Local justice area meaning

This Checklist This Checklist sets out essential, hands-on advice for criminal practitioners who need to take part in hearings held via live audio or live video links. Read it alongside the Practice Note: Practical guide to remote hearings in the criminal courts, which contains fuller step-by-step assistance on, for example, preparation in advance, technology considerations, and participation in the hearing itself through platforms including the dedicated Cloud Video Platform (CVP) and the Video Hearings Service (VHS). Be aware that VHS is not yet fully rolled out across England and Wales. It was withdrawn from service in July 2024 to resolve stability problems, and HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) has stated it plans to reinstate it after completing a scheduled handover to a new service provider. When back in use, local courts will notify users of the start of VHS hearings, and access details will arrive from an ‘HMCTS.reform.net’ email address. The Lord Chief Justice has issued guidance on advocates’ remote attendance in the Crown Court, and every practitioner...

In this issue: Key DR developments Claims and remedies Cross-border disputes Dates for your diary Useful information Daily and weekly news alerts Key DR developments Practice Direction update 168th PD update: Approval has been given by the Master of the Rolls and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice to the 168th update to the Practice Directions under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR). This update alters CPR PD 51ZC, prolonging the small claims paper determination pilot until 1 December 2024; that change took effect on 31 May 2024. It also revises CPR PD 74A to provide for the registration of foreign judgments for recognition and enforcement pursuant to the Hague Judgments Convention. The amendments to CPR PD 74A will commence when the Hague Judgments Convention comes into force in the UK—see LNB News 06/06/2024 6—168th Practice Direction update. Guidance and reports Birmingham Business and Property Courts’ local guidance updated: The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (CTJ)...

In this issue A review of key cases in 2025 Decision to prosecute and alternatives to prosecution Criminal procedure and evidence Proceeds of crime Bribery, corruption, sanctions and export controls Environmental offences Financial services and pensions offences Health and safety and corporate manslaughter offences Local authority prosecutions Money laundering Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information A review of key cases in 2025 Headline corporate crime matters in 2025 included the UK Supreme Court overturning the convictions of two traders jailed for rate manipulation; the anti-fraud agency deploying a seldom‑used legal power to recover criminal cash; and the first conviction for sanctions breaches. See News Analysis: The biggest financial crime cases of 2025. Decision to prosecute and alternatives to prosecution SFO compliance guide highlights early remediation is key On 26 November 2025, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO)...

In this issue: Criminal procedure and evidence Proceeds of crime Appeal and judicial review Sentencing Bribery, corruption, sanctions and export controls Cybercrime and data protection offences Environmental offences Financial services and pensions offences Food safety and hygiene offences Fraud, forgery, tax and theft offences Health and safety and corporate manslaughter offences Local authority prosecutions Money laundering International LexTalk®Corporate Crime: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information Criminal procedure and evidence Court delays soar as backlogs break records Between April and June 2025, the criminal courts in England and Wales amassed an unprecedented caseload of almost 440,000, with incoming matters exceeding disposals and a system hampered by long-standing funding shortfalls. In response, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), together with The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, confirmed extra resources to accelerate outcomes for...

This Practice Note reflects the law as it is understood in England. Local authorities and other public bodies owe a general obligation to act fairly. This applies to both process and substance, and stems from the two fundamental rules of natural justice, namely that: no one should be a judge in their own cause (nemo judex in causa sua), and issues are to be decided after hearing from both or all parties involved (audi alteram partem) The modern duty of fairness is a flexible, context‑dependent principle requiring those consulting or making decisions on the public’s behalf to act—and be seen to act—in a way that is demonstrably fair in all the circumstances, and untainted by any actual or perceived personal or other extraneous interest. Public authority decisions affected by actual or apparent bias (a prejudice towards a particular outcome) or by predetermination (where decision‑makers have settled the matter and closed their minds before the decision is formally taken) are, therefore, incompatible with the...

CASE HUB ARCHIVED – this archived case hub captures the position as at the judgment dated 12 December 2019; it is no longer maintained. See also the timeline, commentary, and related/relevant cases for further details. Case facts Outline Case C‑435/18 Otis Gesellshaft m.b.h. and Others v Land Oberösterreich and Others – a national judicial reference from Austria seeking clarification on whether various lift manufacturers should face damages claims by an Austrian local council on the basis that their cartel conduct increased the cost of its loans to construction companies. Latest developments On 12 December 2019, the Court of Justice handed down its judgment. The Court of Justice confirmed and clarified that, under Article 101 TFEU, persons who are neither suppliers nor customers on a market affected by a cartel may obtain compensation for loss caused by that cartel. Parties Otis Gesellshaft m.b.h. Land Oberösterreich Market The market for the supply of lifts and escalators in Austria’s territory....

Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles A ‘hackney carriage’ means a vehicle authorised to ‘ply for hire’, namely to offer a taxi service and stand on taxi ranks awaiting passengers. See the Practice Note: Taxi licensing. Plying for hire without a hackney carriage licence is an offence under section 45 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (TPCA 1847). Touting for car hire services constitutes an offence by virtue of section 167 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA 1994). See Practice Notes: Taxi touting or soliciting for hire, and Taxi and private hire vehicles enforcement. A ‘private hire vehicle’ is defined at section 80 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (LG(MP)A 1976) as ‘a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to seat fewer than nine passengers, other than a hackney carriage or public service vehicle, or a London cab or tramcar, which is provided for hire with the services of a driver for the purpose of carrying passengers’. A ‘private hire vehicle’ must not...

1 Pro bono vision 1.1 We accept our duties to clients, colleagues, suppliers and other stakeholders, alongside the broader community in which we work. Through our policies and day-to-day practices, we seek to uphold exemplary governance and client service, and to foster a constructive workplace that enables our people to grow while actively supporting our local community... 1.2 We recognise that many in our society face barriers to the justice system when seeking to resolve legal issues. As lawyers, we are uniquely placed to assist. Providing pro bono advice and representation to those in need is a core element of our commitment to the community... 1.3 We will endeavour to contribute [insert the amount of support the organisation will aim to provide for pro bono work, such as a defined number of hours per lawyer, the monetary value of otherwise chargeable time, or a percentage of annual billings] to deliver pro bono support to individuals and community organisations who struggle to obtain legal services...

ARCHIVED: This Precedent is archived and no longer maintained...

In the County of [ insert county ] — Petty Sessional Division of [ insert ] The Complaint of [ insert name ] Of [ insert address ], who states as follows: The route or bridge called [ insert name ] in the parish/town of [ insert name ] is a highway maintainable at public expense, for which the [ insert name ] highway authority is responsible. The highway is in disrepair. On [ insert date ], the Complainant served the [ insert name ] highway authority with a Notice under section 56 of the Highways Act 1980. On [ insert date ], the highway authority served on the Complainant a Notice admitting both that the route/bridge is a highway and that it is bound to maintain it. NOW, pursuant to section 56 of the Highways Act 1980, the Complainant asks this Court for an Order directing the [ insert name ] Council, as highway authority, to put the highway into...