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Legislation / Legal
MoJ: A new measure announced last week will help prosecutors combat corporate offending including fraud, money laundering & bribery - which cost the UK £bns each year. The measure - a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) - can be made between a prosecutor and an organisation to defer prosecution for alleged economic wrongdoing as long as stringent conditions are met.
If they agree to enter into a DPA, organisations will publicly face up to their wrongdoing and may be required to:
* Make amends to victims
* Pay substantial financial penalties
* Reform their practices to prevent such conduct occurring again
HO: Police prosecution powers are being extended - In a move to cut inefficiency and save time & taxpayers' money, the police will be able to take a raft of new offences through the courts without consulting the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) – stripping out duplication & bringing swifter justice for victims.
Police-led prosecutions can now cover over half of all cases heard in Magistrates' Courts. Under the new measures, officers will be able to prosecute criminal damage cases under the value of £5,000, some alcohol & public order offences and driving without due care & attention. The changes will be tested in 9 police force areas to find the best way of working before they are introduced across the country.
DfT: The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Stephen Hammond) has issued a statement regarding some details of the HGV Road User Levy Bill.
ScotGov: Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has welcomed the Scottish Civil Justice Council & Criminal Legal Assistance Bill passing Stage 1 of its journey through the Scottish Parliament.
