Category: Latest News

Custody time limits dictate the length of time that someone can be held in custody before the start of the trial. These rules are designed to ensure all persons are kept in custody for indefinite periods awaiting trial and impose obligations on the State to ensure courts function correctly.   Custody time limits can, however,… Continue reading Coronavirus and Custody Time Limits – Some Good News

Jurors take an oath to try a case solely on the evidence heard in court, to do otherwise risks a significant miscarriage of justice. At the outset of every criminal trial, and often at frequent points during it, a Judge will remind jurors of this rule. On occasion, however, a juror does transgress, whether by… Continue reading Jurors – When They Misbehave

Several police forces have been using facial recognition technology to detect suspects. Cameras placed in public places can scan thousands of faces as they pass by, matching those images with images on a database. The technology can assist in the apprehension of wanted offenders, and potentially track people as they go about their lawful business.… Continue reading Surveillance Society – Court of Appeal Puts Brakes on Police Scheme

In many cases, despite the fact an offence is serious enough for a custodial sentence to be imposed, this can be avoided if the court can be persuaded to suspend the prison sentence.   Which length of sentence can be suspended? The sentence must meet these rules: (1) For those aged 21+ at conviction, the… Continue reading Fighting for a Suspended Prison Sentence

The presence of fibres on a person or object is a relatively common feature of serious criminal cases, in particular cases of murder or other serious violence. Fibres can be easily transferred, and their presence can indicate a link between people, locations and/ or objects. We know that a significant transfer of fibres can take place… Continue reading Transfer of Fibres – Major New Research Published

Legal experts are warning that an onslaught of new cases is inevitable for the Serious Fraud Office amid the coronavirus-prompted recession.  “I envisage that much more serious fraud will be uncovered in the next six to 12 months. The SFO will be even more relevant than it has been before, post-pandemic,” says Sam Tate, a… Continue reading Pandemics, Covid and Fraud

The UK lockdown has taken its toll on everyone, for both businesses and individuals alike, but how have relationships coped during this time? The last few months have tested relationships in ways that many couples have never experienced before, nor expected. It’s been intense; there’s been a lot of uncertainty, fast-tracking and being apart.  … Continue reading How Have Relationships Coped During Lockdown?

The Sentencing Council has launched a consultation on new guidelines for sentencing offenders for using a trademark without the owner’s consent. The new guideline will apply to both individuals and organisations in England and Wales. The new guideline will replace the current guideline published in 2008, which is used in magistrates’ courts and applies to… Continue reading Counterfeit Goods: New Sentencing Guideline Proposed

The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 makes provision for the surrender of certain weapons. Sections 44, 46, 54 and 55 of the Act amend various pieces of legislation with the effect that it becomes an offence to possess certain dangerous knives, offensive weapons, firearms and ancillary equipment which it was previously lawful to keep (including certain… Continue reading Knives – Cash for Surrender

Ellis Thomas pleaded guilty to a relatively minor public order offence and was sentenced to a community penalty. This penalty becomes the subject of Court of Appeal proceedings due to the following set of facts: “It was imposed on the appellant in the Crown Court not long after his 18th birthday for an offence committed… Continue reading Sentencing – Beware the Cliff Edge