Posts Categorized: News
Rights on Arrest for Service Staff
Rights on Arrest for Service Staff This guide will help members of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force who have been arrested by the RMP (Royal Military Police) or civilian police with regards their rights on arrest. This covers any offences whether military offences or civilian offences… Read more »
New Guide on Extradition Law & Mutual Assistance Published
Extradition is a legal process by which a requesting state can apply for the arrest and surrender of a person from another state, for the purpose of conducting a criminal prosecution or executing a custodial sentence. It is quite different from deportation, which is concerned with the removal of an individual from a national territory…. Read more »
Historic Sexual Offences & Doli Incapax
The age of criminal responsibility is a contentious topic for many countries across the world, with different states taking distinct views on what age should be fixed as being appropriate for holding someone (that would in most cases still be a child) responsible for what is, if proven, criminal conduct. The UK has struggled with… Read more »
Voluntary Interview at the Police Station
When does a Voluntary Interview take place? In the past, people attended the police station almost exclusively under arrest. However, increasingly we are seeing the proper use of “voluntary interviews”. Proper use, because the test as to whether someone should be arrested is whether it is necessary for a prompt and effective investigation. There are… Read more »
New Offence of Sexual Communication with a Child
Justice Secretary, the Rt Hon Liz Truss MP, has announced a new offence of ‘sexual communication with a child’ under s.67 the Serious Crime Act 2015 will be coming into force on the 3rd of April 2017, as part of a major crackdown on sexual abuse. The offence, will help to quash abuse from the… Read more »
Pre-Recorded Evidence Procedure Being Rolled-Out for Rape Complainants
New procedural measures are being introduced in a phased rolled-out which give alleged rape victims the option to pre-record evidence instead of facing live cross-examination in court. The changes have come in as part of a number of developments in the justice system and follow from the success of pilot schemes using pre-recorded evidence in… Read more »
Released Under Investigation
Suspects face increased uncertainty following changes to police bail. Being “released under investigation” implements a well intentioned policy aim. But it is already being shown to have found a “cure worse than the disease”. Released without bail Since 1 April 2017, suspects are increasingly not being “bailed” following their initial police station interview. This is… Read more »
Mobile Phone Driving Penalties Increased
As part of an ongoing campaign to promote safe driving, the penalty for holding and using your phone while driving has once again been increased. Drivers caught handling their phones or other hand-held devices in the car will now face six penalty points on their license and a £200 fine. The increase is thought to… Read more »
Allegations of Emotional Abuse against Foster Carers
Foster carers may find themselves attempting to maintain a very delicate balance in attempting to raise children in their care, but also teach them what is and what is not acceptable behaviour. The difficulty is that some behaviour may be perceived by foster children, or indeed by their families and friends, to be questionable. It… Read more »
Allegations of Physical Abuse against Foster Carers
Foster carers play an incredibly important role in society in that they make themselves available to look after a child who, for one reason or another, is unable to live with their parents. The role that they perform, while worthy of great admiration and respect, also places them in a particularly vulnerable position. Foster carers… Read more »