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

36 Crime Newsletter, Summer 2024 – The 36 Group

Posted August 13th, 2024 in chambers articles, criminal justice, news by tracey

’36 Crime Newsletter, Summer 2024′

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The 36 Group , 5th August 2024

Source: 36group.co.uk

No refunds in historic miscarriage of justice cases – BBC News

‘Victims of historic miscarriages of justice have been told by the government they must have “bed and board” costs for the time they spent in prison deducted from their compensation payments.’

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BBC News, 9th August 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judges have refused to save Shamima Begum. Labour should bring her back to the UK to face justice – The Guardian

‘Stripping her of her citizenship was a political act by a bullying home secretary. Keir Starmer’s government can right that wrong.’

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The Guardian, 8th August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Victims’ Commissioner report “45% of stalking victims in London withdraw from the justice process” – Family Law

Posted August 5th, 2024 in criminal justice, London, news, police, stalking, statistics, victims by tracey

‘The Victims’ Commissioner has welcomed a new review by the London Victims’ Commissioner, which finds that the criminal justice system is failing victims of stalking.’

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Family Law, 2nd August 2024

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Man still in jail 20 years after laptop robbery – BBC News

‘A prisoner who has served almost five times his original sentence for a laptop robbery still has no prospect of being released.’

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BBC News, 3rd August 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Senior police officer who tackled violence against women fired for ‘punching two women’ – The Independent

‘A panel concluded on Wednesday that the officer’s behaviour in May last year constituted gross misconduct. He has been dismissed and placed on the barred list (banned from policing)’

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The Independent, 1st August 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘My rapist is now my stalker’: Woman blames years of police errors – BBC News

‘A woman who says she was raped in 2017 has described the criminal justice system as “absolutely broken” after a series of problems and errors allowed the accused man to allegedly start stalking her.’

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BBC News, 2nd August 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Fears for father still in jail 19 years after laptop robbery under ‘scandalous’ IPP sentence – The Independent

Posted July 29th, 2024 in criminal justice, imprisonment, Ministry of Justice, news, sentencing by sally

‘A father trapped under an indefinite jail term for a laptop robbery almost 20 years ago still has no release date after he was recalled to prison for missing a hospital appointment.’

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The Independent, 28th July 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Prisoners trapped on indeterminate jail terms not included in Labour government’s sentencing review – The Independent

Posted July 25th, 2024 in criminal justice, government departments, imprisonment, news, sentencing by sally

‘Prisoners facing indefinite sentences will not have their cases addressed as part of the new Labour government’s planned sentencing review, prisons minister Lord Timpson has said.’

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The Independent, 24th July 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Justice system complicit in stalking escalation’ – BBC News

Posted July 23rd, 2024 in criminal justice, London, news, police, reports, stalking by tracey

‘The criminal justice system is failing women on stalking, a review by London’s victims’ commissioner has found.’

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BBC News, 23rd July 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Chortle chortle, scribble scribble: the dying art of the court reporter – The Guardian

Posted July 11th, 2024 in courts, criminal justice, law reports, media, news by sally

‘The cases heard at the Old Bailey offer a vivid, often grim portrait of England and Wales today. What happens when there is no one left to tell these stories?’

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The Guardian, 11th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Trials and tribulation – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 4th, 2024 in criminal justice, Crown Court, delay, legal profession, news, prisons by sally

‘Crown courts are in crisis, reports Catherine Baksi. The backlog continues to climb, the estate is crumbling and there aren’t enough lawyers. So what’s the plan?’

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Law Society's Gazette, 2nd July 2024

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

CPS Statement: Decision not to charge in relation to fatal collision at The Study Prep School, Wimbledon – Crown Prosecution Service

‘CPS Statement: Decision not to charge in relation to fatal collision at The Study Prep School, Wimbledon.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 26th June 2024

Source: www.cps.gov.uk