Mum of Nikki Allan to sue Northumbria Police – BBC News
‘The mother of a girl murdered in 1992 says she is taking legal action against a police force over her 30-year wait for justice.’
BBC News, 9th August 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: criminal justice
Government plans ‘strengthened’ out-of-court disposals – Law Society’s Gazette
‘The existing framework of out of court disposals, used when it is not in the public interest to go to court, has been described as ‘unwieldy’ by the government which is now proposing a “simplified, strengthened two-tier framework”.’
Law Society's Gazette, 2nd August 2023
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Cases of two men convicted on corrupt police officer’s evidence referred back to courts – The Guardian
‘Two men who died with convictions based on evidence from a disgraced police officer with a history of racism and corruption have had their cases referred back to the courts.’
The Guardian, 4th August 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Views sought on criminal appeals process – Law Commission
‘On Thursday 27 July, the Law Commission of England and Wales is publishing a paper asking for views on whether and how the law governing appeals for criminal cases should be reformed.’
Law Commission, 26th July 2023
Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk
Contempt threat against climate activist may undermine trial by jury, lawyers say – The Guardian
‘Leading lawyers have accused the government of undermining trial by jury after a climate activist was told she faces contempt proceedings over holding a sign outside court.’
The Guardian, 26th July 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Better support needed to prevent honour-based abuse remaining hidden crime – MPs – The Independent
‘Honour-based abuse should have a statutory definition in a similar way to domestic abuse, MPs said, as they warned it risks remaining a hidden crime without better victim support.’
The Independent, 19th July 2023
Source: www.independent.co.uk
New Judgment: R (on the application of Officer W80) v Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct and others [2023] UKSC 24 – UKSC Blog
‘W80, an armed police officer, shot Jermaine Baker dead in a police operation. Mr Baker was implicated in a plot to snatch two individuals from custody. The police had intelligence that the plotters would be in possession of firearms. W80’s account was that during the intervention, Mr Baker’s hands moved quickly up to a shoulder bag on his chest. Fearing for his life and those of his colleagues, W80 fired one shot. No firearm was found in the bag, but an imitation firearm was in the rear of the car.’
UKSC Blog, 5th July 2023
Source: ukscblog.com
Supreme Court backs civil law test for police disciplinary proceedings – Law Society’s Gazette
‘The Supreme Court has ruled that the civil law test should be applied in police disciplinary proceedings and that public confidence is better served in doing so.’
Law Society's Gazette, 5th July 2023
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Public confidence in justice system at risk due to delayed reforms, MPs warn – The Independent
‘Public confidence in the justice system is at risk of being undermined by the courts and tribunals service amid delays to key reforms, MPs have warned in a scathing report.’
The Independent, 30th June 2023
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Society secures JR permission over criminal legal aid fees – Law Society’s Gazette
‘The Law Society has been granted permission to take the government to court over its decision not to raise criminal legal aid fees by the minimum 15% recommended by the Bellamy review.’
Law Society's Gazette, 22nd June 2023
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Avon and Somerset Police ‘institutionally racist’, chief constable says – BBC News
‘A chief constable says she believes her own force is “institutionally racist”. Sarah Crew said she came to that conclusion after applying a series of criteria to Avon and Somerset Police following a report into the local criminal justice system.’
BBC News, 16th June 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Nearly 70% of rape victims drop out of investigations in England and Wales – The Guardian
‘Nearly 70% of rape survivors dropped out of the justice system in the fourth quarter of last year, according to official government data.’
The Guardian, 30th May 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Man jailed for life for murdering schoolgirl Nikki Allan in 1992 – The Guardian
‘A child killer who brutally murdered a “bright and sparky” seven-year-old girl and managed to escape justice for more than 30 years has been sentenced to life in prison.’
The Guardian, 23rd May 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Why The Magistrates Courts Aren’t Working – Each Other
‘In 2022, the Criminal Bar Association voted to undertake industrial action, bringing the dire state of much of the criminal justice system into the public eye. Following successive cuts by the government, among the issues were unusable court buildings, including broken toilets, leaking ceilings and malfunctioning heating systems, and the dismal remuneration received by barristers – barristers who are tasked with working on the most serious cases across the Crown Courts.’
Each Other, 19th May 2023
Source: eachother.org.uk
CPS ‘cherrypicking’ cases to prosecute, say senior police chiefs – The Guardian
‘Two of Britain’s most senior police chiefs have accused prosecutors of “cherrypicking” cases to prosecute in court and warned that victims were being let down.’
The Guardian, 18th May 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
CPS Says: Conviction rates play no part in deciding whether or not to charge a case – Crown Prosecution Service
‘Conviction rates play no part in CPS decision making – so we know a story this week “CPS failing victims by cherry-picking cases” may have caused concern.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 19th May 2023
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
Sex abuse victims ‘must get specialist support’ – BBC News
‘Encouraging abuse victims to come forward without a specialist support system in place is “totally irresponsible”, campaigners have said.’
BBC News, 15th May 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Court delays: Slow justice meant second woman attacked by violent man – BBC News
‘A mother who was subjected to an attack by her violent ex-partner said charging and trial delays left him free to attack a second woman. Speaking to the BBC, Elizabeth Hudson said the backlog of crown court cases was causing misery and distress for many victims.’
BBC News, 20th April 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Should Those Convicted of Serious Offences be Compelled to Face Their Victim’s Family? – Pump Court Chambers
‘The current Justice Secretary Dominic Raab thinks so. The recent, tragic murders of Sabina Nessa and Zara Aleena have prompted Mr Raab to consider new legislation which will see those convicted of serious offences compelled to attend court and face the families of those they have harmed. Both convicted murderers Jordan McSweeney and Koci Selamaj refused to attend their sentencing hearings which meant the families of Sabina and Zara were unable to put their Victim Personal Statements to them. Mr Raab says he wants to “make sure courts have the power to compel someone who’s been convicted of a serious crime to come and face the sentence… is the very least the victims deserve… and is a basic principle of British justice”[1] but what are the implications of this proposal?’
Pump Court Chambers, 9th March 2023
Source: www.pumpcourtchambers.com
