Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by BD Solicitors
Extended Determinate Sentences
Extended Determinate Sentences (EDS) were introduced as the replacement to the IPP sentence. Since coming into force, this sentence has caused a lot of confusion and frustration. Although EDS are determinate sentences, they are different from normal determinate sentences mainly due to their automatic release dates. Many judges were not familiar with the law relating to these sentences and made incorrect comments at sentence as to how long would be served.
Significant changes to outstanding allegations procedure
The increasingly popular and in demand prison team at BD Solicitors received a large volume of enquires across the UK from inmates in need of assistance. They are now being assisted with progression and release, and with any outstanding police investigations, and pending police interviews.
Important changes to prison law
Harjit Wells, Collette Blake, Catherine Adam and David Pirrie BD Solicitors are now firmly established amongst the elite in providing expert prison law advice and assistance. We continue to offer a nationwide service on all areas of prison law, with a particular emphasis on specialist advocacy in the recall and parole review process.
Legal Q&A
Q I was convicted of murder and the hearsay evidence was the sole and decisive evidence that convicted me. Doesn’t hearsay evidence breach article 6(1)? Also, can I sue or claim any compensation from the police for taking such a long time to provide disclosure? And how do I complain to the police about my OIC? My final questions are: Is a ground for an appeal the prosecution commenting about silence during the trial? And can I apply for Legal Aid to get a phone examined by an expert post-conviction?
Helping prisoners cope with POCAs
You’ve committed the crime and you’re now doing the time. You’re sat in your prison cell thinking of all the implications that your recently received POCA will have on you, your family and your future once you have served your time. You will be confronted with a figure calculated by the courts which might well bear no relationship to what you believe should be your actual liability. The courts will always try to maximise the amount of money they feel should be returned to the exchequer.
Controlling your finances and realising assets can quickly reduce the pressures of prison life
As a forensic accountant, I have a wealth of experience and proven track record in helping prisoners take back control of their financial affairs. I firmly believe that the financial pressures put on prisoners and their families amounts to an additional punishment. Prisoners with Proceeds of Crime (POCA) or Confiscation Orders against them are at particular risk of losing everything they own. It can be confusing and traumatic.
Legal Q&A
Q: I am seeking advice regarding whether it is legal to be held in a Category B prison when I should in fact be held in a Category C or D prison? A: Without knowing the full facts of your case, such as the charges you faced and were either convicted or pleaded guilty to, I am only able to give you generic advice.
Recall, criminal investigations and release
Here we are, post-COVID, and things are getting back on track and we can step away from COVID as an excuse for the delays in progression. Recall can and often does have a deep impact upon an individual’s employment, family and home life, relationships and, perhaps even more concerning, upon an inmate’s mental health. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much to be recalled. Inmates can be recalled for something relatively trivial, even for something that didn’t actually happen.
Strengthening your intent
Credit: 9to5strength / Pixabay How to progress through your sentence – part 2 Those of you who have an Extended Determinate Sentence will have a guaranteed release date which means that you do not have the uncertainty of Lifers and IPPs. However, all prisoners with an “indeterminate” sentence, must learn to live with, and plan for, such uncertainty. A burden I know, but one that has existed in your lives for many years.
There’s no escape from the tax man
Even if someone is serving a prison sentence there is no escaping the tax man. Lennie Harris is a specialist forensic accountant with vast experience of dealing with prisoners’ financial affairs and reducing the sums imposed under Proceeds of Crime Orders (POCA). He said: “I was recently asked to help a client who had a tax problem as a result of selling his properties to pay his POCA. The Confiscation Order required him to pay £1million.
Significant changes to outstanding allegations procedure
Following its recent article, the increasingly popular and in demand prison team at BD Solicitors received a large volume of enquires across the UK from inmates in need of assistance. They are now being assisted with progression and release, and with any outstanding police investigations, and pending police interviews.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with BD
Contact BD, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack