Skip to Content

Rights for Crime Victims to become Law.

The Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has announced that, for the first time, victims of crime will be given legal rights; the new Laws will see that victims will be given updates about their case and have an opportunity, in most cases, to provide a statement on how the crime has impacted them.

The far reaching proposals will also see the setting up of an information service for victims of crime and will improve the way minors give evidence for a trial.

The Labour party will publish its own proposals shortly.

The present guidelines follow a victim's code that is followed by courts, the police and probation service. The new Laws will ensure that the measures are backed up by legislation that will be the subject of a bill in the next parliament.

Part of the consultation is the feasibility to compensate victims of crime earlier, at the moment this can take years.

The thorough overhaul of how victims are dealt with is overdue, with the proposed modernisation of courts to include a separate area for victims and defendants, just one of many steps to help with the trauma that many victims suffer, and improve the availability of support through one central support body.

Steps are being undertaken to change the way child witnesses are handled, with some horror stories about children being cross examined for days on end by multiple defence barristers becoming a thing of the past. The pilot scheme will allow children to give evidence in advance of the trial away from the court with the process being filmed to be used later during the trial.

The new bill, whilst largely welcomed, has been criticised as perhaps not going far enough, and could be seen by some as for political gain in announcing it before Labour's details for a victims law.

What happens will be down to the next government and we will detail Labour's proposals when available.

Image Description
related news
recent articles
Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

Dogs and the Law.

Dogs and the Law.
Does your dog need a license, should it be chipped are you buying it from a reputable breeder and is it covered under the Dangerous Dogs Act?..

Criminal Law

..

Children and the Law - Car Safety

Up until a child reaches the age of 12, or 135 cm, a child must use a booster or car seat, when a child is not required to use a car seat or booster they must,..

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Discrimination at work | Age

Discrimination at work.
A person must not be treated differently to any other employee because of their .....

Anti-Social Behaviour

Anti-Social Behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour is defined as activities that are unacceptable and reduce the quality of life for others, this could be by harassm..

Children and the law - Committing a crime

Children and the law - Committing a crime.
A child under 10 will not be charged with a criminal offence but they can face consequences for their actions.
The..

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' l..

link

Injunctions.

How to apply for one, and what is an injunction? - If you are seeking an injunction we would recommend that you take immediate advice...

Reporting a Crime.

If the crime is ongoing call 999, you should not put yours or anyone else’s safety at risk by taking action yourself...

Education Law Solicitors

Education Law Solicitors. Education solicitors will provide legal advice on all aspects relating to children with Special Educational Needs, problems with schoo..

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top