header-logo header-logo

Funding needed to improve justice in rape cases

23 June 2021
Issue: 7938 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
printer mail-detail
Lawyers have welcomed a government action plan on rape prosecution but warned it would only work if the criminal justice system was given more resources

Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland, acknowledged ‘systemic failings’ in the system had let victims of rape and sexual assault down. The two-year review, whose conclusions were published last week, found that only 3% of rape reports recorded by the police resulted in a charge or summons.

The action plan includes using scorecards to monitor the performance of criminal justice agencies and asking the Law Commission to tackle myths about rape and look into the use of victims’ sexual histories during evidence.

Derek Sweeting QC, Chair, Bar Council, said: ‘The investigation and prosecution of allegations of rape has been crying out for reform.

‘But without better funding for every part of the criminal justice system which deals with these cases, the government’s ambitious action plan will fail.’

Issue: 7938 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
back-to-top-scroll