Kate Bex KC and Simon Spence KC are joined in this episode by Claire Waxman OBE who was appointed London’s first Independent Victims’ Commissioner in 2017.

Together they discuss the vexed issue of whether or not offenders should be forced to attend their sentencing hearing.

Is it a necessary part of the process? Should physical force be used to produce them at Court or threaten them with the loss of privileges in prison? Would forcing them to attend present an opportunity for grandstanding, disruption and the further degradation of their victims?

Listen in to hear Kate, Simon and Claire discuss offenders, victims and the sentencing of those convicted of the most serious crimes.

Criminal Justice Matters is produced on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association by Adam Batstone Media & Communications

In this latest episode of Criminal Justice Matters, Kate Bex KC and Simon Spence KC are joined by former Criminal Bar Association Chair Francis FitzGibbon KC to discuss the up-coming Review of the Criminal Justice System by Sir Brian Leveson.

In late 2024, Sir Brian was appointed to consider the futureof criminal justice in England and Wales. The terms of reference suggested that radical changes were being considered. Francis Fitzgibbon KC and Jeremy Dein KCled a committee of barristers who together compiled the CBA’s comprehensive submission to the Review. Listen to this latest episode to hear Simon, Kate and Francis discuss what lies ahead for criminal justice.’

Criminal Justice Matters is produced and edited on behalf of The Criminal Bar Association by Adam Batstone Media & Communications

In this latest episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast, Simon Spence KC and Kate Bex KC discuss the implications of the growing backlog of Crown Court cases on the criminal justice system.

The podcast includes an extract from evidence given by the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr in Parliament last year in which she set out how the reduction in sitting days was having a wide impact on the entire process and causing a great deal of stress to everyone involved from court staff, judges and the criminal barristers prosecuting cases in courts throughout England and Wales.

Simon and Kate are both experienced criminal silks and members of Red Lion Court Chambers in London. They have both sat as Recorders and prosecuted and defended in some of the most high profile criminal trials of recent years.

If you have issues that you would like Kate and Simon to discuss in future episodes of Criminal Justice Matters or if you would lime to be a guest on the podcast please do get in touch via the CBA website www.criminalbar.com or by contacting us on Twitter/X @TheCriminalBar.

Criminal Justice Matters is edited and produced by Adam Batstone Media and Communications