Criminal Defence Blog


Perverting the course of justice sentencing guidelines


Perverting the course of justice sentencing guidelines

Criminal defence Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the perverting the course of justice sentencing guidelines.


How to remove my name from Police records.


How to remove my name from Police records.

Barrister Quentin Hunt examines how to remove adverse entries in police records.


How to recover property from the Police


How to recover property from the Police

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines how applications can be made for the return of property seized by the Police.


Banning orders under the Football Spectators Act 1989


Banning orders under the Football Spectators Act 1989

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the imposition of Banning orders under the Football Spectators Act 1989


Wasting Police Time- s5(2) Criminal Law Act 1967


Wasting Police Time- s5(2) Criminal Law Act 1967

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the offence of Wasting Police Time.


Possession of a bladed article- Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1998


Possession of a bladed article- Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1998

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the offence of possession of a bladed article and relevant defences.


Fraud by Abuse of Position s4 Fraud Act 2006


Fraud by Abuse of Position s4 Fraud Act 2006

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt analyses the offence of Fraud by Abuse of Position.


How to Appeal a Magistrates' Court Conviction


How to Appeal a Magistrates' Court Conviction

Criminal Barrister presents a guide to appeals from the Magistrates' Court to the Crown Court.


What is Perjury?


What is Perjury?

Criminal defence Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the offence of Perjury.


False statements by Company Directors- The Law


False statements by Company Directors- The Law

Barrister Quentin Hunt examines criminal liability relating to false and misleading statements made by Company Directors.


Defences to Possession of Drugs offences


Defences to Possession of Drugs offences

Leading Barrister Quentin Hunt explores defences available to charges of possession of controlled drugs and possession with intent to supply.


Possession of Controlled Drugs- the Law


Possession of Controlled Drugs- the Law

Leading Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the law surrounding the possession of controlled drugs.


Charges relating to Indecent and/or Extreme Images- Defences


Charges relating to Indecent and/or Extreme Images- Defences

Leading Criminal Defence Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the available defences to charges relating to extreme and indecent images.


Indecent and Extreme Images- The Law


Indecent and Extreme Images- The Law

Leading Criminal Defence Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the law relating to extreme and indecent images.


How to stop noisy neighbours- section 82 Environmental Protection Act 1990


How to stop noisy neighbours- section 82 Environmental Protection Act 1990

Leading Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt explains how to obtain section 82 Environmental Protection Act court orders against noisy or nuisance neighbours.


Changes to the DBS Filtering Regime


Changes to the DBS Filtering Regime

Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines recent changes to the DBS filtering regime and disclosure of convictions and cautions to employers.


Fraud by false representation


Fraud by false representation

Leading Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt looks at the 'elements' of the offence of Fraud by False representation under the Fraud Act 2006.


Victim’s Right to Review


Victim’s Right to Review

The victim’s right to review scheme can be complicated and daunting; in this article leading Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the VRR scheme and answers questions associated with it.


s179 Town and Country Planning Act Enforcement Notices- frequently asked questions.


s179 Town and Country Planning Act Enforcement Notices- frequently asked questions.

Barrister Quentin Hunt examines s179 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and answers questions that are commonly asked in Planning Enforcement Notice cases.


Defending trading standards prosecutions.


Defending trading standards prosecutions.

Quentin Hunt, a criminal defence Barrister who specialises in defending trading standards prosecutions, answers commonly asked questions about Trading Standards prosecutions.


GDPR six months on


GDPR six months on

This week marks the six-month anniversary since the General Data Protection Regulations took effect. Quentin takes a look back over this time to see whats changed.


Planning Enforcement notices - Limits lawful use and planning permission


Planning Enforcement notices - Limits lawful use and planning permission

Quentin explains the complex and often confusing interrelationship of planning enforcement law and criminal law and how it can impact upon any criminal prosecution by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).


s172 Planning enforcement notices


s172 Planning enforcement notices

What do you do if I have been served with a planning enforcement notice? What are the consequences of non compliance with a planning enforcement notice? Quentin reveals all.


Perverting the course of justice


Perverting the course of justice

Defendants who are otherwise law abiding people get caught out telling stupid lies to the Police and Courts without realising the dire consequences of getting caught.


New Test of Dishonesty


New Test of Dishonesty

In the New Test of Dishonesty the defendant can no longer use his own standards or what he understands the standards of society to be as a defence.


Are you GDPR ready? Take the quiz


Are you GDPR ready? Take the quiz

GDPR comes into effect on 25 May 2018. Test your understanding of your GDPR and Data Protection responsibilities


Dramatic rise in recorded rape cases explained


Dramatic rise in recorded rape cases explained

As the black cab rapist John Worboys case continues to navigate the legal system, Quentin takes a look at the way in which significant changes in police and Crown Prosecution Service guidance have had a dramatic impact on the number of recorded cases.


When do the lifestyle provisions apply in confiscation cases?


When do the lifestyle provisions apply in confiscation cases?

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 has been increasingly used to penalise defendants in all manner of cases in which many people would be surprised to find that POCA orders can be made


A guide to the law on Rape


A guide to the law on Rape

This article examines the elements of the offence of Rape, possible rape defences and the current state of the law; it cannot hope to be definitive but should serve as a good layman’s guide to the law.


Sexual Assault


Sexual Assault

This article will consider the legal definition of sexual assault, what must be proven for there to be a conviction, and what you should do if you have been accused of sexual assault.


