@criminal defence

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Seizure and Retention of Property in Criminal Investigations and Proceedings.

Posted: 14 March

Police powers in relation to seizure and retention of property concerning a police investigation is covered under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984, section 19. However, all police officers adhere to the regulations outlined in this legislation...

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Balancing Scales: Weighing up the legal issues of Fitness to Plead challenges.

Posted: 29 January

What is fitness to plead? The concept of fitness to plead refers to the ability of a defendant to understand and participate fully in the legal proceedings against them. This can be applicable to those with a mental disorder,...

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Indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.

Posted: 17 January

Overview A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) is an Order which can be imposed by the Court following conviction for a Sexual Offence as listed in either Schedule 3 or 5 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The purpose...

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Overcrowding in Prisons across England and Wales

Posted: 16 November

In October 2023, the Justice secretary announced a greater population within the prison system across England and Wales. This has led to overcrowding and a current record of approximately 88,225 people who are remanded or serving their custodial sentences....

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Modern day slavery and the National Referral Mechanism Process

Posted: 01 November

Modern day slavery is currently defined by the UK Government as the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of children, women or men through the use of force, coercion, abuse of vulnerability, deception or other means for the purpose of...

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How to apply to vary or remove restraining order made in the Magistrates Court

Posted: 10 July

To vary or remove a restraining order made in the Magistrates’ Court you must be a prosecutor, defendant, or any other person in the order. In addition, you must fill out an application and must have a persuasive case...

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Serious Violence Reduction Orders (Pilot Scheme 2023)

Posted: 25 May

April 2023 was the start of the Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVRO) pilot program. This included four forces: Thames Valley, West Midlands, Merseyside and Sussex. This program will trial the new stop and search powers to target those who...

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Overview of the Appeal process

Posted: 07 March

Appeal against a conviction in the Magistrates’ Court: If someone has a Trial or/and Sentence in the Magistrates’ court and they disagree with the verdict, an appeal can be made against the decision of the Magistrates’. How to make...

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Expert legal advice with extra care

Why should I use a Lifetime Lawyer? Our solicitor Carly Dartnell is a proud...

- 26 July 2024

To Search or Not to Search

Police Powers and Your Rights. It is no secret that police officers have extensive...

- 26 July 2024

Nobody asks to live with dementia

Taylor Haldane Barlex LLP’s partnership with Alzheimer’s Society Dementia is the UK’s leading cause...

- 18 July 2024