Category: criminal justice

CPS prosecution guidance on protests and demonstrations in light of the Middle East conflict – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted October 16th, 2023 in criminal damage, criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, demonstrations, freedom of expression, hate crime, Israel, news, proscribed organisations, public order, terrorism, war by tracey

‘The CPS is aware that following the recent disturbing events in the Middle East, the public and many different communities may be concerned about protests or demonstrations. The CPS recognises that whilst in the main demonstrations and protests will be peaceful and lawful, there may be incidents of public disorder and it is possible that some individuals may commit criminal offences.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 13th October 2023

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences launched – Home Office

Posted October 13th, 2023 in criminal justice, disclosure, fraud, government departments, news by tracey

‘An independent review into disclosure and fraud, led by Jonathan Fisher KC, has launched to make it quicker and easier to bring criminals to justice.’

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Home Office, 12th October 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

UK’s ‘broken’ criminal justice system is in ‘chaos’, former victims’ tsar warns – The Independent

Posted October 3rd, 2023 in criminal justice, delay, news, victims by sally

‘The “broken” criminal justice system is in “chaos” with Rishi Sunak’s government showing “no creative thinking” in its approach to easing the courts backlog, the former victims’ commissioner has warned.’

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The Independent, 3rd October 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Five more ex Post Office workers have convictions set aside – Criminal Cases Review Commission

Posted September 29th, 2023 in appeals, computer programs, Criminal Cases Review Commission, criminal justice, miscarriage of justice, news, postal service, theft by tracey

‘Five more former sub-postmasters have had convictions set aside after their cases were sent back to court by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).’

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Criminal Cases Review Commission, 28th September 2023

Source: ccrc.gov.uk

Trudi Warner reveals the dark secret of English courts: juries do have the right to follow their consciences – The Guardian

Posted September 27th, 2023 in climate change, criminal justice, demonstrations, freedom of expression, juries, news by sally

‘The solicitor general taking action against a climate protester who held up a sign outside court raises a vital issue for criminal justice.’

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The Guardian, 27th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Why do rape and sexual assault victims find it hard to go straight to police? – BBC News

Posted September 20th, 2023 in criminal justice, media, news, police, rape, sexual offences, statistics, victims, women by sally

‘Four women have accused Russell Brand of rape and sexual assault in a joint investigation between the Sunday Times, the Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.’

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BBC News, 19th September 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Honour-based abuse: Government rejects calls for legal definition – BBC News

Posted September 15th, 2023 in coercive & controlling behaviour, criminal justice, domestic violence, families, forced marriages, government departments, murder, news, police, violence, women by tracey

‘The government has rejected calls for a legal definition of honour-based abuse.’

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BBC News, 15th September 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Speech by the Lord Chief Justice: Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Conference 2023 – Courts & Tribunals Judiciary

Posted September 12th, 2023 in anonymity, civil justice, criminal justice, media, news, remote hearings, rule of law, speeches by tracey

‘Open Justice Today Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Conference 2023.’

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Courts & Tribunals Judiciary, 11th September 2023

Source: www.judiciary.uk

New collaboration on scoping study on international cooperation in criminal law – Law Commission

Posted September 8th, 2023 in criminal justice, international law, Law Commission, news by tracey

‘In a new initiative, the Law Commission of England and Wales has invited the Criminal Law Reform Now Network (CLRNN), an established research network, to look at whether a law reform project on international cooperation in criminal law is needed and, if so, what the scope might be.’

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Law Commission, 7th September 2023

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Seventeen years: what does Andrew Malkinson’s wrongful conviction say about the appeals process? – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted August 30th, 2023 in appeals, Criminal Cases Review Commission, criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, DNA, evidence, imprisonment, miscarriage of justice, news, police, rape, sexual offences by sally

‘Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal overturned Andrew Malkinson’s conviction for rape and related assault offences, for which he had spent 17 years in prison. An appeal in 2006 upheld the verdict and applications to the Criminal Case Review Commission (CCRC) in 2012 and 2020 were denied. Finally, a third application last year convinced the CCRC to order fresh DNA analysis. It was this evidence as well as treatment of some previously undisclosed information to do with Malkinson’s witness identification which secured his release.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 29th August 2023

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Andrew Malkinson: independent inquiry announced into wrongful conviction – The Guardian

Posted August 25th, 2023 in Criminal Cases Review Commission, criminal justice, Crown Prosecution Service, DNA, evidence, inquiries, miscarriage of justice, news, police, rape, sexual offences by sally

‘Ministers have announced an independent inquiry into the circumstances and handling of the Andrew Malkinson case after he was exonerated last month over a rape for which he wrongly spent 17 years in prison.’

