Category: press releases

The law in Wales – making it clearer, more modern and easier to use – Law Commission

Posted July 14th, 2015 in consultations, Law Commission, press releases, Wales by tracey

‘Throughout the UK the law can be difficult for professionals and the public to find and understand. The volume of legislation in England and Wales, the number of amendments and the way in which legislation is presented, make it increasingly difficult to find out what the law is and what it means. In Wales, the process of devolution has made matters even more complicated. In a consultation opening on 9 July the Law Commission is asking what can be done to simplify legislation relating to Wales and make it more accessible.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 9th July 2015

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk

Bereaved to benefit from action on cremation and coroner services – Ministry of Justice

Posted July 10th, 2015 in bereavement, burials and cremation, consultations, coroners, families, press releases by tracey

‘Bereaved families will be the focus of proposed new cremation rules and a review of out-of-hours coroner services announced today by Justice Minister Caroline Dinenage.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 8th July 2015

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

Regulator consults on what could be the most sweeping reforms to Bar training in a generation; keen to seek views from all – Bar Standards Board

Posted July 10th, 2015 in barristers, consultations, legal education, press releases, pupillage, universities by tracey

‘Future barristers may be able to achieve their career aspirations by a number of different, more flexible pathways if some of the approaches being considered by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) are implemented.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 10th July 2015

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Immunity guaranteed for whistleblowers in child sex abuse inquiry – Attorney General’s Office

Posted July 10th, 2015 in child abuse, immunity, inquiries, press releases, sexual offences, whistleblowers by tracey

‘Individuals providing certain evidence to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse can do so without fear of prosecution.’

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 9th July 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Repeat knife offenders face new minimum prison term – Ministry of Justice

Posted July 3rd, 2015 in offensive weapons, press releases, recidivists, sentencing by tracey

‘Minimum prison sentences for offenders who repeatedly carry knives will come into effect from 17 July 2015.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 3rd July 2015

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

A New Sentencing Code for England and Wales – Law Commission

Posted July 3rd, 2015 in consultations, press releases, sentencing by tracey

‘Today we are publishing the first consultation in our project to create a New Sentencing Code for England and Wales.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 1st July 2015

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

Codifying public nuisance and outraging public decency – Law Commission

Posted July 3rd, 2015 in nuisance, outraging public decency, press releases, reports by tracey

‘In our latest report, we recommend reforms to the common law offences of public nuisance and outraging public decency.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 24th June 2015

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

Redditch man sees sentence doubled to 20 years’ imprisonment for multiple rapes – Attorney General’s Office

Posted July 3rd, 2015 in appeals, press releases, rape, sentencing by tracey

‘Appeal Court increases the 10 year rape sentence of John Dennis to 20 years after ruling the original sentence unduly lenient.’

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 1st July 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Andrew Stocker found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter following death of employees on an apple farm – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted June 22nd, 2015 in employment, health & safety, homicide, negligence, press releases by tracey

‘Andrew Stocker has been found guilty by a jury of gross negligence manslaughter at Winchester Crown Court.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 19th June 2015

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Consultation on proposed amendments to allocation guideline – Sentencing Council

Posted June 19th, 2015 in Crown Court, magistrates, press releases, trials by tracey

‘The Sentencing Council has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to the allocation guideline.’

Full press release

Sentencing Council, 19th June 2015

Source: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk

Surge in ‘DIY’ justice sparks guidelines for lawyers – The Bar Council

Posted June 19th, 2015 in legal profession, litigants in person, press releases by tracey

‘A surge in the number of people representing themselves in court has prompted legal organisations to draft guidelines for lawyers who come up against people who find themselves in court without legal representation.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 18th June 2015

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Changes in legislation reflected in new gang definition – Home Office

Posted June 9th, 2015 in crime prevention, drug offences, gangs, injunctions, press releases by tracey

‘The Home Office has today (8 June) published revised statutory guidance to reflect changes to the legislation on gang injunctions.’

Full press release

Home Office, 8th June 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Tell us your experience of the legal services regulators – Legal Services Board

Posted May 15th, 2015 in consultations, consumer protection, legal services, Legal Services Board, press releases by tracey

‘The Legal Services Board (LSB) is launching a survey today inviting views from anybody and any firm that has been in contact with one of the eight legal services regulators in England and Wales.’

Full press release

Legal Services Board, 14th May 2015

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Codes of practice for the acquisition, disclosure and retention of communications data – Home Office

Posted May 15th, 2015 in codes of practice, electronic mail, internet, investigatory powers, press releases, telecommunications, terrorism by tracey

‘Guidance on the procedures that should be followed when the communications data is accessed or disclosed under RIPA, or retained under DRIPA or the ATCSA.’

Full press release

Home Office, 15th May 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Regulator seeks new powers – Bar Standards Board

Posted May 12th, 2015 in barristers, consultations, press releases by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has said that it needs new statutory powers to step into barristers’ failing chambers, companies and partnerships properly to protect the interests of clients where something has gone seriously wrong.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 12th May 2015

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

New legal services businesses now being authorised by regulator – Bar Standards Board

Posted April 10th, 2015 in alternative business structures, barristers, press releases by tracey

‘The barristers’ regulator, the Bar Standards Board (BSB), has today approved 15 new businesses as it begins authorising BSB-regulated entities – companies or partnerships that provide advocacy, litigation, and expert legal advice services.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 8th April 2015

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Digital ‘Make A Plea’ system means people can choose where and when they plead – Ministry of Justice

Posted February 27th, 2015 in electronic filing, pleadings, press releases by tracey

‘A new digital service will allow people charged with minor motoring offences to make a plea online at a time and place of their choosing.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 26th February 2015

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

Home Secretary announces investigation into collapsed police trial – Home Office

Posted February 27th, 2015 in disclosure, miscarriage of justice, murder, police, press releases, prosecutions by tracey

‘A QC-led investigation into the collapse of a police trial following the wrongful conviction of three people for the murder of Lynette White.’

Full story

Home Office, 26th February 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Bar Council backs MoJ U-turn on funding for DNA parentage testing – The Bar Council

Posted February 27th, 2015 in DNA, family courts, legal aid, paternity, press releases by tracey

‘The Ministry of Justice’s decision to reinstate funding for DNA tests that determine parentage in family court cases was the right thing to do, says the Bar Council after Justice Minister Simon Hughes announced funds for between £500,000 and £1m a year to pay for tests.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 23rd February 2015

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

New rules to crackdown on violent prisoners come into force – Attorney General’s Office

Posted February 27th, 2015 in assault, press releases, prisons, prosecutions, sentencing, violence by tracey

‘A significant step forward in the fight against violence in prisons has been taken, with the publication of a joint national protocol.’

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 27th February 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/ago