Spiking in the UK
The announcement of Nottinghamshire Police that ‘on the spot’ urine tests and metal detector wands are to be utilised in an effort to address ‘spiking’ incidents in Nottinghamshire is welcome.[1] …
Analysis of the whole life order imposed upon Wayne Couzens for the murder of Sarah Everard
Introduction In September 2021, Wayne Couzens was sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole life order in accordance with section 321(3) of the Sentencing Act 2020 for the murder of…
Covid-19 – its impact on prisons and prisoners
When the pandemic was declared in March 2020, there was immediate concern about the implications for prison systems – and with good reason. According to research we had published months…
Corporate crime and the regulatory approach
Corporate criminal liability has been transformed beyond all recognition, with companies now having to behave ‘responsibly’ or face not merely reputational damage but criminal prosecution and punitive fines. Tom McNeill,…
Changing perception of family law
In the last 18 months, the field of family law has gone through a period of unprecedented change. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to adapt to new technologies, remote…
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 – transformational legislation or a missed opportunity?
A “once-in-a-generation opportunity” claimed Theresa May, the then Prime Minister when speaking to the BBC back in October 2019 when the original bill was introduced to Parliament,[1] a sentiment later…
Women at the Bar in the Time of Covid
2022 will be the centenary of the first women to be called to the Bar in England and Wales (Dr Ivy Williams on 10th May 1922 and Helena Normanton…
Four growth areas for the paralegal profession as we come out of lockdown
Freedom Day has come and gone. For some there has been euphoria. For others, there are mental, physical, and economic issues to deal with. Many of these issues will spill…
Criminal barrister argues that justice is jeopardised unless the Gov supports legal aid
Seventeen years ago, as a young barrister, I was lucky enough to represent the South Eastern Circuit on The Florida Advocacy Course. Along with three other juniors, I made my…
Remote Hearings – is access to justice still being done and been seen to be done?
Covid-19 has had a colossal impact on the judicial process in the UK. We have seen the implementation of a widespread and unexpected pilot of digital courts using Teams,…
The Power of Patterns in Forensics
Patterns can change the face of forensics but are often overlooked. Patterns can tell you if a crime is likely to be part of a series carried out by the…
Cloud Video Platform – Friend or Foe?
As a pupil in a global pandemic, I have had my fair share of both in Court and Cloud Video Platform experiences. As we all have, I have heard the…