tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post8051139899243972371..comments2023-07-10T10:57:18.522+01:00Comments on The Magistrates' Blog: Double StandardsBystander http://www.blogger.com/profile/10211688955428527960noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-9630249236777104572015-06-23T20:51:43.983+01:002015-06-23T20:51:43.983+01:00Something quite chilling that is going on at the m...Something quite chilling that is going on at the moment, though I am unsure whether its anything to do with legal aid cuts, is there is a new breed of "Mackenzie Friends" who charge for their Services - most of these chaps are "Freemen of the Land" as they style themselves.<br /><br />It was bad enough that the Freemen were using innocents who stumble into them as guinea pigs for the lunatic drivel they vomit up in Council tax hearings, where the worst result is usually extra costs on the outstanding amount, Well I say worst result, but the innocents are of course risking a small custodial sentence - that normally only happens if you outright refuse to come to a payment arrangement whilst in Court with the Magistrate - but typical Freeman advice, since its not their necks on the line, is to indeed refuse to pay!!<br /><br />But now these charging Mackenzie's Friends are also getting involved with Family Court cases, and I dread to think how many lives will be wrecked, once they get going in something that involves case law I would assume is far more complex than a council tax bill!! One of the Charging MF's has already been banned from Court's by the MOJ, for attacking (yes, attacking!!!) the prosecution Lawyer, in a Family Court case. But has simply changed his company name and is still operating.<br /><br />How many of you chaps who are members of the judiciary come into contact with Freemen, or some idiot spouting Freeman ideology. And do you wear your lifebelt when in court, because one of the Freemen's most legendary claims is that all Court's dealing with Council Tax issues are "Maritime Courts"....Caledfwlchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08868432622591565033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-22927396648187610252015-06-19T08:30:49.938+01:002015-06-19T08:30:49.938+01:00With apologies if BS wants to move this to another...With apologies if BS wants to move this to another thread Obiter while I admit to not having yet read the detail, the principle of a single justice sitting on fairly uncontroversial issues is not a bad one.<br /><br /> I often feel very sorry for my wingers when dealing with frankly routine matters which they must find very boring sitting basically as nodding dogs. Lets be honest, does it really need 3 justices for a long non appearance guilty pleas list? <br /><br />On the other hand, care must be taken not to 'de-skill' the magistracy. The increasing use of DJ(MC) who tend to deal with the 'juicier' cases is IMHO a deliberate attempt by the MOJ to achieve just that leaving the 'lay' bench to deal with dropping litter cases, no doubt in a portakabin in a supermarket car park...SouthLondon JPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-40187651692452609372015-06-17T18:21:18.452+01:002015-06-17T18:21:18.452+01:00Unconnected with this post but has anyone got an c...Unconnected with this post but has anyone got an comment or a post about the new single justice procedure in the Magistrates Courts?ObiterJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04544226917595022902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-92018663466321263802015-06-17T18:19:37.701+01:002015-06-17T18:19:37.701+01:00See the officially issued judgments in this case -...See the officially issued judgments in this case - http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/family-court-ethan-williams-case.htmlObiterJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04544226917595022902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-13878651998327894832015-06-17T12:47:58.307+01:002015-06-17T12:47:58.307+01:00It's the principle that not only must justice ...It's the principle that not only must justice be done, it must be seen to be done.<br /><br />Have a look at Christopher Booker's columns about the way the Family Courts conduct themselves (and the associated industry around them) to see what happens when systems operate in secrecy. Judge Munby has tried to clean it up a bit but he's fighting the whole culture of that instBigmaxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-33010783889392829342015-06-17T07:08:11.609+01:002015-06-17T07:08:11.609+01:00I have always been opposed to hiding the name of c...I have always been opposed to hiding the name of children involved in criminal behaviour as perpetrators, witnesses or victims.<br /><br />Anything but the absolute truth and full disclosure is bound to fail. Catastrophically.iOpenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059950887197561123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-50453512307292353072015-06-15T22:50:08.896+01:002015-06-15T22:50:08.896+01:00Children's Act (1968, I think), section 1. Th...Children's Act (1968, I think), section 1. The interests of the child shall be paramount. So it's a judgment call: are the interests better served by publication or not. And horses for courses; it may not be the same answer every time.Tony Frostnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-22690278274814974162015-06-15T22:45:54.433+01:002015-06-15T22:45:54.433+01:00But a Daily Mail article today still shows two pho...But a Daily Mail article today still shows two photos of the child. And the Mail being the Mail, we get this. "as she walked into the building carrying a Louis Vuitton handbag".<br /><br />Anonymous Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-59628059463423063022015-06-15T10:26:22.016+01:002015-06-15T10:26:22.016+01:00I assumed the double standard was complaining that...I assumed the double standard was complaining that the press were making a fuss about it whilst at the same time feeding the frenzy about the case!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-84803124731305304002015-06-13T23:38:10.129+01:002015-06-13T23:38:10.129+01:00I agree with Jimbob, there is no double standard h...I agree with Jimbob, there is no double standard here. It is standard practice to release photographs of missing children in order that the public might assist in finding them. That is a very sensible policy. Naturally, that is an invasion of the child's privacy, but the child's safety is a higher priority than the child's privacy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16857090170906423360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-50133341607454242292015-06-13T20:27:12.433+01:002015-06-13T20:27:12.433+01:00I don't think you've identified the double...I don't think you've identified the double standards?<br /><br />Both cases (you making an order of anonymity and the decision to publish this boy's name and photo) are examples of decisions made in the best interest of a child. Rather than double standards it actually appears to be the same standard. Jimbobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05512198008544824459noreply@blogger.com