Crimeline aptly described this appeal as ‘odd’. A suspended two-year prison sentence was imposed on A on conviction of a count of robbery following a car theft. He appealed the conviction, criticising the judge’s questions put to the jury. A’s counsel argued that ‘the Crown had always put their case on the basis that the …
Continue reading “Judge’s directions – threats of violence”
New mandatory and discretionary disregards to financial eligibility tests for civil legal aid have been introduced under the Civil and Criminal Legal Aid (Financial Resources and Contribution Orders) (Amendment) Regulations 2024. From 20 November 2024, applications for legal aid made from that date are affected and some people already receiving legal aid (and paying legal …
Continue reading “Legal aid – means testing”
In what circumstances, if at all, has an offender taken a weapon to the scene of an offence, where the weapon is a vehicle driven to the scene? The outcome was directly relevant to sentencing. The CA was hearing two cases together – appeals in relation to sentencing for murder and for attempted murder. Davis …
Continue reading “Sentencing – vehicle as a weapon”
Property lawyers will be interested to note the statement made by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning on 21 November 2024. We do not usually comment on matters that are not yet in force, but it seems that the government is intent on pushing on with an agenda of leasehold reform, so property …
Continue reading “Leasehold – proposed changes”