Blog
Kingsley Napley’s Medical Negligence Team ‘walks together’ with the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity
Sharon Burkill
30 August 2018
The criminal offence of controlling and coercive behaviour: avoiding the potential pitfalls in family proceedings
The criminal offence of Controlling and Coercive behaviour in an intimate and family relationship should be of key significance to family lawyers. Family lawyers know all too well that allegations of harassment and domestic abuse are regularly raised in the context of a relationship breakdown - and instances of Controlling and Coercive behaviour from one partner or spouse towards the other may, once raised, play a significant role in both the divorce and any children proceedings. An allegation of Controlling and Coercive behaviour may give rise to a criminal complaint and an intrusive police investigation. Whether your client has accused their partner of Controlling and Coercive behaviour or is the subject to a police investigation following such an allegation, it is critical to synchronise the criminal and family law advice. This article provides guidance through the tricky and unpredictable process.
23 August 2018
PACE under review: no excuse for failing to maintain the dignity of those held in custody
On 21 August 2018, the Home Office launched a consultation in respect of further revisions to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) Codes of Practice. While the consultation period is no surprise (it is a statutory requirement), it is breath-taking that such basic standards of decency need to be introduced to the minimum standards of treatment for detained individuals.
24 July 2018
New police training indicates authorities believe cryptocurrency is here to stay
Earlier this month, the Lord Chancellor David Gauke confirmed that a new 18 courtroom legal centre is to be built on the site of Fleetbank House in London which will focus on issues such as economic crime (including fraud) and cyber crime. Due to be established in 2025, this “state-of-the-art court” is to give the message to the world that Britain “stands ready to deal with the changing nature of 21st century crime”.
17 July 2018
Search Warrants: the case for reform – costs
The Law Commission recently announced a consultation into the law and practice governing search warrants with a deadline for responses of 5 September 2018. This is second in a series of blogs which explore the current system and the proposals for reform. Where this blog considers the issue of costs, the introductory blog considers the key problems with the current law as identified by the Commission and sets out our thoughts and experience in respect of these: complexity, inconsistency and its outdated nature.
17 July 2018
Search Warrants: the case for reform – an introduction
The Law Commission recently announced a consultation into the law and practice governing search warrants with a deadline for responses of 5 September 2018. This is the first in a series of blogs which explore the current system and the proposals for reform. In this series, we consider the key problems with the current law as identified by the Commission and share our thoughts and experience in respect of these: complexity, inconsistency, its outdated nature and the costs incurred. We review the issue of costs in part two.