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Very often in criminal cases, several witnesses give similar and sometimes almost identical evidence. At first, blush, if all the witnesses were at the same place, at the same time and witnessing the same event, surely that is to be expected? But if we pause for a moment and consider a group of football fans… Continue reading Witness Independence – Too Much Of A Coincidence?

It is often said that the function of a Judge during a jury trial, is to act as referee as between prosecution and defence. Whilst a Judge is not entirely side-lined the expectation is that no bias will be displayed against any one party. When a Judge steps over the line and judicial intervention strays… Continue reading Judge as Referee

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the government introduced changes to the custody time limit regulations that extended the custody time limits in the Crown Court by two months to address ongoing delays in the criminal justice system worsened during the pandemic.  In September, Just for Kids Law, along with The Howard League for Penal… Continue reading Custody Time Limits & Young Defendants

The licensing of air weapons is different across the UK: In England and Wales, there is no need to acquire a licence to hold an air weapon. In Scotland, air weapons owners need a specific air weapons licence. In Northern Ireland, air weapons owners need a firearms licence. It is an offence to sell or… Continue reading Air Weapons – The Law & Proposed Reforms

In a recent case, a defendant was acquitted of sexual assault, the Attorney General referred the case to Court to look at a point of law. The question asked was: “Is it necessary for the prosecution to prove, as an element of the offence of sexual assault, not only that the offender intentionally touched another… Continue reading Sexual Assault and Intent

The Policing and Crime Act 2017 introduced the power for police to release suspects while under investigation rather than placing them on police bail. Before the Act, a suspect would be released on police bail, with or without conditions, with a date and time to report back to the police station if further investigation was… Continue reading Release Under Investigation

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a broad range of conditions which are characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and non-verbal communications.  Autism is generally a hidden disability, and it may not be immediately apparent that a person has it, and they may be undiagnosed. A person with autism may become involved… Continue reading Autism And Crime

There is a criminal offence of intentionally assisting offences believing one or more will be committed.  Jordan Atkinson was charged with this offence and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. The offence he assisted was wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Several co-accused were convicted of murder, wounding and assisting an offender. Atkinson appealed… Continue reading Intentionally Assisting Offences

Most people have heard of confiscation orders, usually in the context of drugs offences. After sentence, proceeds of crime hearings can be held, resulting in a confiscation order being made to recover the proceeds of the crime. What some may not be aware of is that it is not just the Crown Prosecution Service who… Continue reading Confiscation Orders, Local Authorities and Houses of Multiple Occupancy

There is a defence under section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 for a person who is compelled to do an act, where that compulsion is as a result of slavery or exploitation, and a reasonable person in the same position with the same characteristics would have no realistic alternative. In a recent case,… Continue reading Modern Slavery