Read the latest legal news at the Ministry of Injustice. You may also be interested in the latest Police News and the Legal News Archive 2023.
| Judge strikes out £68m negligence claim against law firm Mr Justice Sheldon struck out a £68m negligence claim against Yorkshire law firm Lupton Fawcett (LF) from companies in liquidation as a result of failed property development schemes. Legal Futures 26th April 2024 |
| Trainee Solicitor Scheme open The Government Legal Profession (GLP) Trainee Solicitor Scheme is now open for applications, closing at midday on Wednesday 15 May. The scheme offers you the chance to start your legal career at the heart of government law and to gain experience across different teams and areas of law. Government Legal Department 25th April 2024 |
| Legislation to clear Scots Horizon victims due by summer “Justice is a devolved matter in Scotland so it is right that Scottish ministers remain accountable for decisions taken in Scotland…The Scottish government has already indicated that they are bringing forward legislation, and we will continue to support them in developing proposals to overturn all convictions relating to the Horizon scandal in Scotland.” BBC News 24th April 2024 |
| Rwanda Bill to become law in major illegal migration milestone UK government efforts to stop the boats and tackle illegal migration took a major step forward, after the Safety of Rwanda Bill completed its passage through Parliament overnight, Monday 22 April 2024. Home Office and The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP 23rd April 2024 |
| Shadow Justice secretary vows to “reinstate the rule of law” Shadow Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood, a former barrister, will accuse successive Conservative Lord Chancellors of “failing to fulfil their historic duty” to defend the Judiciary and the Rule of Law. Shropshire Star 22nd April 2024 |
| Insiders say UK water firms knowingly break sewage laws The legislation in the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 states that every wastewater treatment works must treat a minimum amount of sewage as stipulated in their environmental permits. Guardian 20th April 2024 |
| Government cracks down on ‘deepfakes’ creation Under a new offence, which will be introduced through an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, those who create AI deepfake images without consent face a criminal record and an unlimited fine. If the image is then shared more widely offenders could be sent to jail. Ministry of Justice and Laura Farris MP 19th April 2024 |
| Former Lord Chancellor takes second law firm consultancy role Sir Robert Buckland KC, former Lord Chancellor, has taken on a second law firm consultancy role. DAC Beachcroft (DACB) will pay £50,000 a year for 12 hours a month. Payne Hicks Beach already pay him £48,000 a year for 32 hours a month. Legal Futures 18th April 2024 |
| MPs vote on landmark bill The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will make it an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009 – children aged 15 or younger today. Department of Health and Social Care, The Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, and The Rt Hon Victoria Atkins MP 17th April 2024 |
| Barrister suspended for lying A barrister has been suspended from practice for six months for falsely telling his client that case papers were at home when in fact they were lost. Stephen Taylor, called by Inner Temple in July 2002, must also complete a direct access course run by the Bar Council. ‘The public should be able to expect barristers to behave in a trustworthy and reliable manner.’ Law Society Gazette 16th April 2024 |
| Leading law firm Vardags obtained order for client’s divorce “in error” Vardags obtained a final order of divorce for a client in error without her instructions or authority. The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, this week refused an application to rescind the order. Legal Futures 15th April 2024 |
| Barrister suspended over £64,000 unpaid court costs Barrister Zaheer Ahmad has been hit with a six month suspension after failing to comply with a court order to pay more than £64,000. The Bar Tribunals & Adjudication Service found that he behaved in a manner “likely to diminish the trust and confidence the public places in him” Legal Cheek 12th April 2024 |
| Lady Chief Justice endorses pro bono recognition list for legal professionals in England & Wales The initiative aims to acknowledge solicitors and barristers who have dedicated 25 or more hours of their time to provide free legal assistance to those in need throughout the previous calendar year. Solicitors Journal 11th April 2024 |
| New offence of assaulting shop workers The government has made a U-turn following a long-running campaign to make assaulting a shop worker a separate criminal offence. Rishi Sunak announced that his government would be amending its Criminal Justice Bill to bring in the new offence. Wales Online 10th April 2024 |
| Should the law change to make it easier for organisations to apologise? The Compensation Act 2006, made it easier for public institutions, private companies and their employees to apologise, without admitting liability in civil proceedings. 20 years on, there is little evidence this has encouraged businesses to use apologies more as form of reparation. Ministry of Justice and Lord Bellamy KC 9th April 2024 |
