Public’s understanding of paedophiles has not improved, says charity boss – The Guardian

‘Public understanding of paedophiles has not improved over the past 30 years, according to the founder of the pioneering charity Circles, which offers support to some of society’s most reviled offenders.’

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The Guardian, 19th November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Home Secretary to announce major policing reforms – Home Office

Posted November 18th, 2024 in criminal justice, government departments, news, police by tracey

‘A new Home Office unit to monitor performance of police forces will be announced by the Home Secretary this week.’

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Home Office, 17th November 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

Independent report supports call for immediate uplift in criminal legal aid fees – The Bar Council

Posted November 18th, 2024 in barristers, criminal justice, fees, legal aid, Ministry of Justice, news by tracey

‘The Bar Council is repeating calls on the Ministry of Justice for an immediate 15% uplift in criminal legal aid fees for barristers, following the publication of the first Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board (CLAAB) report.’

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The Bar Council, 14th November 2024

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Revealed: Record number of ex-offenders charged with serious new crimes while on probation – The Independent

‘The number of ex-offenders charged with committing serious crimes while on probation has surged by a third to hit a grim new record, the latest figures show.’

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The Independent, 17th December 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Andrew Malkinson says he has been ‘left to rot’ after wrongful conviction quashed – The Guardian

‘Andrew Malkinson, who spent 17 years in jail for a crime he did not commit, says the Ministry of Justice has left him “to rot” after telling him he is likely to have to wait months before learning if he is even eligible for compensation.’

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The Guardian, 14th November 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Louise Haigh issues train operator warning over using courts to chase fares – The Independent

Posted November 14th, 2024 in criminal justice, government departments, news, railways, transport by sally

‘Transport secretary Louise Haigh has issued a warning to train operators over prosecuting passengers for ticketing errors, as she labelled the system “far too complicated”.’

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The Independent, 13th November 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Make revenge porn a civil offence to avoid ‘retraumatising’ trials, MPs told – The Independent

‘Revenge porn should be made a statutory civil offence to allow victims redress without having to go through a “retraumatising” criminal trial, MPs have been told.’

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The Independent, 13th November 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Surge in backlog of wrongful conviction appeals at under-fire watchdog – The Independent

‘The backlog of people left waiting to know whether they will be allowed to reappeal an alleged miscarriage of justice has soared by nearly half in just four years, The Independent can reveal.’

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The Independent, 2nd November 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘He’s been punished enough’: Family’s plea for prisoner who set himself alight under indefinite jail term – The Independent

‘A prisoner who set himself alight in his cell after serving 12 years for stealing a mobile phone under an indefinite jail term is still fighting to be moved to a hospital.’

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The Independent, 1st November 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Man who spiked orange juice to force miscarriage convicted – Crown Prosecution Service

‘A man who gave orange juice to a woman that he spiked with an abortion-inducing drug has been found guilty of administering a poison to procure a miscarriage.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 30th October 2024

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

New reforms to boost confidence in police accountability system – Home Office

Posted October 28th, 2024 in criminal justice, government departments, news, police by tracey

‘The announcement will reassure both the police and the public that the system of vetting and accountability is working.’

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Home Office, 24th October 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

Lucy Letby refused permission to appeal against attempted murder conviction – The Guardian

‘Lucy Letby has been refused permission to appeal against a conviction for attempting to murder a baby girl, as judges ruled she was able to have a fair trial.’

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The Guardian, 24th October 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Officers on trial over shooting suspects to get anonymity – BBC News

‘Firearms officers facing trial over shooting suspects are to be given anonymity unless they are convicted, under reforms announced by the home secretary.’

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BBC News, 23rd October 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

119 criminal defence firms warn Lord Chancellor over legal aid – Legal Futures

Posted October 23rd, 2024 in criminal justice, judicial review, law firms, legal aid, Ministry of Justice, news by tracey

‘A group of 119 criminal law firms have warned the government not to mistake their submitting an application for a new legal aid contract for an intention actually to sign it.’

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Legal Futures, 23rd October 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Landmark Sentencing Review launched to end prison crisis – Ministry of Justice

‘Public safety will be at the heart of an independent review into sentencing, as the government pledges to end the crisis in our prisons.’

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Ministry of Justice, 21st October 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

Police officer cleared of murdering Chris Kaba – BBC News

Posted October 21st, 2024 in criminal justice, London, murder, news, police, professional conduct by tracey

‘A police officer has been cleared of murdering a man he shot in the head in south London two years ago.’

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BBC News, 21st October 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Victims Commissioner responds to stalking super-complaint findings – Family Law

Posted October 21st, 2024 in complaints, criminal justice, news, police, stalking, victims by tracey

‘The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), College of Policing and HMICFRS have published their findings in response to a police super-complaint submitted by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium in 2022.’

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Family Law, 15th October 2024

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Fewer women may go to jail in England and Wales in sentencing review – The Guardian

‘Fewer women could be sent to jail under a review to be announced by ministers this week that is expected to cut sentences for thousands of criminals.’

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The Guardian, 20th October 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Former top judge demands help for prisoners ‘left to rot’ under ‘morally wrong’ indefinite jail terms – The Independent

‘Britain’s former top judge has backed The Independent’s campaign for prisoners serving indefinite jail terms to have their sentences reviewed, and called for the government to take responsibility for the “morally wrong” punishment.’

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The Independent, 20th October 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

LASPO 2012: ten years and beyond – a socio-legal study of the impact of legal aid cuts on service providers in England and Wales – Legal Ethics

‘Major reforms via the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012 and subsequent reforms have reduced the legal aid budget and the scope of eligibility in criminal as well as civil cases. According to Mansfield et al., the principles of justice that embody the legal aid provision has been neglected by governments for over a decade and as such; created a gap that emasculates the most vulnerable in society, such as recipients of legal aid. This study employs an interview-based approach to investigate alternative perspectives in terms of the cuts and widespread impact on service providers in England and Wales, such as barristers, and solicitors. Detailed qualitative data were collected to provide insights into the diminishing legal aid scheme through the lived experiences of both civil and criminal legal aid providers. The study examines the concerns of service providers regarding their future as public defenders and the future of the judicial system post-LASPO 2012, focusing on safeguarding the rights of individuals facing litigation and ensuring that newly qualified lawyers are not deterred from public defence roles due to the long-term effects of ongoing legal aid cuts.’

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Legal Ethics, 10th September 2024

Source: www.tandfonline.com