CLSA ANNUAL CONFERENCE & AGM – FRIDAY 4th OCTOBER 2024 As we head in the week of our conference we wanted to set out some final details. Registration starts at 9:30 on Friday 4th October, and we aim to finish out packed programme by 4:30pm We are now SOLD OUT which is...
News
Campaigning for fairness in criminal lawNew Crime Contract has now opened
As many of you will have seen the tender process for new Crime Contract has now opened. This new contract is loosely based on the 2017 contract but there are significant differences, not least of which is the fact the contract is a much longer 10 year commitment...
Sentencing Council consults on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines
The Sentencing Council’s fourth annual consultation on miscellaneous amendments to guidelines opens today. The Council is proposing a series of changes designed to bring greater clarity and consistency to guidelines and reflect developments in legislation. The...
Early Dawn
When Operation Early Dawn was instigated at short notice many Criminal Defence Solicitors were concerned that if a client, charged at the police station and refused bail, could not be brought before the next sitting of the Magistrates Court then continued detention...
MoJ implements Operation Early Dawn – Mags Court impacted from tomorrow
URGENT CLSA RELEASE -14/05/2024 We have been informed this evening that the Lord Chancellor is triggering an emergency measure, Operation Early Dawn, to deal with the worsening problem of the prison population. Details are somewhat lacking but it appears to be an...
Miscellaneous amendments sentencing guidelines come into effect on 1 April 2024
Miscellaneous amendments coming into effect On 1 April 2024, changes made to a number of sentencing guidelines in response to the Council’s 2023 Miscellaneous amendments consultation will come into effect. The amendments, which apply to both magistrates’ court and...
Improvements to the PET and BCM forms in Common Platform
Following feedback from defence practitioners, HMCTS has improved the digitised Preparation for Effective Trial (PET) and Better Case Management (BCM) forms on Common Platform. They’re making changes in 2 releases. The first set of improvements went live Monday 18...
Miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines – response to consultation
The Sentencing Council has published details of amendments it will be making to a number of sentencing guidelines following consultation. The changes apply to guidelines in both magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court and will come into force on 1 April 2024. The...
Consultation on proposed guidelines for aggravated vehicle taking and other motoring offences
The Sentencing Council is consulting on six new and revised sentencing guidelines for motoring offences in England and Wales. The draft guidelines cover offences committed by people driving vehicles without the owner’s consent, vehicle registration fraud and driver...