<![CDATA[Pressat Main Newswire]]> https://pressat.co.uk/rss/ <![CDATA[Pressat Main Newswire]]> https://pressat.co.uk/media/site/logo.png https://pressat.co.uk/rss/ en-gb Copyright: (C) Pressat Pressat <![CDATA[ New handbook gives practitioners clarity on criminal records ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/new-handbook-gives-practitioners-clarity-on-criminal-records-701ecc714fa0d3b1a0d16ed4138bbfd9/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/new-handbook-gives-practitioners-clarity-on-criminal-records-701ecc714fa0d3b1a0d16ed4138bbfd9/ Tuesday 23 October, 2018

A new handbook published by Just for Kids Law highlights the inequities and contradictions of the UK criminal records system, offering clarity and insight to practitioners in navigating this topic.

The handbook shines a light on the collection and keeping of records by the police, as well as the review and deletion of police records and the disclosure of records on Disclosure and Barring Service (“DBS”) Certificates.

The handbook aims to help practitioners to understand the legal framework around the entering, retention and disclosure of criminal records, enabling them to better advise clients and to successfully challenge unlawful data management decisions by the police and other organisations that have access to or hold police records. The book is written in a narrative structure making it user-friendly and accessible for practitioners, regardless of their prior knowledge of the law.

The handbook was authored by trainee solicitor Alex Temple, who identified the need for such a guide while working as part of the Just for Kids Law strategic litigation team on legal challenges to the keeping and sharing of police records. Mr Temple’s traineeship is funded by the Legal Education Foundation.

Alex Temple, author of the handbook, says:

“Keeping and sharing criminal records about a person is not meant to be a punishment. Yet, for many, old and irrelevant records form a life sentence of stigma and uncertainty. This prevents them leaving their past behind and achieving their potential. This is why it is essential that professionals understand this hugely complex system - so they can advise people and challenge the unlawful use of criminal records. This guide should help professionals understand the system, and support people with records to move on with their lives.”

Enver Solomon, CEO, Just for Kids Law, says:

“We know from our casework that criminal records and their retention and disclosure are increasingly prevalent issues for our clients, especially in areas where the law has failed to keep pace with changing reality, such as crimes concerning activity on social media. The issue is particularly important for young people, where even minor offenses committed early in life can be disclosed decades later, seriously impacting future opportunities. We hope that this handbook increases awareness and knowledge of the topic among all those who work with young people, which is the first step towards substantive reform of the law.”

Links:

Link to download the handbook: https://www.justforkidslaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Police-Records-A-Guide-for-Professionals-October-2018.pdf

For more information contact:

Jonathan Karstadt: JonathanKarstadt@justforkidslaw.org| 07984 095793

Notes to Editors:

Just for Kids Law is a UK charity that works with and for children and young people to hold those with power to account and fight for wider reform by providing legal representation and advice, direct advocacy and support, and campaigning to ensure children and young people in the UK have their legal rights and entitlements respected and promoted.




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https://twitter.com/Justforkidslaw Pressat info@justforkidslaw.org
http://www.justforkidslaw.org

Additional Contact(s):
Communications Officer: Jonathan Karstadt:
07984 095793
JonathanKarstadt@justforkidslaw.org

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http://www.justforkidslaw.org 23 Oct 2018 09:23:44 GMT Charities & non-profits Children & Teenagers Education & Human Resources Public Sector & Legal
<![CDATA[ Thousands raised in campaign to challenge the use of children as spies ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/thousands-raised-in-campaign-to-challenge-the-use-of-children-as-spies-43353a97aa7772d70c9fdcb2052fe55c/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/thousands-raised-in-campaign-to-challenge-the-use-of-children-as-spies-43353a97aa7772d70c9fdcb2052fe55c/ Thursday 11 October, 2018

An online crowdfunding campaign has raised thousands of pounds to challenge the use of children as spies by the police and other investigative agencies. Lawyers at the charity Just for Kids Law started the campaign to raise funds for a legal case against the Home Office. They are concerned that the government’s guidelines on the use of children as spies put young people in danger and are seeking a judicial review to challenge the Home Office on human rights grounds.

The campaign has already raised over £3000 of a £6000 target; however, the urgency of the fundraising goal became more apparent last week when the Home Office refused the charity’s request to proceed with the case on a cost neutral basis. This decision means that Just for Kids Law would have to cover the government’s costs if they lose the case, despite being a charity acting in the public interest.

The use of children as spies by the police and other investigative agencies has caused a great deal of controversy since it was revealed in a House of Lords debate in July. Parliamentarians and human rights groups have raised concerns about the lack of safeguards to protect young people from physical and emotional harm.

Just for Kids Law has issued the case against the government with the counsel of Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC and Sam Jacobs, both of Doughty Street Chambers.

Enver Solomon, CEO, Just for Kids Law says:

“We’ve had a good response since we launched the crowdfunding campaign but have yet to reach our target. It should be of great concern to everyone that the government is allowing children to be exploited in this way with such little regard for their safety. The refusal by the Home Office to agree to proceed with the case on a cost neutral basis makes it all the more important that we are able to raise the funds carry out a legal challenge and stand up for vulnerable young people who could be put at serious risk.”

Links:

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/children-as-spies/ https://www.justforkidslaw.org/what-we-do/our-campaigns/children-as-spies/

Just for Kids Law is a UK charity
that works with and for children and young people to hold those with power to
account and fight for wider reform by providing legal representation and
advice, direct advocacy and support, and campaigning to ensure children and
young people in the UK have their legal rights and entitlements respected and
promoted.




Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ ]]>
https://twitter.com/Justforkidslaw Pressat info@justforkidslaw.org
http://www.justforkidslaw.org

Additional Contact(s):
Communications Officer: Jonathan Karstadt:
07984 095793
JonathanKarstadt@justforkidslaw.org

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http://www.justforkidslaw.org 11 Oct 2018 11:38:48 GMT Charities & non-profits Children & Teenagers Government Public Sector & Legal