Wednesday’s Budget offered little comfort - and even less clarity - for those of us working within the criminal justice system. Despite the well-documented crisis facing our courts, prisons, and frontline legal services, there was no mention whatsoever of how the...
News
Campaigning for fairness in criminal lawMoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases
MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases in controversial overhaul | Trial by jury | The Guardian The CLSA is very concerned about the Government’s announcement to remove the right to jury trials for a large proportion of cases. Trial by jury is a...
A New Chapter for the CLSA: Katy Hanson Takes the Chair as Daniel Bonich Passes the Baton
The Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association (CLSA) is delighted to announce that Katy Hanson will take over as Chair, following Daniel Bonich’s five-year tenure leading the association through one of the most turbulent and transformative periods in criminal law. Andrew...
The Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, chaired by Sir Brian Leveson, has published part 1 of the report
Read the report here The CLSA wishes to thank Sir Brian Leveson and his team for the care and thought they have put into the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts. We will be carefully studying the report which was published today. In our submission to the Review...
Electronic Communication Devices being taken into Custody Suites by Solicitors
National Police Chiefs' Council and The Law Society Author, NPCC Custody and Movement of Prisoners Portfoloio Dated – 01/07/2025 Click here to read guidance
Criminal Legal Aid: Proposals for Solicitor Fee Scheme Reform
The CLSA has responded to the current consultation on criminal legal aid fees. Here is a link to our response: Whilst the proposed fee increases are welcome, the Government must not consider, for a moment, that they have solved the problems identified by Lord Bellamy...
Zoe Gascoyne Receives an OBE for Services to Complex Tax Investigations
Past Chair of the CLSA, Zoe Gascoyne, was recently awarded an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours for services to complex tax investigations. Zoe was one of 1200 people from across the UK to receive an honour in the lastest list. Zoe works for the law enforcement side...
Urgent: Have Your Say on Criminal Legal Aid Fee Increases – Just Over One Week Left
Dear [Member/Colleague] A live consultation is currently underway on proposed fee increases for Criminal Legal Aid work – and there is just over a week left to respond. If you haven’t already done so, we strongly urge you to read the details below and submit a...
Publication of definitive ancillary orders guidance
The Sentencing Council has published a package of definitive ancillary orders guidance, covering 29 different types of order including matters such as compensation, criminal behaviour orders, football banning orders and restraining orders. During the development of...