Blog
Rayner my parade! The importance of specialist advice.
Jemma Brimblecombe
7 August 2018
Canada relaxes cannabis laws: what this might mean for the UK investor
The legalisation of Cannabis in Canada poses some interesting questions for would be investors. Nicola Finnerty and Sam Smart consider the legal implications for UK individuals and companies looking to invest.
31 July 2018
ICC Crime of Aggression comes into force
This month marked 20 years since the Rome Statue created the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) – the Court responsible for prosecuting international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. This milestone anniversary was celebrated by extending, with effect from 17 July 2018, the ICC’s prosecutorial remit to include the crime of ‘aggression’.
26 July 2018
The death penalty: do we, or do we not, oppose it?
“I put it to Ministers that they cannot be a little bit in favour of the death penalty”. So said Diane Abbott in the Commons on Tuesday. This was during an aggressive Q&A session which followed her urgent question to the Home Secretary asking for a statement clarifying the UK’s stance on the death penalty. The question was asked following the already infamous leaked letter written by the UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid to the US Attorney General Jeff Sessions in relation to the request from the US for evidence to assist with proceedings against Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh, the remaining members of the Isis cell known as ‘The Beatles’.
19 July 2018
Why the International Criminal Court should be supported
This week marked 20 years since the signing of the Rome Statute, the international treaty that brought into existence the International Criminal Court (ICC), a court created to prosecute war crimes committed throughout the world. In the UK the anniversary went largely unnoticed; yet it deserves a nod of recognition by those who believe in justice and the fight against impunity. Moreover, it serves as a reminder that the UK can and should play its part by using its own universal jurisdiction (the ability to prosecute international crimes that have no connection to the UK) to investigate and prosecute those suspected of such crimes who are found in the UK.
16 July 2018
Long arm of the law: new powers to gather electronic evidence overseas
The Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill puts forward a new proposal to speed up the process of securing access to electronic evidence held outside the UK. The legislation is rapidly making its way through parliament, and has received little attention thus far. The Overseas Production Order (OPO) would, no doubt, enable information to be shared across borders much more quickly. Nevertheless, the proposals as set out should be assessed with a critical eye: the safeguards for the data subject are limited, with few checks and balances protecting the rights of the individual.