New health and safety rules for the self-employed


New health and safety rules for the self-employed

Quentin Hunt, barrister at 2 Bedford Row and a member of the Attorney General's 'A List' of approved advocates for health and safety and regulatory work, explains what changes will mean in practice.


Changing a guilty plea - a case study


Changing a guilty plea - a case study

Changing a Guilty plea is not an easy exercise. The Court of Appeal has stated on a number of occasions that ‘the cases must be comparatively rare where it would be proper to allow a change of plea’. This case study discusses the issues.


Appeal against the revocation of a Shotgun Licence/ Refusal of a shotgun licence. Part 2: Examining the tests


Appeal against the revocation of a Shotgun Licence/ Refusal of a shotgun licence. Part 2: Examining the tests

In this second article, we examine the tests to be applied by the police in more detail. Read further to find out more..


Appeal against the revocation of a Shotgun Licence/ Refusal of a shotgun licence Part 1: What is the law and what can I do?


Appeal against the revocation of a Shotgun Licence/ Refusal of a shotgun licence Part 1: What is the law and what can I do?

For many, a shotgun licence is very important to both their livelihood and their leisure. However, given the fact that the decision in respect of shotgun and firearms licences rests entirely in hands of the various chief constables around the country, read further to find out more..


Criminal Damage


Criminal Damage

According to Home Office Statistics the offence of Criminal Damage is one of the top ten most prosecuted crimes in the United Kingdom. It is also one of the most frequently abused by way of prosecutions being brought against individuals in circumstances where no offence has been committed. Read further to find out more..


How Can I keep my driving licence? Special reasons arguments


How Can I keep my driving licence? Special reasons arguments

In many driving cases people commit offences in circumstances that are really not their fault. This stems from the fact that the vast majority of driving offences are what lawyers call ‘strict liability’ offences. This means that you are guilty whether or not you actually meant to commit the offence. Read further to find out more..


What is Unlawful Eviction and Harassment?


What is Unlawful Eviction and Harassment?

Local authorities are becoming increasingly trigger-happy in respect of landlord and tenant prosecutions. Such prosecutions can occur when there is a dispute with a tenant over the circumstances of their leaving a property. Often such disputes can be the word of one party against the word of another. As such it is essential that a landlord or other party accused of such an offence gain specialist legal advice if being either investigated or prosecuted. Read further to find out more..


Blackmail


Blackmail

Blackmail is an offence under section 21 Theft Act 1968. It is a serious offence and is tried only in the Crown Court before a judge and a jury. The maximum penalty on conviction is 14 years’ imprisonment. Read further to find out more..


Can I change a plea of guilty?


Can I change a plea of guilty?

Changes to the criminal justice system of late have been very much focussed on encouraging defendants to plead guilty. ‘Early guilty plea’ schemes have been rolled out across the country and a full discount for pleading guilty is only available if the plea is entered at the first opportunity, often before the evidence has been served by the prosecution in proper and full form. Read further to find out more ..


What do I do if I receive a Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 disclosure notice?


What do I do if I receive a Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 disclosure notice?

The Police and HMRC are increasingly using their powers under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 to require information from innocent parties who are not accused of a criminal offence but who can be compelled by law to provide information whether they like it or not. Read further to find out more ..


What to do if I am accused of VAT fraud?


What to do if I am accused of VAT fraud?

If you are being investigated or have been charged with an offence of VAT fraud it is essential that you seek specialist legal representation at an early stage. How the matter is conducted from the outset will shape the course of the case against you. Read further to find out more ..


Example of a VAT Fraud in Action


Example of a VAT Fraud in Action

If you are being investigated or have been charged with an offence of VAT fraud it is essential that you seek specialist legal representation at an early stage. How the matter is conducted from the outset will shape the course of the case against you. Careful consideration of the evidence is essential as well as an excellent working knowledge of this sort of case and experience in dealing with HMRC and the CPS. Read further to find out more ..


What to do if I am summoned for driving without insurance?


What to do if I am summoned for driving without insurance?

What to do if I am summonsed for driving without insurance? It is a criminal offence for a person to “use” a motor vehicle on a road or “cause” or “permit” any other person to use it on a road while uninsured. These offences can only be dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court and are typically punishable with a fine and the imposition of between 6 and 8 penalty points on your licence or a disqualification from driving. Despite the fact that these are “summary only” offences that can only be dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court, they are treated seriously.. Read further to find out more..


Death by Dangerous Driving


Death by Dangerous Driving

Causing death by dangerous driving is the most serious driving offence that you can be prosecuted for. If you are being investigated for this offence, have been charged or are under suspicion it is essential that you get legal representation. The representation you will require will need to be not just a ‘criminal’ lawyer but a lawyer with specialism in Road Traffic Offences.


What is exceptional hardship?


What is exceptional hardship?

Disqualification is generally compulsory. However, if you are able to persuade the court that there would be exceptional hardship amounting if you lose your licence they may allow you to keep your licence despite the fact that you have 12 penalty points or more..


When can a Court extend Custody Time Limits?


When can a Court extend Custody Time Limits?

CTLs shall not be extended unless the Prosecution can show good and sufficient cause and that they have acted with all due expedition. Read this FAQ to find out more..


What is ‘totting’ penalty points?


What is ‘totting’ penalty points?

When a driver receives penalty point supon his licence he may continue to drive when the number of points remains below 12..Read this FAQ to find out more..