‘More than 1,000 people who took part in environmental direct action organised by Extinction Rebellion have been taken to court in what experts say is one of the biggest crackdowns on protest in British legal history.’
The Guardian, 8th January 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘NEW legal guidance to set updated rules on charging criminal cases has been published by the Director of Public Prosecutions today.
The Director’s Guidance on Charging 6th Edition (DG6) has been unveiled by The Crown Prosecution Service with the new rules coming into immediate effect. The document, which was last updated in 2013, provides a clear set of guidelines for prosecutors and police to ensure cases are referred to the CPS at the right time; with the right material and information so that prosecutors can make immediate charging decisions and cases pass effectively and efficiently through the criminal justice system.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 31st December 2020
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
‘Prosecutors working on gang-related cases which involve women and girls should consider if there is evidence they have been forced or groomed into committing crime, according to new legal guidance published today. The guidance, Decision-making in “gang” related offences, has been drawn up by the Crown Prosecution Service to give lawyers practical advice on building the strongest possible cases and gathering robust evidence to present to the court.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 16th December 2020
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
‘Police and prosecutors need more resources as sexual assault and rape investigations are taking longer, a charity that supports victims has said.’
BBC News, 14th December 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The International Criminal Court says it will not take action against the UK, despite finding evidence British troops committed war crimes in Iraq.’
BBC News, 9th December 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The “outdated and unclear” common law offence of misconduct in public office should be replaced by two new statutory offences of corruption in public office and breach of duty in public office, the Law Commission has said.’
Local Government Lawyer, 7th December 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘As an experienced prosecutor of rape and serious sexual offences, I never underestimate the courage it takes for a victim to report such a deeply violating and distressing event to police. CPS staff, especially those on our RASSO teams are all too aware of the unique barriers many face when deciding whether to report offences relating to sexual assault; these include shame, guilt, fear of the process, fear of not being believed, shock, cultural context, embarrassment, language barriers and fear of reprisal from the community.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 29th November 2020
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
‘An alliance of women’s organisations is calling for radical reforms to address the “disastrous state” of rape investigations and prosecutions, including a ministerial lead, a commission on juries and a ban on the use of sexual history evidence.’
The Guardian, 30th November 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The family of Harry Dunn, the 19-year-old motorcyclist killed outside a US airbase, have begun their court case seeking a ruling that the Foreign Office acted unlawfully in granting diplomatic immunity to the American driver of the car that killed him.’
The Guardian, 11th November 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Proposals to prosecute individuals for hate crimes based on what they discuss in their own homes need to be more widely debated, free speech organisations have said.’
The Guardian, 4th November 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘R v A [2020] EWCA Crim 1408. On 29/10/2020, the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against an aggravated burglary conviction brought by a teenage victim of human trafficking.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 2nd November 2020
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘The London assembly’s police and crime committee has written to the lord chancellor, Robert Buckland, amid concerns over a “toxic combination” of falling convictions in rape and sexual offence cases despite a rise in reports and a backlog of cases in the courts.’
The Guardian, 26th October 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Prosecutions for crimes against women and girls in England and Wales plummeted in the first three months of the coronavirus pandemic, reflecting a backlog in the court system exacerbated by the UK-wide shutdown and subsequent social distancing measures.’
The Guardian, 22nd October 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Letters to victims of rape and other crimes sent by the Crown Prosecution Service explaining legal decisions are of poor quality, lack human empathy and are frequently late, according to an official watchdog.’
The Guardian, 22nd October 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A military prosecutor has been accused of serious failings in his handling of sexual assault and rape cases.’
BBC News, 21st October 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Just one in seven rape survivors believe they will receive justice by reporting a rape, according to a survey by the victims’ commissioner.’
The Guardian, 20th October 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Police are reviewing a controversial investigation into an interview with historian David Starkey to ensure it is “proportionate”.’
The Independent, 14th October 2020
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘The Overseas Operations Bill (‘OOB’) aims to prevent what the government has long termed as ‘vexatious legislation’ being brought against members of the UK’s armed forces for their conduct in engagements abroad.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 12th October 2020
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘A hospital trust has been fined for failing to be open and transparent with the bereaved family of a 91-year-old woman in the first prosecution of its kind.’
The Guardian, 23rd September 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
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