3 April 2020
COVID-19: Distinguishing crime
The National Police Chief Council (NPCC) has published guidance in conjunction with the CPS titled “Interim CPS Charging Protocol – Covid-19 Crisis Response". The document provides guidance on how cases will be investigated and prosecuted by the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
3 April 2020
Resolving family disputes through mediation, arbitration and private FDRs during the coronavirus crisis
The coronavirus crisis has brought about some of the biggest challenges to our lives, health and freedoms that many of us will ever experience. The pressures we face are significant while we also do our best to manage the impact on our relationships, mental health and financial circumstances. It is important that we all try to communicate and do what we can to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and happy while acknowledging that the ways in which we can do this are very different to what we are used to. In this blog, we consider alternate dispute resolution methods (including online) that are available to help couples navigate a separation either with the support of a solicitor or on their own during this time.
3 April 2020
Fraud in the time of COVID-19
The last few weeks have seen a sharp rise in the number of reported cases of coronavirus related fraud. As of 20 March the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, Action Fraud, had recorded at least 105 reports with total losses reaching almost £970,000. These figures will undoubtedly continue to grow given the likely timescale of the pandemic and the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.
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.
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.
