News
Criminal Bar Accepts AGFS Proposal
The Criminal Bar has very narrowly voted to accept the AGFS proposal made by the government. 3038 barristers voted, a massive turn out. 1566 (51.55%) voted to accept and 1472 (48.45%) voted to reject. Whilst the majority wishes to accept the proposal it cannot be said that the anger and disillusionment has gone away. Indeed, it is exceptionally strong. The Criminal Bar is not going to be quiet.
This outcome is neither a defeat nor a victory. The Criminal Bar has faced degradation and despair and it still does. This is a step forward. We must all ensure we do not take any more steps back.
Upskirting Law Delayed
Theresa May says she wants to see a bill that will make upskirting a criminal offence pass through Parliament "soon" - after one of her own MPs blocked it.
Sir Christopher Chope has faced criticism from his own party for objecting to the private member's bill. The bill was expected to sail through the Commons on Friday, but parliamentary rules mean it only required one MP to shout "object" to block its progress.
A summary of the rejected Bill can be found here.
New Roadside Breathalysers
Drink drivers are to face swifter justice thanks to new roadside breathalyser technology that will allow police to gather on-the-spot proof.
Mobile evidential breath tests will allow police to gather early evidence of drink driving, by taking a breath sample from suspect drivers at the roadside. The instant test means they will not need to be taken back to a police station to obtain evidence as is currently the case.
1,000 New 12-Week Detectives
Police will be able to boost the number of detectives by up to 1,000 in the next 5 years following new government funding to develop a national training programme.
The Home Office will work with Police Now, an award-winning police graduate recruitment programme, to develop the scheme. The Police Now training programme will deliver accelerated training in 12 weeks.
Cases
R v Sarker [2018] EWCA Crim 1341
This is an application by the British Broadcasting Corporation ("BBC") (supported by Associated Newspapers, Guardian News and Media, Mirror Group Newspapers, News Group Newspapers, the Press Association and Times Newspapers) for permission to appeal a reporting restriction order imposed by His Honour Judge Juckes QC at Worcester Crown Court on 22 January 2018, the first day of the defendant's trial ("the Order"). The Order was made under section 4(2) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 ("the 1981 Act"). It prohibited publication of any report of the trial until after the jury returned its verdict. The BBC's application is made under section 159 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
Applying the principles as we have identified them, it becomes clear that the Order should not have been made. The BBC's submissions before the Judge (see paragraph 14 above) correctly identified the issues and their bearing on the legal principles underpinning the section 4(2) regime. Fair and accurate contemporaneous reporting of the trial would not have given rise to any risk of prejudice.