Latest News

NEW OFFENCE OF LOW LEVEL SHOPLIFTING

matthewclaughton@olliers.com (Ruth Peters) — Mon, 12 May 2014 17:15:00 +0000

A new offence of low level shoplifting is to come into force this week. Section 176 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 amends the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 by inserting a new section 22A which relates to Low-value shoplifting and comes into force on 13th May 2014.

LONGER SENTENCES FOR THOSE WHO KILL WHILST BANNED FROM DRIVING

matthewclaughton@olliers.com (Neil Sargeant) — Wed, 07 May 2014 15:35:00 +0000

Drivers who cause death or serious injuries on the roads while banned from driving will face longer jail sentences, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling announced today. The current law will be changed so disqualified drivers will face maximum sentences of 10 years in prison if they cause death, and up to 4 years imprisonment should they cause serious injuries.

FIRST VICTIMS TO GIVE EVIDENCE PRE-TRIAL

matthewclaughton@olliers.com (Martha Whitehead) — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:50:00 +0000

The first ever case allowing vulnerable victims and witnesses to give evidence prior to the actual trial will start today. In a pilot scheme vulnerable victims and witnesses are now able to give their evidence and be cross-examined away from the intense atmosphere of a live courtroom, in an attempt to spare them from what could be aggressive questioning in front of jury, judge and their alleged attacker.

MASSIVE INCREASE IN WEAPONS IN SCHOOLS

matthewclaughton@olliers.com (Nicola Moseley) — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 10:40:00 +0000

Almost 1,000 pupils have been caught in schools with weapons including items such as guns, axes and a meat cleaver in the last three years.

POSITIVE DISCRIMINATION FOR THE JUDICIARY?

matthewclaughton@olliers.com (Laura Baumanis) — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 17:00:00 +0000

Labour have indicated that they would be prepared to introduce the "nuclear option" of quotas for female and black and ethnic minority judges to avoid a 100 year wait to achieve a judiciary reflective of the make up of the population.

MASSIVE USE OF CCTV TO FINE MOTORISTS

matthewclaughton@olliers.com (Ruth Peters) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 17:00:00 +0000

Councils are using CCTV to issue drivers with parking fines on an "industrial" scale, Brandon Lewis, the local government minister has said. He has pledged the Coalition will clamp down on such abuse as it emerged motorists have been fined amounts of at least £312 million from such cameras.

COURT ROOMS TO BE FULLY DIGITALISED

matthewclaughton@olliers.com (Vanessa Shaw) — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 16:10:00 +0000

Criminal cases will be handled digitally from the moment a crime is committed through to the conclusion in court, Criminal Justice Minister Damian Green has announced today.

VULNERABLE WITNESS REFORMS PROPOSED IN NEW VICTIMS' LAW

matthewclaughton@olliers.com (Tim McArdle) — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 17:00:00 +0000

Radical changes to the way vulnerable complainants and witnesses are treated in court are being considered by the Labour Party. The plans suggest that some witnesses and crime victims could be questioned by the trial judge as opposed to being cross-examined by barristers.

FOREIGN TRUCK FIRMS PAYING TO USE UK ROADS FOR FIRST TIME

matthewclaughton@olliers.com (Rachel Darlington) — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:30:00 +0000

Foreign hauliers are being charged to use UK roads for the first time as of this week (1 April 2014). UK truck drivers working in Europe currently pay tolls and levies when delivering goods abroad however prior to now, foreign trucks operating in the UK have not been required to make a similar payment.

EMOTIONAL CRUELTY TO CHILDREN TO BECOME CRIMINAL OFFENCE

matthewclaughton@olliers.com (Toby Wilbraham) — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 10:30:00 +0000

Parents who starve their children of love could face jail under a new law dubbed 'Cinderella's law'. Emotional cruelty will now be considered a criminal offence for the first time, with those guilty of emotionally abusing children in their care facing the same jail threat as those guilty of actual physical neglect.