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A criminal record – the new life sentence
Peter was 18 in 1982. That year he struck someone when trying to protect a… Read more
The game of chasing police targets
“Oooohhh, Sanctioned Detections are back! How very 2010. Now a key performance indicator, again. Patently… Read more
Is faith in the criminal justice system waning?
The number of prosecutions by the police has fallen to an all time low. This… Read more
How to mend our criminal justice system – a twelve point plan
We are here with a new Conservative government which promised to be tough on crime… Read more
The risk of assessing risk
Do you see children through the lens of risk, need or potential? Maybe all three?… Read more
Transforming Rehabilitation reform – who will be left holding the baby?
Last week the government published a tender for the new probation services contract . The publication was controversial… Read more
Why are so many children kept in police cells overnight?
“A night in a cell is an intimidating experience. Police custody facilities are designed to… Read more
Should we be imprisoning people for forgetting to turn up to court?
If you go into any magistrates court you will notice that cases often don’t go… Read more
Living in limbo – police bail yesterday and RUI today
In its last days, this government announced a review of its policy on pre-charge bail…. Read more
Digital court reform: the risks of user testing
This week Bob Neill MP, Chair of the Justice Committee launched their report on the… Read more
Out of court and out of mind
Last year 215,000 people who committed crime in England and Wales were dealt with out… Read more
There is no justice without independent and unafraid judges
This week a former judge, Claire Gilham won her case to have her rights as… Read more
Should all domestic abuse suspects be arrested?
When police arrived at the flat of Carrie Symonds in June, having been phoned by… Read more
Should mothers ever be imprisoned?
This week we learned that a new born baby died in Bronzefield Prison on 27th… Read more
How can we assess the competence of solicitor advocates?
The truth is often difficult to pin down and the truth about advocacy is indeed… Read more
Does the public understand and agree with criminal sentences?
Boris Johnson is not a fan of our criminal justice system. In his efforts to… Read more
The demise of local justice?
What price local justice? Unfortunately no one has been able to identify and quantify the… Read more
Why on earth should the innocent plead guilty?
It can be hard for someone who has never been charged to understand how someone… Read more
The right to know you are accused of a crime
Everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to be informed promptly, in a… Read more
The rape victim’s right to choose
“Beyond reasonable doubt” is a high hurdle for criminal convictions. It needs to be high… Read more
The power of choice – is it enough to maintain the quality of criminal defence?
“The whole thing feels arbitrary. It doesn’t feel like you have a choice. You might… Read more
Criminal defence in an age of austerity: Zealous advocate or cog in a machine?
This is a guest blog by Jonathan Black which appears as the afterword to our… Read more
Are personal stories too personal? How to influence more progressive criminal justice media coverage
“Journalists are only interested in case studies”, “people who have lived experience are the most… Read more
Why leadership magistrates should be representatives of the people
Does judicial diversity still matter? The process of selecting candidates to be “leadership magistrates” suggests… Read more
24 hours in police custody – at what cost?
Only two in five of those who are remanded (detained post charge) by police go… Read more
Judging the judges in the land of the free
In the UK, we have traditionally prided ourselves on a fair justice system, and compared… Read more
The magistracy is withering on the vine. Can and should it be revived?
I frequently feel like Cassandra who was cursed to utter prophecies that were true but… Read more
Vulnerable to suggestion -why we need more AAs & lawyers in police interviews
“And my last post tonight about police station advice – I have no example in… Read more
Rehabilitation programmes – do we know whether they work?
Anything which helps those who commit crimes change their behaviour has to be a good… Read more
The First Step Act and Trump – has the leopard changed its spots?
It may have passed you by, but on December 21st last year a new criminal justice… Read more
Police want to fight crime, not operate courts
I do not find the role of Cassandra particularly pleasant but every time there’s new criticism… 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
The 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
The 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
The 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
Jail 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
Playing 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
Do people prefer doing justice online?
Do people want to do justice online? The government says they do and, in some… Read more
Black lives matter
Say the words multi-agency, holistic and early intervention and most people’s eyes glaze over. Unfortunately… Read more
I believe in evidence
“Don’t you believe in anything?” “Yes”, Isaac Asimov said. “I believe in evidence. I believe… Read more
What should magistrates be allowed to say?
