Menu

Author: admin

Throwing Articles into Prisons

It can be a temptation to family members, and to others perhaps for financial gain, to seek to convey articles into prisons. The chance of being detected is high and possibly for that reason many who might otherwise be tempted to do so, resist. Section 40CB of the Prison Act 1952 makes it an offence… Continue reading Throwing Articles into Prisons

Searching For Answers

In Entick v Carrington (1765), a case concerning the entry to and searching of premises, the court ruled: “…if this is law it would be found in our books, but no such law ever existed in this country; our law holds the property of every man so sacred, that no man can set his foot… Continue reading Searching For Answers

New Domestic Abuse Protections Announced

In a major announcement, the government has signalled a busy year ahead with legislative changes affecting the criminal law. Following on from the recent announcement about the sentencing of domestic abuse offences, the government has announced further reforms. There will be a new definition of domestic abuse making clear that it applies to all relationships… Continue reading New Domestic Abuse Protections Announced

Shaken Baby Syndrome

The unlawful death of a child is always a deeply traumatic act and one that shakes any society to its core. For some parents, it represents not only a deeply personal and tragic loss but the beginning of a nightmare. The reality in most murder and manslaughter cases is that the perpetrator is known, and… Continue reading Shaken Baby Syndrome

Knife Crime – Sentencing Changes

Knife crime is very much on the political agenda, with a number of stabbings having taken place over the last few weeks, resulting in deaths and injury, and no doubt the loss of liberty in due course for those responsible. Attention is now focussed on using deterrent sentences to discourage knife possession. The Sentencing Council,… Continue reading Knife Crime – Sentencing Changes

Hillsborough Prosecutions

A former senior police officer, David Duckenfield, who was in charge on the day of the Hillsborough disaster, will this week find out whether prosecution proceedings against him can continue. Prosecutions against others allegedly involved in the Hillsborough tragedy began in July 2017, but Duckenfield’s case is different as earlier proceedings against him were stayed… Continue reading Hillsborough Prosecutions

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. What about offending abroad, can that be kept a secret? The answer depends on where the offence… Continue reading What Happens in Rome, May Not Stay in Rome

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… Continue reading Dogs – Avoiding a Death Penalty

Doctors in the Dock

Many in the medical profession are up in arms following a recent High Court case involving Dr Bawa-Garba  – General Medical Council v Bawa-Garba [2018] EWHC 76 (Admin). The case followed on from proceedings before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal, which had ruled that Bawa-Garba should be suspended from practice for a period of one-year. The… Continue reading Doctors in the Dock

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… Continue reading Government Snooping Ruled Unlawful