Tag: Attorney General

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 29 November 2022.

Justice Ministers from across G7 nations signed a pledge of unwavering solidarity to the war-torn country.

The UK commitment to securing justice for the atrocities being committed in Ukraine was reaffirmed today as Justice Ministers from across G7 nations signed a pledge of unwavering solidarity to the war-torn country.

The Attorney General, Victoria Prentis MP, led the UK justice response in Berlin as signatory to a renewed commitment to international co-operation.

The Berlin Declaration seeks to strengthen cross-border responses to Russian war crimes at an international level to increase effectiveness and communication between investigative authorities.

The Attorney General, Victoria Prentis MP, said:

The conflict in Ukraine has had a devastating impact on the lives of innocent people. Like many UK families, we have invited a Ukrainian citizen into our home and heard first-hand how lives have been ruined and futures compromised by Russia’s illegal invasion.

The UK is proud of the support it has given harnessing the breadth of our legal capabilities and expertise to seek justice, but the growing importance of G7 unity is clear if we are to see accountability for the atrocities being committed. Our individual efforts must be coordinated at an international level.

Proposals in the declaration include the nomination of national contact points for coordination of the prosecution of international crimes to complement the work of existing well-established mechanisms, including Eurojust and the Genocide Network.

The declaration also recognises the vital role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in supporting survivors at the scene of war crimes and helping to document offences and the accounts of local people. It commits to further improving networking among criminal prosecution authorities and NGOs to streamline information flow and, in some cases, improve standards in collecting evidence and avoiding the retraumatisation of witnesses.

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said:

War criminals should know they cannot act with impunity and we are united with international partners to ensure those responsible are held to account.

The UK has been at the forefront of the global response in assisting the International Criminal Court’s investigations, providing extra funding and expertise, and we will continue to work with likeminded countries until justice is served.

The UK has already committed a strong package of support to aid justice in Ukraine, providing £1 million and offering specialist legal and police assistance to the International Criminal Court’s investigations.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 17 November 2022.

A man serving time for murder has had his term increased for assaulting two prison officers while serving in a young offender institution.

Kyle Buckley, 18, serving a life sentence for a murder he committed at age 16, was involved in a fight with a self-made weapon (a screw attached to a fabric handle) in the visiting area of Wetherby Young Offender Institution on 22 July 2021.

The next month, on 30 August 2021, Buckley threw a kettle filled with boiled water over a prison officer, causing burns to his back. Buckley was restrained and spat in the eye of another prison officer when being escorted away.

On 12 September 2022 at Leeds Crown Court, Buckley was sentenced to 18 months’ detention in a young offender institution, concurrent to the sentence being served for murder.

Following the sentencing, it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for being too low.

On 17 November 2022, the Court quashed the sentence handed down on 12 September. Buckley was instead ordered to serve the 18 months’ sentence consecutively to his current sentence for murder.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

Increasing Buckley’s sentence both better reflects the crimes committed and sends a clear message that offences committed by serving prisoners will not be tolerated and will be met with punishment.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 17 November 2022.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 17 November 2022.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 17 November 2022.

The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis MP was sworn in as Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland at the Royal Courts of Justice today.

Speaking after the ceremony, the Attorney General the Rt Hon Victoria Prentis MP said:

I am honoured to be sworn in as Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland. As the Government’s chief legal adviser, my focus will be upholding the rule of law and strengthening our justice system.

There are important responsibilities that come with this unique role which has been part of our constitution for centuries, and I look forward to working with the Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP to play my part in upholding the rule of law and carrying out the public interest functions of the Attorney General’s Office.

Following the ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Rt Hon Dominic Raab, said:

I congratulate Victoria as she takes on the vital and historic role of Attorney General.

Victoria’s extensive background in law will strengthen the advice provided to government on all legal matters, and I look forward to working together to support our justice system.

The Attorney General is the Government’s chief legal advisor and also attends Cabinet. As well as providing advice to government, the Law Officers (the Attorney General and Solicitor General) oversee the Law Officers’ Departments which include the Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Fraud Office, Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

The Law Officers carry out a number of functions in the public interest, such as considering unduly lenient sentences and taking action when there has been a contempt of court. These functions are carried out independently of their role as government ministers.

The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis was appointed Attorney General on 25 October 2022.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 10 November 2022.

New statistics for 2021 show that 106 offenders had their sentences increased after HM Law Officers challenged their sentences because they thought they were too low.

Under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme, victims of crime, members of the public, and the Crown Prosecution Service can ask for certain Crown Court sentences to be reviewed if they believe they are too low.

In 2021, the Law Officers received applications for 678 sentences to be reviewed which met the necessary criteria to be considered under the Scheme. Of these, 151 were referred to the Court of Appeal. The Court agreed that 106 of these sentences were too low and increased the sentences as a result.

Other offenders who received increased sentences referred under the ULS scheme in 2021 include Frankie Smith for her role in the death of one-year-old Star Hobson, Ben John for domestic terrorism offences and Thomas Hughes for taking part in the abuse that led to the death of his son, six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.

Commenting on the Scheme’s performance, Rt Hon Attorney General Victoria Prentis MP said:

The ULS scheme allows anyone, including victims of crime, to ask for a review of certain sentences they believe are too low. In 2021, this meant that over 100 criminals had their sentences increased and many more victims and their families had a second chance at justice, demonstrating the vital role of the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme in the criminal justice system.

