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Witness Intimidation and Perverting The Course Of Justice

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 of […]

Cyberflashing

Cyberflashing. The Government has announced that a new offence of cyberflashing is to be introduced. The offence will be included in the Online Safety Bill as part of the Government’s efforts to ensure laws keep pace with emerging crimes. What is cyberflashing? Typically, cyberflashing involves a person sending an unsolicited sexual image via social media, dating […]

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods

Counterfeit and pirated goods. Europol has issued a report on the way criminal networks have adapted to new opportunities and demand for products generated by the pandemic. The Intellectual Property Crime Theft Assessment 2022 was produced by Europol and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). It is a strategic report updating policymakers and the public […]

Tates merges with Cohen Cramer solicitors

Please note that Tates has now merged with the firm of Cohen Cramer solicitors. The department which will be dealing with your case is called O’Garra Cohen Cramer. The same people who have been dealing with your case at Tates will still be looking after you. We are pleased to inform you that in the […]

Terrorism sentences and the Fishmonger Hall attack

Terrorism sentences and the Fishmonger Hall attack. The government recently introduced a package of measures aimed at keeping the public safe from terrorists by imposing longer prison terms. The Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act came into force in April and introduced a new “serious terrorism sentence” and provides a minimum term of 14 years and monitoring for […]

John Goodwin and RSPCA Prosecution

John Goodwin and other members of our team defend those who are charged with Animal Welfare offences by the RSPCA and other private prosecutors. We constantly challenge the legality of warrants issued to seize animals. We believe the whole system of private prosecutions urgently needs reviewing and that those charged are often treated extremely […]

Regulation of Fireworks

Regulation of fireworks.As fireworks are explosives, there are strict laws governing the sale, possession and use of them. The House of Commons Library has published a briefing paper, providing a detailed overview of the current provisions. In brief Since January 2005, the sale of fireworks to the public has been prohibited, except from licensed traders. […]

Backlog in criminal courts

Backlog in criminal courts. Even before the pandemic, there was a backlog in the criminal courts, which has worsened. The National Audit Office (NAO) has now produced a report on reducing that backlog. The NAO is the independent public spending watchdog; they produce reports examining government expenditure to judge whether value for money has been […]

New government policies and the party conference

New government policies and the party conference. The Tory Party Conference has been taking place in Manchester, with several announcements being made that are relevant to the criminal justice system. Wayne Couzens and violence against women Wayne Couzens, the former police officer who pleaded guilty to the murder of Sarah Everard, was sentenced to a whole […]

The Security Industry Authority, also known as the SIA is the statutory organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. The Private Security Industry Act 2001 created certain criminal offences that include engaging in licensable conduct without a licence, employing unlicensed persons in licensable conduct, obstructing SIA officials and falsely claiming SIA […]