Category: Latest News

Buying and/ or selling a house is an exciting, expensive and, at times, stressful experience in our lives. But, for those looking to buy their first home, the conveyancing process, can be quite overwhelming. There is a lot to organise; from legal matters to financial arrangements and various regulations to comply with. To help you… Continue reading Your Guide to Conveyancing

New sentencing guidelines for some drugs offences will come in to force on 1 April 2021 and will apply to all cases sentenced on or after that date. The update is to reflect modern drug offending and new guidelines for offences created by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 to bring clarity and transparency around the… Continue reading Sentencing for Drugs Offences

The Law Commission, which advises the government on law reform has published a report advising changes to laws covering online abuse. Online abuse is covered in the ‘communications offences’ found in section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and section 127 of the Communications Act 2003. The Law Commission believes that “these laws suffer… Continue reading Law Commission Advises Government to Get Tough on Online Abuse

A firearms consultation has been launched this week to seek views on enhanced security for powerful rifles, introducing licensing controls on miniature rifle ranges, and tougher controls on ammunition.    Why is a consultation taking place? There have already been changes to firearms legislation in recent years such as new offences to prevent the conversion… Continue reading Firearms

If you, or someone you know, is being arrested and suspected of committing a crime, they/ you have the right to receive free legal advice, otherwise known as legal aid. If you’ve asked for it, legal aid should be given before you are questioned at a police station.   How can you get free legal… Continue reading What Are Your Rights If You’re Being Arrested?

Whenever a person is remanded in custody in criminal proceedings, a time limit is set within which the trial must be concluded. The Covid lockdown meant that trials were temporarily suspended leading to issues with custody time limits; if a trial cannot take place within the specified timeframe an application can be made for the… Continue reading Custody Time Limits & COVID-19

Eight new guidelines have been published for Firearms offences following an earlier consultation. The guidelines will come into force on 1 January 2021.   What are the new sentencing guidelines? These are guidelines that must be followed by sentencers. The guidelines must be followed unless the Judge or Magistrates’ consider it is not in the… Continue reading Firearms – New Sentencing Guidelines

The Law Commission is considering proposals to reform hate crime laws. Hate crime is where a victim is targeted, perhaps for an assault, criminal damage or harassment, based on a protected characteristic.    What are protected characteristics? Currently, the protected characteristics are race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity.    Why are reforms needed?… Continue reading Hate Crime – A Change of Emphasis

Section 7 Road Traffic Act 1988 states that a person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to provide a specimen when required to do so is guilty of an offence. The offence can be punished by up to six months imprisonment and in some cases, also carries mandatory disqualification from driving. In legal terms, the offence… Continue reading Failure to Provide a Specimen of Breath