GETTING TOUGHER

Terrorists and serious criminals who cannot currently be removed from the UK for legal reasons will be subject to “special immigration status” and denied leave to remain in the UK under new legislation. The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, published this week, will also give powers to courts to ensure dangerous offenders given a discretionary life sentence serve a higher proportion of their tariff before becoming eligible for parole consideration, and create a presumption that trials in magistrates’ courts will proceed in the absence of the accused. The Bill will also introduce violent offender orders, which will allow courts to impose post-sentence restrictions on those convicted of violent offences.