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Court reform – how fit for the future?
Normal government convention seems to have gone out of the window. In the old days… Read more
Court reform – how fit for the future?
Normal government convention seems to have gone out of the window. In the old days… Read more
May 8, 2019The nightmare of anti-social behaviour – is the community trigger the answer?
Anti-social behaviour never seems to hit the headlines any more. Even the recent news that… Read more
April 28, 2019The tide is turning – at last there’s progress on criminal justice in the USA
In the UK our prison population doubled in twenty years and became the highest in… Read more
April 14, 2019The secret room – who is listening to what in digital courts?
When lawyers have previously expressed their concerns about the confidentiality of video links, I’ve not… Read more
April 11, 2019The secret room – who is listening to what in digital courts?
When lawyers have previously expressed their concerns about the confidentiality of video links, I’ve not… Read more
April 6, 2019Jail or bail? We can learn from the USA
People who follow this blog know that I am slightly obsessed by the difference between… Read more
March 29, 2019Playing with fire – the risks of evidence free probation practice
The Chief Inspector of Probation this week expressed clearly what everyone involved thinks – that… Read more
March 24, 2019Do people prefer doing justice online?
Do people want to do justice online? The government says they do and, in some… Read more
March 12, 2019Black lives matter
Say the words multi-agency, holistic and early intervention and most people’s eyes glaze over. Unfortunately… Read more
March 2, 2019I believe in evidence
“Don’t you believe in anything?” “Yes”, Isaac Asimov said. “I believe in evidence. I believe… Read more
February 23, 2019What should magistrates be allowed to say?
Magistrates can be difficult to control. They are volunteers in the justice system, who have… Read more
February 22, 2019What should magistrates be allowed to say?
Magistrates can be difficult to control. They are volunteers in the justice system, who have… Read more
February 17, 2019The future of the magistracy – who should take control?
This week three senior salaried judges and the Minister Lucy Fraser were quizzed by the… Read more
February 12, 2019Would you like pro-bono help with your communications?
Reframing consultancy support Transform Justice is offering pro bono communications coaching and support to… Read more
February 10, 2019Court hearings on demand – a triumph for openness or an invasion of privacy?
The other day the senior judiciary published the actions they’d agreed as a result of their… Read more
February 10, 2019Court hearings on demand – a triumph for openness or an invasion of privacy?
The other day the senior judiciary published the actions they’d agreed as a result of… Read more
February 3, 2019Knife crime prevention orders – will they deliver?
“We know that police enforcement alone is not the long-term solution to knife crime. Stop… Read more
January 28, 2019Seeking a communications expert for freelance contract
Transform Justice is advertising a freelance contract for someone to help criminal justice charities communicate… Read more
January 26, 2019Prosecuting parents for truancy – who pays the price?
Why punish parents whose children don’t go to school? A new report by Rona Epstein,… Read more
January 18, 2019Bedtime reading list on digital court reform and court closures
Many of you are preparing to respond to the Justice Committee’s inquiry on courts… Read more
January 11, 2019Opening Pandora’s Box? Consulting judges on court reform
The public are used to consultations which seem to be tick box exercises. Every consultation… Read more
January 3, 2019Should we rely on the criminal justice system to reduce domestic abuse?
Everyone involved in domestic abuse wants to stop it. But there is huge disagreement about… Read more
December 23, 2018Unnecessary short sharp shock or genuine last resort? The overuse of remand for children
Is the short, sharp shock of child remand really necessary? A new report from Transform… Read more
December 20, 2018£35 million plus on digital court reform consultants in eight months
“It really is not reasonable to expect court staff, judges or court users to attend… Read more
December 16, 2018How new technology can both consume and save time: lessons for digital court reform?
“A shambolic day for youth justice at Bromley YC. Still sitting, still waiting for 3… Read more
December 8, 2018David and Goliath or cat and mouse? Getting information on digital court reform out of the Ministry of Justice
I must be the bane of the Ministry of Justice with my endless FOIs (freedom… Read more
December 4, 2018David and Goliath or cat and mouse? Prising information on digital court reform out of the Ministry of Justice
I must be the bane of the Ministry of Justice with my endless FOIs (freedom… Read more
December 2, 2018“Like being in a dog pound” – the reality of police custody
I thought I’d lost the capacity to be shocked by the current criminal justice system… Read more
November 23, 2018Mice, broken lifts and buckets – the state of courts in England and Wales
Once upon a time there were lots of courts up and down the country and… Read more
November 17, 2018Shot aged 14 in a London street – was Chris’s death an accident?
Every child death is a tragedy, but a fourteen year old boy shot while standing… Read more
November 10, 2018How many children who commit crimes are groomed?
“Oliver wondered what picking the old gentleman’s pocket in play, had to do with his… Read more
November 1, 2018Why is the justice system so starved of resources?
The timing of Justice Week was unfortunate given it started with the Chancellor announcing a… Read more
October 27, 2018“I could see they believed me” – the importance of feeling listened to in court
I feel overwhelmed with a cornucopia of information. I regularly submit FOIs to the courts… Read more
October 17, 2018Bad apples or sign of systemic problems? The rudeness of judges
When I read the case of Myers (brought to my attention by the anonymous barrister… Read more
October 12, 2018I fear there is no magic money tree for justice, so the only solution is to shrink the system
“Mags Ct today in chaos. 2 duty solicitors unable to cope because almost none… Read more
October 6, 2018Computer says no bail – does AI reduce or increase human bias?
Does artificial intelligence (AI) – the ability of a machine or a computer program to… Read more
September 29, 2018How much worse can it get? CRCs and domestic abuse
I hope the picture painted by inspectors this week of how probation deals with domestic abuse is… Read more
September 28, 2018How much worse can it get? CRCs and domestic abuse
I hope the picture painted by inspectors this week of how probation deals with domestic… Read more
September 21, 2018The police and domestic abuse – damned if they do, damned if they don’t
“There are a lot of people who get very nervous around domestics because historically it’s… Read more
September 11, 2018Court is a delicate ecosystem in which human contact is essential
It is research, but not as we know it. After months of bugging HMCTS to… Read more
September 8, 2018Digital court reform – dissent in the ranks?
Up until recently, judges’ views of the digital court reform programme have been little known… Read more
August 30, 2018Domestic abuse programmes – where is the evidence they work?
Why is the government continuing to spend thousands of pounds on programmes aimed at reducing… Read more
August 17, 2018Healing or opening emotional wounds -should restorative justice be used for domestic abuse?
There are many strongly held views about what should and shouldn’t be done in cases… Read more
August 4, 2018The judgment of Solomon – should judges be all-knowing?
My daughter has started training to be a social worker and her first essay was… Read more
July 29, 2018The imprisonment of mothers harms the interests of their children
Today’s is a guest blog from Rona Epstein, research fellow at Coventry Law School. For… Read more
July 17, 2018The death of local justice? How court closures marginalise rural communities
“I have had clients who have told me that they cannot afford to travel from… Read more
July 13, 2018Crisis what crisis? Magistrate numbers cut by half
This week I met someone in their 30s who had applied to become a magistrate…. Read more
July 6, 2018“The battle is won and lost before the court doors are unlocked”
I start this blog with some trepidation since the subject – a new report on… Read more
July 1, 2018Justice or crime control – what should the criminal process deliver?
This guest blog is from Professor Mike Hough, one of our greatest criminologists, who has… Read more
June 23, 2018#thelawisnotbroken – court users seem happy enough with today’s courts
A rather confounding survey was published by the Courts Service (HMCTS) this week. It said… Read more
June 17, 2018Justice must not just be done, but be seen to be done
Pamela Attfield was interested in putting in a small claim and so wanted to observe… Read more
June 13, 2018Justice must not just be done, but be seen to be done
Pamela Attfield was interested in putting in a small claim and so wanted to observe… Read more
June 9, 2018If we want to reduce domestic abuse, should we be using the criminal justice system?
Everyone involved in domestic abuse wants to stop it. But there is huge disagreement about… Read more
June 2, 2018The domestic violence protection order – evidence based policy or policy based evidence?
I am beginning to wonder why the government does any research on justice issues. They… Read more
May 31, 2018The domestic violence protection order – evidence based policy or policy based evidence?
I am beginning to wonder why the government does any research on justice issues. They… Read more
May 20, 2018The illusion of open justice
The judiciary seem exercised by the future of open justice. They are consulting judges and… Read more
May 8, 2018More in hope than expectation? The government’s digital court reform programme
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the courts need to become more efficient. Saving… Read more
April 30, 2018Not the “awkward squad”: unrepresented defendants in the Crown Court
In 2015 when I was trying (with difficulty) to do research on unrepresented defendants in… Read more
April 29, 2018Everyone admits short prison sentences are ineffective, so why do the courts still use them?
Hallelujah! A government minister is openly saying that short prison sentences are a waste of… Read more
April 20, 2018“Children don’t appreciate they are in court, not on a computer game”
How can it be that vulnerable child defendants have ended up participating in important court… Read more
April 15, 2018Knife crime: can we save the lost boys?
My children are inner-city twenty-somethings. Two of the most recent London stabbings happened within half… Read more
April 5, 2018We need to talk about Keres & Co
“Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken” is a great book. It sets out… Read more
March 30, 2018Police and court bail policy is a mess
On the face of it, the story broken by the BBC today is alarming –… Read more
March 19, 2018Remand by skype – the dystopian future for an already broken system
Imagine being imprisoned on remand in relation to a crime you did not commit on the basis… Read more
March 16, 2018Guilty until proved innocent – the assumption behind the latest government consultation
One of the reasons for the disclosure problems that have recently come to light is… Read more
March 10, 2018Court closures – are they selling the family silver?
If making a tidy sum from the sale of every court were the aim of… Read more
March 2, 2018Do charities believe in the principle of rehabilitation?
The reputation of aid charities has had a terrible battering recently. They are wounded and… Read more
March 2, 2018Do charities believe in the principle of rehabilitation?
The reputation of aid charities has had a terrible battering recently. They are wounded and… Read more
February 23, 2018And get me to the court, get me to the court, for Gawd’s sake, get me to the court on time
FTA is the bane of a police officer’s life. If a defendant doesn’t turn up… Read more
February 17, 2018Court closures – trying to get a quart into a pint pot?
How many courts do you need to close before the system grinds to a halt? … Read more
February 15, 2018Court closures – trying to get a quart into a pint pot?
How many courts do you need to close before the system grinds to a halt? … Read more
February 9, 2018Does the digital court reform programme risk more “enemies of the people” accusations?
This week some twitter wags pointed out that in having huge technical problems with video… Read more
February 3, 2018The potential harm of video court hearings – its not just about crime
“The absence of the applicant in the court automatically depersonalises him/her. His/her feelings and emotions… Read more
January 25, 2018The children of mothers in prison – how can we avoid the collateral damage?
“Emotionally, it’s terrible. It’s like they’ve changed so much, they’ve got behavioural problems. They… Read more
January 19, 2018When is a consultation not a consultation? More on digital court reform
I have badgered the Ministry of Justice to do a proper public consultation on their… Read more
January 13, 2018Why is Scotland raising its age of criminal responsibility, but not England and Wales?
Some independent reviews make a huge difference. In 1964 the “Kilbrandon” report was published. Lord… Read more
January 2, 2018Why is the courts service spending at least £30 million on management consultants?
I had heard through the grapevine that the courts service in England and Wales (HMCTS)… Read more
January 1, 2018Why is the courts service spending at least £30 million on management consultants?
I had heard through the grapevine that the courts service in England and Wales (HMCTS)… Read more
December 23, 2017Kicked into the long grass – how independent reviews on justice get sidelined
This is the second Christmas where the Ministry of Justice has slipped out their response… Read more
December 16, 2017The question is not why the Scottish prison population has fallen, but why it hasn’t fallen further
If crime falls significantly you’d expect the prison population to fall too. That has happened in… Read more
December 16, 2017The question isn’t why has the Scottish prison population fallen, but why it hasn’t fallen further
If crime falls significantly you’d expect the prison population to fall too. That has happened… Read more
December 7, 2017The mysterious decline of the out of court disposal
In the old days people would talk of the neighbourhood bobby giving a teenager a… Read more
December 1, 2017Scotland – where criminal justice is part of social justice
If my family ties were not down south, I would be tempted to up sticks… Read more
November 24, 2017Scotland – a far off land of which we know too little?
You would never know from what you read in London based newspapers that Scotland had… Read more
November 17, 2017Video links make court into “another virtual experience” – a prisoner speaks
This week is a guest “blog” from a serving prisoner who wrote to me about… Read more
November 11, 2017Click here to plead guilty – the latest on online courts
It has gone a bit quiet on the online criminal court front. The Queens’ Speech… Read more
November 3, 2017Nobody’s problem – our crazy criminal records system
I often reflect on how and why change happens. Mostly luck is involved and/or influential… Read more
November 3, 2017Nobody’s problem – our crazy criminal records system
I often reflect on how and why change happens. Mostly luck is involved and/or influential… Read more
October 22, 2017Defendants on video – conveyor belt justice or a revolution in access?
New report on virtual justice (video courts) published today
October 22, 2017Convenience is the lowest common denominator of access to justice
Convenience is great when all others things are equal. Making services easy to access is… Read more
October 19, 2017Rude judges may have no idea of the harm they cause
The recent twitter discussion of rude judges was disturbing and surprising. Lawyers (particularly on twitter)… Read more
October 13, 2017Crime reduction: are we barking up the wrong tree?
What has Richard Thaler’s Nobel prize got to do with the new Sentencing Council draft… Read more
October 6, 2017The blame game: who bears responsibility for the rise in the prison population?
I tread incredibly warily in this space. Greater minds than mine turned on Andrew Adonis… Read more
September 29, 2017“Lost in translation”? Fighting for your liberty on video
“I’ve only had one good experience with video link, and I’ve had lots of experience,… Read more
September 22, 2017No other Western adversarial system denies defendants legal representation
Our criminal justice system is fiercesomely complicated – so complex that the Law Commission has… Read more
September 15, 2017The only way to reduce the prison population is to recognise that prison is a dead end
The clarion call to reduce the numbers in prison is being heard. Yesterday the Centre… Read more
September 8, 2017Is justice seen to be done in the eyes of BAME communities?
The Lammy review is both depressing and uplifting – depressing because it suggests institutional racism… Read more
August 31, 2017Should judges be accountable for criminal justice budgets?
This week the blog is an extract from Rethinking Judicial Independence, a think piece we… Read more
August 26, 2017If we don’t know why the prison population is rising, we have little hope of halting the rise
Who am I to comment on Ministry of Justice sentencing statistics? I am neither a… Read more
August 19, 2017A child’s right to a fair trial
Few dare to criticise the Court of Appeal. Lawyers (rightly) fear any criticism may be… Read more
August 11, 2017Why are do we imprison mothers for crimes like tampering with an electricity meter?
Mostly I retain faith in the humanity of all who work in the criminal justice… Read more
August 6, 2017Rethinking judicial independence – two blog posts
Today Transform Justice is sending two blog posts, one extracted from our new publication, the… Read more
August 6, 2017Are magistrates second class citizens in the judicial hierarchy?
Magistrates used to be almost self-governing. They controlled the budgets of their court, the employment… Read more
August 3, 2017Between a rock and a hard place – should judges be “out of touch”?
This is a guest blog from an experienced magistrate – Benjamyn Damazer – inspired by… Read more
July 28, 2017New report on judicial independence published
Transform Justice has today published a think-piece on judicial independence – a collection of essays… Read more
July 28, 2017Are judges gagged?
This week the Times announced that Peter Herbert QC (Recorder and Tribunal Judge) is suing the Ministry… Read more
July 22, 2017Most crime is committed by immature young men
How should we deal with young people – they are the most likely to commit… Read more
July 6, 2017When society fails to protect children, some will turn to serious crime
When a 16 year old is sexually exploited we call them a child, and their… Read more
July 2, 2017If we don’t know the impact of any programme, we shouldn’t keep on running it
Learning from failure is good, but not if it takes over twenty years to do… Read more
June 22, 2017Throwing good money after bad? Probation today
There is a broad consensus about how to support people on their release from prison…. Read more
June 16, 2017On screen but disconnected? The reality of virtual justice
I visited Chatham magistrates’ court this week. It’s opposite a busy shopping centre but I… Read more
June 9, 2017Post election, can we take a rain check on virtual justice?
The electorate has spoken and we have ended up with a minority Conservative government. The… Read more
June 3, 2017New survey on virtual courts
If you have experience of working with defendants/offenders appearing on video links or are a… Read more
June 1, 2017Appeals are the lifeblood of a functioning criminal justice system, but we may need a transfusion
No system gets everything right, however well intentioned those involved. Our system of underfunded courts… Read more
May 26, 2017Are we imprisoning too many innocent people?
There are many people in prison who insist they are innocent. I’m very concerned about… Read more
May 20, 2017Our criminal records system makes a minor crime into a life sentence
Currently anyone who was convicted of shop-lifting twice when they were 12 has to declare… Read more
May 19, 2017Our criminal records system is broken and needs radical reform
Currently anyone who was convicted of shop-lifting twice when they were 12 has to declare… Read more
May 12, 2017Ethnic minority defendants have very little faith in the criminal justice system
‘It was me against them. Coming from an Asian Muslim background, I didn’t see anyone… Read more
May 6, 2017Do suspended sentences work better than community sentences?
The suspended sentence has a bad name. It is a sword of Damocles hanging over… Read more
April 21, 2017Why the crown court is not the right place to try children
The twittersphere is alive with lawyers indignant that children accused of serious crimes are increasingly… Read more
April 13, 2017Is judicial discipline either just or effective?
