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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.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
