With effect from 27th June 2022 barristers in England & Wales will be taking industrial action in order to protest against what they see as the deteriorating state of the criminal justice system. A form of action, known as “no return” is already in place, but further measures are being taken in order to force … Continued
Drug Supply – the role of algorithms A recent Court of Appeal case shed some light on the use of algorithms to measure the likely quantities of drugs supplied by a particular defendant. The algorithm has been designed by a police officer of the Metropolitan Police Service, in collaboration with an organisation called Forensic Analytics. … Continued
The offence of causing death by dangerous driving currently carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In a recent case (Hughes [2022] EWCA Crim 538) the sentencing judge adopted a starting point of 14 years (the maximum) before discounting it for a guilty plea. During the Crown’s opening, when reference was made to the … Continued
The Environment Agency Chief Executive, Sir James Bevan, has made a speech on waste crime at an event with Let’s Recycle and the Environmental Services Association. The Executive said that he called waste crime the “new narcotics” six years ago. In the same way, it took some time for the authorities to wake up to … Continued
The common law has long had a concept of “reasonable chastisement” when it comes to disciplining children. A parent or person in loco parentis may administer reasonable corporate punishment, although concepts of “reasonableness” have narrowed. In 2001 the Court considered the issue of reasonableness and said that standards change as the years pass and … Continued
Facial Recognition The College of Policing has published a guide to the use of live facial recognition technology. The guide is intended to ensure a consistent approach across forces with a clear legal and ethical framework. The College sets out five aims for the guidance: live facial recognition (LFR) technology should be used in a … Continued
The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has announced a consultation on the issue of whether those convicted of drug driving should have to undergo rehabilitation.Those convicted of drink driving, as opposed to drug driving, are usually offered the drink driver rehabilitation course. If successfully completed within the set time, the offender is given a reduction … Continued
Jason Moore recently appealed against his conviction for perverting the course of justice. He had fitted a Laser Star to his van. This device has the capacity to jam a speed meter and act as a parking sensor. A number of years later, he drove the van and passed some roadside speed monitoring equipment. … Continued
The Sentencing Council is an independent body promoting greater consistency in sentencing while maintaining the independence of the judiciary. The Council is responsible for developing sentencing guidelines for use by the judiciary and criminal justice professionals and also monitors their use. New draft guidelines for the offences of witness intimidation and perverting the course … Continued
A case recently came before the Recorder of London. It was ruled that it was not in the public interest to force a journalist to hand over material that would identify a potential terrorist. The journalist in question was Chris Mullin, and the police applied for an order for him to produce excluded material. … Continued
The House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts has published a report on reducing the backlog in criminal courts. The committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the accounts “showing the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament to meet the public expenditure, and of such other accounts laid before … Continued
A Bill is progressing through Parliament to set up a register of overseas entities and their beneficial owners and require overseas entities who own land to register in certain circumstances. It also makes provisions about unexplained wealth orders and sanctions. The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill has three main objectives: To prevent and combat … Continued
