Regulator tidies up complaint handling powers – Bar Standards Board

Posted February 13th, 2015 in barristers, complaints, disciplinary procedures, press releases by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) wants to tidy up the regulations in relation to complaint handling by removing the power of its Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) to take “No Further Action” (NFA) decisions.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 12th February 2015

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Authorisation to Practise process now open – Bar Standards Board

Posted February 3rd, 2015 in barristers, press releases by tracey

‘The annual Authorisation to Practise process has now opened, featuring a new method for calculating a barristers’ Practising Certificate Fee (PCF). Barristers have until 31 March 2015 to renew their practising certificates, which is a compulsory part of the Authorisation to Practise process.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 2nd February 2015

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Sir Brian Leveson’s Review of Efficiency in Criminal Proceedings published: Media Release – Judiciary of England and Wales

‘Sir Brian Leveson, The President of the Queen’s Bench Division publishes his review into efficiency in criminal proceedings today (Friday) with a wide ranging set of recommendations. He was asked by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas to find ways to make criminal justice more efficient and streamlined.’

Full press release

Judiciary of England and Wales, 23rd January 2015

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Alice Gross – joint statement from the CPS and the Metropolitan Police – Crown Prosecution Service

‘At the end of the investigation into the disappearance and death of Alice Gross, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) submitted a report to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). That report proposed that Arnis Zalkalns was responsible for her abduction and murder.’

Full press release

Corwn Prosecution Service, 27th January 2015

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Enhanced court fees: the government response to part 2 of the consultation on reform of court fees – Ministry of Justice

‘The government response to part 2 of the consultation on reform of court fees and further proposals for consultation.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 16th January 2015

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

Court fees: Proposals for reform – Judicial responses – Judiciary of England and Wales

‘Responses of the Lord Chief Justice, senior judiciary and the Civil Justice Council to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Consultation on Court fees – enhanced charging.’

Full text

Judiciary of England and Wales, 16th January 2015

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Queen’s Counsel in England & Wales: 2014 to 2015 – Ministry of Justice

Posted January 14th, 2015 in press releases, queen's counsel by tracey

‘Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of 93 new Queen’s Counsel.’

Full list

Ministry of Justice, 14th January 2015

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

Updated CPS-Police Rape Protocol launched as DPP warns of rising caseloads – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted January 14th, 2015 in Crown Prosecution Service, police, press releases, rape, sexual offences, victims by tracey

‘A joint protocol, created and implemented by the Crown Prosecution Service and the Police has been launched today [Thursday 8 January 2015], setting out how to deal with all rape cases from the initial complaint to after the verdict in a trial.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 8th January 2015

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Declaration 2014: Legal Professional Privilege is vital to a fair trial – The Bar Council

‘Legal chiefs and academics today demanded new laws to stop police and security services from spying on meetings between lawyers and their clients.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 9th December 2014

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: codes of practice consultation – Attorney General’s Office

‘A consultation on a revised code of practice that governs the use of investigatory powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.’

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 12th December 2014

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

New powers to tackle sham marriage announced – Home Office

Posted December 1st, 2014 in civil partnerships, fraud, immigration, marriage, press releases, registrars by tracey

‘Home Office will have more time to investigate suspected sham marriages.’

Full press release

Home Office, 25th November 2014

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Implementation of Bar Tribunal arrangements “progressing well” – Bar Standards Board

Posted December 1st, 2014 in barristers, press releases, reports, tribunals by tracey

‘A Bar Standards Board (BSB) annual report into the arrangements relating to the operation of the independent Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS) has found no significant issues to report and improvements in the service being sustained.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 28th November 2014

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

‘No obvious benefit’: Bar Council concerned over proposed dual-contracting model – The Bar Council

Posted December 1st, 2014 in barristers, consultations, contracts, criminal justice, legal aid, press releases by tracey

‘The Ministry of Justice response to the “Transforming Legal Aid: Crime Duty Contracts” consultation, published today, will be of concern to all lawyers engaged in criminal defence work, and especially to solicitors firms with criminal legal aid contracts.’

Full story

MOJ response

The Bar Council, 27th November 2014

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

CPS decide no criminal charges should be brought following investigation into police actions in relation to the Kevin Nunes murder trial – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Operation Kalmia 2 was an investigation to determine whether any offences had been committed in connection with Staffordshire Police’s handling of disclosure of unused material in a prosecution (relating to the death of Kevin Nunes), which resulted in the convictions for murder in the subsequent criminal proceedings being quashed by the Court of Appeal. Following an investigation led by Chief Constable of Derbyshire Mick Creedon and managed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was asked to consider allegations in relation to two matters relating to the handling of the murder trial.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 19th November 2014

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Parents face funding test to stop their children going into care – The Bar Council

Posted November 20th, 2014 in care orders, legal aid, legal representation, press releases by tracey

‘Parents facing the prospect of having their children taken away from them should have legal aid to fight their case, the Bar Council has said.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 17th November 2014

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

New sentencing guidelines proposed for corporate manslaughter, health and safety and food safety offences. – Sentencing Council

‘Proposed sentencing guidelines have been published today which will assist sentencers dealing with corporate manslaughter, health and safety and food safety and hygiene offences.’

Full press release

Sentencing Council, 13th November 2014

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

Bar Council chief says barristers are here to stay – The Bar Council

Posted November 11th, 2014 in barristers, legal aid, press releases, speeches by tracey

‘The Chairman of the Bar Council, Nicholas Lavender QC, has described the recent legal aid cuts as “the biggest onslaught on access to justice through legal aid” there has ever been, but says the justice system might be at a turning point.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 8th November 2014

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Dangerous dogs: tough new law to help prevent attacks – Home Office

Posted October 17th, 2014 in complaints, dogs, fines, local government, police, press releases, prosecutions by tracey

‘Tough new legal powers to help prevent thousands of dog attacks every year will be given to police forces and local authorities from Monday 20 October.’

Full press release

Home Office, 17th October 2014

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

No further action to be taken following the death of Andrew Pimlott – Crown Prosecution Service

‘Following the death of Andrew Pimlott in Plymouth in April 2013, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has determined that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute a police constable for gross negligence manslaughter or misconduct in public office.’

Full press release

Crown Prosecution Service, 16th October 2014

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Bar Council Statement on the role of the Lord Chancellor – The Bar Council

Posted October 17th, 2014 in barristers, inquiries, judiciary, lord chancellor, parliament, press releases by tracey

‘Following the Lord Chancellor’s evidence on October 15 2014 to the House of Lords
Constitution Committee’s inquiry into the role of the Lord Chancellor, Nicholas Lavender QC, chairman of the Bar Council, said: “Justice is not a service that governments can choose to provide or not. It is a vital part of our constitutional arrangements. It needs to be defended and promoted to make the separation of powers a continuing reality and thereby to safeguard our democratic way of life for the future.” ‘

Full press release

The Bar Council, 16th October 2014

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk