January 2021 Maintaining Justice – adjusted Court Operations during Covid19 - Enhanced safety measures introduced. This paper is issued by HMCTS in consultation with the judiciary
News
Campaigning for fairness in criminal lawCOVID-19: Operational notice for external court users of Reading Magistrates’ Court
CLSA has been monitoring the issues raised by the pandemic and practices at courts across HMCtS’ estate, especially given the new strain and the massive spike in infections being experienced in parts of the country. We would encourage members to notify us of any...
CLSA Statement regarding the Criminal Justice System and current Covid crisis
The CLSA is concerned that Police Stations and Courts are not safe during this current phase of the pandemic. The virus spread appears to be out of control. Many areas of the UK are seeing emergency services stretched beyond capacity. Previous ‘Covid secure’ steps...
New sentencing guidelines for firearms offences published today by the Sentencing Council
The Sentencing Council has published eight new guidelines to be used by the Crown Court and magistrates’ courts in England and Wales when sentencing firearms offences, following consultation. The new guidelines will come into effect on 1 January 2021.
Extended video hours for official visits
28 Reception/Local Prisons have now extended their operating hours for prison video to facilitate professional visits.
The Sentencing Code and Sentencing Guidelines
On Tuesday 1 December 2020, the Sentencing Code comes into effect in England and Wales, consolidating existing sentencing procedure law into a single Sentencing Act. To enable sentencers and practitioners to follow the Code with immediate effect, the Sentencing...
New code for sending fee
Following the changes made to legal aid following the CLAR Accelerated Items work, the LAA have now issued guidance on how to claim the new ‘sending fee’ in the Magistrates Court.
Guidance on new Sending fee
The LAA has today published operational guidance on the new Sending Hearing Fixed Fee in advance of their implementation on Monday. A news story giving further details on the fee, with links to the relevant guidance, can be found on the Gov.uk website:...
APPG on Legal Aid’s Westminster Commission on the Sustainability of Legal Aid
The APPG Inquiry into Sustainability of Legal Aid is now gathering steam, with the first of 6 oral evidence sessions taking place on Thursday 29 October 2020, 10:00-12:30. This will be a live event, with expert witnesses from the world of Criminal Legal Aid giving...