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Human rights expert Peter Mahy – one of our partners – is this week’s Times Lawyer of the Week, following his submission to the European Court of Human Rights on the cases of two Sheffield men who are fighting to have their DNA and fingerprints removed from the police database after they were arrested but not convicted of any crimes.
The long-running legal case was the subject of a rare oral hearing in front of the most senior judges at the ECHR and Peter is now awaiting the result – which he reckons could be one of the most significant legal decisions for a generation.
“We argued that retaining the samples of people who have either not been prosecuted or have been acquitted of a crime is a fundamental breach of their human rights – and if we are successful, not only our clients, but thousands of other innocent people throughout the UK will have their DNA and fingerprint samples destroyed.”
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Solicitors act to clear confusion
Solicitors acting for clients in Rotherham are joining forces to ensure that local people know that, if they are arrested, they do still have the right to ask for a named solicitor.
Confusion seems to have set in since changes to the arrangements for police station advice were brought in by the Legal Services Commission on 14th January 2008. Instead of ringing solicitors directly – as they used to – the police now have to make these requests through a call centre, and this seems to have led, on occasion, to the incorrect message being given out that if... [ more ]
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Raising awareness of the many asylum seekers forced into destitution and sleeping rough is the aim of a national sleep out next Wednesday 5th March – and a group of people from Sheffield are planning to play their part by spending the night under the stars!
The event is being organised nationally by STAR and Amnesty International. Here in Sheffield, members of Assist Sheffield – the Asylum Seekers Support Initiative – Short Term – will join Sheffield University’s STAR Group and Sheffield’s Amnesty International group on the sleep out on the Sheffield University concourse, where they hope to... [ more ]
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Statement from Peter Mahy of Howells LLP re: today’s oral hearing at the European Court of Human Rights
“Over recent days, some people have been calling for a DNA database of all UK citizens.
“The UK government has said that they do not support the creation of a national database.
“We are delighted to have had the opportunity today to argue before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights that the DNA of innocent people should be destroyed.
“We will have to wait for the judgment and it is likely to be the most important case on the human rights implications of retaini... [ more ]
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Legal team on way to Strasbourg for landmark DNA database test case
Members of the legal team who are challenging the right of the police to retain fingerprints and DNA samples taken from people who have not been prosecuted, or who have been acquitted of crimes, are travelling to Strasbourg today to make their case at the Grand Chamber of European Court of Human Rights.
Two cases are included in the challenge - one concerning a juvenile (who cannot be named for legal reasons) who was charged with an offence but acquitted, and the other a man, Michael Marper whose case did not go to co... [ more ]
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Out of hours divorce advice
People wanting legal advice about divorce and separation will now be able to see a family law expert outside normal working hours – making it easier for them to get the help they need even if they can’t get time off during the day to go to the solicitors.
The new service is being launched by Howells Family Law next month, with the first session taking place on the evening of Thursday March 6th at the firm’s Bridge Street offices.
Initially the new service is being trialled for nine months with an evening session – staffed by two of the firm’s matrimonial s... [ more ]
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