Introduction The rule against double jeopardy, often referred to as ne bis in idem, broadly protects an individual against the risk of being put in … Read more
Police retention and use of biometric data
Policy issues The taking, retention and use of fingerprints in the investigation and detection of crime can be traced at least to the early years … Read more
Admissibility of sexual history in rape cases
Introduction It is generally accepted that prosecutions for rape and similar sexual offences present complex difficulties. Where, as is often the case, the core issue … Read more
Prosecuting an Irish murder in France
Image credit: The Irish Times Extraordinary case Last week, a French court convicted Ian Bailey in his absence and sentenced him to 25 years for … Read more
Sentencing code
Introduction A Bill has just been introduced in the Westminster Parliament paving the way for the introduction of a Sentencing Code for England and Wales. … Read more
Assessment of police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy
HMICFRS report A few weeks ago, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS, formerly Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary) published a … Read more
Oversight of police reform in Ireland
A relentless series of corruption, neglect and mismanagement scandals in Irish policing over the past few decades has generated a stream of reports and recommendations … Read more
Police promotions and human rights
At first sight, internal police promotions to senior ranks might not seem to be a topic likely to generate public concern. In practice it can … Read more
Stop and search
Fatal stabbings in England and Wales rose last year to the highest point since records began. Understandably, the government has felt under intense pressure to … Read more
European Arrest Warrant
Basic principles The European arrest warrant (EAW) is an instrument for the surrender of a person from one EU Member to another for the purpose … Read more