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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.
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
