Criminal procedure

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Europol EU Drugs Report

Europol EU Drugs Report The EU retail drug market is estimated to be worth more than EUR 30 billion annually, making it a major source of income for organised crime. Europe occupies a central position in drug supply and trafficking, as evidenced by the large-scale production of cannabis and synthetic drugs within the EU and […]

Government Launches Pornography Review

The Government has announced a Review that will investigate gaps in UK regulation that allows exploitation or abuse to take place online, as well as identifying barriers to enforcing criminal law. As the way we consume media and access content rapidly changes, the Review will investigate any gaps in UK regulation which allows exploitation and […]

The Victims and Prisoners Bill

The government has introduced the Victims and Prisoners Bill into Parliament The government says that: “The bill will introduce measures to better serve victims and the public through improving victims’ experiences of the Criminal Justice System, establishing an Independent Advocate to support victims of major incidents, strengthening the parole system and restricting marriage in prisons […]

Government Plans Murder & Manslaughter Sentencing Reforms

Government Plans Murder & Manslaughter Sentencing Reforms Domestic abusers who kill their partners or ex-partners will receive tougher sentences under government plans published this week. The law will be changed so a history of coercive or controlling behaviour against the victim or the use of excessive or gratuitous violence are made aggravating factors in sentencing […]

Death by dangerous driving – sentencing under review

On 28 June 2022, the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving was increased from 14 years imprisonment to life imprisonment. The Sentencing Council is currently considering a revision to its sentencing guideline to reflect this change. Until that work is complete, there is an understandable confusion as to what level of uplift is […]

Government supports a new public sexual harassment offence

Government supports a new public sexual harassment offence. Public sexual harassment (‘PSH’) will be made a specific offence through government-backed legislation. It is believed that creating an offence would contribute to cultural change and send a clear message that this behaviour is unacceptable. PSH can, when it happens, lead to adverse emotional effects on the victims, […]

Contamination of or interference with goods

Contamination of or interference with goods. It is an offence for a person, with the intention to (a) of cause public alarm or anxiety, or (b) cause injury to members of the public consuming or using the goods, or (c) cause economic loss to any person by reason of the goods being shunned by members of […]

Confiscation and Proportionality

Confiscation and Proportionality. Confiscation remains one of the most challenging areas of criminal law, confusing not only clients but also many lawyers with insufficient expertise in this area. In a recent case, the Supreme Court considered the situation where a person lies to secure a job but goes on to perform excellently in that role. […]

The Ryan Giggs Trial

The Ryan Giggs Trial. Former footballer Ryan Giggs is on trial for a number of offences including “using controlling and coercive behaviour”. We of course would never comment on an ongoing trial, but in this article, we explore further the elements of this offence. So, what is the offence? Controlling or coercive behaviour does not relate […]

Self-driving vehicles and the Highway Code

Self-driving vehicles and the Highway Code. From today (1 July) new rules on the use of self-driving vehicles in Great Britain have come into force. The changes are included in a new section in The Highway Code. Currently, only vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems are available in the UK. No vehicles in Great Britain have […]