Category: Latest News

During the life of a criminal case, it is common for a defendant to face a different judge each hearing. In more complex cases, hearings are reserved wherever possible to the same judge to save duplication of judicial resources and more effectively manage the case, but there is no rule that the same judge must… Continue reading The Importance of Judicial Continuity

Most motorists are alert to law enforcement when driving, taking notice of speed limits, speed camera warnings, and generally being alert to the fact that a police car may be waiting just around the corner.  But how often do you look up? Sure, if you are being pursued at high speed by a police car,… Continue reading Eye In The Sky

The government says that: “The bill will introduce measures to better serve victims and the public through improving victims’ experiences of the Criminal Justice System, establishing an Independent Advocate to support victims of major incidents, strengthening the parole system and restricting marriage in prisons for those under whole life orders to ensure that the public… Continue reading The Government Has Introduced the Victims and Prisoners Bill into Parliament

During the Coronavirus Pandemic, the courts resorted to hearings via video link in many cases (‘remote hearings’), and that trend has continued to a lesser extent since. A remote hearing is defined as one where any participant joins the hearing remotely via telephone or video call. Many people have questioned whether such hearings are fair,… Continue reading Is Remote Justice Fair?

In a recent case, a Transport Commissioner removed an Operator’s License from a driver who had engaged in a “road rage” incident following what was otherwise a minor traffic incident. The driver, Kevin Griggs, was involved in a slight collision with another vehicle at the roundabout.  Griggs then forced that other vehicle off the road… Continue reading Haulage Operators & “Road Rage”

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Miscarriages of Justice has announced the launch of the Westminster Commission on Forensic Science. Over the next 18 months, a Westminster Commission inquiry, co-chaired by Baroness Sue Black and Professor Angela Gallop, will be taking evidence over a series of sessions conducted in Westminster and online. It will be seeking… Continue reading Forensic Science Under the Microscope

The sentencing regime in the magistrates’ court is notoriously complex and about to change again following a government U-Turn. In May 2022, the government allowed magistrates to imprison an adult for up to 12 months for a single either-way offence; the previous maximum for a single offence was 6 months. This change was designed to… Continue reading Change to Magistrates’ Sentencing Powers & Early Release

Sometimes clients contact us because they are unhappy with the way that a judge, or other judicial office-holder, has behaved towards them. These are what are known as complaints about personal conduct of judges.  They are distinct from complaints about points of law, which are about the procedural decisions or the substantive outcome of a legal dispute. Complaints… Continue reading Judicial Complaints

Updates to sentencing guidelines for offenders convicted of child cruelty offences including causing or allowing death or serious injury in England and Wales, were published this week by the Sentencing Council following consultation. Why have the guidelines been revised? Under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Act 2022, for offences committed on or after… Continue reading Child Cruelty – Sentencing Changes

In April 2023, Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs) are due to come into force in certain pilot areas (Section 342A to 342K of the Sentencing Code). The conviction must be for an offence which was committed on or after the first day appointed by regulations for the commencement to any extent of the orders. That… Continue reading Serious Violence Reduction Orders