‘The legal profession claimed victory last night in the fight against extended operating hours (EOH) in the criminal courts.’
Legal Futures, 4th February 2021
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
‘The actor Ricky Tomlinson is among a group of trade unionists seeking to overturn their criminal convictions arising out of an industrial strike that took place nearly five decades ago.’
The Guardian, 3rd February 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘For over 30 years the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme has helped victims of crime get justice. The scheme was launched in 1989 following public outcry over a series of controversial sentencing decisions, including the 1986 “Ealing vicarage rape” case where 21-year-old Jill Saward was raped by burglars at her father’s vicarage.’
Attorney General’s Office, 1st February 2021
Source: www.gov.uk/ago
‘Labour is calling for juries to be cut from 12 members to seven, to stem the “gravest crisis” in the justice system since World War Two.’
BBC News, 26th January 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Legislation needs to be clear so that citizens can understand it and parliamentarians know what they are voting for. The need for clarity in legislation is set out as the first principle of Bingham’s definition of the Rule of Law, and the need for intelligibility in legislation is a requirement of the Venice Commission Checklist on the Rule of Law. This is one of the rationales for a parliamentary democracy. The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill is designed to offer legal protections to UK armed forces, and the Ministry of Defence, in relation to overseas military operations. The Bill’s Second Reading took place this week in the House of Lords. But the Bill is disingenuous: in form it is about protecting veterans, whilst in substance it is about protecting the Ministry of Defence.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 22nd January 2021
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘The government has decided not to move ahead with plans to decriminalise non-payment of the TV licence fee, but said it would “remain under active consideration”.’
BBC News, 21st January 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Urgent action is needed to tackle an “unprecedented backlog” of court cases built up during the pandemic that has “severe implications” for victims, the UK’s four justice chief inspectors have warned.’
The Guardian, 19th January 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The Law Society has called for urgent action including a possible two-week pause of non-custodial Crown and magistrates’ court work “amid escalating safety concerns”.’
Local Government Lawyer, 15th January 2021
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association (LCCSA) has advised its members that it is not safe to continue to attend Magistrates’ courts.’
Local Government Lawyer, 12th January 2021
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The government is set to make non-fatal strangulation a specific criminal offence, with perpetrators facing up to seven years in prison after a sustained campaign from victims and activists.’
The Guardian, 10th January 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Defendants, victims including teenagers, and witnesses are having to wait up to four years from the time of an alleged offence to the case reaching crown court trial because of delays caused mainly by Covid.’
The Guardian, 10th January 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘More than 1,000 people who took part in environmental direct action organised by Extinction Rebellion have been taken to court in what experts say is one of the biggest crackdowns on protest in British legal history.’
The Guardian, 8th January 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘NEW legal guidance to set updated rules on charging criminal cases has been published by the Director of Public Prosecutions today.
The Director’s Guidance on Charging 6th Edition (DG6) has been unveiled by The Crown Prosecution Service with the new rules coming into immediate effect. The document, which was last updated in 2013, provides a clear set of guidelines for prosecutors and police to ensure cases are referred to the CPS at the right time; with the right material and information so that prosecutors can make immediate charging decisions and cases pass effectively and efficiently through the criminal justice system.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 31st December 2020
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
‘A woman who has been the victim of deepfake pornography is calling for a change in the law.’
BBC News, 6th January 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The Crown Prosecution Service has said there remains a “realistic prospect of conviction” for Harry Dunn’s alleged killer despite a High Court ruling she had diplomatic immunity.’
BBC News, 20th December 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Paying for sex could become a criminal offence in England and Wales if Parliament approves a new Bill which claims to protect women from sexual exploitation. But criminalisation will only further harm people who are already marginalised, argues Rachel Trafford.’
Each Other, 17th December 2020
Source: eachother.org.uk
‘Police and prosecutors need more resources as sexual assault and rape investigations are taking longer, a charity that supports victims has said.’
BBC News, 14th December 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
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