Research Briefing
Partnership (Prosecution) (Scotland) Bill
This note outlines the reasons for the Partnership (Prosecution) Scotland) Bill. This is one of a series of Bills suggested by the Law Commissions of either Scotland or England & Wales.
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Research Briefing
The duty of the police to enforce the law
There is case law to suggest that, although under a general duty to uphold the law, chief officers of police retain discretion as to the degree of effort they will attach to enforcing any particular law at any particular time.
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Research Briefing
Crime and Courts Bill [HL]: Committee Stage Report
The Crime and Courts Bill would, amongst other things, establish a new National Crime Agency, change the law on self defence for householders defending themselves from intruders, make changes to community sentences and immigration appeal rights and introduce a new drug driving offence. The Government made a number of substantive amendments in Committee, including on bailiffs, proceeds of crime and extradition.
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Research Briefing
“Insulting words or behaviour”: Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986
The Government has now announced that it is “not minded” to challenge a Lords amendment to the Crime and Courts Bill which would remove the word “insulting” from section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.
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Research Briefing
Householders and the criminal law of self defence
This note considers the potential criminal liability of householders who use force against intruders. Such householders will have a complete defence if they can demonstrate they were using reasonable force in self defence. However, cases such as those of Tony Martin and Munir Hussain have led some to call for a change in the law so that the test is one of "not grossly disproportionate force" rather than "reasonable force". The Government is now proposing to legislate for such a change by way of the Crime and Courts Bill.
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Research Briefing
Crime and Courts Bill [HL]
The Bill would establish a new National Crime Agency and make a number of changes to the administration of justice. It also deals with the law of self defence as it applies to householders defending themselves from intruders; makes changes to community sentences and to immigration appeal rights; and introduces a new drug driving offence.
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Research Briefing
Justice and Security Bill
This paper has been prepared for the Second Reading of the Justice and Security Bill in the House of Commons, which is due to take place on 18 December 2012. The Bill, which has proved contentious, was originally introduced in the House of Lords on 28 May 2012. It is aimed at modernising and strengthening the oversight of the intelligence and security services and would allow the civil courts to use closed material procedures to hear sensitive evidence in cases that raised national security concerns. It would also preclude the courts from ordering the disclosure of sensitive information in certain circumstances. The Bill was revised significantly in the Lords and was introduced in the House of Commons on 28 November 2012.
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Research Briefing
Police (Complaints and Conduct) Bill
This Bill is due to go through all its Commons stages under the Fast-Track procedure on 5 December 2012. It would make two changes to the powers of the Independent Police Complaints Commission. These are designed to enable the Commission to investigate allegations against the police in relation to the Hillsborough disaster. The Bill has reportedly been welcomed by the Opposition. It extends to England and Wales, and parts of it extend to the whole UK.
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Research Briefing
Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, 2012
On Thursday 15 November 2012 the first ever elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) took place in England and Wales, outside of London. The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 replaced police authorities with directly elected PCCs. The 41 police areas each elected one PCC. The supplementary vote system was used for the elections. This Research Paper analyses the results
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Research Briefing
Reducing reoffending: the “what works” debate
This paper examines the evidence for the effectiveness of prison and programmes in the community aimed at reducing reoffending and some of the claims and counter-claims for whether “prison works”.
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Research Briefing
Changes to Criminal Injuries Compensation
The Government is reforming Crimininal Injuries Compensation, and a new scheme is due to come into force on 27 November 2012. The changes have been controversial.
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Research Briefing
Scrap Metal Dealers Bill: Committee Stage Report
It is thought that scrap metal dealers are the main outlet for stolen metal and that the existing regulatory regime for dealers fails to discourage the trade in stolen metal. Richard Ottaway’s Private Member’s Bill, The Scrap Metal Dealers Bill 2012, will introduce a more robust licensing regime to disrupt the trade in stolen metal. The Bill has cross party support. Its Report Stage is due on 9 November 2012.
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Research Briefing
Anti-social Behaviour – The Government’s Proposals
The Government has consulted on reforming powers to deal with anti-social behaviour, and will be introducing draft legislation. This note discusses the proposals.
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Research Briefing
Third party action on behalf of victims of domestic violence
Section 60 of the Family Law Act 1996, which could allow third parties to apply for certain court orders on behalf of domestic violence victims, has never been brought into force. This note looks at some of the arguments surrounding this issue.
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Research Briefing
Olympic Britain
Olympic Britain tells the story of the profound economic and social change in the UK since the two previous London Olympics, in 1908 and 1948, using statistics and expert analysis. The book can also be browsed using the Parliament website at www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/olympic-britain/
Total results (page 42 of 53)