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26 July 2023
Issue: 8035 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal , Child law
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Opinions sought on expanding criminal injuries scheme to include IICSA recommendations

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 could be extended to include more forms of child sexual abuse, with the time limit for applications increased from the current two years to seven years, as recommended last October by the final report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a consultation seeking views on amending the definition of ‘crime of violence’ to include online-facilitated sexual abuse, non-contact offences and certain other forms of child sexual abuse.

Announcing the ‘additional consultation’ last week, justice minister Edward Argar said: ‘We recognise the incredible courage of the 7,300 individual victims and survivors who came forward to share their stories and testimonies with the Inquiry and the public.’

The MoJ has said it will consider all views and representations from the two previous consultations in 2020 and 2022 in making its decision to reform the scheme.  Respond to the consultation by 15 September 2023.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Cripps—Radius Law

Cripps—Radius Law

Commercial and technology practice boosted by team hire

Switalskis—Grimsby

Switalskis—Grimsby

Firm expands with new Grimsby office to serve North East Lincolnshire

Slater Heelis—Will Newman & Lucy Spilsbury

Slater Heelis—Will Newman & Lucy Spilsbury

Property team boosted by two solicitor appointments

NEWS
A High Court ruling involving the Longleat estate has exposed the fault line between modern family building and historic trust drafting. Writing in NLJ this week, Charlotte Coyle, director and family law expert at Freeths, examines Cator v Thynn [2026] EWHC 209 (Ch), where trustees sought approval to modernise trusts that retain pre-1970 definitions of ‘child’, ‘grandchild’ and ‘issue’
Fresh proposals to criminalise ‘nudification’ apps, prioritise cyberflashing and non-consensual intimate images, and even ban under-16s from social media have reignited debate over whether the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is fit for purpose. Writing in NLJ this week, Alexander Brown, head of technology, media and telecommunications, and Alexandra Webster, managing associate, Simmons & Simmons, caution against reactive law-making that could undermine the Act’s ‘risk-based and outcomes-focused’ design
Recent allegations surrounding Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have reignited scrutiny of the ancient common law offence of misconduct in public office. Writing in NLJ this week, Simon Parsons, teaching fellow at Bath Spa University, asks whether their conduct could clear a notoriously high legal hurdle
A landmark ruling has reshaped child clinical negligence claims. Writing in NLJ this week, Jodi Newton, head of birth and paediatric negligence at Osbornes Law, explains how the Supreme Court in CCC v Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2026] UKSC 5 has overturned Croke v Wiseman, ending the long-standing bar on children recovering ‘lost years’ earnings
A Court of Appeal ruling has drawn a firm line under party autonomy in arbitration. Writing in NLJ this week, Masood Ahmed, associate professor at the University of Leicester, analyses Gluck v Endzweig [2026] EWCA Civ 145, where a clause allowing arbitrators to amend an award ‘at any time’ was held incompatible with the Arbitration Act 1996
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