‘An analysis of the law on fitness to plead and stand trial in the magistrates’ courts: Silas Lee reviews the key issues and provides some take-away points for defence representatives.’
Carmelite Chambers, 6th June 2021
Source: www.carmelitechambers.co.uk
‘The appellant was the head teacher of a primary school in the West Midlands. She was dismissed from her post in July 2011 following disciplinary proceedings which arose in consequence of her failure to disclose the fact of her personal relationship with a man who had been convicted of offences involving the making and possessing of indecent images of children.’
Park Square Barristers, 15th May 2020
Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk
‘Employment Tribunal judges have a wide discretion when making case management decisions, with it being rare for a challenge to such a decision being successful. The Court of Appeal in O’Cathail v Transport for London [2013] IRLR 310 have made it clear that tribunal decisions can only be questioned for error of law. The specific issue in that case was whether or not it was an error of law for a Tribunal to refuse a postponement application in circumstances in which a litigant in person had a fit note saying they were not fit to attend the hearing. The application was refused and the trial went ahead in his absence.’
3PB, 7th February 2020
Source: www.3pb.co.uk
‘I aim to be clear this evening about my role as the nation’s chief prosecutor, on behalf of the CPS which I lead. At a time of national upheaval and some political uncertainty, the role of a properly-funded and fully independent prosecution authority is absolutely pivotal.’
Crown Prosecution Service 14th October 2019
Source: www.cps.gov.ukwww.cps.gov.ukwww.cps.gov.uk
‘A child rapist who almost escaped punishment after he tricked a judge and two psychiatrists into thinking he was severely disabled has been jailed for more than 26 years.’
The Guardian, 10th April 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Lawyers have called for an overhaul of the honours forfeiture system after it emerged that a sex abuser retained an honour bestowed for services to the Queen some three years after a court recognised him as a paedophile.’
The Guardian, 30th March 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A man charged with murdering a US tourist and wounding five other people in a knife attack in central London has been deemed fit to stand trial.’
BBC News, 8th December 2016
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The Law Commission has recommended a new test of incapacity after the Greville Janner case. We must be cautious about punishing those no longer in control of their actions.’
The Guardian, 19th January 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘A ‘trial of the facts’ into allegations of sexual abuse by Lord Janner has been formally dropped following the Labour peer’s death in December.’
The Independent, 15th January 2016
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A new test is needed to establish who is unfit to plead. The existing rules for deciding whether a defendant is unfit to participate in a criminal trial – and what the courts should do if they are not – are out of date, misunderstood and inconsistently applied.’
Law Commission, 13th January 2016
Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk
‘New tests should be introduced to assess whether a defendant facing criminal charges is mentally fit to stand trial, the Law Commission says.’
BBC News, 13th January 2016
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Commission will tell Government legal tests to determine whether someone is mentally fit for trial are Victorian legacies.’
The Independent, 10th January 2016
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘The death of the former Labour peer Greville Janner almost certainly means that child sex allegations made against him will never be tested in a criminal court, according to legal experts.’
The Guardian, 20th December 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Lord Janner is unfit to stand trial over child sexual abuse offences dating back 50 years, a High Court judge has ruled.’
BBC News, 7th December 2015
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A high court judge is expected to rule on whether Lord Janner is unfit to stand trial – and what evidence can be released regarding that decision – for a string of child sex offences dating back 50 years.’
The Guardian, 7th December 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘The country’s most senior prosecutor said it was “difficult” hearing calls for her to quit over her handling of the Lord Janner case, but insisted: “I’m still the right person for the job.”’
The Guardian, 6th September 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘A judge will decide at a hearing on 7 December whether Lord Janner, who is facing child sex abuse charges spanning three decades, is fit to plead.’
BBC News, 1st September 2015
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Lord Janner is expected to appear in court to face child abuse charges after his lawyers lost a High Court bid to prevent him having to attend.’
The Independent, 14th August 2015
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Director of Public Prosecutions suggests she will accept the outcome of a review if her decision not to prosecute the Labour peer is overruled’
Daily Telegraph, 25th June 2015
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘How do we determine whether someone accused of a crime is physically and mentally fit to participate in a criminal trial? And what do we do if they are not? These are the questions being examined today as the Law Commission brings together leading experts in criminal law and mental health to exchange views at a consultation event at Leeds University.’
Law Commission, 11th June 2014
Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk
© Inner Temple Library 2024