Wednesday, 10 November 2021 12:26
NOT GUILTY FOLLOWING PROSECUTION FAILURES
Sam Barker, instructed by Wessex Solicitors, represented a Defendant accused of luring a man with whom he had a business disagreement to an address before violently detaining and torturing him at Portsmouth Crown Court. The allegation arose from an incident in June 2017, but the case had problems from the outset, leading to an ‘inexplicable’ delay in charging for over 2 years. The case hinged on evidence obtained from mobile telephone downloads from the three Defendants, after the Complainant refused to provide his own telephone. Wessex Solicitors had actively sought to engage with the Prosecution over disclosure, and repeatedly set out…
Monday, 20 September 2021 14:50
Prisons in crisis
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is being overhauled in anticipation of a “bow wave” of more than 20,000 extra jailed criminals who will push the prison population to a post-war high of nearly 100,000 by 2026.
Monday, 30 August 2021 10:04
Emergency advice needed? - call us.
Happy Monday! Whilst our office may be closed today we are still here for you.
Wednesday, 21 July 2021 12:39
100,000 extra court days....
The Crown court service intends to achieve at least 105,000 sitting days in 2021-22 and hopes to introduce extended operating hours as the criminal case backlog nears 60,000 cases.
Thursday, 15 July 2021 14:49
Masks in court
The Gazzette reports plastic screens and face masks will remain in place in courts after the bulk of restrictions are lifted next week, the Gazette understands.
Friday, 02 July 2021 10:16
Childrens prison criticised
A children’s prison has been criticised by inspectors after they found that new arrivals as young as 15 were being locked in solitary confinement in their rooms for a fortnight and allowed out for just 30 minutes a day because of concerns about coronavirus
Thursday, 01 July 2021 10:13
Positive outcomes
X' s dad has just phoned the office asking me to pass on a massive thanks to Lian for the way she spoke for X in Court and to the rest of the team at Wessex for the way they have dealt with the family at a very stressful time.
Monday, 21 June 2021 14:51
Remote juries
Remote juries could jeopardise the security of court proceedings, alienate participants, and prove more expensive than in-person hearings, the Law Society has warned.
Monday, 21 June 2021 14:33
Acquittal secured
Natalie Dennington secures not guilty verdicts after a three day trial.
Thursday, 17 June 2021 12:28
The right to die
In a posthumous message published today, assisted dying campaigner Noel Conway has declared that it is ‘only a question of time’ before the law changes to allow terminally ill people to end their lives
Thursday, 17 June 2021 12:09
Police corruption
An 8 year enquiry into the mishandling of a murder investigation has found that met to be "institutionally corrupt" reports the Mail.
Tuesday, 25 May 2021 11:09
Pre sentence reports before plea
Pre-sentence reports are being piloted at 15 magistrates’ courts as part of the government's pledge to adopt a 'smarter approach' to sentencing
Monday, 24 May 2021 12:05
Nightingale court closure
Three Nightingale courts hosting criminal cases will shut by the end of June, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed, despite calls for more court capacity.
Tuesday, 18 May 2021 11:03
CPS errors
The Crown Prosecution Service has revealed that three in 10 cases were incorrectly charged under coronavirus legislation, blaming errors on frequent changes to rules covering activities such as social gatherings and travel.