The judicial discipline system is broken. Part-time judges and magistrates are publicly named and shamed,… Read more
April 6, 2017How to increase trust in the family justice system
Damned if they do, damned if they don’t. Judges (and social workers) in the family… Read more
April 4, 2017Pleading not guilty is not “gaming the system”
I increasingly experience two different criminal justice systems. One peopled by IT specialists, the police… Read more
April 2, 2017Those who plead not guilty are not “gaming the system”
I increasingly experience two different criminal justice systems. One peopled by IT specialists, the police… Read more
March 26, 2017Should the judiciary speak out more?
I don’t often agree wholeheartedly with the Lord Chancellor, but when it comes to who… Read more
March 18, 2017Do criminals deserve to be punished three times for one crime?
“An eye for an eye” is a strongly held belief – that those who cause… Read more
March 15, 2017The Prisons and Courts Bill – a Pandora’s Box? (2)
Transform Justice has published a briefing on the court reform aspects of the Prisons and Courts… Read more
March 10, 2017Online justice – a cautionary tale
If you are charged with speeding, or driving without insurance, and admit guilt, you can… Read more
March 3, 2017The crisis in judicial morale – is more money the answer?
Group think is very powerful. There is group think about why it is difficult to… Read more
February 24, 2017The new prisons and courts bill – a Pandora’s Box?
The criminal courts charge was a policy fiasco – a charge to be applied to… Read more
February 17, 2017Unintended but costly consequences
I wrote last week that the government were moving hell for leather to implement online… Read more
February 10, 2017How can justice be “seen to be done” in an online system?
The government is proceeding hell for leather with online justice both in the civil and… Read more
February 4, 2017Failing to turn up to meetings does not deserve imprisonment
Only in our mad, mad criminal justice system would you punish someone more severely for… Read more
January 27, 2017A day in the life of a South London magistrates’ court
I spend a lot of time reading accounts of court life on twitter and blogs,… Read more
January 22, 2017Is justice being sacrificed for convenience?
Andrew Langdon QC, the new Chairman of the Bar, recently said that justice has a… Read more
January 14, 2017Magistrates and district judges – two sides of the same coin?
Magistrates and district judges (DJs) occupy the same court space and do more or less… Read more
January 6, 2017Does it matter whether judges know the outcome of their decisions?
When I first found out that magistrates do not find out either that their decisions… Read more
December 30, 2016Is the magistrates’ disciplinary process fair and open?
It seems slightly odd that volunteers might face disciplinary action involving public reprimands and harsh… Read more
December 20, 2016Reform of youth justice – a lost opportunity?
Occasionally there is a golden opportunity for radical change and it is seized. Unfortunately, the… Read more
December 12, 2016What price should we pay for consistency in sentencing?
Ten years ago there was post-code sentencing for under 18 year olds convicted of serious… Read more
December 8, 2016Tacking teenage knife crime – is prison the answer?
“Once two boys tried to rob me. They were bigger than me, but when I… Read more
December 3, 2016The mystery of sentence inflation
It is clear that prisons are full to bursting, and that it would be good… Read more
November 29, 2016Should magistrates get greater sentencing powers?
I risk the wrath of magistrates up and down the land in opposing the extension… Read more
November 26, 2016Do we need tougher community sentences?
This week the Lord Chief Justice implied that too many people were imprisoned, and that… Read more
November 16, 2016Is there institutional racism in the criminal justice system?
The MacPherson report on Stephen Lawrence defined institutional racism as “the collective failure of an… Read more
November 14, 2016The modern ballad of Reading Gaol – a guest blog from Roma Hooper
“In the great prison where I was incarcerated, I was merely the figure and the… Read more
November 11, 2016No conviction is trivial – the flaw in online guilty pleas
Very few people in this country understand the implications of a criminal conviction until they… Read more
November 6, 2016Why don’t prosecutors pick up the phone to defence advocates?
“The system is overstretched and disjointed. About two-thirds of Crown Court trials are delayed or do… Read more
October 27, 2016Does the public benefit from being kept in the dark?
I am a passionate believer in free speech and open justice, but I also believe… Read more
October 19, 2016A magistracy in crisis?
The Justice Committee does not use the word crisis in its new report on the… Read more
October 14, 2016Is the magistracy still a democratic institution?
The magistracy is in theory a democratic institution: representatives of the people sit in judgement… Read more
October 8, 2016Court reform: a view from the south
This post is really a homage to “One Wheel on my Wagon” from a criminal… Read more
October 2, 2016What court process is really in the best interest of witnesses?
No-one denies that the experience of giving evidence in a criminal trial can be traumatic,… Read more
September 22, 2016Our justice system – the finest in the world?
In this best of possible worlds, everything is for the best This panglossian view of… Read more
September 11, 2016If we want teenagers to stop committing crime why do we make them live alone in bed and breakfast accommodation?
A few months ago an inspection report hit the headlines because it revealed that women… Read more
September 2, 2016Where is the line which judges should not cross?
Judge Patricia Lynch certainly crossed a line in a recent case. A defendant called her… Read more
August 30, 2016Is “fair” a dangerous word to use about women and justice?
Philip Davies MP sparked outrage a few weeks ago when his views on women’s… Read more
August 2, 2016Why facts don’t persuade (on their own)
The FrameWorks Institute has just published research, commissioned by Transform Justice (with Clinks, CJA and… Read more
July 29, 2016Why people don’t care how much the criminal justice system costs
The criminal justice system in England and Wales costs a lot – at least… Read more
July 24, 2016Are convictions in historic sex abuse cases reliable?
How can anyone judge who is telling the truth now in the case of alleged… Read more
July 16, 2016A letter to the new Lord Chancellor
Dear Liz, Welcome to your new role. You are faced with a number of… Read more
July 10, 2016Are court charges setting offenders up to fail?
The dreaded criminal courts charge has been abolished, but courts are still left with a… Read more
July 1, 2016Is the appeal system the only way judges’ mistakes can be addressed?
