S09E04 - Sticky Fingers

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This week Ben,Kirstin and Jonathan are joined by the lovely Lyndon Harris, barrister, blogger and Banks on Sentencing editor.

Our discussion is all about imaginative approaches to theft offences.  First we look at Professor Andrew Ashworth's Howard League paper which suggests that Theft should not incur a prison sentence, then Lyndon gives broad support to the idea of giving shop-lifters food vouchers.  Jonathan Holt considers proposals for making Magistrates impose more custodial sentences and worries about the demise of more and more
Magistrates' courts in which to issue those sentences.

Finally we turn away from Criminal Law and look at two Immigration Law cases implimenting the ruling in Zambrano.

Update on the so-called “sexual predator” case

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/12/paedophile-victim-predatory-sentence-increased

No Prison for Pilferers

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/convicted-thieves-and-fraudsters-should-be-spared-jail-says-law-professor-andrew-ashworth-8760388.html

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/sentencing_manual/theft_general/

http://d19ylpo4aovc7m.cloudfront.net/fileadmin/howard_league/user/online_publications/What_if_imprisonment_were_abolished_web.pdf

http://www.howardleague.org/what-if-property-offences/

Stoke reward shoplifters with food vouchers

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2389224/Shoplifters-rewarded-food-vouchers-caught-stealing.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-23654802

Magistrates to get a power-up - but where will they use it?
http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/government-propose-new-custodial-powers-magistrates#comment-35244
http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/doubts-over-moj-s-savings-target

MA and SM (Zambrano: EU children outside EU) Iran [2013] UKUT 00380 (IAC)

S08E05 - Legally Speaking

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On this week's show, we look into the use of interpreters in courts and police stations and find out why a Ministry of Justice contract with Applied Language Solutions Ltd (now known as Capita Translation and Interpreting Ltd) is causing concern for interpreters, courts and parties to proceedings.

We speak with Mirela Watson, a Romanian interpreter with over a decade of experience and qualifications, about what is wrong with the present system and where the dangers lie.

If you want to read the BBC article about the Snaresbrook case, it is here.
The Court of Appeal decision referred to is here.
The place to register your concerns about cases such as those discussed is here.
We will bring you Capita's response in next week's show, if we receive comment.

The "Justice for Sale" meeting in London on 22nd May 2013 is now sold out.  That's more than 1,100 people and a significant press following.  We will be covering the event (all things being equal!).  The press release from the CLSA, confirming the sell-out, is here.

There are some clues as to the details of some of the Home Secretary's plans for criminal justice, following her address at the Police Federation conference in Bournemouth.  The M.E.N. also had this to say.

We have what might be the last Abu Qatada update from Jonathan Holt.

We all do some agreeing with the Home Secretary about a couple of things.  Don't worry; normal service will be resumed by next week.

In next week's show, coverage of the London "Justice For Sale" event and the protest demo in Manchester. And maybe some cake and bourbon.

S08E04 - The Queen's Speech

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It's all a bit political this week as Ben and Kirstin and regular contributor Jonathan Holt discuss what the Queen's Speech contained for Lawyers.

Jonathan worries about the implications of the proposed immigration bill.  Ben worries about the implications of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill and Kirstin just worries...

Thanks to the BBC for the easy-reading summary, saving us from producing one - our listeners can find it with it's helpful extra links... here.