*/
A wider range of prosecutors will be permitted to conduct the rising number of appeals against unduly lenient sentences (ULS), the Attorney General announced.
Currently, such cases conducted on behalf of the Government have been reserved to Treasury Counsel, but under a six-month pilot scheme grade four prosecution advocates will be able to carry out the work.
Treasury Counsel will continue to play the main role in ULS casework and the Attorney General will retain discretion to request them in appropriate cases.
But the Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC, said: ‘It’s vital that the public are able to legally challenge custodial sentences and to make sure offences are being properly punished.
‘This trial extension is a great opportunity for experienced lawyers to develop their skills further whilst preserving the continued effective operation of the ULS scheme.’
He added: ‘With the number of referrals increasing, it is right that we look at ways to widen the approach.’
The number of sentences considered by the Attorney General’s Office has increased by 97% since 2010, up from 342 sentences to 674 in 2014. During the same period, referrals by the Attorney General’s Office to the Court of Appeal rose 35%, from 90 to 122.
However, the number of sentences found to be unduly lenient has remained low. In 2013 and 2014 only 166 offenders had their sentence increased.
Commenting on the issue, President of the Queen’s Bench Division, Sir Brian Leveson, said: ‘Sentencing is a complex process where the judge must take into account a number of factors in reaching a balanced decision.
‘In order to maintain public confidence in sentencing, it is important that any member of the public may request a review by the Attorney General of a sentence imposed in the Crown Court.’
A wider range of prosecutors will be permitted to conduct the rising number of appeals against unduly lenient sentences (ULS), the Attorney General announced.
Currently, such cases conducted on behalf of the Government have been reserved to Treasury Counsel, but under a six-month pilot scheme grade four prosecution advocates will be able to carry out the work.
Treasury Counsel will continue to play the main role in ULS casework and the Attorney General will retain discretion to request them in appropriate cases.
But the Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC, said: ‘It’s vital that the public are able to legally challenge custodial sentences and to make sure offences are being properly punished.
‘This trial extension is a great opportunity for experienced lawyers to develop their skills further whilst preserving the continued effective operation of the ULS scheme.’
He added: ‘With the number of referrals increasing, it is right that we look at ways to widen the approach.’
The number of sentences considered by the Attorney General’s Office has increased by 97% since 2010, up from 342 sentences to 674 in 2014. During the same period, referrals by the Attorney General’s Office to the Court of Appeal rose 35%, from 90 to 122.
However, the number of sentences found to be unduly lenient has remained low. In 2013 and 2014 only 166 offenders had their sentence increased.
Commenting on the issue, President of the Queen’s Bench Division, Sir Brian Leveson, said: ‘Sentencing is a complex process where the judge must take into account a number of factors in reaching a balanced decision.
‘In order to maintain public confidence in sentencing, it is important that any member of the public may request a review by the Attorney General of a sentence imposed in the Crown Court.’
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
On the 50th anniversary of the pub bombings, even now it is still unresolved. Chris Mullin, the journalist and former MP who led the campaign leading to the release of the Birmingham Six, looks back at events
One year on and the Court of Appeal fails to quash convictions after receiving evidence of racism in the jury room, and there are still no revisions to the Equal Treatment Bench Book , says Keir Monteith KC
Most of us like to think we would risk our career in order to meet our ethical obligations, so why have so many lawyers failed to hold the line? asks Flora Page
If your current practice environment is bringing you down, seek a new one. However daunting the change, it will be worth it, says Anon Barrister
A cultural life and times