*/
MPs blamed inadequate leadership for disclosure failings that have led to miscarriages of justice.
In its Disclosure of Evidence in Criminal Cases report, the Justice Committee said problems had ‘persisted far too long, in clear sight of people working within the system’.
It criticised the now former Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC, who admitted being aware of problems as far back as 1996, for allowing them to persist and worsen under his watch, and outgoing Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, for not ‘pressing for more urgent action to address the worsening situation’. But, the committee added that Saunders was not helped by Crown Prosecution Service data which may have underestimated the number of cases affected by 90%.
Committee Chair, Bob Neill said correct disclosure was ‘fundamental’ to fair trials, but had too often been regarded an ‘administrative headache’, resulting in miscarriages of justice.
Bar Chair, Andrew Walker QC said the government must accept the ‘clear link’ between disclosure failures and over 60% cut to the CPS budget between 2010-2016.
After a CPS review of sex cases, the Criminal Cases Review Commission is to review 306 rape convictions in cases closed between April 2016 and March 2018.
Liam Allan, a student on bail for two years before his trial was halted, has launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise awareness of the failings, as the start of a united campaign to bring about change.
MPs blamed inadequate leadership for disclosure failings that have led to miscarriages of justice.
In its Disclosure of Evidence in Criminal Cases report, the Justice Committee said problems had ‘persisted far too long, in clear sight of people working within the system’.
It criticised the now former Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC, who admitted being aware of problems as far back as 1996, for allowing them to persist and worsen under his watch, and outgoing Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, for not ‘pressing for more urgent action to address the worsening situation’. But, the committee added that Saunders was not helped by Crown Prosecution Service data which may have underestimated the number of cases affected by 90%.
Committee Chair, Bob Neill said correct disclosure was ‘fundamental’ to fair trials, but had too often been regarded an ‘administrative headache’, resulting in miscarriages of justice.
Bar Chair, Andrew Walker QC said the government must accept the ‘clear link’ between disclosure failures and over 60% cut to the CPS budget between 2010-2016.
After a CPS review of sex cases, the Criminal Cases Review Commission is to review 306 rape convictions in cases closed between April 2016 and March 2018.
Liam Allan, a student on bail for two years before his trial was halted, has launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise awareness of the failings, as the start of a united campaign to bring about change.
On both fronts – representing the Bar’s interests and protecting the rule of law
Kate West discusses how best to interpret a drug test report, and the common misconceptions about what can be learnt from a drug test
Ashley Hodgkinson looks at drug testing methods and some of the most common ways people try to cheat a drug test
Clerksroom Chambers has recruited Matthew Wildish from 3 Paper Buildings (3PB) to a newly created position of Director of Clerking. Matthew joined the team at Clerksroom on 1 June
... have you seen through yours? asks Julian Morgan
Opportunity for female sopranos/contraltos in secondary education, or who have recently finished secondary education but have not yet begun tertiary education. Eligibility includes children of members of the Bar
Clerksroom Chambers has recruited Matthew Wildish from 3 Paper Buildings (3PB) to a newly created position of Director of Clerking. Matthew joined the team at Clerksroom on 1 June
In this tale of hope, success really has been the best revenge! A difficult journey teaches Rehana Azib QC invaluable lessons along the way
The Chief Inspector of the CPS knows first-hand the difficulties prosecutors face but is no pushover. He talks to Anthony Inglese CB about Operation Soteria, putting victims and cooperation at the heart of criminal justice reform, and his unique and life-changing career prosecuting the crime of all crimes, genocide
Having represented many Davids against many Goliaths over a 30+year career at the publicly funded Bar, renowned silk Professor Leslie Thomas QC critically assesses what the Human Rights Act currently under challenge has done for coronial law and equality of arms
The future of robotics in surgery is likely to hinge on what it enables does the legal system yet have the tools to protect patients?Conor Dufficy and Finn Stevenson investigate
