Ministers to give magistrates in England and Wales more sentencing powers – The Guardian

‘Ministers will announce plans within days to give magistrates in England and Wales fresh powers to hand down longer custodial sentences to help reduce the backlog in crown courts and prisons, the Guardian understands.’

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The Guardian, 17th October 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

England and Wales assisted dying bill formally launched in House of Commons – The Guardian

Posted October 17th, 2024 in assisted suicide, bills, criminal justice, news, suicide by sally

‘A bill to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales has been formally introduced in the House of Commons, triggering what is expected to be intense discussion over the coming weeks and months on an emotionally charged and controversial issue.’

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The Guardian, 16th October 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Assisted dying: What is the current law and will it change? – The Independent

Posted October 16th, 2024 in assisted suicide, bills, criminal justice, news by sally

‘The assisted dying debate will return to Parliament this week as a new bill is formally introduced in the House of Commons.’

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The Independent, 16th October 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Courts crisis laid bare as some new trials not due to start until mid-2027 – The Independent

Posted October 14th, 2024 in barristers, courts, criminal justice, Crown Court, delay, news, statistics, trials by tracey

‘Lawyers have warned of the “implosion” of the criminal justice system, as they revealed that some trials are now being scheduled as far away as September 2027.’

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The Independent, 12th October 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Warning shot’ to ministers over legal aid as barristers raise threat of industrial action – The Independent

‘Barristers have issued a “warning shot” to the new government in the long-running dispute over legal aid funding, as the Criminal Bar Association raised the threat of industrial action.’

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The Independent, 13th October 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Under-25s fined for minor mistakes – how rail tickets are confusing passengers – BBC News

Posted October 14th, 2024 in criminal justice, fines, news, transport, young persons by tracey

‘Despite what the name suggests, an Anytime train ticket does not always mean you can travel on the railway at any time – if you’re using a young person’s railcard.’

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BBC News, 12th October 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Three-quarters of sexual violence survivors subjected to rape myths in court – The Guardian

‘Three-quarters of survivors of sexual violence are subjected to rape myths during cross-examination, such as being asked what they were wearing or if they were out for revenge, according to research.’

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The Guardian, 10th October 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

How new rules to protect the victims of text and email fraud will work – The Guardian

‘As push payment fraud balloons, a scheme is coming into force to help those tricked by criminals’ increasingly sophisticated tactics.’

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The Guardian, 7th October 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK food and beverage firms must take note of FSA food crime assessment – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 2nd, 2024 in criminal justice, food, fraud, health & safety, misrepresentation, news by tracey

‘Businesses across the UK should examine the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) 2024 Food Crime Strategic Assessment and factor its key themes and overarching food crime methods into their risk assessments, an expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 1st October 2024

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood unveils plan to shut women’s prisons amid overcrowding crisis – The Independent

Posted September 25th, 2024 in criminal justice, early release, Ministry of Justice, news, prisons, statistics, women by sally

‘Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood has set out plans to slash the number of women going to jail and ultimately close women’s prisons amid an overcrowding crisis.’

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The Independent, 24th September 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

CPS twice did not prosecute Fayed over sex abuse claims – BBC News

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has said that it twice considered bringing charges against ex-Harrods owner Mohammed Al Fayed but concluded there was no realistic prospect of a conviction.’

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BBC News, 22nd September 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Police officers perpetrate shocking levels of domestic abuse with impunity, report finds – The Independent

Posted September 18th, 2024 in criminal justice, domestic violence, government departments, news, police, statistics by sally

‘Police officers perpetrate shocking levels of domestic abuse yet many operate with impunity due to forces failing to properly hold them to account, according to new research.’

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The Independent, 18th September 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Magistrates could give longer sentences under new proposals – BBC News

Posted September 17th, 2024 in criminal justice, Crown Court, delay, early release, magistrates, news, prisons, sentencing by tracey

‘Magistrates in England and Wales could be given powers to hand down longer custodial sentences under proposals to help reduce the backlog in crown courts and prisons.’

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BBC News, 16th September 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Women ‘disheartened’ by UK decision to halt Harvey Weinstein charges – The Guardian

‘Women who were key to exposing the disgraced Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein have told of their frustration at the decision by UK prosecutors to discontinue two indecent assault charges against him.’

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The Guardian, 15th September 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Justice for Grenfell deaths may not come this decade, warns former chief prosecutor – The Guardian

‘Justice for those responsible for the 72 deaths in the Grenfell Tower fire may not come until the end of this decade, a former chief prosecutor has warned, as survivors voiced growing fury over building firms’ “arrogant” refusal to admit wrongdoing.’

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The Guardian, 5th September 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Justice short changed – public funding of the justice system – The Bar Council

Posted September 5th, 2024 in budgets, civil justice, criminal justice, news, reports by sally

‘Public funding for justice is down by 22.4% in real per person terms since 2009/10, according to new analysis of government spending under the last government published by the Bar Council.’

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The Bar Council, 4th September 2024

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Prison early release scheme to include some serious offenders, MoJ admits – The Guardian

‘Prisoners serving time for lesser crime following serious one will be eligible under plan to free up jail space, officials confirm.’

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The Guardian, 3rd September 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Crime clerking in a time of backlog – Counsel

Posted August 21st, 2024 in barristers' clerks, courts, criminal justice, news by sally

‘A crucial part of the justice system jigsaw, what is it like being a criminal clerk in today’s acutely pressured environment? Dave Scothern offers insight, drawing out a framework of best practice points.’

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Counsel, 13th August 2024

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Stop and search study in England and Wales ‘casts doubt’ on effectiveness – The Guardian

‘Stop and search is one of the less effective tactics to tackle rising violence such as knife crime, according to the results of a study.’

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The Guardian, 21st August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

England prison overcrowding emergency measures come into force – The Guardian

‘Ministers have activated emergency measures to ease prison overcrowding as more rioters are sentenced for their role in the recent unrest.’

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The Guardian, 19th August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com