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19 January 2024
Issue: 8055 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
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NLJ this week: Post Office litigation—return to sender?

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The Post Office-Horizon IT scandal has exploded in the public consciousness, but not everyone agrees with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to quash convictions on a blanket basis

In this week’s NLJ, Professor Graham Zellick—a former chairman of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, no less—raises objections to the unprecedented move.

Zellick writes: ‘The vigour demonstrated at long last by government, galvanised by the TV drama, is welcome, and the temptation of a quick and cheap fix is understandable. But that does not mean it is the right or the best solution. In fact, it is profoundly sub-optimal and its adoption is to be deeply regretted.’

He makes the case against, arguing Sunak’s fix is not only ‘repugnant to the rule of law’ but denies justice to the individuals concerned. Zellick suggests an alternative approach, that would work better.

Issue: 8055 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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