| Fury as judges are handed a soft sentence checklist The Sentencing Council, the official body responsible for setting guidelines for judges and magistrates, has for the first time spelt out ‘mitigating’ factors relating to disadvantage that courts should consider before passing sentence. Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said that the guidance was ‘patronising’ and ‘inaccurate’ Daily Mail 5th April 2024 |
| Family lawyers join forces to create FLANC (Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community) Family lawyers from different firms and chambers have joined forces to set up a specialist group dedicated to ensuring the neurodivergent community has equal access to justice. Law Society Gazette 4th April 2024 |
| Minister says being smelly shouldn’t be arrestable offence Draft legislation for the Criminal Justice Bill seeks to criminalise “nuisance rough sleeping”, stating this includes anyone who has slept rough, is “intending to sleep rough”, or “gives the appearance” of sleeping rough and causes a nuisance while doing so. The definition of so-called “nuisance” even includes “excessive smells”. Offenders can be hit with a month in prison or fines of up to £2,500 if convicted. Independent 3rd April 2024 |
| Legislation pledged to prevent abuse of NDAs Legislation will be introduced ‘as soon as parliamentary time allows’ to ensure victims are no longer prevented from accessing legal advice and other support, Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk MP said yesterday. The law will clarify that NDAs cannot be legally enforced if they prevent victims from reporting a crime. Law Society Gazette 30th March 2024 |
| Four senior judges resign from Garrick Club after men-only membership row Four senior judges have resigned from the Garrick Club as a row continues over its men-only membership, as the Lady Chief Justice called for inclusivity across the legal profession. The Judicial Office confirmed that Keith Lindblom, an appeal court judge, and three high court justices Nicholas Cusworth, Nicholas Lavender and Ian Dove had quit following mounting scrutiny over their association with the organisation. MSN 28th March 2024 |
| Violent offenders ‘released from prison early’ Labour’s shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood accused the Government of falling behind on its pledge to create 20,000 more prison places by 2025. She added that probation officers “fear” not being able to keep the public safe as they’re “forced to rush through the early release of violent men in order free up space”. Independent 27th March 2024 |
| Assange -v- Government of the United States of America In the Judgment of the President Of The King’s Bench Division Dame Victoria Sharp DBE and Mr Justice Johnson, Julian Assange will not be extradited immediately. Judiciary Judgments 26th March 2024 |
| Court of Appeal rules that Shamima Begum was lawfully deprived of her British citizenship The Lady Chief Justice said “It could be argued that the decision in Ms Begum’s case was harsh. It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune. But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view. Our only task is to rule on whether the decision was unlawful.” The full judgment from the Court of Appeal was posted online. BBC News 26th March 2024 |
| Legal opinion is “split” on the government’s Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk admitted that legal opinion is “split” on the government’s Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill, designed to exonerate and compensate sub-postmasters convicted on the basis of faulty evidence from the IT system. Legal Futures 25th March 2024 |
| Justice Committee sets out recommendations on the regulation of the legal professions to Lord Chancellor Justice Committee Chair Sir Bob Neill KC has written to the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk KC outlining eight key recommendations following the conclusion of the Committee’s work examining the regulation of the legal professions. Justice Committee 23rd March 2024 |
| Family court reforms risk creating ‘two-tier family justice system’ The Bar of Ireland, backed by the Family Lawyers’ Association (FLA), which represents over 500 barristers and solicitors, has urged the government in a new submission to rethink this element of the Family Courts Bill 2022. Irish Legal News 22nd March 2024 |
| Protesters’ beliefs cannot be used to justify criminal damage Three judges ruled that political or philosophical beliefs were ‘too remote’ to be classed as a lawful excuse for damaging property. Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr said: “It was not Parliament’s intention … to give protesters free rein to publicise their cause through the criminal courts.” The Standard 21st March 2024 |
| UK man first to be jailed for cyberflashing He received 52 weeks for “cyberflashing” which became a crime on January 31 after the Online Safety Act 2023 became law late last year. Euronews 20th March 2024 |