Ben Butler is an intriguing man. Someone with a history of violence, he was convicted… Read more
June 23, 2016Are the best magistrates voting with their feet?
“Sarah” was a magistrate for over fifteen years, and had many years left to serve. … Read more
June 17, 2016Drugs reform: an idea whose time has come?
Our prisons are awash with drugs, as the recent BBC film of Wandsworth prison revealed,… Read more
June 12, 2016Should the number of magistrates be more than halved?
Shailesh Vara, the minister for courts, told the Justice Committee last Tuesday that the Ministry… Read more
June 2, 2016Do tough sentences deter crime?
Nearly half the British population supports the death penalty and two thirds agree with the… Read more
May 26, 2016What problems can problem-solving courts solve?
The government is making plans to re-launch problem-solving courts. These are an American invention, with… Read more
May 20, 2016How do we reduce the number of women in prison?
The latest twist of the Archers story has highlighted the plight of women in the… Read more
May 14, 2016Can we curb our addiction to the short prison sentence?
Prison is a dead end, whatever length of time you are there. The courts in… Read more
May 7, 2016The mysterious decline of the community sentence
The decline of the community sentence could be seen to be a good thing. After… Read more
May 2, 2016Eternal punishment- the consequences of being caught twice for shop-lifting aged 10
“I have two convictions. Both happened 38-years ago when I was a juvenile. The first… Read more
April 23, 2016Justice Denied? Unrepresented defendants in the criminal courts
Transform Justice has published new research on the experience of unrepresented defendants in the criminal… Read more
April 23, 2016Unrepresented defendants in the courts : a travesty of justice?
Unfortunately we don’t have equality of arms when it comes to unrepresented defendants. After a… Read more
April 17, 2016Setting women prisoners up to fail?
Its great to read a positive prison inspection report, as the one for Bronzefield was… Read more
April 9, 2016Standing alone – the experience of unrepresented litigants
“Jarndyce and Jarndyce drones on. This scarecrow of a suit has, in the course of… Read more
April 1, 2016Are magistrates using prison because they don’t know enough about community alternatives?
Its reassuring in a way to see how concerned magistrates themselves are about deficiencies in… Read more
March 27, 2016Why wholescale reform of the magistracy should come before increasing their ability to use prison
It is an anomaly in the Western world to have judges with no legal training… Read more
March 20, 2016The holy grail of the digital court
Judges and HMCTS staff seem to have put their faith in digitisation to resolve most… Read more
March 12, 2016Are legal fees topsy turvy?
This week a car driver was acquitted of the charge of dangerous driving. A common… Read more
March 7, 2016Two Transform Justice events
Dear blog subscriber, I just wanted to alert you to two Transform Justice events in… Read more
March 4, 2016Two thirds of Crown Court trials do not go ahead as planned
The latest report from the National Audit Office on efficiency in the criminal courts makes… Read more
February 24, 2016Does the “doctrine” of judicial independence stifle magistrates?
Judicial independence is a safeguard of a fair justice system. Judges need to be independent… Read more
February 19, 2016Why do we have so many prisoners who are not convicted?
It is one of the cardinal principles of our justice system that people are innocent… Read more
February 11, 2016What is the point of a child serving 108 days in prison?
Youth justice is my passion, and the reason I remain optimistic about the criminal justice… Read more
February 4, 2016Should judges use instinct?
When Mr Justice Coulson decided to identify fifteen year old Will Cornick, after sentencing him… Read more
January 28, 2016Can Gove change the prison debate single handed?
“It is because I am a Conservative that I believe in the rule of law… Read more
January 22, 2016Should we be prosecuting historic sex crimes?
Today the Prime Minister said “there’s an industry trying to profit from spurious claims lodged… Read more
January 16, 2016How many prisoners are languishing in prison who legally shouldn’t be there?
Around 100 people are imprisoned in England and Wales every year for non payment of… Read more
January 9, 2016Are judges too soft?
This week judges were again under fire for being too soft. The Sun described judges… Read more
December 13, 2015Is confidence in the justice system at rock bottom?
Adults in the UK are more likely to have had experience of a court case,… Read more
December 4, 2015Devolution revolution – would it help reduce prison numbers?
England and Wales has one of the most centralised criminal justice systems and one of… Read more
November 27, 2015An uncomfortable truth- the strong link between poverty and crime
No-one is saying that poor people commit more crime, or even that poverty causes crime…. Read more
November 21, 2015Do children in criminal courts get the defence they need?
The Youth Court is a hidden world, where most child crime cases are heard. The… Read more
November 13, 2015Can we afford an extra 1140 recalls to prison?
Our prison population is too high and predicted to increase. The main driver is sentence… Read more
November 13, 2015Can we afford an extra 1140 recalls to prison?
Our prison population is too high and predicted to increase. The main driver is sentence… Read more
November 6, 2015Should the justice system financially penalise the innocent?
“If someone is dragged through the courts through no fault of their own and is… Read more
November 2, 2015Court costs hurt the innocent
New report published today by Transform Justice on whether the innocent should end up bankrupt through getting… Read more
November 2, 2015Should the justice system financially penalise the innocent?
“If someone is dragged through the courts through no fault of their own and is… Read more
November 1, 2015The politics of the judiciary
Should we know how judges vote? Jeremy Paxman pointed out in the Financial Times on… Read more
October 22, 2015How can the Ministry of Justice get out of a massive financial hole?
It was reported in the Times today that Michael Gove is considering imposing a “levy”… Read more
October 16, 2015How to reform the criminal courts charge?
It seems clear that the government will reform the criminal court charge but its not… Read more
October 11, 2015Do judges need or want more feedback?
In most jobs people find it useful to know what the outcome of their work… Read more
October 2, 2015The “human cost” of our outdated court system
The new(ish) Chief Executive of the Courts Service, Natalie Ceeney, is worried about the human… Read more
September 24, 2015Why has the criminal courts charge inspired a barrage of criticism?
The Justice Committee wants to know what we think about the criminal courts charge and… Read more
September 17, 2015What do victims want from the Crown Prosecution Service?
Political parties have vied to produce policies on how to look after victims and witnesses… Read more
September 11, 2015Is the court system collapsing
One of the problems with our justice system is that it is theoretically open, but… Read more
September 11, 2015Is the court system collapsing?
One of the problems with our justice system is that it is theoretically open, but… Read more
September 2, 2015Is magistrate recruitment fair?
Magistrates are not representative of the people. They never have been. Things were improving in… Read more
August 26, 2015How did the criminal court charge get through parliament?
There are now many protests about the criminal courts charge – protests that have increased… Read more
August 26, 2015Magistrates: crisis what crisis?
No-one wants to publicise bad news. New figures on the number of magistrates show serious… Read more
July 17, 2015Court closure – who cares?
The announcement of the proposed closure of 91 courts came as little surprise to watchers… Read more
July 9, 2015The invisibility of magistrates – in fact and in policy
How often do you see magistrates – in plays, the news or in documentaries? I… Read more
July 1, 2015What impact would a lawyers’ “strike” have?
It seems clear that a lawyers’ “strike” may be imminent in England and Wales. Defence… Read more
June 26, 2015Is better IT the answer to courtroom chaos?
It was an interesting week for court reform. The Lord Chancellor pronounced himself shocked by… Read more
June 19, 2015More court closures?
The latest HMCTS Annual Report is no bedtime reading but reveals some interesting developments. The words… Read more
June 12, 2015Of those in magistrates’ court cells, how many really need to be there?
I visited Thames Magistrates Court the other Friday. For one of the busiest magistrates’ courts,… Read more
June 3, 2015Are the cuts to some parts of justice costing more than they save?
I’m concerned that the Ministry of Justice is not making the savings it intended to… Read more
May 30, 2015why we still prosecute too many people
The number of prosecutions has gone down in recent years, but when I talk to… Read more
May 23, 2015A new injustice: lack of legal advice for those who breach anti-social behaviour injunctions
There was concern when the government proposed that the new anti-social behaviour orders should be… Read more
May 15, 2015Unintended consequences of court reform?
Its a cliche to say that government works in silos, but true nonetheless. And those… Read more
May 6, 2015Eviction, damp, harassment – housing problems cause misery but legal help is in short supply
The reality of how people get evicted comes alive in a series of brilliant blogs… Read more
May 1, 2015Do politicians use evidence in talking about crime?
Sense about science are worried that politicians don’t always use evidence correctly when talking about… Read more
April 25, 2015can we learn from the way French judges supervise offenders?
So much is different in the French criminal justice system from the English, starting with… Read more
April 18, 2015Lord Neuberger advocates that justice should be “the best we can do”
The President of the Supreme Court, Lord Neuberger gave a very human speech the other… Read more
April 14, 2015criminal justice and the manifestos – the curate’s egg
The political parties who have produced manifestos so far all deal with crime and justice,… Read more
April 9, 2015We need to put restorative justice centre stage if its ever going to work
There is huge goodwill towards restorative justice, but unfortunately goodwill has not really got it… Read more
April 4, 2015How can we engage the media in reporting about offenders and prisons?
The Howard League has recently published an essay on how voluntary sector organisations advocating for… Read more
March 31, 2015Panorama on litigants in person
Is the only answer to the squeeze on legal aid to find more funding for… Read more
March 25, 2015The power of a financial incentive in reducing imprisonment
The Lord Chancellor has given CRCs a financial incentive to reduce offending under a payment… Read more
March 13, 2015How open can a judge be? Meet Judge Cristi Danilet of Romania
I never thought I’d meet a judge like Cristi Danilet. At an excellent seminar today… Read more
March 4, 2015A fair justice system…even for the wealthy?
The government’s measures to get more money from the court system affect access to justice… Read more
February 27, 2015are new laws the answer to victims’ dissatisfaction with the system?
Victims have long voiced unhappiness about their treatment by the criminal justice system. Their unhappiness… Read more
February 19, 2015A fog surrounding unrepresented defendants in the criminal courts
The civil courts are bring thrown into chaos by the number of litigants in person… Read more
February 13, 2015Judges feel they are subject to too much change and insufficient reward
A fascinating study has been published based on a survey of paid judges at every… Read more
February 1, 2015can we change the debate on criminal justice?
“Committing a crime is always a choice. That’s why the primary, proper response to crime… Read more
January 28, 2015Radical ideas from Leveson – the impact of prisoner transport on criminal courts
The new Leveson report on efficiency in criminal proceedings contains a number of radical ideas. One… Read more
January 18, 2015whence the magistracy? will numbers of JPs fall below 20,000?
Lord Beecham has recently asked some key questions about magistrate numbers. Numbers overall have fallen… Read more
January 11, 2015Can you and should you manage the performance of magistrates?
Volunteers are not employees. They are working for an organisation because they want to help…. Read more
January 1, 2015Is magistrates’ training fit for purpose?
Spend on magistrates’ training has gone down from £110 per magistrate in 2008/9, to £26 per… Read more
December 25, 2014should judges speak out in response to criticism?
Judges never do media interviews and never give statements about particular cases. But should they?… Read more
December 18, 2014Reading between the lines of the Lord Chief Justice’s annual report
The Lord Chief Justice cannot criticise government policy so its worth both reading the text… Read more
December 12, 2014New report on difference in cost between lay magistrates and DJs
The way work is shared between lay magistrates and district judges can be a bone… Read more
December 6, 2014Right on crime – is it only possible for conservatives to do penal reform?
Danny Kruger presented a great programme for BBC Radio 4 on “Right on Crime”, the… Read more
December 2, 2014Its all in the implementation
I’m a big picture person and took my eye off the ball after the government… Read more
November 29, 2014Is magistrates’ training fit for purpose?
Spend on magistrates’ training has gone down from £110 per magistrate in 2008/9, to £26 per… Read more
November 19, 2014“Judicial Diversity: Accelerating Change”
For quite a radical report “Judicial diversity: accelerating change” didn’t get much coverage. It was… Read more
November 9, 2014The controversy surrounding giving magistrates greater sentencing powers
I’m not sure why Simon Hughes wanted to stop magistrates having increased sentencing powers but… Read more
November 2, 2014How to restore local justice
Few think-tanks devote much time to the diminution of local justice. But Politeia has just… Read more
October 23, 2014Are judges more or less independent than in 2000?
What has happened to judicial independence and accountability in the last twenty years? There have… Read more
October 11, 2014a truly radical English Judge?
Lord Justice Ryder is an unusual judge, having started his working life as an investment… Read more
October 5, 2014Are courts in chaos?
Two recent articles have given a glimpse of the impact of austerity on magistrates’ courts…. Read more
September 29, 2014I’m truly impressed by Ireland’s reform of penal policy
I wouldn’t have known about Ireland’s fantastic new penal policy without twitter – @lukecareypact tweeted… Read more
September 19, 2014Magistrates…small steps to increase diversity?
If you want to become a magistrate, there are very few areas in the country… Read more
September 12, 2014What to learn from the success of the Family Drug and Alcohol Court?
Why has one type of specialist court succeeded in England and Wales while others have… Read more
September 6, 2014Doing what works to cut crime – the new LibDem ideas
The LibDems have always supported human rights and open justice. Its a pity that they… Read more
August 31, 2014Magistrate numbers: terminal decline?
Magistrate numbers are at their lowest level since I’m not sure when. Judiciary figures for… Read more
July 28, 2014The Lord Chief Justice is proud of judicial training but where is the evidence?
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas, recently described the Judicial College as one of the… Read more
July 15, 2014Ann Aiken: a truly different federal judge
On my travels so far, people have distinguished the Federal Justice System from the State… Read more
June 25, 2014Not all US judges are gung-ho about problem solving
I met the retired DA (elected public prosecutor) of Portland and enjoyed his take on… Read more
June 25, 2014Measure 11- power to the people?
I’m all for giving power to the people, but only if the people are very… Read more
June 24, 2014Why is it so difficult to embed problem-solving courts in England and Wales?
My experience in USA has made me ask why it is so difficult to embed… Read more
June 24, 2014Judging the performance of judges – a US approach
There is no doubt in my mind that electing judges is a bad idea. Most… Read more
June 21, 2014Bitten by the specialist court bug?
I think I’ve been bitten by the specialist court bug and need to pinch myself… Read more
June 21, 2014Policy change
a small example of how a judge contributed to policy change. I’ve heard a number… Read more
June 21, 2014How to get the bus to stop right outside the court
Michigan has way more court-rooms per head of population than England. Every town of any… Read more
June 21, 2014Therapeutic jurisprudence in action – the Baltimore drug court
In the short time I’ve been in USA I have seen some amazing judges. Or… Read more
June 19, 2014Fines – a transatlantic problem
The imposition of fines is at the cornerstone of both US and English justice. Fines… Read more
June 18, 2014The veterans’ court graduation – an emotional experience
I have never seen so many offenders say thank-you in a court as I did… Read more
June 18, 2014Setting up the Detroit homeless court- a truly collaborative effort
The effort involved in getting the Street Outreach court in Detroit off the ground was… Read more
June 14, 2014Elections for the judiciary in USA – a barrier to penal reform?
In many states of the USA, judges are elected by the people. And in some… Read more
June 13, 2014A glimpse into the juvenile court in Washington DC
Most children under 18 are seen by the juvenile court in DC. All court proceedings… Read more
June 11, 2014A mental health court in DC – adversarial or inquisitorial?
To my shame, I have never visited a mental health court in England. But I… Read more
June 11, 2014US judges – involved or aloof?
This morning in Washington DC I observed a very busy drugs court. The judge, Gregory… Read more
June 10, 2014Has the West London drugs court closed and does it matter?
The West London Drugs Court was set up in 2007, led by a charismatic District… Read more
June 10, 2014“Man is born free, but is everywhere in chains”
The symbolism of chains is very strong – for me it evokes slavery and a… Read more
June 8, 2014Reduction in child custody- a US success story
Its easy to get gloomy about mass incarceration in USA. The numbers are so huge… Read more
June 6, 2014How single-minded should those campaigning against the death penalty be?
Sometimes campaigners can stab each other in the back unwittingly. In England and Wales, there… Read more
June 4, 2014Are US judges interested in penal reform?
Marc Mauer of the Sentencing Project offered a sobering statistic. If the prison population of the… Read more
June 4, 2014Working to upskill lawyers who defend children…a shining light in the US youth justice system
The National Juvenile Defender Center is a brilliant idea – an NGO which campaigns for and… Read more
June 4, 2014US judges – more innovative than English judges but still lacking organisational power
It’s depressing but also uplifting to hear about the US system of criminal justice. I’m… Read more
June 2, 2014Treating child defandants as adults – a US phenomenon
I have arrived in the land of the free only to be depressed about children… Read more
May 30, 2014Interpreters – a duff contract?
When I was a magistrate, interpreters were frequent used to aid defendant, witness or both…. Read more
May 23, 2014Do magistrates need more TLC…and management?
There is low morale on many magistrates’ benches. This is due to budget cuts, a… Read more
May 16, 2014Magistrates and school governors…a similar crisis in diversity?
A report came out this week suggesting that the governors of schools do not reflect… Read more
May 6, 2014the continuous “arms race” in criminal justice
One of the reasons why our prisons are full to bursting is because our sentencing… Read more
April 26, 2014a piecemeal approach to the fall out from cutting legal aid?
The number of people involved in court or tribunal cases who don’t have a lawyer… Read more
April 20, 2014Is Labour radical enough on criminal justice?
Labour has published a policy paper on criminal justice (and other issues) for consultation with… Read more
April 14, 2014A letter to the Lord Chief Justice
Dear Lord Chief Justice, Of all your recent public appearances, I most appreciated your appearance… Read more
April 9, 2014The upsides and downsides of being a magistrate today
“I have been a magistrate for 26 years and I’m as enthusiastic as the first… Read more
April 1, 2014Why have a lay magistracy? The magistrates’ view
‘It’s sort of like the community elder. You sit on the bench, and you live… Read more
March 25, 2014A pro magistrate government?
Damian Green, Minister of State across the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice is… Read more
March 19, 2014How punitive can you be? The criminal justice arms race
How punitive is the man on the Clapham omnibus? It is a subject that divides… Read more
March 6, 2014Is the magistracy too middle class? a difference of opinion
Transform Justice’s new research on the make-up of the magistracy was launched at the end… Read more
March 4, 2014Diversity matters in the youth and family court too
When I decided to apply to be a magistrate, my passion was family justice. I… Read more
February 26, 2014Magistrates: representatives of the people?
Transform Justice’s new report is published today. Its about the make-up of the magistracy today… Read more
February 11, 2014Should magistrates sit alone?
Last week, the government published yet another criminal justice bill. More change is problematic –… Read more
February 3, 2014Justice reinvestment – the holy grail for criminal justice reform?
The most effective means of reducing offending lie outside the remit of the justice system. … Read more
January 31, 2014The importance of gay magistrates
Transform Justice’s recent report on diversity made no mention of sexual orientation. This was not… Read more
January 24, 2014Is there a better process for recruiting magistrates?
The magistrate recruitment process takes longer than any recruitment process I’ve ever heard of. Two… Read more
January 17, 2014Are magistrates facing a diversity crisis?
Magistrates are less diverse now than in 1999. They are on average older and less… Read more
January 14, 2014Why has the magistracy shrunk?
If the value of the magistracy is justice by the people for the people, why… Read more
January 10, 2014Should legal sanctions be used against annoying people?
This week peers voted against the government’s new definition of anti-social behaviour – conduct capable… Read more
January 4, 2014Unrepresented defendants in the criminal court: a ticking timebomb?
“Just watched as court sent unrep’d def to prison. He didnt say a word through… Read more
December 20, 2013Is further courts privatisation credible?
The involvement of G4S and Serco with fraudulent tagging has been well publicised. The two… Read more
December 13, 2013Magistrates: representative of the people?
How representative should magistrates be of their community? A report came out today from Policy… Read more
December 7, 2013Let the punishment fit the crime
A fair criminal justice system is one where mistakes can be easily, and fairly painlessly,… Read more
November 28, 2013When is a pilot not a pilot?
Post riots, the Ministry of Justice announced that they were going to pilot more flexible… Read more
November 23, 2013Who shot JR?
Can justice reinvestment be successful in a very centralised political system? That was the question… Read more
November 17, 2013Should more ex-offenders be magistrates?
Many ex-offenders are probably already magistrates. A huge proportion of the male population has been… Read more
November 8, 2013The schism within this government on localism
Is this government localist or not? In the justice sphere they veer every which way…. Read more
November 1, 2013Is harsher punishment the answer to hate crime?
Mencap and other charities have been waging a campaign for many years to get crime… Read more
October 27, 2013Sentencing consistency…does it matter?
Lord Leveson gave the Howard League lecture this week on consistency in sentencing, particularly citing… Read more
October 18, 2013How to retain a vibrant magistracy?
John Fassenfelt, outgoing Chairman of the Magistrates’ Association, has inspired the setting up of an… Read more
October 12, 2013Radical change in the courts?
Keir Starmer has given a retirement interview to the Times in which he calls for… Read more
September 30, 2013A seemingly dry document?
A lot of the documents coming out of the Ministry of Justice and the Judicial… Read more
September 26, 2013A new dawn for Labour justice policy?
Sadiq Khan, Shadow Justice Minister, addressed the Labour Party Conference this week. The speech didn’t… Read more
September 18, 2013Should judges be judged?
Judges are perhaps the only public servants left who are not subject to any performance… Read more
September 11, 2013Better courts: do they need structural change?
Courts in England and Wales get a bad press, being seen as inefficient, old fashioned… Read more
September 6, 2013Crime and Guilt: punishment the German Way
I read one of the best books ever on criminal justice on holiday. A friend… Read more
September 1, 2013Intriguing new interest in magistrates
Why has this government suddenly focused a spotlight on magistrates and their powers? No-one seems… Read more
July 26, 2013No privatisation of the courts…or is there?
In late May the Times revealed that the government was planning to privatise courts administration…. Read more
July 19, 2013Crime falls but desire for harsh punishment remains
Crime has fallen significantly yet again by 9/7% depending on which figures you use. Hooray!… Read more
July 12, 2013Is post-code sentencing inevitable?
There will always be some differences between courts in their sentencing. An Inner London court… Read more
July 5, 2013are the courts prepared for no lawyers?
There have been hundreds of people appearing in courts without a lawyer for a long… Read more
June 28, 2013Why shouldn’t judges tell personal stories?
A judge was recently reprimanded for telling a cannabis cultivator to “jack-in” drugs. An experienced… Read more
June 21, 2013What difference do women judges make?
Do women judges make decisions differently to male judges? According to a small scale experiment… Read more
June 16, 2013Does the Secretary of State for Justice need to be a lawyer?
Chris Grayling is the first Lord Chancellor not to be a lawyer (I think). Previously… Read more
June 7, 2013Are courts inefficient?
I met an MP the other day and asked him whether he supported any kind… Read more
May 27, 2013New report on courts published today
and can be downloaded from our reports page. And the Times has written about moves… Read more
May 14, 2013Does it matter who runs magistrates’ courts?
Why does the closure of every library inspire massive public protest while plans to close… Read more
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Court reform – how fit for the future?
Normal government convention seems to have gone out of the window. In the old days… Read more
Court reform – how fit for the future?
Normal government convention seems to have gone out of the window. In the old days… Read more
May 8, 2019The nightmare of anti-social behaviour – is the community trigger the answer?
Anti-social behaviour never seems to hit the headlines any more. Even the recent news that… Read more
April 28, 2019The tide is turning – at last there’s progress on criminal justice in the USA
In the UK our prison population doubled in twenty years and became the highest in… Read more