Joey Barton's week went from bad to worse, having been ordered to pay Eni Aluko £300,000 he was then refused bail having been arrested for an offence of Section 18 GBH

The amendments introduced by the Sentencing Act 2026 have somewhat fallen under the radar, which is surprising given their wholesale changes to the sentencing regime. Not only do they create an assumption of sentences being suspended, they increase the term of a suspended sentence and revamp the role of the Sentencing Council. The purpose of sentencing has also been amended in statute to specifically refer to protecting victims of crime, notwithstanding this has been in guidance hitherto.

It is becoming increasingly common for HMRC to refer cases involving outstanding VAT to issue VAT security notices, there can be serious consequences including criminal prosecution.

Section 32 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 deals with penalties for carrying clandestine entrants into the UK. It allows the Secretary of State to impose fines on individuals responsible for transporting people who have entered the country unlawfully. This applies to owners, hirers, and drivers of vehicles, including detached trailers.

Pursuant to Sections 27 and 28 of the Gambling Act 2005, the Gambling Commission has the authority to investigate criminal offences and to authorise charges

Sentencing Guidelines are drafted by the Sentencing Council, a body which was set up in April 2010, Judges and magistrates must follow the guidelines issued by the Sentencing Council ‘unless the Court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so’.

Football banning orders (FBOs) are a legal tool used in the UK to prevent individuals involved in football-related disorder from attending matches. Introduced under the Football Spectators Act 1989 , these orders aimed to manage supporter behaviour and ensure the safety of fans and players.

In criminal law, murder and manslaughter are both forms of unlawful killing. The key difference between the two offences relates to the defendant's intent when the death was caused. 

Section 7 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 states that listed building consent is required before carrying out any works that would alter, extend, or demolish a listed building in a way that affects its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest.