Self inflicted deaths in prison: “Something must be done” – but what?

R (Scarfe & Ors) v Governor HMP Woodhill & SoS Justice [2017] EWHC 1194 (Admin) HMP Woodhill has achieved the unenviable status of having the highest rate and the highest number of self-inflicted deaths of any prison in the entire prison estate. Thirteen men have died there since 2013 at their own hand, seven of […]

Read More… from Self inflicted deaths in prison: “Something must be done” – but what?

Inquest representation: Is there a contractual right to “closure”?

Shaw v Leigh Day (A firm) [2017] EWHC 825 QB Attention family representatives! Absolutely nooo pressure at all, it’s just that if you don’t get your client the closure they want out of an inquest, now you can be sued for damages for causing them distress. That is the effect of this recent High Court […]

Read More… from Inquest representation: Is there a contractual right to “closure”?

Self-defence and Inquests: Subjective or Objective Reasonableness?

R (Duggan) v Asst Coroner North London and (1) Metropolitan Police Commissioner (2) Serious Organised Crime Agency (3) IPCC (4) DS Belfield (5) DC Faulkner (Interested Parties) [2017] EWCA Civ 142 Mark Duggan’s fatal shooting by Metropolitan Police officers gave rise to widespread public disorder across the country. The inquest jury’s finding that the cause […]

Read More… from Self-defence and Inquests: Subjective or Objective Reasonableness?