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Pre-recorded Evidence in Sexual Offence Cases

Pre-recorded Evidence in Sexual Offence Cases. Newly published research suggests that pre-recorded evidence in chief and cross-examation, often referred to as “section 28 evidence”, may be more advantageous to the accused than live evidence given in court before a jury. Conviction rates are reported to be 10% lower when this type of evidence is used […]

Serious Violence Reduction Orders.

Serious Violence Reduction Orders. Serious Violence Reduction Orders (‘SVRO’) are a new police stop and search power being piloted by forces in England and Wales. The orders were created by the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. SVROs can be given to people who are convicted of an offence, if the court believes that […]

Morphine Supply Sentencing Guidelines

Morphine Supply Sentencing Guidelines . Sentencing guidelines exist to guide a court when deciding on the appropriate punishment for most drug-related offences. The guidelines reference the most common drugs, such as cocaine and cannabis, but do not expressly cover drugs that are less commonly found in this type of offending. One such drug is morphine. […]

Cryptoassets and Proceeds of Crime

Cryptoassets and Proceeds of Crime. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 has received Royal Assent and, when in force, will implement a large number of changes aimed at fighting economic crime and other illegal activity. One major reform in the Act is in relation to Cryptoassets and how they can be seized under amendments […]

Rehabilitation of Offenders

Rehabilitation of Offenders. On 28th October 2023 provisions in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 came into effect, enacting changes to the laws in relation to the rehabilitation of offenders. These amendments extend the scope of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act as it applies to England and Wales so that certain custodial sentences […]

Rule of Law is under “grave threat”

Rule of Law is under “grave threat”. Cross-party legal reform charity, JUSTICE has this week published a landmark report describing how the rule of law in the UK has “regressed significantly on multiple fronts” and threatens the very democratic fabric of our nation. The rule of law is a set of principles, fundamental to our constitution, […]

Nitrous Oxide – Government acts to make possession illegal

Nitrous Oxide – Government acts to make possession illegal Possession of nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’, will be illegal by the end of the year. The ban was promised as part of the Government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, with the Home Secretary urging police forces to get tougher on flagrant drug taking in […]

Government bans machetes and zombie knives

Government bans machetes and zombie knives. Much has been written this week on government plans to “ban” machetes and zombie knives, and claims that possession would be made “illegal”. The government said: “Machetes and zombie-style knives with no practical use will be banned and police will have more powers to seize them in a bid to […]

Proposals to make it easier to sack rogue police officers

Proposals to make it easier to sack rogue police officers. A feature of many miscarriages of justice cases is the malign influence of dishonest police officers who have managed to stay in post despite many years of red flags having been raised in some cases. Recent tragic cases, such as the murder of Sarah Everard, have […]

Money Laundering – A Double Penalty?

Money Laundering – A Double Penalty? It is prevalent for money laundering offences (under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002) to be charged alongside other alleged criminality, particularly drug offences. Whilst dealing with the monetary gains from offending will indeed amount to a separate money laundering offence, it raises the question of how those offences […]