| King’s Counsel appointments ceremony 2024 The Lord Chancellor’s speech at the 2024 King’s Counsel appointment ceremony, recognised those who have been formally appointed to the rank of KC and Honorary KC. Ministry of Justice and The Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP 19th March 2024 |
| Victims of crime should be provided with legal representation “When victims report a crime, they expect to play a part in the justice process but in reality, most felt they were silenced and sidelined”. The inquiry heard some people were re-traumatised by the justice system and had experienced depression, anxiety and self-harm. The Guardian 28th Feb 2024 |
| Hate crime law in Scotland A public information campaign highlighting the introduction on 1st April of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act has begun — and is itself controversial. It includes a Police Scotland video featuring a character called the hate monster who gets “bigger and bigger, “till he’s weighing ye doon.” The video has been ridiculed on social media as patronising. BBC News 15th March 2024 |
| Lord Chancellor announces plans to remove more foreign national offenders from UK Alex Chalk KC MP, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, said in a statement to the House of Commons yesterday that the Government will be introducing measures to see more foreign national offenders (FNOs) removed from the country. EIN 14th March 2024 |
| Post Office subpostmasters will have their wrongful convictions overturned under new legislation The Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill will exonerate hundreds of people who were wrongly convicted on the basis of unreliable evidence from the company’s notorious IT system. Daily Mail 13th March 2024 |
| Law students to give lessons about the rule of law and the justice system Young Citizens have joined forces with the Law Society and London law firm Mishcon de Reya to continue its annual “The Big Legal Lesson” campaign. Over 200,000 children and young people have received a lesson about the rule of law and the legal justice system. Legal Cheek 12th March 2024 |
| High Court judge recommends attorney general identify former solicitor as vexatious litigant A High Court judge, Mr Justice Sweeting, has made a recommendation to the attorney general that a struck off solicitor be declared a vexatious litigant following almost two decades of litigation against the Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The Law Society Gazette 11th March 2024 |
| MoJ spending cut by £500m Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: ‘The UK government has once again failed to address the crisis facing our justice system. Small amounts of money to the family court system for early advice are welcome, but it shows the government isn’t facing up to the challenges plaguing the justice system….Only through investment in staff, judges, legal professionals and our court buildings can the government begin to address these issues.’ The Law Society Gazette 8th March 2024 |
| Hunt pledges £170m to make justice system ‘fit for the modern era’ Jeremy Hunt has promised £170m in order to deliver a justice system “fit for the modern era” during his much-vaunted Spring Budget. Hunt stated that “too many legal cases, particularly in family law, should never go to court.” City AM 7th March 2024 |
| Hedgerow regulations to be brought into law to protect wildlife English hedgerows will be protected in law as the government today. These regulations will sit alongside the existing Hedgerows Regulations 1997 and The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Rebecca Pow MP, and The Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP 6th March 2024 |
| Judge who spared protesters jail for celebrating Hamas attack accused of breaking code of conduct Tan Ikram, the deputy chief magistrate at the centre of a row over his lenient treatment of three women who celebrated the Hamas “paraglider” attacks may have violated the judiciary’s code of conduct by talking about jailing a police officer, it has been claimed… Telegraph 5th March 2024 |
| New law to make justice more accessible for innocent people wronged by powerful companies The Lord Chancellor, Alex Chalk, will introduce a new law to make it easier for members of the public to secure the financial backing of third parties when launching complex claims against moneyed corporations with sizeable legal teams which they could otherwise ill-afford. “It’s crucial victims can access justice” Ministry of Justice, HM Courts & Tribunals Service, and The Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP 4th March 2024 |
| Scales of Justice The latest court cases in Oxford Magistrates’ Court as reported by Court and crime reporter Gee Harland. Oxford Mail 1st March 2024 |
| Prince Harry Loses Legal Fight for Security in the UK A High Court judge ruled in favour of the U.K. government’s decision to downgrade his security following his decision to step back from his royal role. High Court judge The Honourable Sir Peter Richard Lane upheld the decision by the U.K. government to downgrade his security. People 29th Feb 2024 |
