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New ‘Domestic Abuse’ Sentencing Guidelines

A new domestic abuse sentencing guideline has been published today (22 February), giving courts up to date guidance that emphasises the seriousness of this offending. What is domestic abuse? There is no specific crime of domestic abuse – it can be a feature of many offences, such as assault, sexual offences or harassment. The guideline […]

What happens in Rome, may not stay in Rome

Most people know that if you commit a criminal offence in the UK, the police will record details of that offence and any subsequent sentence so that it is revealed during any future PNC (Police National Computer) check. But what about offending abroad, can that be kept a secret? The answer depends on where the […]

Dogs – Avoiding a death penalty

It is often said that there is no such thing as a dangerous dog, only a dangerous owner. While we often refer to ‘dangerous dogs’ in criminal law, the actual offences relate to dogs ‘dangerously out of control’. Section 10 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 states that: ‘A dog shall be regarded as dangerously […]

Police roll out portable identity checking

Police roll out portable identity checking The government this week announced that West Yorkshire Police has signed up to a new identity checking service. The new service, already being used in a select number of force areas, with a further 20 going live before the end of this year, will remove the need for suspects […]

Government snooping ruled unlawful

In a legal challenge brought by the MP Tom Watson, and supported by campaign group Liberty, the High Court ruled that a major plank of the government’s surveillance strategy is unlawful (Secretary of State for the Home Department v Watson MP & Ors [2018] EWCA Civ 70). When Theresa May was Home Secretary, she brought […]

Revenge porn can be an expensive business

“Revenge porn”, the criminal act of posting online intimate sexual pictures/video of a person without their consent, carries a potential prison sentence of up to 2 years, so already there is every reason to think twice before exacting this type of revenge on a former lover. However, celebrity vlogger Chrissy Chambers has taken the matter […]

A Case Of Life Or Death – Denial Of Treatment And Assisted Dying

Assisted dying is a hot topic in the press at the moment with two cases bringing it to the lime light: Charlie Gard and Noel Conway. In the UK, it is illegal to commit suicide or assist the death of someone. Assisted dying meaning ‘allowing a dying person the choice to control their death if […]

Brexit and The Law – Criminal Defence Solicitors

So the Theresa May’s Conservative Party have have managed to cling to power following the General Election which saw them lose their majority and turn to the DUP to form a ‘Supply and Demand’ agreement. This will see key Conservative policies voted through – including, of course, Conservative Brexit plans. PM Theresa May called a […]

Terror Alert – What It Means For Britain

Manchester, 22 May 2017. 22 people left dead, and many more injured after a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena. Immediately after the event, the government raised the terror threat to critical – the highest possible level, meaning a further attack was considered imminent. While the threat level has since been […]

What Will The General Election Mean For The Law?

Earlier this month (April 2017), the Prime Minister, Theresa May, called a snap election which is to take place on June 8, 2017. Parliment broke up on May 3 meaning formal business will come to a halt and the Queen will officially dissolve parliament. So, what does this mean for UK law? The big news […]