A guide to articles - Noble Solicitors

Dashcams: transforming legal proceedings

In recent years, the use of dashcams has skyrocketed among motorists in the UK. These small devices, capable of recording high-quality video footage of driving incidents, have quickly become invaluable assets in legal proceedings...

Sentencing Guidelines for Speeding Offences

Understanding the duty to identify a driver and the consequences for non-disclosure

Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTAS 1988) places a duty on the registered keeper of a motor vehicle to provide information as to the identity of the driver of the vehicle when required to do so by a police officer...

Drink driving courses – opportunities for redemption

If you've been caught drink driving, it's natural to feel anxious and unsure of what to do next. Everyone convicted of a drink-related driving offence faces either an obligatory or discretionary punishment, depending on the particulars of the case. If convicted of drink driving, the court will impose a mandatory driving ban of 12 months...

A Guide to ABH/GBH

Actual bodily harm (ABH) and grievous bodily harm (GBH) are two different types of assault, and they’re both criminal offences under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Police Act 1996. They can both be committed either intentionally or recklessly; however, the severity of the consequences for these two crimes can vary considerably.

A Guide to Juries

A jury is a group of people who have been chosen at random from the electoral register to listen to all of the facts in a trial, in a law court to decide if a person is guilty or not guilty. More than 400,000 people are selected for compulsory jury service each year and a jury should represent a cross section of society; therefore any individual on the electoral register aged between 18 and 75 is liable for Jury Service and can be called at any time via a Jury Summons which arrives in the post.

A Guide to cyber crime

Cyber Crime is one of the fastest growing criminal activities across the world where organised crime has been quick to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Internet, particularly in recent years the growth in e-commerce and online banking.

A Guide to theft

You are charged with theft what does this mean?

Theft is defined by section 1 of the Theft Act 1968 as “the dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention to permanently deprive the other of it”.

A Guide to weapons offences

You have been charged with WEAPONS OFFENCES what does this mean?

As defined by the Crown Prosecution Service “Carrying an offensive weapon, or a knife, or a bladed / pointed article is a serious offence. The unlawful provision and possession of weapons encourages violence and can cause serious injury and death in addition to facilitating other criminal offences.”

A guide to sports banning orders

When it comes to sport, the UK has a very proud history. It is the birthplace of many modern sports loved by millions of people across the globe, including football, cricket, rugby, golf, basketball, hockey, volleyball, rounders, badminton, tennis, snooker and darts. That said the most popular sport in the UK does have a dark side.

A Guide to the Dangerous Dog Act

The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) makes it an offence for an owner to allow any dog "to be dangerously out of control". The act was introduced to help reduce the number of dog attacks, which at the time, were rising rapidly.

A Guide to Fraud

Fraud is by no means a recent occurrence, its history stretches back to 300 B.C, but with an ever-growing reliance on computers and the internet, online fraud has been an increasing concern for law-enforcement agencies and society as a whole. That said this is just one aspect, and the term ‘fraud’ is incredibly broad, covering many different types of crimes

A Guide to Police Station Procedures

There are certain set procedures that occur when a person is arrested in the UK and this guide is designed to give you an overview of the process, as well as information on a person’s rights and entitlements whilst at the police station.

A guide to the Magistrates’ Court trial process

A Magistrates’ Court deals with minor offences and holds preliminary hearings for more serious offences. So if an individual is accused of committing a criminal offence and their case is being heard with a trial in the Magistrates’ Court.

A guide to using your mobile whilst driving

Mobile phone use is a growing problem of driver distraction. According to the RAC’s Report on Motoring 2016, the number of drivers in the UK who own up to using a handheld mobile phone increased from 8% in 2014 to 31% in 2016.

Are you facing proceedings for motoring or traffic matters?

The prospect of attending Court for a motoring offence can be daunting, especially if your job depends on a clean driving licence, which is the case for many positions held in the road freight transport industry.

Driving Disqualifications: What is ‘Exceptional Hardship’?

We know how frustrating and daunting it can be to arrive home after a hard day’s work to pick up your post and receive a court summons for a motoring matter, especially if you already have penalty points on your licence.

A Single Justice Procedure Notice: What should I do?

Many offences are dealt with by a Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN). Generally, they are used for adult defendants accused of minor offences that cannot result in a prison sentence, such as speeding, driving without insurance or TV license evasion.

A Guide to the Crown Court trial process

Almost all criminal court cases begin in a magistrates' court. Therefore, if you are charged with a criminal offence, a decision will be made on whether your case (during your initial magistrates’ hearing) should remain in the magistrates’ court or be allocated to the crown court.

A Guide to Voluntary Police Interviews

The number of arrests made by police in England and Wales is said to have halved in the last decade, with Home Office statistics indicating arrests dropped from 1.5 million in 2008 to 779,660 in 2017.

A guide to joint custody

Child custody law establishes who should be responsible for the care and charge of a child after divorce or separation.

A guide to the divorce process

We understand that a divorce can be particularly daunting, especially if you are unsure on the steps that you need to take, after all, there may only be a small number of family members or friends who can share their experiences with you – and it may not be wholly relevant to your individual situation.

A guide to fly-tipping

Fly-tipping incidents in England have increased by nearly 40% in just six years, to almost one million occurrences in 2017/18. This has lead local councils to call for tougher sentences, whilst DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) states that combatting fly-tipping "remains a priority".

A guide to motorway driving law

Motorway driving doesn’t necessarily require a different set of skills, yet it does require concentration and a strong understanding on the law.

A guide to coercive control and murder

Domestic abuse is not always physical. Coercive control relates to ongoing psychological behaviour, such as patterns of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation.

A guide to Knife Crime Prevention Orders (KCPOs)

Knife crime has become a major public issue in recent years, developing into a persistent concern for the UK government and society at large. Between April 2018 and March 2019, police recorded 43,516 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument.

What is criminal damage?

Examples of criminal damage include arson, forced entry into a property, graffiti on a public building, and destruction/damage of items belonging to another. Even if the items damaged can be repaired, individual(s) can still be prosecuted.

Drug offences

You have been charged with DRUG OFFENCES what does this mean? The principal offences relating to the misuse of controlled drugs are contained in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Car safety regulations and repair laws in the UK

Car manufacturers have made huge strides forward in terms of car safety, with consumers now demanding cars that can prevent serious injuries and deaths. That said, without adequate vehicle maintenance, it’s impossible to guarantee safety on the road.

How are indecent images graded in UK Criminal Courts?

Car manufacturers have made huge strides forward in terms of car safety, with consumers now demanding cars that can prevent serious injuries and deaths. That said, without adequate vehicle maintenance, it’s impossible to guarantee safety on the road.

What is a retrial?

In its most basic definition, a retrial is a second (or further) trial on the same issues with the same parties. It’s not treated as an extension of the first trial, as new evidence can be called, but a retrial is only possible when a jury is unable to reach a verdict or the case has to be stopped for the jury to consider all of the evidence.

What is revenge porn, and what's the law on this?

Revenge porn is seemingly on the rise in the UK. According to statistics from 19 of 43 police forces in England and Wales, the number of alleged revenge porn cases being investigated by officers has more than doubled in the last four years (from 852 in 2015-16 to 1,853 in 2018-19).

A guide to Fixed Penalty Notices

A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) is an alternative to prosecution before the magistrate’s court. It includes a fine, and in many cases penalty points too.

What is a Community Order?

If an offender is found guilty of a crime that does not meet the threshold for a custodial sentence, a judge or a magistrate can pass a community order (also known as a community sentence).

What is aggravated burglary?

Aggravated burglary is a criminal offence set out in section 10 of the Theft Act 1968. It's more severe than ordinary burglary because it means that some kind of firearm, imitation firearm, "weapon of offence" or explosive has been involved.

A Guide to Marital Rape Law

The offence occurs when a person commits a sexual act without the consent of their spouse (or ex-spouse) or does so against their will. This sexual assault can also be considered a form of domestic violence.

Wearing face coverings: Where the law stands

In the UK, as part of stricter coronavirus restrictions, face coverings are mandatory on public transport, in hospitals, shops, supermarkets and when not seated at a table to eat or drink in hospitality venues.

What is a "totting up" ban?

A "totting up" ban is when you accrue 12 or more penalty points on your driver's licence in three years, resulting in a ban of 6 months or more. There is, however, the potential for motorists to persuade the court that their driving ban would cause "exceptional hardship".

Force Majeure clauses and COVID-19

As the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold with supply chains facing weakened demand, logistics bottlenecks and workforce capacity issues, companies' rights and obligations under contracts are firmly in the spotlight.

The Effects Of The Relationship During Lockdown

There are some 2.4 million victims of domestic abuse a year, who are aged 16 to 74 and more than one in ten of crimes recorded by the police are domestic abuse related. Research has shown during the challenging coronavirus crisis, domestic abuse has dramatically increased and the first national lockdown has effectively trapped male and female victims suffering in the hands of their abusers.

Divorcing During The Pandemic

As the UK has headed into its third national lockdown, Divorce solicitors are facing many new enquires a day.

The Nation and the Oprah Interview with Harry & Megan

As you are all aware, over the past couple of weeks, there has been substantial media interest in respect to the interview of Harry and Megan and the intricacies they have faced in their marriage. We often hear horror stories from clients about the dreaded ‘in-laws’ and the impact that they have had in their marriage.

Can My Employer Force Me to Be Vaccinated?

The UK has benefited from both fast vaccine rollout and good uptake. In Europe (at the time of writing), the UK has administered the most vaccines overall, with a higher number of vaccinations per capita of population compared to its European counterparts.

A Guide to False Allegations of Abuse in Child Custody Cases

The UK has benefited from both fast vaccine rollout and good uptake. In Europe (at the time of writing), the UK has administered the most vaccines overall, with a higher number of vaccinations per capita of population compared to its European counterparts.

A Guide To...

Dashcams: transforming legal proceedings

Understanding the duty to identify a driver and the consequences for non-disclosure

Drink driving courses – opportunities for redemption

A Guide to ABH/GBH

A Guide to Juries

A Guide to cyber crime

A Guide to theft

A Guide to weapons offences

A guide to sports banning orders

A Guide to the Dangerous Dog Act

A Guide to Fraud

A Guide to Police Station Procedures

A guide to the Magistrates’ Court trial process

A guide to using your mobile whilst driving

Are you facing proceedings for motoring or traffic matters?

Driving Disqualifications: What is ‘Exceptional Hardship’?

A Single Justice Procedure Notice: What should I do?

A Guide to the Crown Court trial process

A Guide to Voluntary Police Interviews

A guide to joint custody

A guide to the divorce process

A guide to fly-tipping

A guide to motorway driving law

A guide to coercive control and murder

A guide to Knife Crime Prevention Orders (KCPOs)

What is criminal damage?

Drug offences

Car safety regulations and repair laws in the UK

How are indecent images graded in UK Criminal Courts?

What is a retrial?

What is revenge porn, and what's the law on this?

A guide to Fixed Penalty Notices

What is a Community Order?

What is aggravated burglary?

A Guide to Marital Rape Law

Wearing face coverings: Where the law stands

What is a "totting up" ban?

Force Majeure clauses and COVID-19

The Effects Of The Relationship During Lockdown

Divorcing During The Pandemic

The Nation and the Oprah Interview with Harry & Megan

Can My Employer Force Me to Be Vaccinated?

A Guide to False Allegations of Abuse in Child Custody Cases

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