Monday, 20 January 2020 16:31
Stalking prevention order
New Home Office measures to tackle the growing crime of stalking risk becoming a “retrograde” step that campaigners warn could prompt an increase in murders. The stalking protection orders, unveiled today, aim to block perpetrators from approaching their victims and allow courts in England and Wales to move quicker to ban stalkers from contacting or visiting victims.
Wednesday, 15 January 2020 09:52
Justice delayed
The legal maxim “justice delayed is justice denied” can be traced to Magna Carta and applies both to victims and the accused. For the former, to wait an inordinate time to obtain redress or to secure the prosecution of someone who has done them a wrong is frustrating. For someone accused of a crime, a lengthy hiatus can be disproportionately disruptive to their lives if they are eventually found innocent.Yet the length of time between an offender’s arrest and trial has risen by one third over the past decade and now averages close to three years in some parts of…
Tuesday, 14 January 2020 10:26
Police refuse to apologise
Police have refused to apologise to a man wrongly jailed for 25 years because officers lied at his trial, even after the now-retired appeal court judge who quashed the conviction told the Guardian that the force should say sorry.
Monday, 13 January 2020 11:50
Disclosure issues
The Crown Prosecution Service’s disclosure of evidence is still sub-standard despite ‘early signs of improvement’, inspectors report today .HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI), a watchdog for the CPS and the Serious Fraud Office, assessed how well the CPS is complying with its duty to disclose unused material (i.e evidence gathered but not replied upon by the prosecution).
Friday, 10 January 2020 09:55
Use of video links
Live video link technology has long been used to afford valuable protection to vulnerable witnesses giving evidence during criminal trials in England and Wales. Against the current backdrop of falling budgets, HMCTS staffing cuts and widespread court closures, it is perhaps unsurprising that such technology is also increasingly being used to replace face-to-face contact with defendants writes Matt O’Brien for the Gazette.
Thursday, 09 January 2020 10:19
Distressed witnesses
More than a third of jurors are unsure if rape victims who display little emotion in the witness box can have been sexually assaulted despite psychological research disproving it, according to the first official investigation into juries’ belief in rape “myths.”
Wednesday, 08 January 2020 10:41
Car crime
The telegraph report the chances of police catching and successfully prosecuting car thieves has fallen almost five-fold in just two years, an analysis of force data reveals. Only one in 400 (0.25 per cent) vehicle crimes where the offenders broke into or stole them resulted in jail, a fine, community sentence or caution in 2019.
Tuesday, 07 January 2020 09:50
Directed investigations
The times reports Prosecutors could be given the power to direct police investigations under plans for a “once in a generation” overhaul of the criminal justice system. Boris Johnson has committed to establishing a royal commission on the criminal justice process, to be launched as soon as next month.
Monday, 06 January 2020 11:17
A private police service
A private police service is mounting the UK’s first private prosecutions for theft and other “minor” crimes because it claims the police have “given up” taking them to court.
Friday, 03 January 2020 09:03
Serious Fraud Office prosecutions dwindle
According to a freedom of information request by the Gazette, five defendants prosecuted by the SFO were convicted in calendar 2019, compared with 17 in the year ended 31 March 2019 and 10 in the year ended 31 March 2018.
Tuesday, 24 December 2019 10:27
Friends of PICU
Friends of PICU is a registered charity that was set up in 2006 by parents of children who have been cared for on PICU and nursing staff from the PICU. Friends of PICU aims to support the children and their families by providing vital equipment and services that are not always provided by the statutory authorities.
Tuesday, 24 December 2019 09:50
Thank you!
A huge thank you to everyone who kindly donated to the PICU hampers!
Monday, 23 December 2019 15:28
Need Assistance during the Christmas Holidays?
If you need assistance during the Christmas Holidays we are available. Just call our 24 hour helpline 08080333363 for legal advice and assistance.
Friday, 20 December 2019 12:16
Lady Hale gives warning..
The prospect of US style political oversight of senior judicial appointments was yesterday attacked by the outgoing president of the Supreme Court - just hours before the government is due to announce such a reform. Today's Queen's speech is widely expected to include measures to make the UK's most senior judges 'more accountable to parliament'.
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