119 criminal defence firms warn Lord Chancellor over legal aid – Legal Futures

Posted October 23rd, 2024 in criminal justice, judicial review, law firms, legal aid, Ministry of Justice, news by tracey

‘A group of 119 criminal law firms have warned the government not to mistake their submitting an application for a new legal aid contract for an intention actually to sign it.’

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Legal Futures, 23rd October 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Landmark Sentencing Review launched to end prison crisis – Ministry of Justice

‘Public safety will be at the heart of an independent review into sentencing, as the government pledges to end the crisis in our prisons.’

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Ministry of Justice, 21st October 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

Police officer cleared of murdering Chris Kaba – BBC News

Posted October 21st, 2024 in criminal justice, London, murder, news, police, professional conduct by tracey

‘A police officer has been cleared of murdering a man he shot in the head in south London two years ago.’

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BBC News, 21st October 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Victims Commissioner responds to stalking super-complaint findings – Family Law

Posted October 21st, 2024 in complaints, criminal justice, news, police, stalking, victims by tracey

‘The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), College of Policing and HMICFRS have published their findings in response to a police super-complaint submitted by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium in 2022.’

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Family Law, 15th October 2024

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Fewer women may go to jail in England and Wales in sentencing review – The Guardian

‘Fewer women could be sent to jail under a review to be announced by ministers this week that is expected to cut sentences for thousands of criminals.’

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The Guardian, 20th October 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Former top judge demands help for prisoners ‘left to rot’ under ‘morally wrong’ indefinite jail terms – The Independent

‘Britain’s former top judge has backed The Independent’s campaign for prisoners serving indefinite jail terms to have their sentences reviewed, and called for the government to take responsibility for the “morally wrong” punishment.’

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The Independent, 20th October 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

LASPO 2012: ten years and beyond – a socio-legal study of the impact of legal aid cuts on service providers in England and Wales – Legal Ethics

‘Major reforms via the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012 and subsequent reforms have reduced the legal aid budget and the scope of eligibility in criminal as well as civil cases. According to Mansfield et al., the principles of justice that embody the legal aid provision has been neglected by governments for over a decade and as such; created a gap that emasculates the most vulnerable in society, such as recipients of legal aid. This study employs an interview-based approach to investigate alternative perspectives in terms of the cuts and widespread impact on service providers in England and Wales, such as barristers, and solicitors. Detailed qualitative data were collected to provide insights into the diminishing legal aid scheme through the lived experiences of both civil and criminal legal aid providers. The study examines the concerns of service providers regarding their future as public defenders and the future of the judicial system post-LASPO 2012, focusing on safeguarding the rights of individuals facing litigation and ensuring that newly qualified lawyers are not deterred from public defence roles due to the long-term effects of ongoing legal aid cuts.’

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Legal Ethics, 10th September 2024

Source: www.tandfonline.com

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