It must be remembered that in the vast majority of cases the correct sentence is imposed, but the scheme remains an important tool to ensure that cases can be reviewed where there may have been a gross error in the sentencing decision. It’s not just about increasing sentences, the scheme also provides an important avenue for the Attorney General’s Office to ask the Court of Appeal for guidance, to help shape the sentencing framework and ensure more consistent sentencing for complex cases.

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 4 November 2022.

Two offenders who left victims needing hospital treatment have both been given longer prison terms after their cases were heard together at the Court of Appeal following referrals under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

On 14 November 2021, Zachary Jagger, now 27, got involved in a group altercation after being refused entry to a party at a private residence. Following the fight, he left the scene before returning with the other offender Charlie Hearn, now 29, and the two got involved in another group fight.

While driving back to the group fight, Hearn and Jagger met two victims who had been on their way home after an evening out. These two victims were not involved with the party or the group fight. Hearn threatened one victim with a Stanley knife and slashed another on the back with the blade, causing a 23 cm laceration which required stitches. Jagger and Hearn then returned to the scene of the group fight, during which Jagger got back into his car and intentionally drove at the group twice.

Jagger then deliberately drove into another victim twice, who Hearn attacked with the Stanley knife. The victim was left with a double leg fracture and a laceration to her face.

In a separate incident in 2019 Jagger attacked a victim, inflicting a wound that required 30 stitches. Hearn was not present on this occasion.

On 10 August 2022, Jagger was sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment with an extended licence of 4 years at Chelmsford Crown Court for offences including wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, affray and dangerous driving. Hearn was sentenced on the same day at Chelmsford Crown Court to 4 years’ imprisonment for offences including unlawful wounding, threatening another with a blade and affray.

Both of the offenders’ sentences were referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for being too low.

On 03 November 2022, the Court found both sentences to be unduly lenient. Jagger’s sentence was increased to 13 years’ imprisonment with an extended licence of 3 years, while Hearn was ordered to serve a sentence of 6 years’ imprisonment with a 3-year extended licence.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

These were intensely vicious attacks that left the victims with serious wounds, with some needing hospital treatment. I did not believe that the original sentences adequately reflected the violent nature of the offending that occurred, so I welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal to sentence both Jagger and Hearn to longer sentences.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 27 October 2022.

The Prime Minister has reappointed Michael Tomlinson MP as Solicitor General for England and Wales.

The Solicitor General supports the Attorney in her role as the Government’s chief legal adviser. Alongside the Attorney General, the Solicitor General oversees the work of the Law Officers’ Departments: the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office, the Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

The Solicitor General also carries out a number of functions in the public interest—such as considering whether to refer unduly lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal—and taking action when there has been a contempt of court. These functions are carried out independently of the Solicitor’s role as a Government Minister.

Commenting on his reappointment, Michael said:

I am honoured to have been reappointed as Solicitor General for England and Wales.

One of my first priorities is to continue the Government’s work in rebuilding confidence in our criminal justice system—particularly for victims.

I look forward to working with the Attorney General, Government lawyers and the Civil Service to play my part in making the law and politics work together at the heart of the UK constitution.

Michael Tomlinson’s biography

Michael Tomlinson was appointed Solicitor General on 7 September 2022. He was reappointed as Solicitor General on 27 October 2022.

He was previously a Vice Chamberlain of HM Household (Government Whip) between 8 July 2022 and 7 September 2022, and Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury) between 14 February 2020 and 8 July 2022.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 25 October 2022.

The Prime Minister has appointed Victoria Prentis as Attorney General of England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland.

The Attorney General will oversee the work of the Law Officers Departments which include the Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office, and the Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

The Attorney General also carries out a number of functions in the public interest, such as considering unduly lenient sentences, and taking action when there has been a contempt of court. These functions are carried out independently of their role as a Government minister.

Commenting on her appointment, Attorney General Victoria Prentis said:

I am honoured to be appointed as Attorney General for England and Wales and look forward to working with my officials and with the many excellent professionals across the Law Officers’ Departments. I am delighted to be returning to the law, having spent seventeen years as a government lawyer before being elected to Parliament.

I want to thank my predecessor Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP who twice served in the role and has left me with such a strong record to build upon.

One of my first priorities is to continue the government’s work in rebuilding confidence in our justice system, particularly with victims.

I am proud to be joining the Attorney General’s Office, a unique and historic government department that makes law and politics work together at the heart of the UK constitution.

Victoria Prentis’ biography:

Victoria Prentis was appointed Attorney General on 25 October 2022. Victoria was previously Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions from 7 September 2022 to 25 October 2022. Her responsibilities included the labour market and Universal Credit. Previous to that she served as Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 16 September 2021 to 7 September 2022, covering fisheries, farming and food.

Before that, she was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 14 February 2020 to 15 September 2021.

She was elected as the Conservative MP for Banbury in May 2015.

Political career

Victoria served on the Justice Select Committee from 2015 to 2019, the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments from 2015 to 2017, and as a lay member on the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art from 2019.

Victoria also served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Attorney General from 2019 to 2020, to the Leader of the House of Commons from 2017 to 2019, and to Junior Ministers at the Department for Transport from 2016 to 2017.

Career outside politics

Victoria was called to the bar in 1995. For seventeen years Victoria was a lawyer for the Treasury Solicitors’ Department and headed up the government’s Justice and Security team. Her responsibilities included providing advice on military, prisons and national security matters and representing the government in court.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 21 October 2022.