Features

The Dublin system determines that asylum applications in the EU must be made in the country into which the asylum seeker first arrives. The Syrian refugee crisis exposes the system as not fit for purpose, argues Chris McWatters  

Most people following the story of Syrian refugees tramping through Europe were horrified by this September’s images of desperate families being fought off with tear gas and water cannon at the Hungarian and Croatian frontiers.  

Mark Hatcher reflects on the forthcoming Spending Review and its impact on the administration of justice  

On 8 July in his Budget Statement the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, set out the Government’s plans for running a budget surplus for the first time in almost twenty years in 2019–20. 

The Criminal Bar has just received a Better Case Management Information Pack. Peter Hungerford-Welch explains the background to its arrival, the new case management system and what this means for counsel  

In January 2015, the Review of Efficiency in Criminal Proceedings  by Sir Brian Leveson was published.  

Bob Hutchinson, who recently resigned after serving for 11 years as a magistrate, outlines the impact of CCCs on magistrates’ discretion and judicial fairness  

In April this year the Government introduced the criminal court charge (CCC) in England and Wales.  

It can be a tragically small world  

“Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary – that’s what gets you…”– Jeremy Clarkson 

Adrian Jack follows up on the recruitment crisis in the High Court and reports on recent developments  

The High Court recruitment crisis was highlighted in the July issue of Counsel .  

In April, the Government introduced charges into the criminal courts. These charges have proved controversial and there are calls for an urgent review. The Chairman of the Bar, Alistair MacDonald QC, explains the profession’s concerns  

One of the last acts of the Coalition Government was, without any sort of debate, to slip into legislation criminal court charges payable by defendants.  

The Howard League for Penal Reform is campaigning for an immediate review of the criminal courts charge. Here its director of campaigns, Andrew Neilson, explains why  

A man, 22, of no fixed abode.  

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, the Bar Council, in conjunction with the diplomatic community and the UN Association Westminster Branch, hosted a lecture in the Inner Temple Great Hall. Daniel Sternberg reports  

Barristers, diplomats and representatives of the United Nations celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the UN at a lecture in Inner Temple Hall given by Professor Vaughan Lowe QC on 17 August.  

Following the first conviction under the new law, Neelam Sarkaria and Detective Chief Superintendent Gerry Campbell ask whether legislation alone can eradicate the evil of forced marriage and protect its victims  

“Forced marriage is a gross abuse of human rights.