*/
The controversial criminal courts charge would be ditched from 24 December 2015, the Lord Chancellor announced.
In a written statement, Michael Gove said that the Ministry of Justice will review the entire structure and purpose of the ‘complex and confusing’ financial penalties.
He said the review will seek to give judges greater discretion in setting financial penalties, make fines a more effective sentencing tool and ensure the money raised goes to meet court running costs.
More than 50 magistrates have resigned since the mandatory charge levied on all convicted offenders was introduced by Gove’s predecessor, Chris Grayling, last spring.
Gove stressed that the principle behind the policy – that those who have broken the law should bear some of the costs of running the criminal courts – is right. But, as the justice committee, which called for its abolition, pointed out in its critical report in the autumn, concerns have been raised, including from the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, about how it has worked in practice.
‘Our review will consider alternative ways of ensuring that criminals pay their fair share,’ said Gove.
Welcoming the change, Bar Council Chairman, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, said: ‘The charge created a perverse incentive to plead guilty, negated the principle of judicial discretion, reduced compensation awards and was never likely to raise the funds anticipated.’
She added: ‘The Ministry of Justice has clearly listened very carefully to members from both Houses and from across all political parties, as well as to the legal profession, and others who have campaigned on this issue.’
The controversial criminal courts charge would be ditched from 24 December 2015, the Lord Chancellor announced.
In a written statement, Michael Gove said that the Ministry of Justice will review the entire structure and purpose of the ‘complex and confusing’ financial penalties.
He said the review will seek to give judges greater discretion in setting financial penalties, make fines a more effective sentencing tool and ensure the money raised goes to meet court running costs.
More than 50 magistrates have resigned since the mandatory charge levied on all convicted offenders was introduced by Gove’s predecessor, Chris Grayling, last spring.
Gove stressed that the principle behind the policy – that those who have broken the law should bear some of the costs of running the criminal courts – is right. But, as the justice committee, which called for its abolition, pointed out in its critical report in the autumn, concerns have been raised, including from the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, about how it has worked in practice.
‘Our review will consider alternative ways of ensuring that criminals pay their fair share,’ said Gove.
Welcoming the change, Bar Council Chairman, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, said: ‘The charge created a perverse incentive to plead guilty, negated the principle of judicial discretion, reduced compensation awards and was never likely to raise the funds anticipated.’
She added: ‘The Ministry of Justice has clearly listened very carefully to members from both Houses and from across all political parties, as well as to the legal profession, and others who have campaigned on this issue.’
Chair of the Bar sets out a busy calendar for the rest of the year
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
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, outlines why barristers, solicitors, judges, social workers and local authorities across the UK trust AlphaBiolabs for court-admissible testing
Through small but meaningful efforts, we can restore the sense of collegiality that has been so sorely eroded, says Baldip Singh
Come in with your eyes open, but don’t let fear cloud the prospect. A view from practice by John Dove
Looking to develop a specialist practice? Mariya Peykova discusses the benefits of secondments and her placement at the Information Commissioner’s Office
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
