Tristan Kirk
@kirkkorner.bsky.social
Courts Correspondent for the London Standard
www.standard.co.uk
Daily coverage from the biggest court cases in London and beyond
www.standard.co.uk
Daily coverage from the biggest court cases in London and beyond
Got an FOI back from the Ministry of Justice
It came with a curious addition - a couple of (irrelevant) lines from an MoJ press release
Either press officers are intervening in FOIs to insert quotes
Or the FOI team is doing it of their own volition
Neither option is good
It came with a curious addition - a couple of (irrelevant) lines from an MoJ press release
Either press officers are intervening in FOIs to insert quotes
Or the FOI team is doing it of their own volition
Neither option is good
September 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Got an FOI back from the Ministry of Justice
It came with a curious addition - a couple of (irrelevant) lines from an MoJ press release
Either press officers are intervening in FOIs to insert quotes
Or the FOI team is doing it of their own volition
Neither option is good
It came with a curious addition - a couple of (irrelevant) lines from an MoJ press release
Either press officers are intervening in FOIs to insert quotes
Or the FOI team is doing it of their own volition
Neither option is good
A man is prosecuted for ‘escalator misuse’
What did he do? Who knows.
This is what fast-track justice looks like sometimes
Merseyrail didn’t go to the trouble of providing any actual evidence of a crime. Then the magistrate convicted based on trust that he’d done something wrong
What did he do? Who knows.
This is what fast-track justice looks like sometimes
Merseyrail didn’t go to the trouble of providing any actual evidence of a crime. Then the magistrate convicted based on trust that he’d done something wrong
February 26, 2025 at 7:48 AM
A man is prosecuted for ‘escalator misuse’
What did he do? Who knows.
This is what fast-track justice looks like sometimes
Merseyrail didn’t go to the trouble of providing any actual evidence of a crime. Then the magistrate convicted based on trust that he’d done something wrong
What did he do? Who knows.
This is what fast-track justice looks like sometimes
Merseyrail didn’t go to the trouble of providing any actual evidence of a crime. Then the magistrate convicted based on trust that he’d done something wrong
The Ministry of Justice has been asked FOI questions about the way Single Justice Procedure cases are dealt with
Reply from the MoJ: "Can you explain what you mean by the term 'SJP hearings'?"
I'm stunned. If the MoJ can't define 'SJP hearings', member of the public don't really stand a chance
Reply from the MoJ: "Can you explain what you mean by the term 'SJP hearings'?"
I'm stunned. If the MoJ can't define 'SJP hearings', member of the public don't really stand a chance
January 28, 2025 at 12:26 PM
The Ministry of Justice has been asked FOI questions about the way Single Justice Procedure cases are dealt with
Reply from the MoJ: "Can you explain what you mean by the term 'SJP hearings'?"
I'm stunned. If the MoJ can't define 'SJP hearings', member of the public don't really stand a chance
Reply from the MoJ: "Can you explain what you mean by the term 'SJP hearings'?"
I'm stunned. If the MoJ can't define 'SJP hearings', member of the public don't really stand a chance
Chief Coroner thinks Records of Inquest and rulings should be publicly available after a private 'in writing' inquest
Not the experience of some reporters
www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/cour...
Good it is being said. But sadly the Chief Coroner has no power over other (sometimes maverick) coroners
Not the experience of some reporters
www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/cour...
Good it is being said. But sadly the Chief Coroner has no power over other (sometimes maverick) coroners
![The second requirement is to ensure that coroners’ decisions are sufficiently transparent. It is the Chief Coroner’s view that coroners should usually accede to requests for both the ruling and Record of Inquest, as the Record of Inquest should normally be treated as a public document (see the discussion here: [link to conclusions chapter]), and the ruling contains information that attendees would have heard in court if the mode of hearing had instead been a documentary inquest in court. Coroners will need a strong justification for refusing to provide copies of the ruling to the public and press, given the otherwise secretive nature of an inquest in writing. This does not, however, apply to requests for any underlying documents, which should be dealt with under reg.27 (external link) in the usual way.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:v5a3mmluyp2v54loq6sz46sg/bafkreiabdik57bdztz3qsjgivmhroq5ydnbsaba6csx276wxx3h2hfzviu@jpeg)
January 27, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Chief Coroner thinks Records of Inquest and rulings should be publicly available after a private 'in writing' inquest
Not the experience of some reporters
www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/cour...
Good it is being said. But sadly the Chief Coroner has no power over other (sometimes maverick) coroners
Not the experience of some reporters
www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/cour...
Good it is being said. But sadly the Chief Coroner has no power over other (sometimes maverick) coroners
Family court judges who ruled on the care of Sara Sharif to be named next week
Court of Appeal upholds open justice principles
I don't think the High Court judge who first blocked them being named should be allowed to rule again on issues involving media
www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sara...
Court of Appeal upholds open justice principles
I don't think the High Court judge who first blocked them being named should be allowed to rule again on issues involving media
www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sara...
January 24, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Family court judges who ruled on the care of Sara Sharif to be named next week
Court of Appeal upholds open justice principles
I don't think the High Court judge who first blocked them being named should be allowed to rule again on issues involving media
www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sara...
Court of Appeal upholds open justice principles
I don't think the High Court judge who first blocked them being named should be allowed to rule again on issues involving media
www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sara...
Axel Rudakubana on today's public court list
It is an #openjustice problem
Not some kind of conspiracy, just a failure over many years to tackle a simple and obvious problem: Reporting restrictions exist on the victims of crime, and they end up anonymising the defendant by mistake
It is an #openjustice problem
Not some kind of conspiracy, just a failure over many years to tackle a simple and obvious problem: Reporting restrictions exist on the victims of crime, and they end up anonymising the defendant by mistake
January 23, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Axel Rudakubana on today's public court list
It is an #openjustice problem
Not some kind of conspiracy, just a failure over many years to tackle a simple and obvious problem: Reporting restrictions exist on the victims of crime, and they end up anonymising the defendant by mistake
It is an #openjustice problem
Not some kind of conspiracy, just a failure over many years to tackle a simple and obvious problem: Reporting restrictions exist on the victims of crime, and they end up anonymising the defendant by mistake
A 33-year-old man faces court on an attempted murder charge
There are no restrictions on his identity, and his name has been widely reported
Here is the public listing of his case
#OpenJustice
There are no restrictions on his identity, and his name has been widely reported
Here is the public listing of his case
#OpenJustice
January 17, 2025 at 10:28 AM
A 33-year-old man faces court on an attempted murder charge
There are no restrictions on his identity, and his name has been widely reported
Here is the public listing of his case
#OpenJustice
There are no restrictions on his identity, and his name has been widely reported
Here is the public listing of his case
#OpenJustice
So many blockages in justice right now
January 15, 2025 at 10:43 AM
So many blockages in justice right now
Tribunal member admonished for being 'fast asleep' during a hearing
January 14, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Tribunal member admonished for being 'fast asleep' during a hearing
An 18-year-old accused of multiple murders, whose name is not the subject of any reporting restrictions and has been widely publicised.
Yet here's how he appears on the public court list:
Yet here's how he appears on the public court list:
December 18, 2024 at 10:37 AM
An 18-year-old accused of multiple murders, whose name is not the subject of any reporting restrictions and has been widely publicised.
Yet here's how he appears on the public court list:
Yet here's how he appears on the public court list:
Father and stepmother of 10-year-old Sara Sharif to be sentenced today for murder
The killers have been afforded a level of anonymity on the public court list once again
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/s...
The killers have been afforded a level of anonymity on the public court list once again
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/s...
December 17, 2024 at 7:45 AM
Father and stepmother of 10-year-old Sara Sharif to be sentenced today for murder
The killers have been afforded a level of anonymity on the public court list once again
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/s...
The killers have been afforded a level of anonymity on the public court list once again
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/s...
