Justice – Page 6 – Steve Baker

Post Tagged with: "Justice"

The Convention on Modern Liberty

by Steve Baker 28 February 2009 in Politics Comments are Disabled

The Convention on Modern Liberty took place today. Shami Chakrabarti’s introductory speech was passionate, as it should be in the circumstances. The complaints against liberty in Britain today included: British complicity in extraordinary rendition The long period of pre-charge detention Control orders Extradition to the United States without equal reciprocal […]

Think tank Reform on police reform

by Steve Baker 26 February 2009 in Politics Comments are Disabled

Independent think tank Reform calls for regional police forces to be split and the Metropolitan Police to be given a mandate to run serious crime fighting across England and Wales. Without effective police reform, England and Wales will lose the fight against crime in years to come. Serious crime is […]

Chris Grayling on law and order

by Steve Baker 23 February 2009 in Politics Comments are Disabled

Today, I listened to David Cameron introduce Chris Grayling for his first major speech as shadow home secretary. It was great stuff: heartfelt, tough and full of measures that will be welcomed. In his introduction, David Cameron explained the need for substantive solutions to serious problems. He discussed Conservative plans […]

On-the-spot points for careless driving

by Steve Baker 20 February 2009 in Politics Comments are Disabled

The Assault on Liberty continues: Thousands more motorists will lose their licences under plans to give police the power to issue penalty points for careless driving without evidence being heard in court. … Unlike existing fixed-penalty offences, such as speeding and using a hand-held mobile phone at the wheel, the […]

De Menezes case – radical reform of coroner system required

by Steve Baker 18 December 2008 in Politics Comments are Disabled

In the Times, further light is thrown on the De Menezes inquest by Tom Luce, who chaired the Fundamental Review of Coroners and Death Certification in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (2001-03): The prohibition in Rule 42 of the Coroners’ Rules on framing any verdict “in such a way as […]

Jean Charles de Menezes inquest: Jury reaches open verdict

by Steve Baker 12 December 2008 in Politics 1 comment

From The Telegraph, the jury return an open verdict on the killing of De Menezes: After a three-month hearing costing an estimated £6 million, jurors rejected a verdict that the innocent Brazilian had been killed lawfully by police. They returned an ambigious, open verdict – the only other option they […]

Preston: summary fines for swearing and bad behaviour

by Steve Baker 9 December 2008 in Politics Comments are Disabled

Thanks to the Jeremy Vine Show over lunch: Spitting, swearing and aggressive behaviour will be BANNED from ‘Proud Preston’. … Anyone who flouts the tough new code could be arrested or fined by patrolling police officers or council enforcers. Council officers can fine people £75 for offences like littering, while […]

de Menezes: Coroner rules out unlawful killing verdict

by Steve Baker 2 December 2008 in Politics Comments are Disabled

The coroner at the inquest of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead by police on the London Underground, ruled out a verdict of unlawful killing today. Sir Michael Wright told the jury to set aside the emotional pleas of the Brazilian electrician’s family and record either an open […]

‘Summary justice’ soars as courts bypassed – Times Online

by Steve Baker 27 November 2008 in Politics Comments are Disabled

From the Times: Out-of-court punishments accounted for more than half of all offences dealt with by the criminal justice system last year, according to figures published today. As food for thought, compare to the 1689 Bill of Rights which provided for freedom from fine and forfeiture without a trial. read […]

Court cuts ‘compromising judges’

by Steve Baker 18 November 2008 in Politics Comments are Disabled

From the BBC, more on the story of cuts in the justice budget: A leading judge has told the BBC he fears a conflict of interest as courts increasingly depend on income from fines and confiscations to operate.The Ministry of Justice is in talks over a planned £1bn budget cut […]