*/
Race-blind prosecuting decisions, deferred prosecutions and the publication of judicial sentencing remarks were among the recommendations of a report from Labour MP David Lammy.
The proposals are designed to combat what the review found to be racial bias and discrimination in the criminal justice system.
The review showed that people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds make up 25% of the prison population and 41% of the youth justice system, despite being 14% of the general population.
It found a lack of trust of legal-aid funded solicitors, who the report said were often viewed as representing ‘the system’ rather than their clients’ interests.
It recommended that the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid Agency should work with the Law Society and Bar Council to experiment with different approaches to explaining legal rights and options to defendants.
These could include intermediaries to give suspects in custody a choice between different duty solicitors and earlier access to advice from barristers.
Robin Allen QC, Chair of the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity and Social Mobility Committee, said the publication was a major contribution to the important and urgent task of securing a fair and equal criminal justice system.
He said the report and its recommendations require proper consideration, and that the Bar Council would continue to play its part in developing initiatives, such as its ‘judgecraft’ foundation course which is ‘well on foot’.
He called on the Treasury to find the funds for the Ministry of Justice to take the proposals forward.
Race-blind prosecuting decisions, deferred prosecutions and the publication of judicial sentencing remarks were among the recommendations of a report from Labour MP David Lammy.
The proposals are designed to combat what the review found to be racial bias and discrimination in the criminal justice system.
The review showed that people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds make up 25% of the prison population and 41% of the youth justice system, despite being 14% of the general population.
It found a lack of trust of legal-aid funded solicitors, who the report said were often viewed as representing ‘the system’ rather than their clients’ interests.
It recommended that the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid Agency should work with the Law Society and Bar Council to experiment with different approaches to explaining legal rights and options to defendants.
These could include intermediaries to give suspects in custody a choice between different duty solicitors and earlier access to advice from barristers.
Robin Allen QC, Chair of the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity and Social Mobility Committee, said the publication was a major contribution to the important and urgent task of securing a fair and equal criminal justice system.
He said the report and its recommendations require proper consideration, and that the Bar Council would continue to play its part in developing initiatives, such as its ‘judgecraft’ foundation course which is ‘well on foot’.
He called on the Treasury to find the funds for the Ministry of Justice to take the proposals forward.
Chair of the Bar sets out a busy calendar for the rest of the year
Why Virtual Assistants Can Meet the Legal Profession’s Exacting Standards
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Examined by Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
Time is precious for barristers. Every moment spent chasing paperwork, organising diaries, or managing admin is time taken away from what matters most: preparation, advocacy and your clients. That’s where Eden Assistants step in
AlphaBiolabs has announced its latest Giving Back donation to RAY Ceredigion, a grassroots West Wales charity that provides play, learning and community opportunities for families across Ceredigion County
Despite increased awareness, why are AI hallucinations continuing to infiltrate court cases at an alarming rate? Matthew Lee investigates
The proscribing of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act is an assault on the English language and on civil liberties, argues Paul Harris SC, founder of the Bar Human Rights Committee
Come in with your eyes open, but don’t let fear cloud the prospect. A view from practice by John Dove
Anon Academic explains why he’s leaving the world of English literature for the Bar – after all, the two are not as far apart as they may first seem...
Review by Stephen Cragg KC
