In-depth articles

The impact of new technology on UK motoring laws

The rapid development of technology in recent years has significantly influenced various aspects of our lives, including how we drive and the laws that govern motoring in the UK. As vehicle technology becomes increasingly sophisticated and transportation evolves, motoring laws have had to adapt to ensure continued safety, efficiency, and fairness on the roads....

How to appeal a motoring conviction in the UK

Receiving a driving conviction can be a distressing experience, particularly if you believe the decision was unfair. Fortunately, the UK legal system provides opportunities for appealing such convictions. If you find yourself in this situation, understanding the appeal process can help you navigate it more effectively....

The consequences of driving without insurance in the UK

Insurance can be a significant expense, but it's crucial to be aware of the severe consequences of driving without insurance coverage in the UK. Driving without insurance in the UK is a serious offence which is not only illegal but can also lead to financial penalties, driving bans, and criminal prosecution....

UK Driving Laws on Eyesight: Current Regulations and Future Changes

Safe driving depends heavily on drivers having clear and accurate vision. The UK government has strict laws in place to ensure drivers meet certain eyesight standards that help to prevent accidents and protect the safety of both drivers and pedestrians....

Stricter Mobile Phone Laws for UK Drivers

As of 2022, the UK government has enacted tougher laws and harsher penalties regarding the use of mobile phones while driving. These changes aim to improve road safety and deter dangerous behaviour behind the wheel....

Understanding Middle Lane Hogging: Risks and Penalties

In recent years, middle lane hogging is a term that has become increasingly prevalent in discussions surrounding road safety in the UK. This behaviour, characterised by drivers occupying the middle lane of a motorway with three or more lanes...

Rules of the Road: Sharing Space Safely with Cyclists and Horses

The Highway Code, the rulebook for British roads, underwent key revisions in January 2022 regarding driving near horses and cyclists, aiming to improve road safety and reduce the risk of accidents involving these vulnerable road users...

Think before accepting a Notice of Intended Prosecution on someone’s behalf

In the UK, the Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) holds significant legal weight and is an important element in the administration of justice to those who commit driving offences. Although a common occurrence, receiving a NIP, sometimes referred to as a Section 1 warning...

Careless Driving Laws in the UK: Failing to Stop and Report an Accident

Careless driving laws in the UK strictly enforce the need for drivers involved in an accident to stop and report it to the police. Whether it's a minor fender bender in a supermarket car park or a major collision, the laws surrounding careless driving, failing to stop, and reporting an accident expect drivers to take responsibility for their actions and ensure proper procedures are followed...

Flaws in the Exceptional Hardship Process

As set out in Section 35 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, drivers exceeding 12 penalty points within 3 years are faced with a minimum period of disqualification, often known as a ‘totting up’ ban. There are statutory minimum disqualification periods starting at 6 months and extending to 2 years, depending on how many previous disqualifications are on record within 3 years of the date the latest offence occurred.

Understanding the Limitations of Police Breathalysers

Breathalysers are a crucial tool for detecting alcohol consumption and preventing people from driving whilst under the influence. However, it is a common misconception that police breathalysers are infallible devices that can accurately measure the blood alcohol content of anyone who blows into them.

Sentencing Guidelines for Speeding Offences

Do I Need a Solicitor for Exceptional Hardship?

Facing the prospect of losing your driving license can be an overwhelming experience, particularly if it's a crucial part of your daily life. Certain circumstances may open the possibility for an application for exceptional hardship to avoid a disqualification, and one of the most common questions that people ask is whether they need a solicitor to help them with their case.

Crafting a Compelling Exceptional Hardship Letter: A Guide to Success

The exceptional hardship letter is a powerful tool that can make a significant difference in the outcome of a case. What is ‘exceptional’ is not defined in law and therefore each application is open to subjective scrutiny by the court.

Speeding Offences: Understanding Sentencing Guidelines and Punishments

Speeding offences are a common occurrence on UK roads, and they can have serious consequences. The government has set out guidelines for sentencing those who have been caught speeding, and judges use these to determine the appropriate punishment.

Exceptional Hardship: Legal Arguments to Avoid a Driving Ban

Under UK law's totting-up system, exceeding a specific number of points within three years is classified as a significant motoring offence. As with any other offence, there exist strategies to plead and present arguments in defence, and one such argument against a totting-up ban is based on the concept of exceptional hardship.

Understanding your Criminal Record

Your criminal record is a list of crimes you have been convicted of in a magistrates’ court or the Crown Court. This information is stored on the Police National Computer (PNC), yet your local police department may also keep their own records. In September 2017, there were over 11 million people in the UK with a criminal record and approximately 735,000 people with unspent convictions.

What are the different types of drug offences?

Earlier this year, the National Crime Agency stated that drug trafficking to the UK costs an estimated £10.7 billion per year, whilst findings from the 2017/18 Crime Survey for England and Wales show 1 in 11 British citizens used an illicit drug in the last year.

The impact of a Criminal Record

You now have a criminal record – what does that mean?

A CRIMINAL RECORD is a list of crimes that someone has been convicted of in either a Magistrates Court and/or the Crown Court. The information is retained on the Police National Computer (PNC).

Falsely accused of domestic violence

A shared parenting charity, Families Need Fathers, argues that thousands of parents falsely claim domestic abuse in order to access legal aid, and as a result stop estranged partners from seeing their children. There are certainly many cases in the UK where partners or ex-partners make accusations out of spite, or to end a relationship, however, there are also many cases where domestic violence and abuse has occurred, so it’s vital any accusations are taken seriously.

What is corporate manslaughter?

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act (CMCHA) was passed in 2007 and came into force in 2008, ensuring companies and organisations can be found guilty of corporate manslaughter, as a consequence of serious management failures, resulting in a gross breach of a duty of care.

Weapon offences under UK law

It’s been a major talking point over the last two years; knife crime is on the rise. There were 40,147 offences in the 12 months ending in March 2018, a 16% increase on the previous year and the highest number since 2011. According to police figures, there has also been an 11% increase in firearms offences, and these are both parts of a larger debate occurring in the UK right now; how best to tackle the rise in violent crime?

Misfeasance in public office – what does this mean?

Misfeasance is a form of misconduct, and it occurs when a public official, public servant or public body knowingly and willingly acts to cause loss or harm to a third party. For example, this could be through causing a person financial loss, damage to their reputation or personal injury.

What’s the difference between Manslaughter and Murder?

Manslaughter and murder and two of the most serious offences you can be charged with, however, differentiating between the two can be very complex. The distinction between these crimes often comes down to the consequence of the offence, such as whether the death of a person was caused intentionally, recklessly or accidently.

Death by dangerous driving – what offence could you be charged with?

There has been a great deal of debate surrounding the severity of the sentence for death by dangerous driving, which is currently up to 14 years in prison. You could also face a mandatory disqualification from driving (any motor vehicle) for a minimum of two years, and a compulsory extended retest.

What offences are dealt with by the Youth Court

Having to spend time in a court is a difficult experience for any young person to deal with, however, sometimes young people find themselves appearing in front of a Youth Court for minor offences and if you find your loved one in this situation, it’s important to get the right advice by trained professionals.

What is sexual consent? Facts about Rape and Sexual Assault

In UK law, the age of consent is 16 – when someone is deemed sexually responsible. This applies regardless of a person’s sexual orientation or gender. We have answered the most important questions and put together some facts about sexual consent, rape and sexual assault.

What are the types of sentences in the UK?

When a defendant pleads guilty to an offence or is found guilty, a sentence will be enforced by the court (magistrates’ court or crown court).

What is the Sex Offenders’ Register?

As of March 2018, there were approximately 60,000 registered sex offenders in the UK, with these figures confirming sexual offences reported to the police are still on the rise – a trend that has lasted over four years.

Bullying and harassment in the workplace

Workplace bullying is on the rise. According to a YouGov Poll (for the Trades Union Congress) 29% of people have been the victims of workplace bullying – that’s nearly 3 in every 10 workers.

How are indecent images detected by Law Enforcement Agencies?

According the National Crime Agency (NCA), there has been a 700% rise in allegations of abuse images since 2013. Technology continues to play an important role in changing patterns of abuse.

What constitutes domestic assault, abuse or violence in the UK?

Domestic assault is difficult to define because there are no specific offences under UK law, whilst violence and abuse are notoriously challenging to measure accurately and demonstrate.

Pleading Self-defence

Self-defence is a defence permitting reasonable force to be used to defend one’s self or another. So for example, if you are in a situation where you’re being attacked, it is acceptable to defend yourself in a reasonable manner, using reasonable force to prevent the attacker from causing you further harm or injuries.

What is the Computer Misuse Act?

Introduced in 1990, the Computer Misuse Act makes it illegal to acquire access a computer without permission, and make changes to files on a computer without permission.

Sexual grooming and UK law

The Home Office has recently stated it would “leave no stone unturned” in its attempt to tackle child sexual grooming in the UK. Official figures recently revealed almost 19,000 children were sexually groomed in England in the past year (2018 to 2019).

What is The Theft Act 1968?

The Theft Act 1968 was introduced to make it an offence to obtain property by deception. Under Section 1 (1) of the Theft Act 1968 “a person is guilty of theft if they dishonestly appropriate property belonging to another, with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.”

What is Legal Aid, and how does it work?

Here in the UK, you have the right to free legal advice if you're arrested or questioned at a police station. You are not, however, automatically entitled to Legal Aid, as eligibility is determined on your type of case and your financial circumstances.

Claims that private landlords could pursue relating to COVID

The Coronavirus Act 2020 was passed by Parliament on 25 March to assist commercial tenants affected by coronavirus. It's designed to protect tenants in light of the coronavirus outbreak, postponing a landlord's ability (until 30 June 2020) to bring proceedings against a tenant to forfeit the lease where the tenant has missed rent payments.

