David Hardstaff

Crisis in the Courts: Barristers shun rape cases – David Hardstaff comments for Solicitors Journal

“Devastating” report reveals 64% of prosecutors and 66% of defense barristers refuse serious sexual assault cases, exacerbating backlog crisis

 

In a concerning revelation, a recent report from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has unveiled a deepening crisis in the legal system, as the majority of barristers express their reluctance to take on rape and serious sexual assault cases. 

David emphasised that the chronic underfunding and neglect spanning decades lie at the core of this issue. This crisis not only contradicts the standards upheld by a progressive society but also undermines the government’s struggling Rape Review. An increase in miscarriages of justice is likely to follow.

This article was first published in Solicitors Journal on 14 February 2024; to read the full article please click here.

Related articles

BCL Solicitors LLP recognised as a leading firm in The Legal 500 UK 2023-2024 Guide

BCL Solicitors LLP are pleased to be once again recognised as a top-tier firm with an extensive team of outstanding individuals in the new Legal 500 United Kingdom 2023-2024 Guide. We have been identified as a leading firm in six practice areas and 14 of our lawyers commended for their standout contribution in their respective practices.

Read more

Embracing the ‘Art of the Possible’ in Novel Food Regulation – David Hardstaff & John Binns write for Food Navigator

BCL partners David Hardstaff and John Binns have written for Food Navigator discussing how a high-profile investigation into banned muscle-building drugs highlights the issues with the novel food regime impacting the CBD industry.

Read more

David Hardstaff and Rishi Joshi write for LexisNexis discussing the new provisions relating to pre-charge bail

BCL’s David Hardstaff and Rishi Joshi write for LexisNexis discussing the amendments brought by the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act 2022 (PCSCA 2022) in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE 1984) relating to pre-charge bail.

Read more

BCL top ranked in Chambers and Partners UK Guide 2023

BCL Solicitors LLP has once again been ranked as a top tier firm with leading individuals in our fields by Chambers & Partners in the 2023 edition of Chambers UK Guide.  This is one of the leading independent directories of UK legal services, identifying the leading firms and lawyers in the UK.

Read more

BCL Solicitors LLP recognised as a leading firm in The Legal 500 UK 2022-2023 Guide

BCL Solicitors LLP are pleased to be once again recognised as a top-tier firm with an extensive team of outstanding individuals in the new Legal 500 United Kingdom 2022-2023 Guide. We have been identified as a leading firm in six practice areas and 14 of our lawyers commended for their standout contribution in their respective practices.

Read more

David Hardstaff and John Binns write for Cannabis Wealth exploring fresh challenges for the UK’s CBD industry

BCL partner John Binns and senior associate David Hardstaff write for Cannabis Wealth  discussing the regulatory landscape in the UK following the EFSA’s decision to pause all novel foods evaluations for CBD products.

Read more

David Hardstaff and John Binns write for Open Access Government exploring shifting sands in the UK CBD industry

UK-based CBD companies may feel they have had a rough ride recently as the FSA introduces the new novel food application process, which requires non-medicinal CBD products to be the subject of an application for authorisation. BCL partner John Binns and senior associate David Hardstaff explore the changes in the UK CBD industry in their recent article for Open Government Access.

Read more
1 2 3 4