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Speculation is growing that the controversial criminal courts charge, levied on all those convicted in the criminal courts regardless of their means, could be scrapped. Peers voted against the charge by 132 to 100, defeating the government in a debate last month and more than 50 magistrates have resigned rather than impose the charge on inpecunious defendants. Partner at London firm Kingsley Napley, Stephen Parkinson, started a petition against it and hopes to get 100,000 signatures to secure a parliamentary debate.
Speculation is growing that the controversial criminal courts charge, levied on all those convicted in the criminal courts regardless of their means, could be scrapped. Peers voted against the charge by 132 to 100, defeating the government in a debate last month and more than 50 magistrates have resigned rather than impose the charge on inpecunious defendants. Partner at London firm Kingsley Napley, Stephen Parkinson, started a petition against it and hopes to get 100,000 signatures to secure a parliamentary debate.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Born from a grievance, their research project grew into a book and is now challenging the status quo. Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon reveal the key findings – and the critical next steps
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
