There are 426,086 cases outstanding at the Magistrates Court, prior to the outbreak of Covid-19 this figure was 338,425. This is a fall from the previous high of 444,960 in July 2020, this suggests there is some movement as far as the backlog is concerned. There are 49,760 cases outstanding in the Crown Court, prior […]
Criminal Court Backlog Read More »
A Government watchdog has raised concerns that councils and police are acting like uncontrolled spies, with monitoring by surveillance cameras so widespread it is equivalent to being tracked by MI5. Tony Porter, the surveillance camera commissioner, said the ‘overt’ technology used by police and councils to track people via car number plates, facial recognition and
Concern over Police using surveillance Tech Read More »
The new measures target antique firearms used in violent crime and mean that up to 26,000 guns will now require firearms licences. Loopholes exploited by criminals to use antique firearms in violent crime will be closed by new laws introduced today (Monday 9 November). The antique firearms exemption allows collectors and dealers to possess and
Government to block antique gun licence loophole Read More »
More than £1.1bn of suspected fraud has been prevented so far in the UK Governments flagship ‘bounce back’ loans in an indication of how criminals have aggressively targeted the scheme. Estimates from the British Business Bank provided to the Commons public accounts committee said lenders had rejected 26,933 bounce-back loans over concerns they could be
More than £1.1bn in fraud exposed in UK bounce back loan scheme Read More »
Concerns have been raised after it was revealed that undercover police used the identities of at least 19 dead children and had long-term deceitful relationships with their activist targets. A judge-led inquiry will examine miscarriages of justice and whether the widespread infiltration of social and environmental groups over the last forty years meant that undercover
Police use ID’s of dead children Read More »
A record number of crime victims refused to support prosecutions as they are losing confidence in the ability of the police to solve crimes. Home office figures showed that investigations into 25.3% of crimes were cancelled after the victims said they would not support the police- nearly treble the proportion in 2014-15. The disclosure follows
Quarter of crime victims withdraw support for prosecutions Read More »
Potter Derby Solicitors are acting for Defendants charged with various serious offences based on information received following the well-publicised Encrochat Hack. We are amongst those challenging the admission of that evidence in its entirety, the complex legal arguments are expected to take some time to resolve. The National Crime Agency has revealed that between April
Legal Challenge to ‘Encrochat Hack’ Read More »
The Ministry of Justice is drawing up plans to reduce the number of people sitting on a jury from 12 to nine in order to help social distancing in courtrooms. Criminal courts face enormous waiting lists after having to pause all but their most urgent cases for three months since the start of lockdown. The backlog has led
Magistrates’ courts face a backlog of over 480,000 cases, according to new figures laying bare the devastating impact of coronavirus on criminal justice. The figures were released as ministers prepare to announce the first emergency \’Blackstone courts\’ where cases can be held observing social distancing rules. According to preliminary government data, the number of outstanding
Magistrates’ court backlog reaches 484,000 Read More »
The lord chief justice has said that ministers should consider limiting the availability of jury trials if court delays become unmanageable. Lord Burnett of Maldon expected no change to the way that serious charges — such as rape and murder — were tried in England and Wales. The least serious offences would continue to be
Limits on jury trials may be needed says LCJ Read More »
