Burnett: “I can’t magic up lawyers to help reduce Crown Court backlog” – Legal Futures

‘It will be “very difficult” for the Crown Court to achieve the government’s target of reducing the backlog to 53,000 cases by 2025, the Lord Chief Justice has warned MPs.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 9th November 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Neurodivergence in the CJS and the role of the Bar (1) – Counsel

Posted November 8th, 2022 in autism, barristers, criminal justice, disabled persons, diversity, dyslexia, news by sally

‘Thinking differently, engaging differently: the first of this two-part series by Dr Tom Smith looks at the experience of neurodivergent individuals in the criminal justice system and how barristers can mitigate/aggravate the challenges.’

Full Story

Counsel, November 2022

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

New powers for forensic science regulator by end of March – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Forensic science witnesses in criminal justice cases can expect to be subject to the Forensic Science Regulator’s statutory regime by the end of March 2023, incumbent regulator Gary Pugh said today.’

Full Story

Law Society’s Gazette, 4th November 2022

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Victim stalked for almost 20 years calls sentence ‘an insult’ – BBC News

Posted November 2nd, 2022 in criminal justice, imprisonment, news, restraining orders, sentencing, stalking, victims by sally

‘The Victims Commissioner for London has described the sentence handed down to her stalker of 19 years as “an insult”.’

Full Story

BBC News, 2nd November 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

In Britain, a jail sentence is often a death sentence. What’s going on in our prisons? – The Guardian

Posted November 1st, 2022 in criminal justice, death in custody, minorities, news, prisons by sally

‘Last year, 371 people died behind closed doors. We want justice for them – and an end to a cruel, complacent system.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 30th October

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government legacy bill risks breaches of human rights law, committee finds – The Independent

‘Proposed Government legislation to deal with the legacy of Northern Ireland’s Troubles risks widespread breaches of human rights law, a Westminster committee has found.’

Full Story

The Independent, 26th October 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Law Society has ‘duty’ to tell solicitors to shun underpaid work, says president – The Guardian

‘The new president of the Law Society has said the association has a duty to tell solicitors in England and Wales to refuse criminal work if they are not paid properly for it, as they demand a 15% increase in legal aid fees to give them parity with barristers.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 23rd October 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK justice system ‘ill-equipped’ for rise in fraud, say MPs – The Guardian

Posted October 18th, 2022 in criminal justice, fraud, news, select committees by sally

‘The UK’s justice system is “ill-equipped” to tackle a spiralling fraud epidemic and needs a rapid overhaul, a cross-party committee of MPs has concluded.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 18th October 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Wife’s ‘nightmare’ as man waits four years for trial – BBC News

‘The wife of a man who has been told he will spend at least four years and four months in jail before standing trial says she is living in a “nightmare”.’

Full Story

BBC News, 14th October 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Criminal barristers vote to end strike over pay – BBC News

‘Criminal barristers in England and Wales have voted to end their long-running strike action after the government offered a new pay deal.’

Full Story

BBC News, 10th October 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Thousands more neighbourhood criminals to be GPS tracked in expansion of tagging project – Ministry of Justice

‘The Justice Secretary, Brandon Lewis MP, has today (Tuesday 4 October) announced that more thieves, burglars and robbers will be fitted with GPS electronic tags when they leave prison, helping cut crime and keep the public safe.’

Full Story

Ministry of Justice, 4th October 2022

Source: www.gov.uk

Victims’ Bill will have ‘limited effect’ without proper funding – report – The Independent

Posted September 30th, 2022 in bills, budgets, criminal justice, government departments, immigration, news, victims by michael

‘The Government’s plans for a Victims’ Bill will have a “limited effect” unless more funding is provided, according to MPs.’

Full Story

The Independent, 30th September 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Judges wrong to bail defendants due to barristers’ strike, high court rules – The Guardian

‘Judges were wrong to refuse to extend the period defendants could be kept in jail awaiting trial in cases delayed by the criminal barristers’ strike, the high court has ruled.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 28th September 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judges unlawfully releasing defendants, court hears – BBC News

‘Crown Court judges have been releasing potentially dangerous criminals unlawfully because of delays linked to the criminal barristers’ strike, the High Court has heard.’

Full Story

BBC News, 27th September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judges wrong to state views about barristers’ strike, high court told – The Guardian

Posted September 27th, 2022 in barristers, criminal justice, industrial action, judiciary, news, remand by sally

‘Judges acted wrongly when expressing views on the criminal barristers’ strike as they refused to keep defendants behind bars in cases delayed by the ongoing pay dispute, the high court has heard.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 26th September 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS brings case against judges bailing defendants – BBC News

‘The director of public prosecutions is bringing a High Court challenge against judges’ refusal to detain defendants for longer ahead of trial amid record-high backlogs and legal strikes.’

Full Story

BBC News, 26th September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Four murder accused to be released on bail amid legal aid strikes – The Guardian

‘Four people accused of murder are to be released on bail after a judge refused to extend the time they could be kept in custody pending trial.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 22nd September 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Striking barristers hold talks with new justice secretary – BBC News

Posted September 22nd, 2022 in barristers, criminal justice, industrial action, legal aid, news, remuneration by sally

‘Barristers on strike in England and Wales have been urged to return to work during their first round of negotiations with the justice secretary.’

Full Story

BBC News, 21st September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Delays leave man facing four years in Leicester jail without trial – The Guardian

‘A man has been told he will have to spend at least four years and three months in jail without trial as a result of Covid, barrister strikes and a malfunctioning courtroom.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 15th September 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Chris Kaba: Police shooting of unarmed man treated as homicide – BBC News

Posted September 12th, 2022 in criminal justice, firearms, homicide, news, police, professional conduct, racism by tracey

‘A criminal investigation is under way after the police watchdog said it would investigate the shooting of an unarmed black man as a homicide.’

Full Story

BBC News, 10th September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk