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Crown Court Case Readiness Research
The Ministry of Justice are currently conducting research into case readiness in the Crown Court, with the aim of understanding where friction...
Early Guilty Pleas Research
CLSA members are invited to assist with research being carried out by HMCTS into how current processes support or hinder timely and informed plea...
Sentencing Council: Publication of response to its fifth annual miscellaneous amendments consultation
The Sentencing Council has today published a response to the fifth annual consultation on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines. The response document sets out the changes that will be made to guidelines and can be found here. The changes will be made in...
Law Society publishes new guidance for profession following Court of Appeal judgment in Mazur
Following the Court of Appeal’s judgment in The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) -v- Mazur & others, the Law Society of England and Wales has today (13 April) published a new practice note for solicitors practising litigation. The Court of Appeal...
Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2026
The nomination period for this year’s Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards runs until Tuesday, 21 April 2026, so please get nominating! This is also the deadline for donating to our crowdfunding appeal to support the Legal Aid Newcomer award. If you want to show your...
CLSA submission to Justice Select Committee call for evidence on the Courts and Tribunals Bill
CLSA submission to the Justice Select Committee 11th March 2026
Consultation Launched on proposed Assault PC sentencing guideline
Issued: 9 March 2026 Sentencing Council consults on proposed revisions to the sentencing guideline for assault on a police constable in response to change in CPS charging practice The consultation, launched today, is seeking views on a proposed sentencing guideline...
Flowchart of proposed jury trial structure from the Courts and Tribunals Bill 2026
Below is a flowchart from Criminal court reform: Impacts factsheet, published alongside the Courts and Tribunals Bill. It is the easiest way to understand the proposed criminal court reforms and jury trial restrictions in the bill. Click here to download a pdf copy
CLSA snap survey on prisoner delivery
CLSA survey on prisoner delivery Monday 23rd February – Saturday 28th February 20266 The Law Society Gazette, 16th January 2026, quoted SERCO claiming that 99.8% of prisoner deliveries are “on time”. GEO AMEY claimed a 99.7% on time delivery rate. This simply does not...
Joint Statement of the CLSA, LCCSA and CBA on Juries
You will be aware of the Leveson / Lammy recommendations for a Bench division of the crown court. This would remove the right to trial by jury for many defendants. Katy Hanson, Chair, Andrew Bishop, Vice Chair and Daniel Bonich, immediate past Chair, all attended a...