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Barrister Action Will Affect Criminal Cases

You may have read in the press that barristers are on strike, it is inevitable therefore that you may be concerned as to how this will affect your case. Why Are Barristers on Strike? It is more or less agreed across the board now that the criminal justice system is on the brink of a… Continue reading Barrister Action Will Affect Criminal Cases

Tougher Sentences for Persons Convicted of Terrorism Offences

The Sentencing Council has today published new guidelines that courts must have regard to when sentencing for a range of terrorism offences. Who Will Be Affected by the New Guidelines? The guidelines apply to all offenders over the age of 18 and cover the following offences: • Section 5 (Preparation of Terrorist Acts) Terrorism Act… Continue reading Tougher Sentences for Persons Convicted of Terrorism Offences

The Disclosure and Barring Service

The DBS is a government organisation responsible for the reporting of convictions and other information to employers and other relevant organisations. What Data is Held? The DBS holds three classes of information: Class 1: spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings Class 2: class 1 information plus police intelligence information (for example the… Continue reading The Disclosure and Barring Service

Throwing Articles into Prisons

It can be a temptation to family members, and to others perhaps for financial gain, to seek to convey articles into prisons. The chance of being detected is high and possibly for that reason many who might otherwise be tempted to do so, resist. Section 40CB of the Prison Act 1952 makes it an offence… Continue reading Throwing Articles into Prisons

Searching For Answers

In Entick v Carrington (1765), a case concerning the entry to and searching of premises, the court ruled: “…if this is law it would be found in our books, but no such law ever existed in this country; our law holds the property of every man so sacred, that no man can set his foot… Continue reading Searching For Answers

New Domestic Abuse Protections Announced

In a major announcement, the government has signalled a busy year ahead with legislative changes affecting the criminal law. Following on from the recent announcement about the sentencing of domestic abuse offences, the government has announced further reforms. There will be a new definition of domestic abuse making clear that it applies to all relationships… Continue reading New Domestic Abuse Protections Announced

Shaken Baby Syndrome

The unlawful death of a child is always a deeply traumatic act and one that shakes any society to its core. For some parents, it represents not only a deeply personal and tragic loss but the beginning of a nightmare. The reality in most murder and manslaughter cases is that the perpetrator is known, and… Continue reading Shaken Baby Syndrome

Knife Crime – Sentencing Changes

Knife crime is very much on the political agenda, with a number of stabbings having taken place over the last few weeks, resulting in deaths and injury, and no doubt the loss of liberty in due course for those responsible. Attention is now focussed on using deterrent sentences to discourage knife possession. The Sentencing Council,… Continue reading Knife Crime – Sentencing Changes

Hillsborough Prosecutions

A former senior police officer, David Duckenfield, who was in charge on the day of the Hillsborough disaster, will this week find out whether prosecution proceedings against him can continue. Prosecutions against others allegedly involved in the Hillsborough tragedy began in July 2017, but Duckenfield’s case is different as earlier proceedings against him were stayed… Continue reading Hillsborough Prosecutions

What Happens in Rome, May Not Stay in Rome

Most people know that if you commit a criminal offence in the UK, the police will record details of that offence and any subsequent sentence so that it is revealed during any future PNC (Police National Computer) check. What about offending abroad, can that be kept a secret? The answer depends on where the offence… Continue reading What Happens in Rome, May Not Stay in Rome