrong v Ashfield District Council [2018] EWCA Civ 873 (25 April 2018)
Parveen v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] EWCA Civ 932 (25 April 2018)
High Court (Administrative Court)
Evans, R (On the Application Of) v Cheshire Constabulary [2018] EWHC 952 (Admin) (25 April 2018)
High Court (Family Division)
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust v Evans & Anor [2018] EWHC 953 (Fam) (24 April 2018)
Source: www.bailii.org
Senior partner who bungled hearing loss claims and lied to the court is struck off – Litigation Futures
‘The senior partner of a personal injury firm who bungled 37 noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) claims and lied to the court has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT).’
Litigation Futures, 25th April 2018
Source: www.litigationfutures.com
Thomas Orchard custody death: Police force charged – BBC News
‘A police force has been charged over the death of a man in custody.’
BBC News, 24th April 2018
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Child abuse inquiry: Institutions need change of culture – interim report – BBC News
‘A “change in culture” is needed within institutions and government if children are to be properly safeguarded, an interim report by the independent child sexual abuse inquiry has said.’
BBC News, 25th April 2018
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
IPSO finds against Telegraph over publication of child’s image – Daily Telegraph
‘Eloise Dixon complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that the Daily Telegraph breached Clause 6 (Children) of the Editors’ Code of Practice in an article headlined “British tourist shot in favela in Rio ‘too scared’ to speak to police”, published on 9 August 2017.’
Daily Telegraph, 26th April 2018
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
