‘Poverty-stricken people are being encouraged to plead guilty to crimes they did not commit out of fear they will face crippling costs imposed by new financial penalties, leading lawyers, magistrates and campaigners have warned.’
The Independent, 21st August 2015
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Magistrates should be trained to apply sentencing guidelines correctly to stop defendants ‘venue shopping’ for a more lenient sentence, the Law Society has said.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 18th August 2015
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘A woman has been fined nearly £300 for stealing three bottles of baby milk at South Derbyshire Magistrates Court this week.’
The Independent, 18th August 2015
Source: www.independent.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
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
‘Magistrates’ courts could meet in town halls or even hotel suites in a bid to save money, the Justice Secretary has said. Michael Gove confirmed there will be a new programme of court closures but the minister stressed he was keen to retain the way justice is dispensed at a local level.’
Daily Telegraph, 15th July 2015
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘The Sentencing Council has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to the allocation guideline.’
Sentencing Council, 19th June 2015
‘A new law has come into force today (12 March 2015) which removes the £5,000 cap that used to limit the maximum fines magistrates could impose.’
Ministry of Justice,
Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
‘As magistrate numbers continue to fall Joshua Rozenberg goes to Bradford to meet one of 300 who sit on the bench there. Would the system of lay magistrates – with no legal qualifications – be invented today? The answer is an intriguing one.’
BBC Law in Action, 24th February 2015
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The lay judiciary is fed up of being used as a “punch bag” by ill-informed politicians who have an outdated view of magistrates as “blue-rinse” establishment figures who like sending people to prison.’
The Independent, 9th November 2014
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A judge hearing extradition proceedings in the magistrates’ court had no power under the Extradition Act 2003 to hear evidence in a closed court and to make an order prohibiting the disclosure to the government of the requesting state of evidence adduced by individuals whose extradition was being sought. Extradition proceedings were not in a special category which would justify a departure from the principle of open justice.’
WLR Daily, 5th November 2014
Source: www.iclr.co.uk
‘The major piece of criminal law legislation for 2014 is the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act. It has been brought gradually into force throughout the year.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 3rd November 2014
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Ministers are considering introducing “pop up” courts for people who challenge speeding fines to be held in their own communities.’
Daily Telegraph, 25th October 2014
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Following a period of training and implementation the definitive guideline on fraud, bribery and money laundering offences came into effect on 1 October 2014.’
Versions for the Crown Court and magistrates’ courts
Sentencing Council, 1st October 2014
‘Karen Henshaw stood up in court and broke into song about being forced to step down from her duties at the age of 70.’
Daily Telegraph, 8th August 2014
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Criminals jailed by magistrates’ courts in England and Wales will no longer be excused from victim surcharge payments by serving extra prison time.’
BBC News, 8th August 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Miranda Bevan on the Law Commission’s review of the law on unfitness to plead in England and Wales.’
Criminal Law and Justice Weekly, 6th June 2014
Source: www.criminallawandjustice.co.uk
‘Launched as a pilot programme a decade ago, dedicated drug courts were widely promoted as one of the best hopes of halting addiction-fuelled crime. According to supporters, however, specialist courts are now in danger of being disbanded through lack of official support. The West London drugs court, in Hammersmith, sits only half a day a week and is no longer staffed exclusively by specially trained magistrates.’
The Guardian, 10th June 2014
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Maximum fines imposed by magistrates are set to rise dramatically under new proposals for England and Wales.’
BBC News, 10th June 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
© Inner Temple Library 2024