Are you OK with cookies?

We use small files called ‘cookies’ on publicdefenderservice.org.uk. Some are essential to make the site work, some help us to understand how we can improve your experience, and some are set by third parties. You can choose to turn off the non-essential cookies. Which cookies are you happy for us to use?

Google analytics
Name	Purpose	Expires
_ga	These help us count how many people visit on publicdefenderservice.org.uk by tracking if you’ve visited before	2 years
_gid	These help us count how many people visit on publicdefenderservice.org.uk by tracking if you’ve visited before	24 hours
_gat	These help us to manage how we collect analytics when we have lots of visitors on the site at one time	10 minutes

Google Analytics 4
Name	Purpose	Expires
_ga	Used to distinguish users.	2 years
_ga_67JK1WR9ZF	Used to persist session state.	2 years

Video Streaming
Name	Purpose	Expires
YouTube	YouTube videos play in privacy-enhanced mode. This mode may set third-party cookies on your computer when you click on the YouTube video player. These cookies will not be personally identifiable.	Read the YouTube policy
Vimeo	Vimeo videos set third-party cookies to enable the video to play and collect analytics data. These cookies do not track individuals.	Read the Vimeo policy

Social Media
Name	Purpose	Expires
Twitter	Twitter widgets may add cookies to help analyse usage and remember your session if you are also logged in to your Twitter account.	Read the Twitter policy

All users
Name	Purpose	Expires
wordpress_test_cookie	This is used to test whether the browser accepts cookies	When you close your browser
PHPSESSID	This is used to link your device to the information sent to the server from your browser. It is typically used to avoid you having to retype information when moving from one page to another.	When you close your browser
ccfw-banner-hidden	Lets us know you have chosen which cookies are used so we can stop the cookie banner appearing when you return to the site.	1 year
ccfw-gtm-allowed	Lets us know you have accepted certain cookies so we can stop them loading when you return to the site.	1 year
ccfw-time	This is used to store the cookie expiry dates so we know when to ask you again for consent.	1 year
info_banner_dismissed	This remembers if an information banner has been dismissed and prevents it from being displayed again.	When you close your browser

Logged in users
Name	Purpose	Expires
wordpress_[hash]	This authenticates you when you log in to the admin area	When you close your browser
wordpress_logged_in	This shows the site that you’re logged in and who you are so you can access the functions you need	When you close your browser
wordpress_sec	If you are logged in as a site admin, this stores your authentication details.	When you close your browser
wp-settings-{time}-[UID]	The number on the end [UID] is your individual user ID from the users database.	1 year

Serious Disruptive Prevention Orders (SDPOs)

Published: 29 June 2023

The Public Order Act 2023 (POA 2023) received Royal Assent on 02^nd May 2023.

Pursuant to sections 20-29 of the POA 2023, Serious Disruptive Prevention Orders (SDPO) are now in force.

If deemed necessary, courts will now have the power to impose prohibitions and/or requirements designed to prevent individuals causing serious disruption.

Helpful guidance is provided at:

Public Order Bill: factsheet – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

An SDPO on conviction may only be imposed when an individual, aged 18 or over, convicted of a protest related offence, has on a previous occasion within the relevant time period:

1. committed another protest related offence for which the individual was convicted, or

2. committed a protest related breach of an injunction for which the individual was found in contempt of court

The protest related offence for which the individual was convicted, and the previous offence or breach must relate to different protests or have taken place on different days.

Additionally, a court may only impose an SDPO on application by police where the court is satisfied that an individual over the age of 18 on at least two occasions in the relevant period has:

1. been convicted of a protest related offence, or

2. committed a protest related breach of an injunction for which the individual was found in contempt of court

The two occasions must relate to different protests or have taken place on different days.

For all these circumstances, the relevant period for consideration of convictions or behaviour will be five years prior to the day an SDPO is imposed. However, a court will only be able to look back to a person’s 16th birthday.

Prohibitions or requirements imposed on a person given an SDPO may include prohibiting an individual from being in a particular place, being with particular people, having particular articles in their possession and using the internet to facilitate or encourage person to commit a protest related offence.

Breach of an SDPO without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.

If you are at risk of being made the subject of a SDPO, please contact one of our lawyers in confidence to discuss your case.

Please contact the Public Defender Service at any one of our four offices. We are available 24hours a day, 365 days of the year.

Cheltenham: 01242 548270

Darlington: 01352 289480

Merthyr Tydfil: 01443 629724

Swansea: 01792 633 280