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Law Society committee claims victims’ rights proposals smack of “party conference electioneering” (23 September 2014)

Date: 23/09/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Law Society committee claims victims’ rights proposals smack of “party conference electioneering”

The Law Society’s criminal law committee has criticised an announcement by the Justice Secretary Chris Grayling to introduce new laws to protect the rights of victims of crime.

Mr Grayling announced a raft of measures which would be enshrined in law, including allowing victims of crime to read out or submit a personal statement to the court explaining how they or their families had been affected by crime.

However, chairman of the committee Avtar Bhatoa said that the timing of the announcement suggested the measures were “party conference electioneering”.

Autumn is the period during which political parties traditionally hold their party conferences – and all political parties are currently gearing up for the May 2015 General Election.

Mr Grayling has promised a dedicated support helpline for victims of crime among his proposals, as well as providing specialist training for lawyers working on cases involving serious sexual abuse.

By coincidence, campaigners for women’s rights are currently taking legal action against the government to restore Legal Aid for victims of domestic violence.

Family cases faced cuts in Legal Aid assistance under the government’s justice and welfare reforms introduced in April 2013 – in some cases, this has led to victims of domestic violence having to face their abuser across a mediation table in divorce cases.

The Rights of Women campaign group is seeking judicial review of the government’s Legal Aid cuts for domestic violence victims, to establish whether the cuts are lawful.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of criminal lawyers and can advise at any stage of a criminal charge, including charges relating to domestic violence, sexual offences and violent crime.

Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers regularly visit police stations and prisons to advise on criminal charges – including youth courts and Young Offenders’ Institutions (YOI).

For expert legal advice on criminal charges call Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

For out-of-hours criminal law advice and representation for a police interview under caution, call the Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers Out-of-Hours Hotline on 07920 077057.

Confidential legal help for victims of domestic violence is available via the Duncan Lewis Domestic Violence Solicitors Helpline on 07920 077054.

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