Category: Latest News

Section 146 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 states that if the following circumstances are present, it must be treated as an aggravating factor during sentencing, and in this article, we look at ways that you can mitigate its effect. Those circumstances are — That, at the time of committing the offence, or immediately before or… Continue reading Increase in Sentences for Aggravation Related to Disability, Sexual Orientation or Transgender Identity

The housing market and industry have taken many innovative steps to ensure that it can adjust and survive during the lockdown restrictions across the UK that have been in place since March 2020. This has included more widespread use of electronic signatures and virtual valuations.    Selling and moving house during lockdown Since May 2020,… Continue reading Coronavirus and Conveyancing

As the Coronavirus crisis has forced almost everyone to spend more time at home, home deliveries have rocketed as people have been forced to shop online. While this means that many people will be at home to receive deliveries, there have been reports of organised criminal activity to steal parcels and other items of value.… Continue reading Postal Offences

Although there is a general principle of open justice, that those who appear in court can be reported on, there are some exceptions. It is a contempt of court to publish anything to the public which creates a substantial risk that the course of justice in the proceedings will be seriously impeded or prejudiced, even… Continue reading Reporting Restrictions

On Sunday 7 June 2020 protesters in Bristol tore down the statue of Edward Colston and swiftly deposited it in the local harbour. The statue had been in situ for 125 years and had previously attracted a petition of over 10,000 names calling for its removal, due to Colston’s close connection to the slave trade. The… Continue reading Damage of Statues – Sentencing Implications

A large number of people are subject to notification requirements under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, many for an indeterminate period. The notification framework is often referred to as the ‘sex offender register’, and around 60,000 people are affected (although not all of those are subject to indeterminate notification). Last week several… Continue reading Notification Requirements – Removal

On Wednesday 25th March 2020, the Coronavirus Bill completed all its parliamentary stages, and Royal Assent was signified, bringing in to force an unprecedented piece of emergency legislation. The purpose of the Coronavirus Act is to enable the Government to respond to an emergency situation and manage the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.    A severe… Continue reading Emergency Laws Now in Force

Reynhard Sinaga was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and sexual assault of 48 victims. The student is believed to have laced drinks with GHB to make his victims lose consciousness and have no recollection of what happened. He denied the offences saying that the acts were all consensual and the men would “act”… Continue reading Date Rape Drugs and The Law

The world feels like a very difficult and surreal place to be in right now. With all the changes that are happening across the world, and indeed within this country in the last two weeks, there is some guidance available on how to keep things normal and regular from your family.    The UK government… Continue reading Coronavirus and Child Arrangements

In 1998 a 22-year-old insurance clerk called Helen McCourt was murdered and Ian Simms was convicted of that murder. The Parole Board recently directed Simms’s release saying that they were satisfied that imprisonment was no longer required for the protection of the public. Helen’s family are objecting to the release as Simms has never revealed… Continue reading Helen’s Law