Issue 4  23rd September 2017

Flexible Operating Hours Pilot Paused

HMCTS have decided to postpone the flexible operating hours pilot, which was going to assess the impact of hearing cases outside of the traditional 10am to 4:30pm court day. The changes were scheduled to start over the next six weeks in a limited number of courts, but this has been pushed back until February 2018.

Young Barristers Fees in the Magistrates’ Court

Results from a survey looking into fees in the Magistrates' Courts have been published. The Young Barristers' Committee (YBC) found that

over half (58%) of the respondents had been instructed for a hearing in the Magistrates’ Court for which they understood they would not be paid.

The YBC's report to the Bar Council states that:

the working group’s preferred solution would be to have Counsel (and other advocates) paid directly for their work in the Magistrates’ Court, similarly to how they are paid in the Crown Court.

The Right to Justice - The Bach Commission

The Bach Commission on Access to Justice has published its final report. The Commission was established in 2015 to evaluate the current provision of legal aid and to propose reform.

Security, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice - Future Partnership Paper

The Department for Exiting the European Union has published a paper discussing the options for maintaining security and justice collaboration in the future (post-Brexit) partnership between the UK and the EU.

Cyclist Sentenced Over Pedestrian Death

Charlie Alliston was cleared of manslaughter but was convicted of causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving, contrary to section 35 of the OAPA 1861. He was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders' institution.

Government Review into Cycling Safety and Offences

Transport Minister Jesse Norman has today (21 September 2017) announced an urgent review into cycle safety, following a series of high profile incidents involving cyclists. The review will look at whether a new offence equivalent to causing death by careless or dangerous driving should be introduced for cyclists, as well as wider improvements for cycling road safety issues.