Review Of The Criminal Courts Of England And Wales

This report examines the purpose, structure and working of the criminal courts in the criminal justice system. In particular it considers: re-structuring and improving the composition of the criminal courts and the better matching of courts to cases; introducing a new structure for direction and better management of the criminal justice system; removing work from the criminal process that should not be there; improving preparation for trial and trial procedures and reform of the law of criminal evidence; simplification of the appellate structure. In proposing change attention is paid to the law of human rights and the potential of information technology to re-shape practices. However a central concern is the need to enhance public confidence in the whole system.

Following the same structure and philosophy as the two previous editions which have made this work so well respected, the new, third edition of English Legal System in Context offers a fresh approach to this core subject by considering a wider range of issue than can be found in other texts on this field. One example of this expanded approach can be seen in its coverage of the legal justice system. Here the authors consider the police, their powers and the rights of suspects detained at the police station. However, they also examine the world of private policing, the work of environmental health officers and other non-police prosecutors, as well as the role of the public in uncovering crime.

This book examines public accountability and transparency in the criminal justice process, interrogating both traditional and changing digital methods of achieving open justice. Drawing on empirical studies conducted in courtrooms and a review of media court reporting and social media alongside their own experiences, the authors explore the human impact of inequality of access to the justice system and the potential issues with digitised courts data. Crucially, the book challenges the confusion and inconsistency which characterises justice system data management within and beyond England and Wales. In doing so, it considers ways in which access to justice, rehabilitation of offenders and public accountability could all be enhanced.

Revised by Elena Ricci

Presenting a series of interviews with leading figures in the UK legal world conducted by Richard Susskind, this work gives insight into their thinking about recent legal developments and the future shape of the legal system.

This book provides a comprehensive, introductory guide to the criminal justice system. It outlines the basic elements of criminal law, and the various agencies of the system, and includes study exercises and review questions.

Dated December 2016. Print and web pdfs available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications Web ISBN=9781474134880