Isobel Renzulli: Begum v SSHD (2023): A restrictive approach to Article 4 ECHR – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘On 22 February 2023, the judgment of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (‘SIAC’ or ‘the Commission’) was published, upholding the Home Secretary’s decision to deprive Shamima Begum of her British citizenship under section 40(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981 (‘‘the BNA 1981’’) on the ground that it would be conducive to the public good to do so, because her return to the United Kingdom would present a national security risk.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 29th March 2023

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

I’ve seen abusers use family courts to control and torment victims – but change is coming – The Guardian

‘A pilot scheme is inviting journalists into England and Wales’s most private courtrooms. This can expose those who use litigation as a weapon.’

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The Guardian, 29th March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ministers can veto prisoners’ parole in Victims and Prisoners Bill – BBC News

‘Ministers will be able to block the release of some prisoners and stop others getting married under new plans to overhaul the parole system.’

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BBC News, 29th March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rotherham grooming survivor awarded £425k after suing rapist – BBC News

Posted March 28th, 2023 in child abuse, damages, news, rape, sexual grooming, victims by sally

‘A rapist convicted as part of the Rotherham grooming scandal has been ordered to pay £425,000 in damages to his victim by the High Court.’

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BBC News, 27th March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Delays to rape trials in England and Wales ‘devastating’ for victims – The Guardian

‘Long delays and a massive increase in the rescheduling of rape trials are having a devastating impact on victims’ mental health and leading some victims to take their own lives, according to a major new report.’

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The Guardian, 27th March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Whole life sentence prisoners face ban from marrying under Government plans – The Independent

‘Prisoners serving whole life sentences would be prevented from marrying under new Government plans.’

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The Independent, 18th March 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Grantham paedophile jailed after ‘campaign of rape’ – BBC News

Posted March 17th, 2023 in child abuse, children, imprisonment, news, rape, sentencing, sexual offences, victims by sally

‘A paedophile who carried out a “campaign of rape” has been jailed for 25 years for abusing children as young as seven over a 23-year period.’

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BBC News, 16th March 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Woman allegedly raped as a teenager calls for change after ‘horrendous’ trial – The Guardian

Posted March 13th, 2023 in cross-examination, news, rape, retrials, sexual offences, trials, victims, young persons by sally

‘A woman who alleges that she was raped as a teenager by an older man has called for changes to the judicial process after finding the experience of going to trial traumatic.’

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The Guardian, 12th March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

New expert panel to support victims after major disasters – Ministry of Justice

‘Survivors and the bereaved families of major disasters like Hillsborough, the Manchester Arena bombing and the Grenfell Tower fire will receive new dedicated support in the future under plans unveiled by the government today (1 March).’

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Ministry of Justice, 1st March 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Victims of crimes committed by armed forces personnel to have say in justice – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted March 2nd, 2023 in armed forces, consultations, news, prosecutions, victims by sally

‘For the first time, there will be a requirement to consider the views of those reporting a crime allegedly committed by a member of the armed forces when deciding whether a case should be dealt with by the civilian or military justice system.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 23rd February 2023

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Hillsborough families demand more after MoJ proposes disaster support – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 2nd, 2023 in advocacy, bereavement, health & safety, inquests, news, sport, victims by sally

‘Families of victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster say they will not be satisfied until people have access to representation at inquests. Their latest call comes following a pledge from justice secretary Dominic Raab MP to support victims of large-scale disasters through the creation of an Independent Public Advocate (IPA).’

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Law Society's Gazette, 1st March 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Hundreds of trafficking victims in UK missing after referral to support scheme – The Guardian

Posted March 2nd, 2023 in missing persons, news, trafficking in human beings, victims by sally

‘Hundreds of trafficking victims in the UK have gone missing after being referred to the government’s scheme to protect them, the Guardian has learned.’

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The Guardian, 2nd March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Charities urge Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to guarantee better protection for women in Family Courts – Family Law

Posted February 21st, 2023 in cross-examination, domestic violence, family courts, harassment, news, victims by sally

‘The Family Courts are failing survivors of domestic abuse, according to 28 leading women’s charities, solicitors and survivors. A letter signed by the group has been delivered to Secretary of State for Justice Dominic Raab today, calling for urgent action to stop the practice of perpetrators of domestic abuse from cross examining their victims in court.’

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Family Law, 20th February 2023

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Spiking: Low conviction rate is shocking, say victims – BBC News

‘A student who suspects she was a victim of spiking has said the low conviction rate is shocking but not surprising.’

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BBC News, 15th February 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Domestic abuse victims ‘still being cross-examined by alleged perpetrator’ – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Victims of domestic abuse are still being cross-examined by alleged perpetrators in the family courts despite the “appalling practice” being banned by the Domestic Abuse Act, women’s charities and solicitors have told the lord chancellor.

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Law Society's Gazette, 12th February 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Children Born As A Result Of Rape Will Be Recognised As Victims – Each Other

Posted February 7th, 2023 in bills, children, criminal justice, news, rape, victims by sally

‘The government intends to amend the Victims Bill to clarify that children who were born as a result of rape are entitled to support from criminal justice agencies such as the police and courts. Over 2,000 children were conceived as a result of rape in 2021. Under “Daisy’s Law”, children and adults who were born as a result of rape will be recognised as victims in their own right.’

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Each Other, 7th February 2023

Source: eachother.org.uk

Child Maintenance Service to clamp down on domestic abuse – Family Law

‘Survivors of domestic abuse will be given the choice to allow the CMS to collect and make payments on their behalf – without the consent of an abusive ex-partner. This will prevent perpetrators from using child maintenance as a form of ongoing financial abuse and control and mean survivors will not have to have contact with their ex-partner if there is evidence of domestic violence.’

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Family Law, 26th January 2023

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

K v K – a retreat from progress in the family courts? – Family Law Week

Posted January 31st, 2023 in contact orders, domestic violence, family courts, news, victims by sally

‘Dr Adrienne Barnett, Reader in Law, Brunel University, London, and Dr Charlotte Proudman, barrister at Goldsmith Chambers and director at Right to Equality, consider whether K v K [2022] EWCA Civ 468 favours the resolution of resource constraints over the safety and welfare of victims of domestic abuse.’

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Family Law Week, 30th January 2023

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

New reforms to tackle ‘abuse’ of modern slavery laws by criminals – The Independent

‘Tough new rules will make it harder for migrants convicted of serious offences to claim to be victims of modern slavery, under plans announced by the Home Secretary.’

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The Independent, 30th January 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Mother wins legal battle over tribunal’s refusal to say why son’s killer was discharged from hospital – The Guardian

‘A woman has won a legal battle against a mental health tribunal over its refusal to provide her with the the reasons for releasing her son’s killer into the community.’

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The Guardian, 25th January 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com