Magistrates will soon be able to double the maximum prison sentence they hand down, in a bid to reduce the crown court backlog. Lord chancellor Dominic Raab announced the changes for the sentences and said that magistrates will also be able to sentence serious cases like fraud, theft and assault. Currently, any crime that warrants a prison sentence of more than six months must be sent to a crown court for a judge to determine the appropriate sentence. Changes come into force in the coming months via a commencement order and apply to England and Wales. The 12,651 magistrates currently…
Author: News Team
Modern technology has greatly aided the general population in all walks of life. Some newer pieces of technology are starting to play a major role in modern life, both in personal and business markets. This article will explain why three pieces of technology, in the form of artificial intelligence, blockchain and 3D printing. Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence is one of the most exciting pieces of technology that is playing a part in modern society. You may even have some artificial intelligence in the room with you know. They come in many varieties, for both personal use and business use. For…
Vulnerable people have welcomed the extension of legislation that allows wills to be witnessed via video-calls. Under the 1837 Wills Act, two witnesses’ signatures are required in the physical presence of the person making the will. However, during lockdown in 2020, the government brought in measures to allow the remote witnessing of wills by video to meet demand and simplify will-making during the coronavirus pandemic. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has today announced the legislation on remote witnessing will be temporarily extended until 31 January 2024 to support vulnerable people if they need to self-isolate or in case of further…
Bray & Bray has recruited an ex-bank manager to partner and jointly head the law firm’s wills, trusts and probate team alongside Andrew Hitchon. In his new role, Russell Dalby – a member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) – will co-manage a team of eight. Dalby will also act as a reference point on technical matters and be in charge of training and mentoring team members. His aim will be to keep on top of the latest legal developments this year. He said: “As a partner, I look forward to expanding the profile of the team…
Official Injury Claim – a free service from the Ministry of Justice which helps people claim compensation for minor injuries from road traffic accidents – is unlikely to be used by unrepresented people, according to recent research. The service went live in May and is designed for use by claimants with or without a lawyer, with the aim of reducing costs. Minutes from an OIC advisory group meeting revealed that research had been commissioned that revealed nine in ten claims were coming from represented people. Attendees said they wanted to establish whether unrepresented claimants are receiving ‘other advice’ as this…
Fees for registers and transfers of title will be subject to a fee increase by the end of the month, says HM Land Registry. Conveyancers are warned of the first fee increase in 13 years, with other changes set to follow suit. Last November, the agency announced that some of the fees would rise by up to 21 per cent from January 31, 2022. Chief financial officer Iain Banfield said any applications started before that date but submitted on or after it, would also have to pay the new costs. The same goes for any applications submitted prior to January…
If timely access to justice for victims, witnesses and defendants is to be ensured, there can be no more hold-ups in criminal legal aid investment, warns the Law Society of England and Wales. Sir Christopher Bellamy, chair of the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid, gave evidence on its findings to the House of Commons’ Justice Committee today. He said there was “no scope for further delay” in increasing the rates for criminal defence lawyers by a minimum £135million per year. “The independent review provides a detailed analysis of the beleaguered state of the criminal justice system and recommends swift…
Usheena Patel, Personal Injury Associate explains the steps the public should take in order to avoid injury when playing amateur sports Following a summer of sporting success, there is a hope that more people will venture into amateur sporting activities moving forward. While sport can be a fun way to keep active and improve physical and mental health, there are associated injury risks. While individuals will need to assume a certain degree of risk by participating in sporting events, there are key steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of injury. Further information can be found here Usheena Patel, Personal…
No one could predict that a machine-driven gambling experiment designed in 1887 would bring entertainment to so many lives and become such an iconic object in today’s world. Slot machines have a colourful history and have come a long way from rewarding gum prizes to paying breath-taking online jackpots spanning into the millions of pounds. In the United Kingdom, slots are called fruit machines; in the United States, they are called slots (or video slots); and Australians call them pokies. The First Slot Machines Charles Fey invented the very first slot machine based on the basics o the game of…
Traumatic experiences can be incredibly hard to deal with, and you will need to seek expert support. Finding support is recommended, and you’re encouraged to seek it out in all its varying forms. Sadly, things aren’t always so simple. Many brave people are approaching the NHS for help with mental disorders, but their services are often reported to be overstretched. The availability of experts is not always guaranteed. Other available resources can seem hard to come by. Still, support is out there if you know where to look. Read on for a quick list of available resources that may help…