The Sentencing Code 2020
The Sentencing Code 2020 The Sentencing Act 2020 or ‘the Sentencing Code’, as it is often referred to, came into force on 1 December 2020 and applies to all those… Read more
Video Hearings and Disabled Defendants – A Review of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Interim Report
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a paper entitled ‘Inclusive Justice: a system designed for all’. Whilst the EHRC was already conducting an inquiry into the fair treatment… Read more
Legal Advice Regarding Coronavirus Offences
The current Coronavirus pandemic has presented all of us with unprecedented challenges, especially whilst under lockdown. As a direct response, emergency legislation has been passed to ensure compliance with new… Read more
Impact of the Coronavirus on the Criminal Justice System
The COVID19 pandemic has meant that every aspect of society, including the Criminal Justice System, has had to adapt to the many new challenges that we face. With much criminal… Read more
Autism and Vulnerable Client Specialist Advocacy
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which encompasses Asperger’s Syndrome and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Autism is also a spectrum condition meaning that the level of impairment ranges from being… Read more
The Importance of Receiving Good Legal Advice in the Police Station
We were called to the police station recently to represent a client who had been arrested in relation to an allegation of murder. The police told us that during… Read more
Better Case Management
New rules and guidance have been published (for both Magistrates and Crown Court cases) Everyone must adhere to these rules. The Transforming Summary Justice and Better Case Management initiatives are… Read more
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity (ND) refers to neurological variations in the way the human brain functions. Neurodivergent people may have received a medical diagnosis of autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, Tourette Syndrome, Acquired… Read more
What happens if I am recalled to prison?
If you have been recalled to prison following a breach of your licence conditions, the Public Defender Service (PDS) may be able to help. The Public Protection Casework Section at… Read more
The Parole Board Rules 2019 – Challenging a Parole decision
There have been changes to the Parole process over recent months. One of the most significant changes is that you can now challenge a Parole Board decision that was made… Read more