Hundreds of barristers have today begun open-ended action over legal aid funding that could see the criminal justice system slowly grind to a halt within weeks. Dozens of chambers have publicly declared they are adopting a policy of ‘no returns’ from today – withdrawing a longstanding gesture of goodwill in which barristers cover for colleagues […]
Point of No Returns Read More »
Whingeing about the weather is an ancient British tradition. So when a November cold snap combined with a crumbling court infrastructure, the sound of lawyers crying “we’re freezing” could be heard across the land. Dominic Raab, the lord chancellor, and his officials at the Ministry of Justice were inundated with complaints on Twitter flagging up
Courts reach boiling point during cold snap Read More »
Just around the corner from where the Krays used to hold sway in east London’s Brick Lane there is an establishment called Alcotraz. Described as “London’s first immersive theatrical cocktail bar”, Alcotraz allows you to dress up in a prison uniform, get locked up in a cell, have a cocktail or two, and get your
Britain’s prisons are becoming ever more like the failed US system Read More »
The Treasury refused to bankroll the creation of an extra 33 Nightingale courtrooms despite the backlog of criminal trials soaring to record levels, it has been revealed. The Ministry of Justice drew up plans earlier this year to open up a new series of ad-hoc courts to help tackle the justice crisis, as victims, witnesses, and defendants faced lengthy delays with rape and
Treasury blocked extra Nightingale Court plans despite justice crisis Read More »
Children were held in a ‘chaotic’ privately-run prison in Milton Keynes for up to 23 hours a day throughout the summer without proper air conditioning or ventilation, according to a damning report from prison inspectors identifying widespread failings. Oakhill secure training centre is run by G4S and holds up to 80 boys aged 12 to
Boys locked in rooms 23 hours a day without air-conditioning at G4S-run prison Read More »
If magistrates’ jurisdiction could be increased to a 12-month custodial sentence for a single offence, it would ease the burden on crown courts. The prime minister and the justice secretary have both said that they are anxious to improve the criminal justice system with reference to prosecutions and the time it takes to get offences
Backlog of crown court cases denies women justice Read More »
An 18-year-old inmate who lost her baby at Europe\’s largest women\’s prison should never have given birth alone in her cell, according to a critical report from inspectors. The baby died in September 2019 at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report found a series of failings in the teenager\’s treatment. The
HMP Bronzefield Death: Mother was ‘failed’ says inspectors Read More »
The home secretary, Priti Patel, is facing a growing revolt in parliament and the country over plans to restrict the fundamental right to protest, as controversial legislation that would increase police powers enters the House of Lords this week. More than 350 organisations, including human rights groups, charities and faith bodies, have written to Patel and
Patel faces widening revolt over policing bill’s restrictions on protest Read More »
Police made 63,272 child arrests in England and Wales in 2020 Arrests reduced by 74 per cent since 245,763 were made in 2010 Figures show continued success of Howard League campaign Keeping children out of the criminal justice system helps prevent crime Arrests of children have been reduced by 74 per cent over the last decade, figures reveal today (Monday 23 August) in another
Child arrests reduced by 74% in a decade Read More »
Average sentence lengths for violent and sexual offences in England and Wales fell steeply last year as the Covid pandemic also led to a huge slowdown in the number of people dealt with by the criminal justice system. The average custodial sentence length for violent crimes fell by 22% to 18.5 months and the figure
Sentences for violent crimes fall sharply in England and Wales Read More »