Lady Chief Justice says Labour had the chance to maximise Crown Court sitting days at 113,000 - and didn't take it
Justice Secretary told Parliament yesterday that the Tories agreed the reduced sitting days while still in office
I think the Justice Sec is being economical with the truth here
Justice Secretary told Parliament yesterday that the Tories agreed the reduced sitting days while still in office
I think the Justice Sec is being economical with the truth here
December 11, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Lady Chief Justice says Labour had the chance to maximise Crown Court sitting days at 113,000 - and didn't take it
Justice Secretary told Parliament yesterday that the Tories agreed the reduced sitting days while still in office
I think the Justice Sec is being economical with the truth here
Justice Secretary told Parliament yesterday that the Tories agreed the reduced sitting days while still in office
I think the Justice Sec is being economical with the truth here
Pro-Palestine protest outside the Old Bailey this morning
December 6, 2024 at 10:13 AM
Pro-Palestine protest outside the Old Bailey this morning
Ex-police officer accused of rape and sexual assault granted anonymity ahead of his misconduct hearing
December 6, 2024 at 8:24 AM
Ex-police officer accused of rape and sexual assault granted anonymity ahead of his misconduct hearing
Nearly a year on from masonry falling off the front of the Old Bailey, injuring a member of the public
www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
This is the scene today, with a shroud covering the masonry responsible. Presumably because it hasn't yet been fully fixed
www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
This is the scene today, with a shroud covering the masonry responsible. Presumably because it hasn't yet been fully fixed
December 4, 2024 at 4:20 PM
Nearly a year on from masonry falling off the front of the Old Bailey, injuring a member of the public
www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
This is the scene today, with a shroud covering the masonry responsible. Presumably because it hasn't yet been fully fixed
www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...
This is the scene today, with a shroud covering the masonry responsible. Presumably because it hasn't yet been fully fixed
Magistrate rebuked for 'Single Parenthood' letter to The Times which she signed as a family court JP
www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk/disciplinary...
www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk/disciplinary...
November 26, 2024 at 12:38 PM
Magistrate rebuked for 'Single Parenthood' letter to The Times which she signed as a family court JP
www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk/disciplinary...
www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk/disciplinary...
Convictions for causing death and serious injury by motorists, 2010 to 2024
Quite a rise in the last year
Quite a rise in the last year
November 26, 2024 at 10:08 AM
Convictions for causing death and serious injury by motorists, 2010 to 2024
Quite a rise in the last year
Quite a rise in the last year
Magistrate keeps job after wrongly claiming more than £1400 in lost financial earnings
www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk/disciplinary...
Local court bosses tried to sack him, top judges over-ruled
Judge misconduct hearings happen secretly, so we have to trust this surprising outcome was right
www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk/disciplinary...
Local court bosses tried to sack him, top judges over-ruled
Judge misconduct hearings happen secretly, so we have to trust this surprising outcome was right
November 25, 2024 at 4:50 PM
Magistrate keeps job after wrongly claiming more than £1400 in lost financial earnings
www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk/disciplinary...
Local court bosses tried to sack him, top judges over-ruled
Judge misconduct hearings happen secretly, so we have to trust this surprising outcome was right
www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk/disciplinary...
Local court bosses tried to sack him, top judges over-ruled
Judge misconduct hearings happen secretly, so we have to trust this surprising outcome was right
TV Licence evasion 2010 - 2024
Prosecutions get a lot of flak
But there aren't as many of them these days
Prosecutions get a lot of flak
But there aren't as many of them these days
November 21, 2024 at 10:49 AM
TV Licence evasion 2010 - 2024
Prosecutions get a lot of flak
But there aren't as many of them these days
Prosecutions get a lot of flak
But there aren't as many of them these days
When they took the wallpaper off in the Southwark crown court corridors, it looked like a refurbishment was on the cards.
How refreshing, I thought
A year later, no refurb
I like to think of it as a mass art installation: Cracks in Justice, Laid Bare
How refreshing, I thought
A year later, no refurb
I like to think of it as a mass art installation: Cracks in Justice, Laid Bare
November 17, 2024 at 11:42 PM
When they took the wallpaper off in the Southwark crown court corridors, it looked like a refurbishment was on the cards.
How refreshing, I thought
A year later, no refurb
I like to think of it as a mass art installation: Cracks in Justice, Laid Bare
How refreshing, I thought
A year later, no refurb
I like to think of it as a mass art installation: Cracks in Justice, Laid Bare
Just to remind, the #SingleJusticeProcedure scandal rolls on
Spare a thought for this man from Sittingbourne in Kent, prosecuted over an unpaid TV licence
He has cognitive impairment, needs a carer, doesn’t even seem in charge of household bills
A conviction on his record and £111 to pay
Spare a thought for this man from Sittingbourne in Kent, prosecuted over an unpaid TV licence
He has cognitive impairment, needs a carer, doesn’t even seem in charge of household bills
A conviction on his record and £111 to pay
November 15, 2024 at 7:53 PM
Just to remind, the #SingleJusticeProcedure scandal rolls on
Spare a thought for this man from Sittingbourne in Kent, prosecuted over an unpaid TV licence
He has cognitive impairment, needs a carer, doesn’t even seem in charge of household bills
A conviction on his record and £111 to pay
Spare a thought for this man from Sittingbourne in Kent, prosecuted over an unpaid TV licence
He has cognitive impairment, needs a carer, doesn’t even seem in charge of household bills
A conviction on his record and £111 to pay
This is an example of the entire case
(I've redacted the names)
A brief 'Statement of Facts', no supporting witness statement
Can't decide which is more troubling:
Train companies bringing evidence-free prosecutions
or
Magistrates deciding to convict with no evidence
(I've redacted the names)
A brief 'Statement of Facts', no supporting witness statement
Can't decide which is more troubling:
Train companies bringing evidence-free prosecutions
or
Magistrates deciding to convict with no evidence
November 12, 2024 at 3:21 PM
This is an example of the entire case
(I've redacted the names)
A brief 'Statement of Facts', no supporting witness statement
Can't decide which is more troubling:
Train companies bringing evidence-free prosecutions
or
Magistrates deciding to convict with no evidence
(I've redacted the names)
A brief 'Statement of Facts', no supporting witness statement
Can't decide which is more troubling:
Train companies bringing evidence-free prosecutions
or
Magistrates deciding to convict with no evidence
Vividly remember a barrister doing a sentencing hearing via videolink from the back of her car
Wig & gown, but clearly sat in the back of a car. No one mentioned it at all.
However, trying to give evidence from on board a bus is next level
Wig & gown, but clearly sat in the back of a car. No one mentioned it at all.
However, trying to give evidence from on board a bus is next level
November 11, 2024 at 7:41 AM
Vividly remember a barrister doing a sentencing hearing via videolink from the back of her car
Wig & gown, but clearly sat in the back of a car. No one mentioned it at all.
However, trying to give evidence from on board a bus is next level
Wig & gown, but clearly sat in the back of a car. No one mentioned it at all.
However, trying to give evidence from on board a bus is next level
And finally, for now, this piece of madness
Someone from west London is prosecuted for not paying a TV Licence
A second person writes in to say that person doesn't live there, and asks for a chance to pay
The magistrate convicts the first defendant
Fast justice isn't necessarily good justice
Someone from west London is prosecuted for not paying a TV Licence
A second person writes in to say that person doesn't live there, and asks for a chance to pay
The magistrate convicts the first defendant
Fast justice isn't necessarily good justice
November 10, 2024 at 9:01 PM
And finally, for now, this piece of madness
Someone from west London is prosecuted for not paying a TV Licence
A second person writes in to say that person doesn't live there, and asks for a chance to pay
The magistrate convicts the first defendant
Fast justice isn't necessarily good justice
Someone from west London is prosecuted for not paying a TV Licence
A second person writes in to say that person doesn't live there, and asks for a chance to pay
The magistrate convicts the first defendant
Fast justice isn't necessarily good justice
Sometimes there's more detail
Like this woman from north Wales who reported mental health struggles and an abusive ex-partner
Just the kind of case to illustrate why reform is needed
She was convicted of TV Licence evasion, got a conditional discharge & £111 to pay in court cost/victim surcharge
Like this woman from north Wales who reported mental health struggles and an abusive ex-partner
Just the kind of case to illustrate why reform is needed
She was convicted of TV Licence evasion, got a conditional discharge & £111 to pay in court cost/victim surcharge
November 10, 2024 at 9:01 PM
Sometimes there's more detail
Like this woman from north Wales who reported mental health struggles and an abusive ex-partner
Just the kind of case to illustrate why reform is needed
She was convicted of TV Licence evasion, got a conditional discharge & £111 to pay in court cost/victim surcharge
Like this woman from north Wales who reported mental health struggles and an abusive ex-partner
Just the kind of case to illustrate why reform is needed
She was convicted of TV Licence evasion, got a conditional discharge & £111 to pay in court cost/victim surcharge