| UK’s law against assisted dying Jonathan Dimbleby has described the criminalisation of assisted dying in the UK as “increasingly unbearable” after his younger brother, Nicholas, died this month with debilitating motor neurone disease (MND). “The law should be changed…” The Guardian 28th Feb 2024 |
| HMCTS Common Platform Common Platform is operational in all criminal courts in England and Wales. We’ve revised the scope of our remaining Crime Programme – as part of this, we’ll be retaining the Digital Case System in the Crown Court, while continuing to make improvements to Common Platform. Daniel Flury, Crime Programme Director, Court and tribunal reform, Crime, Digital services 27th Feb 2024 |
| Judge removed from bench A judge who sparked outrage when he reversed a man’s rape conviction involving a 16-year-old girl has been removed from the bench after a judicial oversight body found he circumvented the law and engaged in misconduct. Mirror 26th Feb 2024 |
| Julian Assange High court hearing At the high court, lawyers posed the pivotal question: how can exposing crime and torture be worse than committing them? The Guardian 24th Feb 2024 |
| Flexible working laws are changing All employees have the legal right to request flexible working. From the 6th April 2024, the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 will allow employees to make a statutory request to make permanent changes to their contract. gov.uk 22nd Feb 2024 |
| Lady Chief Justice Annual Press Conference 2024 The Lady Chief Justice, The Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, held her annual press conference on Tuesday 6th February 2024, at the Royal Courts of Justice. It was her first press conference as Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, having started her new role in October 2023. Transcript of LCJ press conference. Lady Chief Justice 21st Feb 2024 |
| As schools issued with mobile phone guidance is the law keeping up Ministers maintaining that the new online safety act will go some way to protecting children and young people. How schools can prohibit the use of mobile phones throughout the school day. Many now are worried that the law simply isn’t keeping up with modern life. Sky News 20th Feb 2024 |
| Pensioner with severe dementia convicted in fast-track Single Justice Procedure after move to care home A pensioner with severe dementia was prosecuted by the DVLA using the Single Justice Procedure despite proof that he is incapacitated and now living in a care home. The Lady Chief Justice Lady Carr has agreed to investigate the way the Single Justice Procedure works. The Standard 19th Feb 2024 |
| 20 Nightingale courtrooms remain open to boost capacity These temporary courtrooms, across nine venues, will continue to be used by judges to hear cases ranging from shoplifting to family proceedings and small claims hearings. The majority of the courtrooms will be open until March 2025. Ministry of Justice, HM Courts & Tribunals Service, and Mike Freer MP 16th Feb 2024 |
| Cheers in Athens as same-sex marriage becomes law Crowds celebrated in Athens as parliament voted through same-sex marriage law – making Greece the first Christian Orthodox-majority country to do so. BBC News 16th Feb 2024 |
| Calls for probe into judge who let women who wore parachute images at pro-Palestine march walk free as it emerges he liked post branding Israel ‘terrorist’ Tanweer Ikram a senior district judge and Deputy Chief Magistrate, admitted to liking the post ‘by mistake’ three weeks ago, but was told by the Judicial Office that the matter would not be investigated further. Daily Mail 15th Feb 2024 |
| Tougher sentences for ‘rough sex’ killers Cowards who kill their partners with sexual violence will face longer behind bars as the government continues to clamp down on domestic abuse against women. This builds upon action taken in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 to clarify in law that there is no such thing as the ‘rough sex defence’. Ministry of Justice, HM Courts & Tribunals Service, Laura Farris MP, and The Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP 14th Feb 2024 |
| Criminals gaming the justice system Criminals are gaming the system by pleading not guilty and relying on crippling trial delays to evade justice. Bar Council chair Sam Townend KC said the fall in guilty pleas suggests an increasing trend of criminals trying to manipulate the justice system to avoid conviction and imprisonment. “An effective criminal justice system means that perpetrators plead guilty early for a discounted sentence and to start the process of rehabilitation.” The Independent 12th Feb 2024 |
| New protest laws on face coverings and pyrotechnics Police will be given powers to arrest protesters who wear face coverings to threaten others and avoid prosecution, and pyrotechnics will be banned at protests. The measures, which will be introduced in the Criminal Justice Bill, will also make climbing on war memorials a specific public order offence, carrying a 3 month sentence and a £1,000 fine. Home Office, The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, and The Rt Hon Chris Philp MP 9th Feb 2024 |
| Central Criminal Court in London evacuated after fire Five separate explosions were heard at the rear of the Central Criminal Court at 10:30 GMT, the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) said, and black smoke was seen coming from the building. Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London and most senior judge at the Old Bailey, told the BBC the building would remain closed on Thursday and emergency work was taking place. BBC News 8th Feb 2024 |
| Six members appointed to the Civil Justice Council The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointments, for 3 years from 1 January 2024, of John Cuss, Daniel Hoadley, Amrik Kandola, Sue Prince, Laurence Shaw and Elizabeth Smart as members of the Civil Justice Council. The CJC is a statutory advisory body established by the Civil Procedure Act 1997. Ministry of Justice and Civil Justice Council 7th Feb 2024 |
| Consultation into anti-terror legislation launched A formal consultation has been launched into proposals for new legislation to ensure stronger protection against terrorism in public places. The Home Office said the bill would require venues to take enhanced steps to help keep the public safe. BBC News 6th Feb 2024 |
| SRA probes Post Office lawyers over ‘intimidating’ offer letters The Solicitors Regulation Authority is probing the conduct of Post Office lawyers over compensation offer letters sent to victims of the Horizon scandal. In an email to the Post Office last month, the board’s chair Professor Christopher Hodges said victims continue to be ‘confused, intimidated and hurt’ by the behaviour of the Post Office and its lawyers in negotiating settlements and in the continued use of legalistic terms. The Law Society Gazette 5th February 2024 |
| Lord Chancellor makes international rule of law speech in Washington In a major speech in Washington DC on the rule of law, the Lord Chancellor Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP urged the international community to come together to win the global contest of ideas. “We fiercely defend the rule of law….” Ministry of Justice and The Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP 2nd February 2024 |
| Judge’s online stalker sentenced to eight years in prison A stalker who ran a five-year campaign against a circuit judge through a blog where he posted ‘highly offensive personal attacks’ has been jailed for eight years. ‘Our democratic society requires that judicial office holders be open to criticism of their judicial conduct and decisions. Your acts however went far beyond any legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of expression.’ The Law Society Gazette 1st February 2024 |
| Criminal legal aid lawyers to receive pay boost Criminal legal aid solicitors working in police stations and youth courts will receive a pay increase to reflect the importance and complexity of their work, the Lord Chancellor has announced. Funding part of Government’s response to the 2021 Criminal Legal Aid Review. Ministry of Justice, Legal Aid Agency, and The Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP 31st January 2024 |
| Criminal justice system heading for ‘impending collapse’ Ministers have been warned the nation’s criminal justice system is heading for “impending collapse” with a huge exodus of solicitor numbers willing to support a fair trial fuelled by major cuts in legal aid payments. The Herald 30th January 2024 |
| Victim’s mother says she was ‘foolish to trust legal system’ “I feel now with hindsight that I was foolish to just trust in our legal system. And I hate to say that, because I do feel let down” A special review has been ordered by the government into the NHS trust where the killer, Valdo Calocane, was treated. Sky News 29th January 2024 |
| New law to ban zombie-style knives and machetes It will be illegal to possess, sell, manufacture or transport these zombie-style knives and machetes. A surrender and compensation scheme will launch in the summer. The Criminal Justice Bill will go further by increasing the maximum sentence for the possession of banned weapons from 6 months to 2 years. Home Office and The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP 26th January 2024 |
| Thatchers loses high court trademark battle with Aldi after judge does blind taste test High Court judge Her Honour Judge Melissa Sophia Clarke took a blind taste test of Thatchers cloudy lemon cider and Aldi’s brand Taurus to settle a legal dispute after the Somerset drinks firm accused the supermarket of trademark infringement. The drinks tasted “very similar” but discernibly different. Mirror 25th January 2024 |
| Senior solicitor who caused £80,000 child sex abuse trial to collapse by doing her own research while on jury duty avoids being struck off Caroline Mitchell, 56, was jailed for two months in 2022 and was banned from practising law for eight years following the ‘extremely serious’ misconduct. ‘Ms Mitchell had caused significant harm as a result of her conduct, both to the reputation of the profession and the witnesses in the trial’ The judgment was published by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. Daily Mail 24th January 2024 |
