It has long been accepted that professional discipline hearings should be compliant with the European Convention of Human Rights Article 6(1) and the rules of natural justice.  Given their role in law enforcement, police officers facing misconduct hearings should be entitled to expect the same rights as those who they take before the courts.  However, recent changes to the police misconduct regime arguably mean that even if justice is done, it cannot be seen to be done by...

To coincide with this week’s committee stage of the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which threatens to significantly restrict jury trials, the Bar Council is publishing a polemical attack on the proposal by Geoffrey Robertson KC, founding head of Doughty Street Chambers. In his treatise ‘For Mercy’s Sake’, Mr Robertson explains how the government has overlooked the constitutional importance of trial by jury – to stand up independently against the state and to extend mercy to defendants who deserve it. He suggests that the Bill will work to worsen delays in the court system and recommends alternative measures that can eliminate them. Mr Robertson’s report traces the history of jury trials and...

“When political rhetoric turns a human being into an...

The UK government’s recent policy direction prioritises immigration controls,...

Immigration is one of the most hotly debated topics...

Like many criminal barristers, I entered the profession with...