Domestic Violence & Abuse Cases - An Advanced Guide for Prosecutors

Introduction

Prosecuting domestic abuse cases can be demanding, wearying and frustrating. A thorough knowledge of the law of evidence and the Criminal Procedure Rules will give you the ability to deal with problems at trial, making you more confident and resilient.

This virtual classroom seminar looks at commonly encountered difficulties with trial preparation and trial advocacy, which arise because of the nature of domestic abuse cases.

The course will also look at evidence-led prosecutions - how to press on at trial with no complainant. This session assumes delegates will have a working knowledge of the frequently encountered offences.

The course is updated to include references to the Sentencing Code 2020 and Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Where the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Act 2022 or the Judicial Review & Courts Act 2022 have implemented changes to legislation, the course will include these updates where relevant to subject matter.

Now updated to include third party rights to refuse to disclose under the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Act 2022, and changes to the Criminal Procedure Rules and the Criminal Practice Directions 2023.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive session will cover the following:

• Why victims behave as they do and how it affects prosecutions
• Hearsay evidence
• The latest on res gestae from the senior courts - almost an end to R v Wills
• Previous inconsistent statements
• The hostile witness
• Restraining orders on acquittal - Court of Appeal guidance
• Sentencing guidelines in relation to domestic abuse
• Digital disclosure - recent guidance from the Court of Appeal on what is covered by the Criminal Procedure & Investigations Act and the new AG’s Guidelines on Disclosure

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.