Magistrates can be difficult to control. They are volunteers in the justice system, who have… Read more
What should magistrates be allowed to say?
Magistrates can be difficult to control. They are volunteers in the justice system, who have… Read more
The 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
Would you like pro-bono help with your communications?
Reframing consultancy support Transform Justice is offering pro bono communications coaching and support to… Read more
Court 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
Knife crime prevention orders – will they deliver?
“We know that police enforcement alone is not the long-term solution to knife crime. Stop… Read more
Seeking a communications expert for freelance contract
Transform Justice is advertising a freelance contract for someone to help criminal justice charities communicate… Read more
Prosecuting 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
Bedtime 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
Opening 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
Should 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
Unnecessary 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
£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
How 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
David 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
“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
Mice, 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
Shot 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
How 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
Why 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
“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
Bad 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
I 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
Computer 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
How 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
The 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
Court 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
Digital court reform – dissent in the ranks?
Up until recently, judges’ views of the digital court reform programme have been little known… Read more
Domestic 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
Healing 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
The 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
The 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
The 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
Crisis what crisis? Magistrate numbers cut by half
This week I met someone in their 30s who had applied to become a magistrate…. Read more
“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
Justice 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
#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
Justice 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
If 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
The 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
The illusion of open justice
The judiciary seem exercised by the future of open justice. They are consulting judges and… Read more
More 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
Not 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
Everyone 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
“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
Knife 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
We need to talk about Keres & Co
“Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken” is a great book. It sets out… Read more
Police and court bail policy is a mess
On the face of it, the story broken by the BBC today is alarming –… Read more
Remand 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
Guilty 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
Court closures – are they selling the family silver?
If making a tidy sum from the sale of every court were the aim of… Read more
Do charities believe in the principle of rehabilitation?
The reputation of aid charities has had a terrible battering recently. They are wounded and… Read more
And 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
Court 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
Does 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
The 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
The 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
When 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
Why 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
Why 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
Kicked 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
The 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
The 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
Scotland – 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
Scotland – 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
Video 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
Click 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
Nobody’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
Defendants on video – conveyor belt justice or a revolution in access?
New report on virtual justice (video courts) published today
Convenience 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
Rude 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
Crime 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
The 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
“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
No other Western adversarial system denies defendants legal representation
Our criminal justice system is fiercesomely complicated – so complex that the Law Commission has… Read more
The 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
Is 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
Should judges be accountable for criminal justice budgets?
This week the blog is an extract from Rethinking Judicial Independence, a think piece we… Read more
If 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
A child’s right to a fair trial
Few dare to criticise the Court of Appeal. Lawyers (rightly) fear any criticism may be… Read more
Why 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
Are 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
Between 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
New report on judicial independence published
Transform Justice has today published a think-piece on judicial independence – a collection of essays… Read more
Are judges gagged?
This week the Times announced that Peter Herbert QC (Recorder and Tribunal Judge) is suing the Ministry… Read more
Most crime is committed by immature young men
How should we deal with young people – they are the most likely to commit… Read more
When 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
If 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
Throwing good money after bad? Probation today
There is a broad consensus about how to support people on their release from prison…. Read more
On 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
Post 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
New survey on virtual courts
If you have experience of working with defendants/offenders appearing on video links or are a… Read more
Appeals 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
Are we imprisoning too many innocent people?
There are many people in prison who insist they are innocent. I’m very concerned about… Read more
Our 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
Ethnic 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
Do suspended sentences work better than community sentences?
The suspended sentence has a bad name. It is a sword of Damocles hanging over… Read more
Why 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
Is judicial discipline either just or effective?
The judicial discipline system is broken. Part-time judges and magistrates are publicly named and shamed,… Read more
How 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
Those 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
Should the judiciary speak out more?
I don’t often agree wholeheartedly with the Lord Chancellor, but when it comes to who… Read more
Do 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
The 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
Online justice – a cautionary tale
If you are charged with speeding, or driving without insurance, and admit guilt, you can… Read more
The 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
The 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
Unintended but costly consequences
I wrote last week that the government were moving hell for leather to implement online… Read more
How 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
Failing 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
A 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
Is justice being sacrificed for convenience?
Andrew Langdon QC, the new Chairman of the Bar, recently said that justice has a… Read more
Magistrates 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
Does 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
Is the magistrates’ disciplinary process fair and open?
It seems slightly odd that volunteers might face disciplinary action involving public reprimands and harsh… Read more
Reform of youth justice – a lost opportunity?
Occasionally there is a golden opportunity for radical change and it is seized. Unfortunately, the… Read more
What 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
Tacking teenage knife crime – is prison the answer?
“Once two boys tried to rob me. They were bigger than me, but when I… Read more
The mystery of sentence inflation
It is clear that prisons are full to bursting, and that it would be good… Read more
Should magistrates get greater sentencing powers?
I risk the wrath of magistrates up and down the land in opposing the extension… Read more
Do we need tougher community sentences?
This week the Lord Chief Justice implied that too many people were imprisoned, and that… Read more
Is 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
The 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
No 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
Why 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
Does 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
A magistracy in crisis?
The Justice Committee does not use the word crisis in its new report on the… Read more
Is the magistracy still a democratic institution?
The magistracy is in theory a democratic institution: representatives of the people sit in judgement… Read more
Court reform: a view from the south
This post is really a homage to “One Wheel on my Wagon” from a criminal… Read more
What 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
Our justice system – the finest in the world?
In this best of possible worlds, everything is for the best This panglossian view of… Read more
If 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
Where 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
Is “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
Why facts don’t persuade (on their own)
The FrameWorks Institute has just published research, commissioned by Transform Justice (with Clinks, CJA and… Read more
Why 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
Are convictions in historic sex abuse cases reliable?
How can anyone judge who is telling the truth now in the case of alleged… Read more
A letter to the new Lord Chancellor
Dear Liz, Welcome to your new role. You are faced with a number of… Read more
Are court charges setting offenders up to fail?
The dreaded criminal courts charge has been abolished, but courts are still left with a… Read more
Is 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
Are the best magistrates voting with their feet?
“Sarah” was a magistrate for over fifteen years, and had many years left to serve. … Read more
Drugs reform: an idea whose time has come?
Our prisons are awash with drugs, as the recent BBC film of Wandsworth prison revealed,… Read more
Should 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
Do tough sentences deter crime?
Nearly half the British population supports the death penalty and two thirds agree with the… Read more
What 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
How 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
Can 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
The mysterious decline of the community sentence
The decline of the community sentence could be seen to be a good thing. After… Read more
Eternal 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
Justice Denied? Unrepresented defendants in the criminal courts
Transform Justice has published new research on the experience of unrepresented defendants in the criminal… Read more
Unrepresented 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
Setting women prisoners up to fail?
Its great to read a positive prison inspection report, as the one for Bronzefield was… Read more
Standing alone – the experience of unrepresented litigants
“Jarndyce and Jarndyce drones on. This scarecrow of a suit has, in the course of… Read more
Are 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
Why 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
The holy grail of the digital court
Judges and HMCTS staff seem to have put their faith in digitisation to resolve most… Read more
Are legal fees topsy turvy?
This week a car driver was acquitted of the charge of dangerous driving. A common… Read more
Two 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
Does the “doctrine” of judicial independence stifle magistrates?
Judicial independence is a safeguard of a fair justice system. Judges need to be independent… Read more
Why 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
What 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
Should judges use instinct?
When Mr Justice Coulson decided to identify fifteen year old Will Cornick, after sentencing him… Read more
Can Gove change the prison debate single handed?
“It is because I am a Conservative that I believe in the rule of law… Read more
Should we be prosecuting historic sex crimes?
Today the Prime Minister said “there’s an industry trying to profit from spurious claims lodged… Read more
How 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
Are judges too soft?
This week judges were again under fire for being too soft. The Sun described judges… Read more
Is 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
Devolution revolution – would it help reduce prison numbers?
England and Wales has one of the most centralised criminal justice systems and one of… Read more
An 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
Do 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
Can 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
Court costs hurt the innocent
New report published today by Transform Justice on whether the innocent should end up bankrupt through getting… Read more
Should the justice system financially penalise the innocent?
“If someone is dragged through the courts through no fault of their own and is… Read more
The politics of the judiciary
Should we know how judges vote? Jeremy Paxman pointed out in the Financial Times on… Read more
How 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
How to reform the criminal courts charge?
It seems clear that the government will reform the criminal court charge but its not… Read more
Do judges need or want more feedback?
In most jobs people find it useful to know what the outcome of their work… Read more
The “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
Why 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
What 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
Is the court system collapsing?
One of the problems with our justice system is that it is theoretically open, but… Read more
Is magistrate recruitment fair?
Magistrates are not representative of the people. They never have been. Things were improving in… Read more
How did the criminal court charge get through parliament?
There are now many protests about the criminal courts charge – protests that have increased… Read more
Magistrates: crisis what crisis?
No-one wants to publicise bad news. New figures on the number of magistrates show serious… Read more
Court closure – who cares?
The announcement of the proposed closure of 91 courts came as little surprise to watchers… Read more
The invisibility of magistrates – in fact and in policy
How often do you see magistrates – in plays, the news or in documentaries? I… Read more
What impact would a lawyers’ “strike” have?
It seems clear that a lawyers’ “strike” may be imminent in England and Wales. Defence… Read more
Is better IT the answer to courtroom chaos?
It was an interesting week for court reform. The Lord Chancellor pronounced himself shocked by… Read more
More court closures?
The latest HMCTS Annual Report is no bedtime reading but reveals some interesting developments. The words… Read more
Of 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
Are 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
why we still prosecute too many people
The number of prosecutions has gone down in recent years, but when I talk to… Read more
A 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
Unintended consequences of court reform?
Its a cliche to say that government works in silos, but true nonetheless. And those… Read more
Eviction, 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
Do 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
can 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
Lord 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
We 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
How 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
Panorama on litigants in person
Is the only answer to the squeeze on legal aid to find more funding for… Read more
The 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
How 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
A 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
are 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
A 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
Judges 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
can 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
Radical 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
whence 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
Can 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
Is magistrates’ training fit for purpose?
Spend on magistrates’ training has gone down from £110 per magistrate in 2008/9, to £26 per… Read more
should judges speak out in response to criticism?
Judges never do media interviews and never give statements about particular cases. But should they?… Read more
Reading 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
New 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
Right 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
Its all in the implementation
I’m a big picture person and took my eye off the ball after the government… Read more
“Judicial Diversity: Accelerating Change”
For quite a radical report “Judicial diversity: accelerating change” didn’t get much coverage. It was… Read more
The 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
How to restore local justice
Few think-tanks devote much time to the diminution of local justice. But Politeia has just… Read more
Are 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
a truly radical English Judge?
Lord Justice Ryder is an unusual judge, having started his working life as an investment… Read more
Are courts in chaos?
Two recent articles have given a glimpse of the impact of austerity on magistrates’ courts…. Read more
I’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
Magistrates…small steps to increase diversity?
If you want to become a magistrate, there are very few areas in the country… Read more
What 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
Doing 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
Magistrate numbers: terminal decline?
Magistrate numbers are at their lowest level since I’m not sure when. Judiciary figures for… Read more
The 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
Ann Aiken: a truly different federal judge
On my travels so far, people have distinguished the Federal Justice System from the State… Read more
Not 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
Measure 11- power to the people?
I’m all for giving power to the people, but only if the people are very… Read more
Why 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
Judging the performance of judges – a US approach
There is no doubt in my mind that electing judges is a bad idea. Most… Read more
Bitten by the specialist court bug?
I think I’ve been bitten by the specialist court bug and need to pinch myself… Read more
How 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
Therapeutic 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
Fines – a transatlantic problem
The imposition of fines is at the cornerstone of both US and English justice. Fines… Read more
The veterans’ court graduation – an emotional experience
I have never seen so many offenders say thank-you in a court as I did… Read more
Setting 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
Elections 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
A 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
A 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
US judges – involved or aloof?
This morning in Washington DC I observed a very busy drugs court. The judge, Gregory… Read more
Has 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
“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
Reduction in child custody- a US success story
Its easy to get gloomy about mass incarceration in USA. The numbers are so huge… Read more
How 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
Are US judges interested in penal reform?
Marc Mauer of the Sentencing Project offered a sobering statistic. If the prison population of the… Read more
Working 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
US 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
Treating child defandants as adults – a US phenomenon
I have arrived in the land of the free only to be depressed about children… Read more
Interpreters – a duff contract?
When I was a magistrate, interpreters were frequent used to aid defendant, witness or both…. Read more
Do magistrates need more TLC…and management?
There is low morale on many magistrates’ benches. This is due to budget cuts, a… Read more
Magistrates 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
the continuous “arms race” in criminal justice
One of the reasons why our prisons are full to bursting is because our sentencing… Read more
a 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
Is Labour radical enough on criminal justice?
Labour has published a policy paper on criminal justice (and other issues) for consultation with… Read more
A letter to the Lord Chief Justice
Dear Lord Chief Justice, Of all your recent public appearances, I most appreciated your appearance… Read more
The 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
Why 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
A pro magistrate government?
Damian Green, Minister of State across the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice is… Read more
How 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
Is 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
Diversity 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
Magistrates: representatives of the people?
Transform Justice’s new report is published today. Its about the make-up of the magistracy today… Read more
Should magistrates sit alone?
Last week, the government published yet another criminal justice bill. More change is problematic –… Read more
Justice 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
The importance of gay magistrates
Transform Justice’s recent report on diversity made no mention of sexual orientation. This was not… Read more
Is 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
Are magistrates facing a diversity crisis?
Magistrates are less diverse now than in 1999. They are on average older and less… Read more
Why has the magistracy shrunk?
If the value of the magistracy is justice by the people for the people, why… Read more
Should 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
Unrepresented 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
Is further courts privatisation credible?
The involvement of G4S and Serco with fraudulent tagging has been well publicised. The two… Read more
Magistrates: representative of the people?
How representative should magistrates be of their community? A report came out today from Policy… Read more
Let the punishment fit the crime
A fair criminal justice system is one where mistakes can be easily, and fairly painlessly,… Read more
When is a pilot not a pilot?
Post riots, the Ministry of Justice announced that they were going to pilot more flexible… Read more
Who shot JR?
Can justice reinvestment be successful in a very centralised political system? That was the question… Read more
Should more ex-offenders be magistrates?
Many ex-offenders are probably already magistrates. A huge proportion of the male population has been… Read more
The schism within this government on localism
Is this government localist or not? In the justice sphere they veer every which way…. Read more
Is harsher punishment the answer to hate crime?
Mencap and other charities have been waging a campaign for many years to get crime… Read more
Sentencing consistency…does it matter?
Lord Leveson gave the Howard League lecture this week on consistency in sentencing, particularly citing… Read more
How to retain a vibrant magistracy?
John Fassenfelt, outgoing Chairman of the Magistrates’ Association, has inspired the setting up of an… Read more
Radical change in the courts?
Keir Starmer has given a retirement interview to the Times in which he calls for… Read more
A seemingly dry document?
A lot of the documents coming out of the Ministry of Justice and the Judicial… Read more
A new dawn for Labour justice policy?
Sadiq Khan, Shadow Justice Minister, addressed the Labour Party Conference this week. The speech didn’t… Read more
Should judges be judged?
Judges are perhaps the only public servants left who are not subject to any performance… Read more
Better courts: do they need structural change?
Courts in England and Wales get a bad press, being seen as inefficient, old fashioned… Read more
Crime and Guilt: punishment the German Way
I read one of the best books ever on criminal justice on holiday. A friend… Read more
Intriguing new interest in magistrates
Why has this government suddenly focused a spotlight on magistrates and their powers? No-one seems… Read more
No privatisation of the courts…or is there?
In late May the Times revealed that the government was planning to privatise courts administration…. Read more
Crime 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
Is post-code sentencing inevitable?
There will always be some differences between courts in their sentencing. An Inner London court… Read more
are the courts prepared for no lawyers?
There have been hundreds of people appearing in courts without a lawyer for a long… Read more
Why shouldn’t judges tell personal stories?
A judge was recently reprimanded for telling a cannabis cultivator to “jack-in” drugs. An experienced… Read more
What difference do women judges make?
Do women judges make decisions differently to male judges? According to a small scale experiment… Read more
Does 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
Are courts inefficient?
I met an MP the other day and asked him whether he supported any kind… Read more
New report on courts published today
and can be downloaded from our reports page. And the Times has written about moves… Read more
Does it matter who runs magistrates’ courts?
Why does the closure of every library inspire massive public protest while plans to close… Read more