Catch up with the latest news.
Liberty seeks to intervene in Babar Ahmad extradition
Human Rights organisation Liberty is seeking to intervene in the High Court in proceedings against the Government and Director for Public Prosecutions for not allowing Babar Ahmad (accused of setting up terrorist fundraising websites and detained for eight years without charge) to be prosecuted in the UK. The authorities will… Read more ...Research finds support for tagging criminals
Recent research has found that the majority of people support tagging criminals. Three quarters of the public (72%) support tagging prisoners out on parole until the end of their sentence, while nearly two thirds (64%) support the use of ankle tags for those serving a community sentence. The report, Future… Read more ...Reconviction rates in Scotland
Scotland's Chief Statistician has published details on reconviction rates in Scotland for the 2009-10 offender cohort. Key findings of the data include: The one year reconviction rate has declined over the past eight years by 2.8% between the 2002-03 and 2009-10 cohorts. The one year reconviction rate and the… Read more ...Satellite tracking of offenders
Cutting edge satellite technology is to be brought to Scotland to track offenders for the first time following the signing of a new contract, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has announced. The Justice Secretary said the award of the contract marked a significant step forward in the tools available to Scotland’s… Read more ...UK Government should be scrutinised over human rights
The Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission have urged the United Nations to scrutinise the UK Government’s intention to replace the Human Rights Act with a UK Bill of Rights.The Commissions’ are giving evidence with the Equality and Human Rights Commission on the UK’s human… Read more ...ECHR rules on indeterminate sentences
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has given its Chamber judgment in the case of James, Wells and Lee v. the United Kingdom. The case concerned three prisoners who were subject to indeterminate sentences of imprisonment for the public's protection as a result of their convictions for violent offences… Read more ...Beltrami & Co. Announced As Criminal Law Firm of the Year 2012
Beltrami & Co. Ltd was announced as Criminal Law Firm of the Year at the Law Awards of Scotland 2012. In a category containing some of Scotland's most well established and decorated criminal defence firms, Beltrami & Co. were described as "a firm who, to this day, continue to be… Read more ...Consultation on schedule 7 powers launched
The public are being asked for their views on the operation of important border security powers in a consultation launched by the home office. Schedule 7 powers are a key part of the UK’s border security arrangements, designed to help protect public safety by allowing people at ports and airports… Read more ...The Law on Contempt of Court
The law of contempt is concerned with interference with the administration of justice. In AG v. Leveller Magazine Ltd. [1979] AC 440, Lord Diplock stated at page. 449: “Although criminal contempts of court may take a variety of forms they all share a common characteristic: they involve an… Read more ...