News
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 and victims and encompasses...Read More
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Shaken Baby Syndrome
The 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 close to the victim. Investigators will, therefore, look closely at the parents when a child dies,...Read More
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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, which is responsible for setting sentencing guidelines in...Read More
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Ireland refuses extradition of Polish criminal
In February, the Supreme Court in Ireland raised some eyebrows when it refused to extradite a man wanted in the UK for tax fraud. The case was instead referred to the European Court of Justice. The Irish Supreme Court noted that the sentence that had been imposed meant that the requested person would still be in custody when the UK leaves the EU in March 2019. As a result, it was unclear what...Read More
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Learner drivers: on the motorway, off the phone
From June 4th, learner drivers are to be allowed to drive on the motorway. This is to encourage learner drivers to develop an understanding of how to drive on roads that are vastly different from the urban environment that most people learn to drive in. There will be conditions attached though. Unlike non-motorway roads, where a learner must simply be supervised by someone aged over 21 who has...Read More
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