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19 January 2024
Issue: 8055 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
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NLJ this week: Post Office litigation—return to sender?

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The Post Office-Horizon IT scandal has exploded in the public consciousness, but not everyone agrees with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to quash convictions on a blanket basis

In this week’s NLJ, Professor Graham Zellick—a former chairman of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, no less—raises objections to the unprecedented move.

Zellick writes: ‘The vigour demonstrated at long last by government, galvanised by the TV drama, is welcome, and the temptation of a quick and cheap fix is understandable. But that does not mean it is the right or the best solution. In fact, it is profoundly sub-optimal and its adoption is to be deeply regretted.’

He makes the case against, arguing Sunak’s fix is not only ‘repugnant to the rule of law’ but denies justice to the individuals concerned. Zellick suggests an alternative approach, that would work better.

Issue: 8055 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

DAC Beachcroft—Paul Brehony

DAC Beachcroft—Paul Brehony

Commercial disputes practice expands with partner hire in London

Ward Hadaway—Maria Coster

Ward Hadaway—Maria Coster

Partner appointed to lead family and matrimonial department in Leeds

Slater Heelis—Helen Marsh

Slater Heelis—Helen Marsh

Commercial property team expands in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
Financial protections for domestic abuse victims would be strengthened and cohabiting couples be given inheritance and separation rights, under historic government proposals
Doctors and nurses could be sued for mistakes made by the artificial intelligence (AI) equipment they use to treat patients, researchers have warned
The law sector has been chosen as the testing ground for the government’s AI Growth Labs—speeding up development, testing and regulatory compliance so software can be market-ready more quickly
A range of options beyond burial, cremation and burial at sea could become legally available, under Law Commission recommendations
Artificial intelligence (AI) legal assistants will be deployed to cut delays in the Crown Court, ministers have announced
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