29 March 2021
Section 58(2) of the Firearms Act 1968 exempts firearms regarded as antique from most of the controls under the Act. This includes being able to possess a firearm without a firearms certificate and to trade in them without being registered with the police as a firearms dealer. From 22 March 2021, the Act is amended to provide a definition of 'antique firearm' by inserting subsections (2A) to (2H) into section 58.
27 March 2021
On 1st December 2020, the Sentencing Act 2020 came into force. Its aim is to consolidate the law of sentencing procedure into one single Act, thereby making it more transparent and accessible. This article, written by PNLD Legal Adviser Christiane Rabenstein, explains the background to this Act and examines some of its main features and its relevance to the police.
02 February 2021
Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (the Act), governs what a driver must do if they are involved in an accident. This article, written by PNLD’s traffic law consultant, Christopher Smith, examines the main provisions of the section and outlines some of the relevant case law. Please note the term ‘accident’ is used in its legal sense within the terms of section 170.
29 January 2021
Whilst the time limit for summary offences is a requirement that most officers are familiar with, PNLD are often asked for advice on matters arising from the time limit, such as methods of commencing proceedings correctly and other relevant issues. Due to this, PNLD Legal Adviser, Ruth Hartley, provides a re-cap on the summary time limit, touching on some of the matters that PNLD are regularly asked to advise on.
24 December 2020
A query received by the Legal Team at PNLD recently, divided opinion. Although a definitive answer could not be found due to an absence of case law on the matter; the differing perspectives made for interesting reading. As such, PNLD Legal Adviser, Zoe McDonald, has provided an overview of the issue and the varying perspectives.
10 December 2020
The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 amends various pieces of legislation with the effect that it becomes an offence to possess certain dangerous knives, offensive weapons, firearms and ancillary equipment which it was previously lawful to possess, along with detailing for the surrender of such items.