Posts Categorized: News
Coronavirus – is it in the public interest to prosecute?
For a prosecution to proceed to court there must be sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and it must be in the public interest to do so. There are many factors to be considered when assessing public interest and they include how serious the offence is, the impact of the offending on… Read more »
Tuckers, you & Coronavirus
This message is to our clients – and hopefully answers some of the questions that you might have with regards how we are operating for the duration of this Coronavirus pandemic. The situation is changing rapidly, so we will try and keep this updated as the situation evolves! Tuckers Solicitors remain dedicated to acting in… Read more »
Coronavirus and the law
It is currently being reported that the government is to rush through emergency legislation in order to attempt to control the Coronavirus pandemic. The legislation is likely to focus on restrictions on large gatherings and social interaction generally. Coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation. They have done so due to… Read more »
Circumstantial evidence…
Circumstantial evidence can be confusing for somebody accused of a criminal offence. Often people don’t appreciate that it can be very compelling and they don’t understand that it can still prove the misconduct alleged. Circumstantial evidence can be illustrated using the offence of burglary. Imagine if the police arrive at a property as an alarm… Read more »
Professional ethics & social media
Social media is not a private place and certainly many professionals concerned about ethics make the decision to opt out. For some it is a place to interact with colleagues, debate and even self-promote. It can be all of those things but for professionals, using it requires caution. Professionals are regulated and their conduct can… Read more »
Giving evidence at Court – should I worry?
Anybody who has to appear at court and will be giving evidence is to some degree apprehensive about it. Most of the time we can provide reassurance and a calming influence. Sometimes it is clear that assistance is needed. In those cases when a person giving evidence is obviously going to struggle to communicate an… Read more »
Witness cooperation – can a prosecution proceed without it?
One of the issues that is highlighted as a result of the recent death of Caroline Flack, is when prosecutions will proceed without witness cooperation from the alleged victim of an attack. Although prosecutions can only go ahead if there is a realistic prospect of conviction, this doesn’t mean that witness cooperation is required –… Read more »
Tuckers & Murray Brankin Solicitors merge
Tuckers Solicitors and Murray Brankin Solicitors are delighted to announce the merger of their two firms which completed this week. Tuckers is the largest criminal legal aid provider in the country and Murray Brankin Solicitors has a strong reputation in its local Coventry market and provides an obvious synergy with Tuckers established practice in Birmingham…. Read more »
David Dunnings inquest
Shelley Peynado-Clarke of Tuckers solicitors represented the family of David Dunnings in an inquest which concluded that there was a “complete failure to follow process” at HMP Coldingley, contributing to Mr Dunnings’ death. Instructed Counsel was Tom Stoate of Garden Court Chambers. David Dunnings was an IPP sentenced prisoner, who committed suicide whilst resident at… Read more »
Filming Crown Court Proceedings
In a change in public policy, the government has published a draft law which will allow filming Crown Court proceedings. Up until now, you could find yourself in prison for filming Crown Court proceedings or even commenting outside on an ongoing trial. For example, in 2011 an 85-year-old man was sent to prison for filming… Read more »