‘The outcry over the new financial penalties for anyone convicted of a crime presents Michael Gove with a crucial test of his willingness to jettison flawed policies inherited from Chris Grayling, his predecessor as Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor.’
The Independent, 11th September 2015
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Greece is not alone in suffering from budget cuts arising from the era of austerity. In the UK, local councils, libraries, museums – all public services have been cut. Criminal Justice has not escaped this cost-cutting. The consequence has been fewer police officers on the streets, less money for legal aid lawyers, and closures of Magistrates courts. Prisons too have been hit; the government has reduced the amount it spends running correctional facilities. This has meant fewer programs and services for prisoners, more austere prisons as well as more work for fewer prison officers.’
OUP Blog, 28th August 2015
Source: www.blog.oup.com
‘The Law Society has today published an online map to show how Ministry of Justice plans to close 91 courts and tribunals across England and Wales will affect solicitors.’
Full story
Law Society’s Gazette, 14th August 2015
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘The Howard League for Penal Reform has called for a review of the “unfair and unrealistic” Criminal Courts Charge, which “ penalises the poor and encourages the innocent to plead guilty”. The mandatory charge of up to £1,200 is imposed on those who admit committing minor misdemeanours, regardless of their circumstances.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 10th August 2015
Sorce: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘Compensation has been reduced for sexual assault victims who have criminal convictions. But we need to stop insisting that traumatised people should be model citizens.’
The Guardian, 7th August 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘A charity today called for an urgent review of criminal courts charges after collating cases which it says prove the fees are ‘unrealistic and unfair’.’
Full story
Law Society’s Gazette, 5th August 2015
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘People who have witnessed a crime are significantly less likely to trust the justice system than the rest of the public, according to new research published by the Government.’
The Independent, 5th August 2015
Source: www.independent.co.uk
It is plain that across the board there is a desire for change in relation to women and criminal justice. Many examples exists of wonderful, creative, worthwhile and even evidently successful projects in relation to diverting women away from custody and improving conditions for women who lose their liberty. Research related to women and criminal justice is ongoing from a range of respected and vociferous advocates such as Women’s Breakout, The Prison Reform Trust, Women in Prison and Halsbury’s Law Exchange to name but a few – many working together to effect change. There is no doubt that evidence and recommendations from each of these respected bodies – and more alongside them – will call for real change, offering genuine educated and reasonable arguments for doing so. However arguably (at least for now), the real “power” lies with the Courts, ergo it is the Courts who need to be at the vanguard of change.
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 3rd August 2015
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk
‘Magistrates have begun to resign in protest at punitive court charges of up to £1,200 that they claim can never be collected and encourage the innocent to plead guilty.’
Full story
The Guardian, 31st July 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Campaigners claim Public Space Protection Orders are ‘criminalising young people just for being young’.’
Full story
The Independent, 1st August 2015
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Denying prisoners in England and Wales legal aid so they can effectively challenge the conditions under which they are held could be illegal, the court of appeal has ruled.’
The Guardian, 28th July 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘The “creaking and outdated” justice system in England and Wales is failing society’s poorest, Michael Gove argued this week.
In his first speech since becoming Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, he said that the best legal provision is the preserve of the wealthy, while victims of crime are “badly” let down. Mr Gove also said that the case for change had been “made most powerfully and clearly by the judiciary themselves”.
In this special edition of Law in Action, the Lord Chief Justice gives his reaction to Michael Gove’s speech.’
BBC Law in Action, 23rd July 2015
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Speech by The Right Hon. The Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.’
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 9th July 2015
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
‘We must modernise our courts but that won’t address the fact that those who need it most are failed by the system. Only investment can redress the balance.’
The Guardian, 24th June 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Speech given at the Legatum Institute.’
Ministry of Justice, 23rd June 2015
Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
‘The “fundamental architecture” for modernising the way in which the family courts deal with vulnerable people could be introduced before the end of the year.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 22nd June 2015
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Britain’s justice system is badly failing most people who use courts while providing a gold standard of service to the wealthy, according to the justice secretary, Michael Gove.’
The Guardian, 22nd June 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
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