Law and the Justice System

CPS West Midlands Magistrates’ Court unit successfully prosecuted 78 COVID-19-related cases over the past three months including incidents of emergency workers and key workers being assaulted, threatened, coughed at and spat on by people claiming to have COVID-19.

https://www.cps.gov.uk/west-midlands/news/west-midlands-successful-covid-19-prosecutions-march-may-2020

Remote hearings have been a successful emergency measure but should not be taken as establishing a settled mode of operation for the family courts after Covid-19, a leading judge has warned.

https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/covid-19-remote-hearings-must-not-become-settled-norm

The UK government has published its Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill, aimed at helping companies maximise their chances of survival, protecting jobs and supporting the UK's economic recovery.

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/analysis/corporate-governance-insolvency-bill

Following the judgment of the English High Court in Serious Fraud Office v Barclays Plc & Another1, prosecutors are aware that they now face a more onerous task when trying to establish corporate criminal liability. However, a recent clarification of the law on dishonesty may lead to prosecutors bringing more prosecutions against individuals for complex frauds.

https://info.dechert.com/10/14110/may-2020/clarification-of-test-for-dishonesty-in-english-criminal-law--impact-on-complex-fraud-cases(1).asp

A CPS case about a dishonest care home owner who defrauded wealthy residents of more than £4m has clarified the definition of dishonesty in criminal law.

The Lord Chief Justice (LCJ) has said there will be “no going back” to pre-pandemic days for the courts in their use of technology.

The impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic left no part of the UK untouched. The criminal justice system was no exception.

https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/criminal-law-blog/criminal-courts-coping-with-covid-19

Video hearings in certain criminal cases are more likely to lead to defendants receiving a prison sentence, a major study has found.

A CPS case about a dishonest care home owner who defrauded wealthy residents of more than £4m has clarified the definition of dishonesty in criminal law.

Legal experts have told Parliament’s Human Rights Committee that legislation is desirable to ensure public trust in the data security of the Covid-19 coronavirus contact-tracing app

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252482591/NHSX-contact-tracing-app-needs-legislative-oversight