COVID-19 and redundancies: A quick guide

The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) recently issued a bleak warning of the jobs crisis in the UK, stating autumn's Covid-19 redundancies could exceed 700,000.

What is a settlement agreement?

Formerly known as a "compromise agreement", a settlement agreement is a legally binding contract between an employer and an employee, which settles claims that the individual may have made against their employer. It waives an individual's rights to make a claim (covered by the agreement) to an employment tribunal or court.

Back to Work - Social Distancing and Companies' obligations under the Health and Safety Legislation

On 10th May, the UK Government announced that it would commence a phased and controlled reopening of selected sectors. We are (at the time of writing) in phase two of the controlled reopening.

Temporary Insolvency Provisions: Statutory demands and winding-up petitions

On the 20 May 2020, the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill was introduced to the House of Commons, in a bid to safeguard companies and maximise their chances of survival. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on companies of all sizes, not just in terms of profits, but also their ability to borrow money and keep operations afloat.

Do Not Suffer In Silence - Seek Support

The heart-breaking new of the death of Sarah Everard has sent shockwaves and an outcry through our nation. After reading her case, the first thought that comes into mind for many is, “Why was she walking home alone at night?” But is it fair to place the onus on Sarah for preventing her own murder.

COVID-19 - The legal basis for quarantine

On the 15th February 2021, the UK government introduced stricter measures and enforcement rules (including fixed penalty notices to imprisonment) for quarantined passengers. These regulations tightened the measures already in place, such as refusing entry to people travelling from ‘red list’ countries, except for British or Irish nationals, or people with UK residency rights.

Covid and Employers’ Liability

Covid-19 presents employers with unprecedented challenges, as they are faced with concerns regarding the protection of both their employees and businesses against claims of personal injury and losses as a result of the pandemic.

Road Accidents Drop During Lockdown

With many staying at home due to lockdown measures as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, emerging evidence suggests a drop in road accidents across the UK.

Our Criminal Justice System and its Future

In the United Kingdom, the Criminal Justice System (CJS) is the collective body responsible for administering justice, and consists of various institutions such as the police, the crown prosecution service and the UK’s prison system. There are concerns regarding the CJS and its future due to drastic budget cuts implemented by the government.

The Bribery & Corruption Act and Offences Explained

Within the legal realm, offenders guilty of bribery are defined as offering, giving, receiving or soliciting any item of value to influence the actions of an official, or other person. In order to tackle bribery and corruption within the UK, The Bribery Act 2010 was created and came into force in July 2011.

The police come to your home early in the morning to detain your child - What should you do?

As a parent there cannot be anything worse than a police officer knocking on your door in the early morning, asking to speak to your child and then insisting they come down to the station.

The impact of new technology on UK motoring laws

How to appeal a motoring conviction in the UK

The consequences of driving without insurance in the UK

UK Driving Laws on Eyesight: Current Regulations and Future Changes

Stricter Mobile Phone Laws for UK Drivers

Understanding Middle Lane Hogging: Risks and Penalties

Rules of the Road: Sharing Space Safely with Cyclists and Horses

Think before accepting a Notice of Intended Prosecution on someone’s behalf

Careless Driving Laws in the UK: Failing to Stop and Report an Accident

Flaws in the Exceptional Hardship Process

Understanding the Limitations of Police Breathalysers

Do I Need a Solicitor for Exceptional Hardship?

Crafting a Compelling Exceptional Hardship Letter: A Guide to Success

Speeding Offences: Understanding Sentencing Guidelines and Punishments

Exceptional Hardship: Legal Arguments to Avoid a Driving Ban

Understanding your Criminal Record

What are the different types of drug offences?

The impact of a Criminal Record

Falsely accused of domestic violence

What is corporate manslaughter?

Weapon offences under UK law

Misfeasance in public office – what does this mean?

What’s the difference between Manslaughter and Murder?

Death by dangerous driving – what offence could you be charged with?

What offences are dealt with by the Youth Court

What is sexual consent? Facts about Rape and Sexual Assault

What are the types of sentences in the UK?

What is the Sex Offenders’ Register?

Bullying and harassment in the workplace

How are indecent images detected by Law Enforcement Agencies?

What constitutes domestic assault, abuse or violence in the UK?

Pleading Self-defence

What is the Computer Misuse Act?

Sexual grooming and UK law

What is The Theft Act 1968?

What is Legal Aid, and how does it work?

Claims that private landlords could pursue relating to COVID

COVID-19 and redundancies: A quick guide

What is a settlement agreement?

Back to Work - Social Distancing and Companies' obligations under the Health and Safety Legislation

Temporary Insolvency Provisions: Statutory demands and winding-up petitions

Do Not Suffer In Silence - Seek Support

COVID-19 - The legal basis for quarantine

Covid and Employers’ Liability

Road Accidents Drop During Lockdown

Our Criminal Justice System and its Future

The Bribery & Corruption Act and Offences Explained

The police come to your home early in the morning to detain your child - What should you do?

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