EVIDENCE TO THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, MEMORANDUM NO ONE - THE BACKGROUND TO THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION - ENGLAND

• NCJ Number: 62983
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 49 pages
• Corporate Author: Great Britain Home Office
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

FUNCTIONS OF MAJOR AREAS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CURRENT PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATING AND PROSECUTING OFFENSES, AND MAJOR REVIEWS OF CRIMINAL LAW ARE DISCUSSED FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM.

Abstract

THE RESPONSIBILITIES DETAILED IN THIS REPORT FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW ARE INDICATED TO FALL LARGELY WITH THE POLICE, OTHER DELEGATED AGENCIES, AND THE PRIVATE CITIZEN, WHILE THE TRIAL OF CRIMINAL CASES AND THE SENTENCING OF OFFENDERS ARE UNDERTAKEN BY THE COURTS, AND THE EXECUTION OF CUSTODIAL AND SUPERVISORY SENTENCES IS THE CONCERN OF THE EXECUTIVE (THE HOME SECRETARY). THE DISCUSSION OF THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES CONCENTRATES ON THE EMERGENCE OF THE POLICE AS THE PRINCIPAL AGENCY FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW. THE WORK OF PREVIOUS ROYAL COMMISSIONS ON THE REVISION OF CRIMINAL LAW AND MORE RECENT INQUIRIES WHICH BEAR ON THE WORK OF THE PRESENT ROYAL COMMISSION ARE THEN REVIEWED. THE LAW COMMISSION, A FULL-TIME BODY OF FIVE LAWYERS APPOINTD BY THE LORD CHANCELLOR, IS SHOWN TO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REVIEWING ALL THE LAW, WITH A VIEW TOWARD ITS SYSTEMATIC DEVELOPMENT AND REFORM. THE CRIMINAL LAW REVISION COMMITTEE IS INDICATED TO HAVE CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITY FOR REVISION OF CRIMINAL LAW. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS INTENDED TO SERVE AS BACKGROUND FOR A SERIES OF REPORTS ON THE WORK OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL PROCEDURES. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)