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Under constant surveillance?

10 October 2025 / Henrietta Ronson
Issue: 8134 / Categories: Features , Criminal , Technology , Artificial intelligence , Human rights
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Restriction zones for released offenders present profound legal, ethical & practical difficulties, argues Henrietta Ronson
  • Examines the roots of exclusionary legislation, government promises, the pitfalls, the troubling role of barely tested algorithmic and AI-driven risk assessments in criminal enforcement, and the lessons that can be learned from the US.

The notion of separating offenders from victims through geographical boundaries is a tale as old as time. Historically, offenders were banished into exile to punish and shame. More recently, the law has implemented legislation that strives to manage risk with protection for complainants:

  • Non-molestation orders were introduced by the Family Law Act 1996, one of the earliest UK laws allowing courts to prohibit an abuser from harassing or contacting a victim (including exclusion from certain areas).
  • Restraining orders have been available since the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
  • Sexual harm prevention orders under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 can exclude offenders from both physical and online spaces.
  • Domestic violence protection orders and domestic abuse protection orders have been designed to
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Slater Heelis—Oliver Banks

Slater Heelis—Oliver Banks

Manchester firm strengthens Court of Protection expertise with partner hire

Talbots Law—Sara Pickerin & Nicholas Playford

Talbots Law—Sara Pickerin & Nicholas Playford

Agricultural law team expands with senior director appointments

Kingsley Napley—Claire Green

Kingsley Napley—Claire Green

Firm announces appointment of chief legal officer

NEWS
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] EWHC 2341 (KB) has restated a fundamental truth, writes John Gould, chair of Russell-Cooke, in this week's NLJ: only authorised persons can conduct litigation. The decision sparked alarm, but Gould stresses it merely confirms the Legal Services Act 2007
The government’s decision to make the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the Single Professional Services Supervisor marks a watershed in the UK’s fight against money laundering, says Rebecca Hughes of Corker Binning in this week's NLJ. The FCA will now oversee 60,000 firms across legal and accountancy sectors—a massive expansion of remit that raises questions over resources and readiness 
The High Court's decision in Parfitt v Jones [2025] EWHC 1552 (Ch) provided a striking reminder of the need to instruct the right expert in retrospective capacity assessments, says Ann Stanyer of Wedlake Bell in NLJ this week
Paige Coulter of Quinn Emanuel reports on the UK’s first statutory definition of SLAPPs under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023in NLJ this week
NLJ columnist Stephen Gold dives into the quirks of civil practice, from the Court of Appeal’s fierce defence of form N510 to fresh reminders about compliance and interest claims, in this week's Civil Way
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