The law needs to change to allow anonymity for sexual offences suspects
Written by BCL partner, Paul Morris, Originally published by EuroNews on 16th August 2019.
Serious and General Crime
The new code for private prosecutors – John Binns writes for LexisNexis
BCL partner, John Binns writes for Lexis Nexis considering the new Code for Private Prosecutors, issued by the Private Prosecutors’ Association (PPA) and the effect it will have on those
bringing and defending private prosecutions.
Confiscation Revisited: What to Do When the Prosecutor Comes Back for More
One of the lesser known, often poorly understood provisions of the confiscation regime under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) is section 22, which provides an opportunity to the prosecutor to invite a ‘reconsideration of the available amount’. For many defendants who have been through the process, had an order made and in many cases satisfied that order in full, the first they have heard of that section is the letter informing them that such an application is to be made.
Paul Morris and David Hardstaff quoted in The Law Society Gazette – ‘Lawyers split on digital disclosure measures’
BCL’s Paul Morris and David Hardstaff are quoted in an article from The Law Society Gazette, discussing recent reports of complainants being asked to hand over digital data in investigations.
Paul Morris quoted in The Times article: “Phone data is crucial for fair trials, say lawyers”
Following from the recent BCL article discussing digital data requested in investigations, BCL partner, Paul Morris was quoted in an article from The Times on the uses of this data in trials.
Access to complainants’ mobile phones in Criminal Investigations – Is it really an invasion of privacy?
BCL’s Paul Morris and David Hardstaff discuss recent reports on digital data requested in investigations.
Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 creates new sexual offences for ‘upskirting’
After careful consideration of the concerns raised by complainants and certain MPs, the government rightly decided a change was necessary in order to strengthen this particular area of sexual offences within criminal law.
Post-Conviction Advice: How to Get Help with Appeals and Confiscation
The shock of a criminal conviction, and/or a harsher than expected sentence, can make it hard to think clearly about the options for what to do next. Where a trial and mitigation has been carefully and properly prepared, the advisers who have helped throughout the case will usually be the best placed to say whether there are grounds for an appeal. In some cases the defendants and their family members will want to take a second opinion, but this is never cheap or easy, and time is always of the essence.
Turkey fails in final attempt to extradite media boss from UK
BCL partner, Michael Drury speaks to The Guardian following the high court ruling to uphold his client’s extradition case as politically motivated.
UK Summary Forfeiture Guide: What to Do about Seized Cash, Detention of Listed Assets, Account Freezing Orders, and More
An increasing number of people are finding themselves on the receiving end of summary forfeiture proceedings in the magistrates’ court, a system that is designed to be simple and efficient from the point of view of law enforcement, but which carries significant risks for the owners of the property at stake.