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Criminal procedure/sentencing – Child pornography/ sexual offences against children. High Court of Justiciary: Refusing an appeal against conviction by an appellant who was charged with having indecent photographs of children in his possession, the court rejected a contention that the sheriff had not directed the jury adequately on the burden of proof applicable to the statutory defence raised, however it quashed the extended element of the sentence on a charge of causing a 13-year-old girl to participate in sexual activity, the sheriff having provided very little specific justification for the selection of an extended sentence.
Criminal procedure/sentencing – Child pornography/ sexual offences against children. High Court of Justiciary: Refusing an appeal against conviction by an appellant who was charged with having indecent photographs of children in his possession, the court rejected a contention that the sheriff had not directed the jury adequately on the burden of proof applicable to the statutory defence raised, however it quashed the extended element of the sentence on a charge of causing a 13-year-old girl to participate in sexual activity, the sheriff having provided very little specific justification for the selection of an extended sentence.
The Bar Council faces both opportunities and challenges on our key areas this year
Exclusive Q&A with Henry Dannell
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs discusses the benefits of Non-invasive Prenatal Paternity testing for the timely resolution of family disputes
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Have you considered being a barrister in the British Army? Here’s an insight into a career in Army Legal Services
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the role that drug, alcohol and DNA testing can play in non-court dispute resolution (NCDR)
Senior barristers reflect on the progress made since the publication of Race at the Bar: A Snapshot Report in 2021, as well as the persistent challenges and cultural shifts still needed. Interviews by Mariam Diaby
‘Hard work and commitment can open doors. I believe that I am proof of that,’ says Senior Treasury Counsel Louise Oakley. She tells Anthony Inglese CB about her journey from Wolverhampton to the Old Bailey
What's it like being a legal trainee at the Crown Prosecution Service? Amy describes what drew her to the role, the skills required and a typical day in the life
Barbara Mills KC wants to raise the profile of the family Bar. She also wants to improve wellbeing and enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession. She talks to Joshua Rozenberg KC (hon) about her plans for the year ahead
The winning essay is ‘A fiction of defendant participation: Single Justice Procedure offences should be moved to the civil jurisdiction’ by Hal McNulty