Law and the Justice System

The Court of Appeal has confirmed that the new test for dishonesty that is now applied in civil cases in England and Wales applies equally in criminal cases. Whilst this was generally understood to be the case following the Supreme Court’s decision in a civil case, the decision in Barton & Booth v R1 (“Barton”) has helpfully confirmed the position in a criminal context.

Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland QC indicated today that legislation to allow trial without jury could be passed within weeks – but the changes would only be temporary.

A House of Commons scrutiny committee is to ask whether there are enough safeguards in place to prevent miscarriages of justice in private prosecutions. It will focus on cases brought by large organisations against individuals when the organisation is also the alleged victims of the offence. The inquiry is being launched today and has appealed for written evidence.

Rugby star Gareth Cooper's ex-wife has been ordered to pay back just £1 after swindling him out of £1m.

The lockdown across the globe has resulted in a number of industries having to learn quickly how to do business virtually rather than in person. For the legal profession, this was challenging as lawyers are notoriously technophobic.

The new video platform enabling more remote cases to be heard in the criminal courts will rolled out to the civil courts over the coming months, the Ministry of Justice confirmed yesterday.

National Crime Agency officers working as part of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force executed a search of a residential property in the West Belfast area earlier today (30 June) as part of an operation targeting the proceeds of crime.

The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act has received Royal Assent and came into force on 26 June 2020.

The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act has received Royal Assent and came into force on 26 June 2020.

Parties should assume hearings will be held remotely at the moment and explain why it would not be just to do so if they want one in person, a High Court judge has ruled.

 https://www.litigationfutures.com/news/assume-hearings-are-going-to-be-remote-says-judge