Mandy PetersSolicitors

14/12/2020

06/04/2020

Delays to court cases could result in criminals going free
Concerns have been raised that criminals could go free if victims drop out of prosecutions because of delays to court hearings caused by coronavirus. Prosecutions have already hit a record low in England and Wales, with a pre-existing backlog of more than 37,400 crown court cases, and lawyers fear the current crisis will send the criminal justice system into "meltdown". With more than half of courts closed, those that remain open are dealing only with cases deemed urgent and officials have not yet decided how to prioritise trials after the lockdown is lifted. Claire Waxman, the victims' commissioner for London, called the situation a "perfect storm", while Dame Vera Baird, the victims' commissioner for England and Wales, called for victims' services to be given a say in how cases are prioritised in future.
The Independent, Page: 15

30/08/2019

Remainers and Brexiteers fight for route to victory
The Labour leader has said he will move on Tuesday next week to stop a no-deal Brexit and prevent Boris Johnson from shutting down parliament “at this utterly crucial moment”. Remainers and Brexiteers now face a standoff with each side seeking any means to frustrate the other. Should legislation pass through the Commons next week forcing the Prime Minister to extend Article 50, observers understand that Eurosceptic Tory peers will attempt to filibuster the bill in the Lords. However, this could be stymied by Remainer peers passing a business motion to set specific time limits for each stage of the bill, a tactic never before used in the Lords. Another option for Boris Johnson to thwart efforts to prevent Britain leaving the EU on October 31st would be to refuse to seek the Article 50 extension, forcing his opponents to mount a legal challenge in the days running up to October 31st. Alternatively, Mr Johnson could tell the EU that! Britain will adopt an aggressive policy of non-co-operation in the longer period of EU membership, encouraging the EU27 to refuse an Article 50 extension at a summit on October 17th. Nuclear options include filling the Lords with Tories to vote with the Government or asking the Queen not to assent to legislation not originating from Her Government.
Financial Times