Serious Fraud Office zeros in on large-scale fraud as prosecutions for other offences fall – The Independent

‘As the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) increasingly focuses on large-scale frauds, the overall number of fraud prosecutions in the UK is falling, new figures show.’

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The Independent, 5th November 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Government: ‘now is not the right time’ for review of marriage law – Family Law

‘The Government has informed the Law Commission that ‘now is not the right time’ for a full review of marriage law.’

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Family Law, 27th October 2017

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Violence and self-harm in UK prisons continue to surge – The Guardian

‘Violence in prisons has increased to record levels, according to new figures released by the Ministry of Justice, with 27,193 incidents of assault and serious assault in the year to June 2017.’

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The Guardian, 26th October 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Justice in jeopardy: government defies backlash to confirm ‘reckless’ legal aid cuts – Law Society Gazette

‘The government is to press ahead with reform of legal aid fees paid to solicitors in criminal cases – despite 97% of submissions to a consultation vehemently opposing the plans. Representative bodies have this afternoon condemned the decision as ‘reckless’, claiming it places justice in jeopardy.’

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Law Society Gazette, 24th October 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Ministry of Justice begins process of refunding £33m in employment tribunal fees – Litigation Futures

Posted October 23rd, 2017 in employment tribunals, fees, Ministry of Justice, news, repayment by sally

‘The government expects to refund £33m to employment tribunal claimants after the Supreme Court ruled tribunal fees unlawful.’

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Litigation Futures, 20th October 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Senior judge warns over ‘shaming’ impact of legal aid cuts – The Guardian

‘One of the most senior family court judges has warned about the impact of legal aid cuts and said it was “shaming” to preside over cases in which individuals are forced to represent themselves.’

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The Guardian, 13th October 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Killer drivers to receive life sentences in law change – BBC News

‘Drivers who kill someone in the most serious cases of dangerous and careless driving will now face life sentences.’

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BBC News, 15th October 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ministry of Justice “set to repeat mistakes of LASPO”, warns MASS chairman – Litigation Futures

Posted October 12th, 2017 in consultations, insurance, Ministry of Justice, news, personal injuries by sally

‘ASPO has not brought down insurance premiums, stopped referral fees or seen accident victims benefit from the promised 10% uplift in damages, and the Ministry of Justice is set to repeat its mistakes in the Civil Liability Bill, the chairman of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS) claimed yesterday.’

Full Story

Litigation Futures, 12th October 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Making Britain the safest place in the world to be online – Ministry of Justice

‘Britain is to become the safest place in the world to be online thanks to new proposals announced today by Culture Secretary Karen Bradley.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 11th October 2017

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Child Protection in Sport chief says loophole must be closed – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 11th, 2017 in charities, child abuse, Ministry of Justice, news, sexual offences, sport, young persons by tracey

‘British sport’s most senior child protection officer has condemned what she branded “a lack of will” to change the law to prevent coaches having sex with 16 and 17-year-olds under their care on the back of football’s paedophile scandal.’

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Daily Telegraph, 10th October 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Sex abuse victims ‘failed’ by criminal payout scheme – BBC News

‘The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is to be investigated over concerns it is failing child sex abuse victims, the Victims’ Commissioner has told 5 live Investigates.’

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BBC News, 1st October 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MPs given early chance to scrutinise discount rate reform legislation – Litigation Futures

‘The justice select committee has accepted an invitation by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft legislation to reform the discount rate.’

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Litigation Futures, 18th September 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

‘They funked it’ – LCJ’s dismay at inaction on older recorders – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted September 18th, 2017 in judges, judiciary, Ministry of Justice, news, recruitment, retirement, select committees by tracey

‘The lord chief justice has urged the government to deal with the thorny issue of forcing retirement upon part-time recorders believed to be clogging up the judicial system.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 18th September 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Bar Council responds to Lammy Review – The Bar Council

Posted September 11th, 2017 in criminal justice, diversity, judiciary, Ministry of Justice, press releases, reports by tracey

‘Robin Allen QC, Chair of the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity and Social Mobility Committee, said today’s publication of the Lammy Review was a major contribution to the important and urgent task of securing a fair and equal criminal justice system.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 8th September 2017

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Young black people nine times more likely to be jailed than young white people – report – The Guardian

‘Young black people are nine times more likely to be locked up in England and Wales than young white people, according to Ministry of Justice analysis.’

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The Guardian, 1st September 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Administrative’ solution to employment tribunal fee issues imminent – OUT-LAW.com

‘A short stay on employment tribunal claims brought “in reliance upon” the Supreme Court’s recent finding that the fee regime introduced in 2013 was unlawful has been lifted by the tribunal service.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 24th August 2017

Source: www.out-law.com

Justice secretary told to ‘get a grip’ on backlog of prisoners held beyond sentence – The Guardian

‘The chair of the Parole Board has expressed his frustration at the government’s failure to “get a grip” on the issue of prisoners serving indeterminate sentences under the discredited imprisonment for public protection (IPP) programme.’

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The Guardian, 14th August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Increase in serious crimes by offenders on probation, figures show – The Guardian

‘There has been an increase in serious crimes committed by offenders under supervision in the community since the controversial privatisation of the probation service, figures suggest. The number of offenders on probation charged with murder, manslaughter, rape and other serious violent or sexual crimes has risen by more than 25% since changes to the service in England and Wales.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 2nd August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ministers ‘undermined law’ over Iraq war crimes allegations – The Guardian

‘The government has been accused of undermining the rule of law by putting pressure on an independent regulator in its action against a legal firm pursuing claims of human rights abuses involving British troops in Iraq.’

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The Guardian, 22nd July 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Probation reform: open letter from the Secretary of State for Justice – Ministry of Justice

Posted July 20th, 2017 in Ministry of Justice, news, press releases, probation, recidivists by tracey

‘Justice Secretary David Lidington provides an update on the probation system.’

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Ministry of Justice, 19th July 2017

Source: www.gov.uk