News & Advice

This week, the prison population rose to a record number of 88,225, a significant increase on the previous week and only around 500 places short of “operational capacity”, which is the maximum number of prisoners that can be held. Andrea Albutt, president of the Prison Governors Association, said: “If the government further overcrowd our prisons,… Continue reading Sentence Adjournments, Sentencing Reforms & Prisoner Release – What We Know So Far

More than 100,000 children have a parent in prison for the first time since records began, according to analysis of government figures. An official Ministry of Justice estimate says that each male prisoner has, on average, 1.14 children, meaning that an estimated 100,084 children have a parent in prison. Estimates for the number of children… Continue reading Over 100,000 Children in England and Wales Have Parents in Prison

Some people may be physically unable to use the current evidential breath analysis machines, relied upon by police to gather proof of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, new research from the University of Sheffield indicates. The new study challenges the norm that anyone failing to provide a sample of breath at a… Continue reading New Research Indicates Some People May Be Physically Unable to Use Police Breathalysers

The outgoing Chief Inspector of Probation has issued a damning report. He is calling for an independent review of whether the Probation Service should return to local control two years on from unification into a national service. The Chief Inspector reports, in an overall assessment that: ‘The Probation Service is struggling. It’s more than two… Continue reading Chief Inspector Calls for an Independent Review of the Probation Service

On the 12th September 2023, Andrea Leadsom MP posed this question to Edward Argar MP who is a Minister of State in the Ministry of Justice: ‘What conversations have my right hon. Friend across the government to make sure that the sentencing for those convicted of dangerous cycling is equalised with the sentencing guidelines for… Continue reading Cyclists in the Spotlight

Cross-party legal reform charity, JUSTICE has this week published a landmark report describing how the rule of law in the UK has “regressed significantly on multiple fronts” and threatens the very democratic fabric of our nation. The rule of law is a set of principles, fundamental to our constitution, that seeks to ensure that everyone,… Continue reading Rule of Law Is under “Grave Threat”

Possession of nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’, will be illegal by the end of the year. The ban was promised as part of the Government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, with the Home Secretary urging police forces to get tougher on flagrant drug taking in the streets, which is said to blight communities. Secondary… Continue reading Nitrous Oxide – Government Acts to Make Possession Illegal

A feature of many miscarriages of justice cases is the malign influence of dishonest police officers who have managed to stay in post despite many years of red flags having been raised in some cases. Recent tragic cases, such as the murder of Sarah Everard, have brought this issue to the forefront of policing. Now,… Continue reading Proposals to Make It Easier to Sack Rogue Police Officers

Much has been written this week on government plans to “ban” machetes and zombie knives, and claims that possession would be made “illegal”. The government said: “Machetes and zombie-style knives with no practical use will be banned and police will have more powers to seize them in a bid to crack down on their use… Continue reading Government Bans Machetes and Zombie Knives

Appeals in relation to the removal of firearms licenses are heard in the Crown Court and the practice and procedure surrounding such hearings has been settled for many decades. In a recent case the question arose as to whether a Crown Court has the power to receive evidence in secret.   The Facts   Trevor… Continue reading Firearms Licensing – Court Authorises Secret Evidence