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Criminal Law Blog

2 April 2020

COVID-19 - Criminal justice at the coalface

In the past two-weeks, the criminal courts have adapted beyond all recognition in an attempt to continue the administration of justice. The widespread adoption of remote working has significantly reduced the number of in person hearings and has allowed urgent and necessary work to continue. In contrast, work in the police station remains chaotic and unsafe.  

Matthew Hardcastle

1 April 2020

COVID-19 - The legal basis for quarantine

On 5 March 2020 the death was announced of the first person in the United Kingdom to succumb to coronavirus. Just over four weeks later, the latest figures show that 1,789 people have died of coronavirus in UK hospitals. We face a national emergency therefore, and the government is now seeking to delay the inevitable spread of the infection. Key to delivering that delay is the so-called lock-down that was announced by the Prime Minister on 23 March, the government having decided that its policy of attempting to persuade people to avoid unnecessary behaviours or situations in which the virus could spread was no longer sufficient.

Alun Milford

30 March 2020

COVID-19 and the FCA - Scams, short selling and more

The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a significant impact on all aspects of the financial services industry, including on firms, customers, regulators, capital markets and their participants. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to engage closely with the sector as it seeks to respond effectively to the current crisis. This has included releasing a number of statements relating to various matters including scams, short selling, operational and financial resilience, and financial reporting.

27 March 2020

Policing Domestic Abuse in the age of Austerity and “Lockdown”

Sadly, the uncertain period of "lockdown" is likely to place a considerable strain on many relationships. The inability of family members to leave the house, the fear of unemployment and consequent financial pressures which arise from “lockdown”, have the potential to cause difficult times for many relationships. Prior to the Covid-19 epidemic, the police and the CPS pursued a proactive approach towards domestic abuse, which often resulted in the partner who was the recipient of the complaint being arrested and/or prosecuted.  

26 March 2020

COVID-19 - The legal basis for lockdown

Last week saw the first steps towards a national lockdown when on the night of Friday 20 March the Prime Minister “told” certain businesses to close. What powers does the government have to do this? The answer is to be found here in the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, which contains broad but not unlimited powers to make regulations to protect health.

Alun Milford

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