| Solicitor General Robert Courts sworn in Robert Courts KC MP was today sworn in as His Majesty’s Solicitor General at a ceremony attended by the Lord Chancellor and Clerk to the Crown. The Solicitor General was also appointed to the rank and office of King’s Counsel (KC). Attorney General’s Office, Robert Courts MP, and The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis KC MP 23rd January 2024 |
| Around 100 courtrooms closing every week due to ‘endemic’ dilapidation, warns Lady Chief Justice Appearing at the justice committee on Thursday, the Lady Chief Justice described courts with no drinking water and judges forced to hand out sentences to convicts in basement holding cells because panic alarms were broken in the courtrooms above. The Independent 19th January 2024 |
| Civil servants told to ignore European court judges UK civil servants have been told to defer to ministers when it comes to ignoring so-called pajama injunctions Rule 39 orders from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The new direction came in guidance “Civil Service Guidance – Safety of Rwanda Bill” published by senior officials in the Cabinet Office and Home Office. Politico 18th January 2024 |
| Applications are open for Family Court magistrate roles in the Northeast, Midlands and London. Visit the magistrates website to find a role in your area and apply. If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to an interview. Judicial Office 17th January 2023 |
| Almost half of family courts to allow reporting in England and Wales For the first time in these courts, reporters will be able to speak to families about their cases, quote from documents and describe what they see and hear in court. Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, described the move as a “huge step to increase transparency and improve public confidence and understanding of the family justice system”. BBC News 16th January 2023 |
| Trump Blasts Judges, Angry He Couldn’t Delay Trial Because Of Mother-In-Law’s Funeral “These are animals,” Trump said of the judges overseeing his various legal cases, making a specific reference to Manhattan federal Judge Lewis Kaplan, who is overseeing his writer E. Jean Carroll’s defamation case against him. Forbes 15th January 2024 |
| What is the International Court of Justice and why does it matter? The ICJ, which is situated in the Peace Palace in The Hague, a city in The Netherlands, was established in 1945 as a way of settling disputes between countries. The Court also provides advisory opinions on legal questions that have been referred to it by other authorized UN organisations. UN News 12th January 2024 |
| Horizon scandal: Post Office scandal victims to be exonerated and compensated as Rishi Sunak proposes new law In the first Prime Minister’s Questions of the year, Rishi Sunak said he plans to make sure those convicted as part of the Post Office scandal get exonerated through an act of parliament. “Mr Speaker, this is one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nation’s history.” Sky News 11th January 2024 |
| Post Office scandal: SRA unlikely to fast-track action against solicitors The Solicitors Regulation Authority has no plans to fast-track potential prosecutions of lawyers involved in the Post Office scandal, it confirmed today. The SRA can in theory take action now against individuals in relation to the Post Office scandal, including putting conditions on the practising certificate of a solicitors. The Law Society Gazette 10th January 2024 |
| Urgent changes in wake of alleged prison escape Justice Secretary Alex Chalk told MPs a probe he ordered into the alleged escape of prisoner Daniel Khalife from HMP Wandsworth in south London in September had concluded and that he had asked the jail, the Prison and Probation Service and the Ministry of Justice to “take forward the independent investigation’s recommendations as a matter of priority”. The Standard 9th January 2024 |
| Justice Secretary Alex Chalk is exploring if the Post Office can be removed from its role in the Horizon Scandal sub-postmasters’ appeals The MP for Cheltenham is examining ways to exonorate the hundreds of staff who were accused of theft and fraud following the scandal, which stemmed from problems with the Horizon IT system, The Sunday Times has reported. Daily Mail 8th January 2024 |
| Defendant leaps at judge over court bench in Las Vegas attack A defendant launched an astonishing attack on a judge, leaping over a court bench and landing on top of her, before becoming embroiled in a mass brawl with staff. In a statement, court spokesperson Mary Ann Price said officials were “reviewing all our protocols and will do whatever is necessary to protect the judiciary, the public and our employees”. Sky News 5th January 2024 |
| Justice in Numbers The information published by the Ministry of Justice in this edition of the pocketbook represents the latest information available from Justice in Numbers on the 23rd December 2023. Ministry of Justice 4th January 2024 |
| How you can attend or access courts or tribunals ? An open and transparent justice system gives confidence that we live in a country that is fair and just. The principle of open justice – that justice must be done and be seen to be done – is fundamental to our justice system. HM Courts & Tribunals Service 1st January 2024 |
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