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Iain McKie · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 189 Location: Ayr, Scotland.

Plans are developing to hold a major conference next year - 'Scottish Justice - An agenda for change'.

A small planning group will meet in the Scottish Parliament next month when dates, format and agenda will be discussed.

The conference aim is to focus on the widespread concern about our justice system as revealed in cases ranging from Lockerbie to those featured on this and other injustice forums.

What is planned is not a 'talking shop' but a proactive event with the conference conclusions being delivered to the Scottish Executive for consideration.

It is open to anyone to contribute their ideas to this forum and they will be taken forward to the planning meeting. Given the criticism the system receives it will be interesting to see how many positive ideas are put forward.

Suggestions on any aspect of the conference are welcome –

· How should it be structured? One/two days, at the weekend or midweek, all day or evenings only, venue, etc.

· What should be discussed? Specific issues for discussion.

· Who should speak? Representatives of the judiciary, MOJO and other injustice organisation, the media, SCCRC, Law Society, Scottish Executive etc .

I look forward to contributions from as broad a spectrum of interests as possible to take forward to the planning meeting.

Big Wullie · Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 548 Location: Glasgow

Iain

Just a quick response, Will keep my issues for conference and not forewarn any parties like SCCRC etc as to what my issues are.
I would ask everyone though to suggest what changes they feel are needed to enhance Public Confidence in our whole Judicial System, From the police to our Highest Courts, From the Procurator Fiscal To Lord Advocate.
Should we for example make Crown more accountable for their actions?
Should Crown be more Open?
Should disclosure apply to every document held by Crown Office?
I know from experience that in the Majority of Miscarriages, Crown have been seen to be withholding Vital and Key Evidence pertinent to Cases and Appeals, Judges have even threatened to hold them in contempt of court for not releasing such documents. "But nothing ever comes from these Idle threats" Crown are let off scot free while people remain in custody for years waiting for disclosure.
These and others are the kinds of changes that maybe discussed at such conference.
So please folks get writing and let us know what issues you would like raised.

William Beck

Bryan · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 25

Hi Iain
A Police Ombudsman, operating independently, with real powers to investigate complaints against police, and, again with real powers to ensure that any recommendations are acted upon, would go a long way toward weeding out the growing culture of cover up merchants that exist in our modern police forces. Big Wullie's comments re his experience of miscarriages again highlights that it is not only our police forces in need of an overhaul but the whole judicial sysyem. We have to move on this folks. Please get involved.
Bryan Davies.

PeterCherbi · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 147 Location: Edinburgh

Ian

I'm all for your ideas for the conference, along with what Big Wullie has said too and Bryan also on the independent Police Complaints Investigator.

I wonder if something like the remit for the Justice 2 Committee LPLA consideration of 2006 might be appropriate, involving attendence by both sides of the debate as you suggest, also adding the public.

Perhaps the planning group could call for the public to submit their experiences with the Justice system in writing as has been done before .. such as :
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk...2/inquiries/lpla/j2-lpla-evid.htm

and with small groups of people, say 3 or 4 at a time, invited over days to be questioned on their submitted experiences etc...

Publicity for the inquiry would be good - not only through the media but also leaflet drops or information packs available in cab or places like that.
_________________
My blog on issues of injustice in Scotland A Diary of Injustice in Scotland by Peter Cherbi

Injustice Scotland Campaign website : Injustice Scotland

freethekillie2 · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 309

Iain, I, would like you to ask at the conference,

1. records of outcomes conference, why an ex police officer, turned social worker involved in another county ie dumfries and galloway. is involved in brendans case. when he had dealings with brendan in his beat of hurlford, kilmarnock.

2. disclosure, and what have the crown, or pf got to hide?

3. informants, comes under disclosure but why do the police protect them , to the police ie u divisions own gain.

4. the police and ,pf should be held culpable for mistakes and go on record for them.

5. will the new justice minister, do the job he was appointed to do? and is he willing to talk to people like mojo, iain mckie and many more on this forum about injustice, and how to solve the problem of many that just want closure.

Big Wullie · Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 548 Location: Glasgow

Agenda For Change

I think representatives from the following should be invited to speak at such a conference : MOJO Scotland, Law Society, High Court, SCCRC, Victims Of Miscarriages, Police, MSPs and Lawyers more so Human Rights Lawyers like Maybe John Scott and Amer Anwar or even Tony Kelly.
It would be interesting to hear SCCRC defend their reasons in a few prominent cases like Megrahi's and my own.
It would also be interesting to hear representatives from our High Courts say how Megrahi can have two Appeals when i am not allowed one. (For the avoidance of any doubt i believe Megrahi is innocent) I was refused leave to Appeal in 1982 and the courts cannot produce the opinion. and any opinion should be set aside as i was refused Legal Aid so denied a fair hearing.
I note along with Iain that there are few comments on this topic which more than any needs some feedback, Again i would ask for everyone's participation and reasons they feel need changed.
I feel that our Judges should only play a part in trials when asked for points of Law,
They should not be allowed to address a Jury and Recite all the evidence which has already been done by PFs and advocates Lawyers and QCs.
In my own case the Judge recited all the Crown Evidence even voicing his opinion of the the evidence Suggesting the witnesses could have mistaken anorak hoods drawn up over their heads as Balaclava's when the only people to say they weren't wearing Balaclava's were the Policeman and the other one who identified me.
Judges have no place doing this and should only intervene when the Jury are not clear on points of Law.
I would urge Judges to change their stance on these issues and not be allowed to tell a Jury: Ladies and Gentlemen by Law there is enough evidence to convict.
Statements like this can only serve to confuse Jurors.
There is room for change in the way our Judges address Jurors.
What are your needs for Change?

Found this one in Scotsman today and thought it worthwhile to link

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/letters.cfm?id=1247402007

freethekillie2 · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 309

We could all get some tips here!

http://www.innocencenetwork.org.uk/innocenceprojects.htm

Iain McKie · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 189 Location: Ayr, Scotland.

We can learn from projects like the Innocence Project and I hope some of these ideas will be incorporated into any future justice organisation that emerges from this year's conference.

Apologies are due for the delay in announcing details. Negotiations for a prestige Edinburgh venue in November are going ahead and it is hoped to make an announcement soon.

The organising committee will publish a draft programme but also be looking for ideas to maximise interest in the conference and ensure it makes a mark.

It is hoped that delegates will be able to register via a conference website towards the end of March.