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NLJ this week: Give IPP and joint enterprise the Post Office treatment

08 March 2024
Issue: 8062 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
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We need more politicians willing to support unfashionable causes, NLJ columnist Jon Robins writes this week

The powers that be leaped into action following public outrage after the broadcast of ITV’s Mr Bates vs The Post Office but are slow to address injustice where there is less public demand.

Robins highlights two issues in particular: imprisonment for public protection (IPP) and joint enterprise. Both have caused shocking injustice yet, despite political wringing of hands, little has been achieved in practice.

Robins writes: ‘The overuse of joint enterprise—in particular, its racist overuse—has been a concern. Ten years ago, witnesses told the justice committee that the common law doctrine was being used as a “dragnet… hoovering up young people from ethnic minority communities” who had “peripheral, minor or in some cases even non-existent involvement” in serious criminal acts.’

Issue: 8062 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

1 Hare Court—Peter Mitchell KC & Amber Sheridan

1 Hare Court—Peter Mitchell KC & Amber Sheridan

Leading family law set strengthens ranks with high-profile additions

Thackray Williams—Jennifer Nicol

Thackray Williams—Jennifer Nicol

Firm bolsters commercial team with senior employment partner hire

Irwin Mitchell—Vijay Bange

Irwin Mitchell—Vijay Bange

Head of construction and engineering team appointed

NEWS
Proposed legislation to tighten the rules on pooled client accounts would place ‘substantial’ burdens on solicitors, the Law Society has warned
Increasing numbers of family mediators are cutting back on legal aid work or leaving the sector altogether due to low fees—creating a supply shortfall for low-income families
Lawyers acting in cases funded by damages-based agreements (DBAs) cannot claim their share of the damages if no damages are awarded, the High Court has clarified
Lawyers have given a cautious welcome to a Ministry of Justice decision to increase Crown Court sitting days
Barristers have been targeted with death threats, rape threats, threats to their family members, physical surveillance and threats from politicians, chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC has reported
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