Category: criminal justice

Legislation nightmares leave us scratching our heads – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in civil justice, criminal justice, legislative drafting, news, parliament by tracey

“As Stephen Levinson’s recent post has reminded us, we are not living in a golden age of legislative drafting. In the field of criminal law, some particularly ghastly examples of bamboozling legislation can be found in various provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 – described by no less an authority than Rose LJ as ‘at best, obscure and, at worst, impenetrable’ (R v Campell [2006] EWCA Crim 726, [2006] 2 Cr App R (S) 626 at [1]).”

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Victims’ Views of Court and Sentencing – Victims’ Commissioner

Posted October 21st, 2011 in courts, criminal justice, news, sentencing, victims by sally

“Victims’ Commissioner publishes findings from research with victims of crime about their experiences of court and sentencing.”

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Victims’ Commissioner, 20th October 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Guardian pursues challenge to secrecy of criminal justice system – The Guardian

Posted October 12th, 2011 in appeals, bribery, criminal justice, disclosure, extradition, media, news by sally

“The Guardian’s efforts to win the right to see a set of key documents in a controversial extradition case continued today (11 October) at the court of appeal, where judges indicated they were minded to allow the paper an opportunity to appeal a High Court decision.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Criminal justice system failing mentally ill – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 6th, 2011 in criminal justice, mental health, news, recidivists, suicide by sally

“Some 90% of prisoners in England and Wales suffer from mental health problems and upon release are up to 36 times more likely to kill themselves than the general population, a report has revealed.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 6th October 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Criminal justice system ‘wasteful’, says Law Society report – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted October 6th, 2011 in criminal justice, news, reports by sally

“Better procedures and improved communication between prosecution and defence could reduce delays and waste in the criminal justice system, according to a Law Society report.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 5th October 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Vulnerable witnesses in the administration of criminal justice – Speech by The Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales

Posted September 30th, 2011 in children, criminal justice, learning difficulties, speeches, witnesses by tracey

“Vulnerable witnesses in the administration of criminal justice – speech by The Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, 29/09/2011.”

Full speech

Judiciary of England and Wales, 29th September 2011

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Rules for open justice – Speech to Broadcast Journalism Training Council Conference: Law, ethics and regulation – Speech by Nicholas Moss

Posted September 12th, 2011 in criminal justice, criminal procedure, speeches by tracey

“Rules for open justice – Speech to Broadcast Journalism Training Council Conference: Law, ethics and regulation. Speech by Nicholas Moss JP, Member, Criminal Procedure Rule Committee, 09/09/2011.”

Full speech

Judiciary of England and Wales, 9th September 2011

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Victims of crime ‘kept in dark’ despite promises – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 12th, 2011 in criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, news, victims by tracey

“Only half of those preyed on by criminals are kept up to date on their case while one in three never hear anything again after first reporting an offence, according to the charity Victim Support.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 11th September 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Incoming Chair of the Criminal Bar Association: The Criminal Bar is Vital to Ensuring Justice – The Bar Council

Posted September 2nd, 2011 in barristers, criminal justice, press releases by tracey

“Max Hill QC, who today begins a year-long term as Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, which represents criminal barristers in England and Wales, has sent a stark warning to the Government about the long-term effects of legal aid cuts. In a rallying call to criminal barristers, he has warned that if legal aid cuts cripple the criminal Bar, it will be almost impossible to restore.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 1st September 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Swift riot justice ‘sets standard’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 31st, 2011 in criminal justice, news, sentencing, violent disorder by sally

“The speed at which rioters were dealt with in the courts has led a chief constable to question why court cases normally take so long.”

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Daily Telegraph, 31st August 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Annual Youth Justice Convention 2011 – Youth Justice Board

Posted August 26th, 2011 in criminal justice, news, young offenders by sally

“The Annual Youth Justice Convention is the leading policy and networking event for all those committed to tackling youth crime.”

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Youth Justice Board, 25th August 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

News focus: Fast-track justice and the riots – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted August 18th, 2011 in criminal justice, criminal procedure, magistrates, news, violent disorder by sally

“Lawyers have recounted extraordinary scenes both of chaos and professional dedication over the past 10 days, as defence solicitors, prosecutors, magistrates and court staff worked through the night to deal with the unprecedented number of people arrested in the wake of last week’s riots across England.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 18th August 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Some England riot sentences ‘too severe’ – BBC News

Posted August 17th, 2011 in criminal justice, incitement, internet, news, sentencing, violent disorder by sally

“MPs and justice campaigners say some of the sentences given to those involved in the riots in England are too harsh.”

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BBC News, 17th August 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Facebook riot calls earn men four-year jail terms amid sentencing outcry – The Guardian

Posted August 17th, 2011 in criminal justice, incitement, internet, news, sentencing, violent disorder by sally

“Two men who posted messages on Facebook inciting other people to riot in their home towns have both been sentenced to four years in prison by a judge at Chester crown court.”

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The Guardian, 16th August 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Cracking down on youth offenders will mean they commit more crimes to pay the fines, claim probation officers – The Observer

Posted August 8th, 2011 in bills, criminal justice, fines, news, probation, young offenders by tracey

“Prison numbers and crime rates will rise as a result of government attempts to curb youth crime, according to Napo, the union representing Britain’s probation workers.Napo claims late amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and the Punishment of Offenders bill, introduced in response to coalition concerns that it was seen to be going ‘soft on crime’, will backfire. The bill proposes a 10-fold increase in the fine for an individual who breaches a youth rehabilitation order, from the current £250 to £2,500.”

Full story

The Observer, 7th August 2011

Source: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/

Judicial response to the publication of the Attorney General’s unduly lenient referral statistics – Judiciary of England and Wales

Posted July 22nd, 2011 in criminal justice, news, sentencing, statistics by sally

“The Deputy Head of Criminal Justice, Lord Justice Thomas, has responded to the statistics released today by the Attorney General’s office. These statistics report the number of cases where the Attorney General asked the Court of Appeal to decide whether a sentence imposed by the Crown Court was unduly lenient.”

Full story

Judiciary of England and Wales, 21st July 2011

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Criminal lawyers will shudder at plans to introduce competition to legal aid – The Guardian

Posted July 8th, 2011 in competition, criminal justice, legal aid, news, tenders by tracey

“Tucked away on page 52 of the government’s response to the legal aid green paper were words that would make many criminal lawyers shudder: ‘We intend to consult on detailed proposals for introducing competition in criminal proceedings later in the year.’ ”

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The Guardian, 7th July 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

“Justice in Times of Austerity” – speech by Commissioner Viviane Reding now available – The Bar Council

Posted June 23rd, 2011 in criminal justice, criminal procedure, dispute resolution, EC law, speeches by sally

“Vice-President of the European Commission and the first Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, Viviane Reding delivered the keynote address at a seminar on ‘Justice in Times of Austerity’, co-hosted by the Bar Council, the Criminal Bar Association, the Family Law Bar Association and the European Circuit of the Bar of England and Wales.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 22nd June 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Ken Clarke threatens to cut free legal aid for suspects – The Independent

Posted June 23rd, 2011 in criminal justice, legal aid, news by sally

“Kenneth Clarke faced anger last night after threatening to scrap the automatic right of arrested suspects to receive free advice from a solicitor.”

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The Independent, 23rd June 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Squatters should not be occupying legal aid arguments – The Guardian

Posted June 22nd, 2011 in criminal justice, human rights, legal aid, legal representation, news, squatting by sally

“The biggest winding back of access to justice in the legal aid system’s history is not getting the attention it deserves.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk