CrimeLine

If you are considering a CrimeLine Membership for the first time, check out what your colleagues have to say about it uk.trustpilot.com/review/crimeli…

@N0wig @BarristerSecret @Joanna__Hardy Yes, s 19.

@BarristerSecret @Joanna__Hardy @CrimeLineLaw Am I correct that the automatic right of appeal from magistrates' court decisions largely derives from the Summary Jurisdiction Act 1879?

CrimeLineAssist is just one part of the CrimeLine Membership. Think of it as your 'phone a friend' service. Our teams of lawyers stand ready to assist you with your legal research. #LegalExcellence These are some examples of the range of queries that we receive each day. crimeline.co.uk/about-us/

Our overall mission is to ensure your CrimeLine Membership saves you money. It is an investment in legal excellence. This is what we offer: crimeline.co.uk/about-us/ Get in touch to discuss how we can sign your firm, chambers, or department up for one of our memberships.

Two doli incapax appeals in the same week. crimeline.co.uk/tag/doli-incap…

The appeal was limited to one issue: whether the trial judge’s response to a jury note made the convictions unsafe. During deliberations, the jury asked if they could hear or have copies of the defence closing speeches for Anwar Awais and Riaz Mohammed. The judge refused, telling them that counsel’s speeches were submissions, not evidence, though he said he could remind them about evidence. On appeal, Mohammed argued that, given the time gap between the closing speeches and deliberations, the judge should at least have reminded the jury of the key defence points, and that the failure to do so created unfairness. crimeline.co.uk/mohammed-2026-…

New vacancies crimeline.co.uk/crimeline-vaca…

Since early January 2026 BA has been deprived of her liberty in an accident and emergency ward of an acute hospital in London. That is to say she has been detained in a windowless room in a busy hospital for nearly two and a half months. She is accommodated and cared for there, as there is nowhere else to do so. I described this situation at the hearing on 3 March 2026 as intolerable. Intolerable for her, first and foremost. Intolerable for her distraught parents. Intolerable for the many other children who are in state detention in inappropriate settings because of the well-known lack of appropriate facilities to treat the mental health symptoms of highly vulnerable children. It is also unacceptable that a much needed NHS bed is unavailable for want of other more appropriate provision. Open justice requirements led me to conclude a short judgment should be published. caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/fam/2026/…

Comparing AI and Human judges: a pilot study of large language models in criminal sentencing prediction – International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice ai-update.co.uk/2026/03/19/com…

Civil trial against Gerry Adams over IRA bombings withdrawn.

As our members will know, major legislative changes take effect next week. What is not being spoken about, at least openly, is the knock-on effect this may have on magistrates' court legal aid applications. Much more thought will be needed to justify a grant of legal aid, and it needs to be emphasised that an SSO is expressly mentioned in the Widgery criteria. Ensure this is noted when you submit the application.

Statement of intent on co-operation on cyber-enabled fraud and scams Statement of intent between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. gov.uk/government/pub…

Recently retired Resident Judge of Woolwich Crown Court expresses his opposition to reducing jury trials. He speaks from experience as a Judge. Will the government listen? #justiceneedsjury dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1…

Essex Police have paused using live facial recognition cameras after finding they were more likely to target black people, the Guardian reports. theguardian.com/technology/202…

A lot of legislative activity in the next few days and weeks. CrimeLine Alert is now in your inbox, with all the details.

Sivarajan [2026] EWCA Crim 316 Fraud/Harm/PCOJ/Credit-for-plea crimeline.co.uk/sivarajan-2026…

Scott Halborg v Solicitors Regulation Authority [2026] EWHC 636 (Admin) crimeline.co.uk/scott-halborg-…

New high-tech, no-flash speed cameras are set to be deployed in parts of London as part of an initiative to reduce road casualties across the capital. The advanced devices utilise 4D imaging radars, capable of detecting speeding vehicles across five lanes of bi-directional traffic. The tech can also capture crucial data like distance, elevation, and direction and do not require road marking to function. The cameras will be trialled in nine locations throughout London, initially in areas with 20mph or 30mph speed limits. Transport for London (TfL) has stated that this upgrade is “vital to maintain consistent enforcement”.

The government has just announced a new redress scheme for family members of Post Office victims. It will be open for business this summer. It looks like there's some consensus behind the scheme. Lord Arbuthnot has endorsed it, saying...

It's what we do! crimeline.co.uk/about-us/

His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of The Right Honourable Lord Justice Dove as a Senior Judicial Commissioner of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) for 3 years commencing 1 March 2026.