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The Guardian, 24th August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘An activist blob’: Tory party attacks on lawyers – a timeline – The Guardian

Posted August 17th, 2023 in criminal justice, government departments, immigration, legal profession, news, political parties by sally

‘Critical language used to blame lawyers for thwarting immigration policy dates back to Boris Johnson era.’

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The Guardian, 16th August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mum of Nikki Allan to sue Northumbria Police – BBC News

Posted August 9th, 2023 in bereavement, children, compensation, criminal justice, delay, DNA, families, murder, news, police by tracey

‘The mother of a girl murdered in 1992 says she is taking legal action against a police force over her 30-year wait for justice.’

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BBC News, 9th August 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Government plans ‘strengthened’ out-of-court disposals – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted August 4th, 2023 in codes of practice, consultations, criminal justice, news by tracey

‘The existing framework of out of court disposals, used when it is not in the public interest to go to court, has been described as ‘unwieldy’ by the government which is now proposing a “simplified, strengthened two-tier framework”.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 2nd August 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Cases of two men convicted on corrupt police officer’s evidence referred back to courts – The Guardian

Posted August 4th, 2023 in conspiracy, corruption, Criminal Cases Review Commission, criminal justice, criminal records, miscarriage of justice, news, police, racism by tracey

‘Two men who died with convictions based on evidence from a disgraced police officer with a history of racism and corruption have had their cases referred back to the courts.’

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The Guardian, 4th August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Views sought on criminal appeals process – Law Commission

Posted July 28th, 2023 in appeals, consultations, criminal justice, Law Commission, miscarriage of justice, news by sally

‘On Thursday 27 July, the Law Commission of England and Wales is publishing a paper asking for views on whether and how the law governing appeals for criminal cases should be reformed.’

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Law Commission, 26th July 2023

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Contempt threat against climate activist may undermine trial by jury, lawyers say – The Guardian

Posted July 27th, 2023 in climate change, contempt of court, criminal justice, demonstrations, juries, news by sally

‘Leading lawyers have accused the government of undermining trial by jury after a climate activist was told she faces contempt proceedings over holding a sign outside court.’

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The Guardian, 26th July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Better support needed to prevent honour-based abuse remaining hidden crime – MPs – The Independent

Posted July 19th, 2023 in criminal justice, domestic violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriages, murder, news, victims, women by tracey

‘Honour-based abuse should have a statutory definition in a similar way to domestic abuse, MPs said, as they warned it risks remaining a hidden crime without better victim support.’

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The Independent, 19th July 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New Judgment: R (on the application of Officer W80) v Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct and others [2023] UKSC 24 – UKSC Blog

Posted July 10th, 2023 in appeals, civil justice, criminal justice, disciplinary procedures, firearms, news, police, professional conduct, Supreme Court by sally

‘W80, an armed police officer, shot Jermaine Baker dead in a police operation. Mr Baker was implicated in a plot to snatch two individuals from custody. The police had intelligence that the plotters would be in possession of firearms. W80’s account was that during the intervention, Mr Baker’s hands moved quickly up to a shoulder bag on his chest. Fearing for his life and those of his colleagues, W80 fired one shot. No firearm was found in the bag, but an imitation firearm was in the rear of the car.’

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UKSC Blog, 5th July 2023

Source: ukscblog.com

Supreme Court backs civil law test for police disciplinary proceedings – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 7th, 2023 in appeals, civil justice, criminal justice, disciplinary procedures, firearms, news, police, professional conduct, Supreme Court by tracey

‘The Supreme Court has ruled that the civil law test should be applied in police disciplinary proceedings and that public confidence is better served in doing so.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 5th July 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk