The Supreme Court has ruled that the law concerning joint enterprise, in which co-accused could be convicted of murder even if they do not administer the fatal blow, had taken a “wrong turn” in the 1980s. Following yesterday’s announcement the Crown Prosecution Service will now have to prove that an individual has actively assisted in, or encouraged, the killing to secure a conviction for murder. Law of Joint Enterprise: Has the Supreme Court restored balance to the scales of justice?

As a criminal lawyer you become naturally entwined with the role of our Criminal Justice System. I witness the impact it has on the lives of my clients and their families every day, so when the opportunity came to attend the ‘United Against Injustice Annual Conference’ with my colleague, Post Conviction expert, Joe Ely, I knew I had to be there.

Domestic violence cases are complex. In a criminal trial the evidence is tested under cross-examination by both the defence and prosecution solicitors. However, recent changes in the law, namely the case of R v Barnaby 2015 has made the process of challenging evidence more difficult.

Next year the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2014 will come into force, the effect, from the 6th April 2016 is that all dogs aged eight weeks or older must be microchipped and registered on an approved database. This will apply to all dogs unless a vet has certified that the dog cannot be microchipped due to health reasons. If the dog is not microchipped or its keeper does not register their details, a notice may be served on the keeper requiring them to do so. If the keeper does not then microchip the dog within twenty one days they could be liable for a fine of up to £500.

The newly appointed Justice Secretary, Michael Gove, kicked off the Conservative Government last week with a pledge that within 100 days he would abolish the Human Rights Act, his intention, to replace it with a British Bill of Rights. But even supporters of the reforms, such as the barrister, Martin Howe QC, who is helping to draft the Bill, are somewhat sceptical of this accelerated timetable.