Articles by Lorna Elliott on Comprehensive Guidance on Appearing in Court

Do You Pay Court Costs if Found Not Guilty?

You typically won't pay court costs if acquitted, and can claim reimbursement from central funds if your lawyer requests it.

11th August 2026

Information About Employment Tribunal

Employment tribunals hear cases on unfair dismissal, discrimination, redundancy, and workers' rights disputes across the UK.

20th July 2026

Court: Recall on Licence

People released on licence can be recalled to prison for breaking conditions or suspected future crime, not just new offences.

23rd June 2026

Section 25 Notices and Lease Renewals Under the 1954 Act

If you run a business from rented premises in England or Wales, the end of your lease is rarely the end of the story. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1954...

24th April 2026

Pre-Sentence Reports: What They Are and What Happens Next

What a pre-sentence report is, what the probation officer assesses, what happens after a pre-sentence report, and how it can affect your sentence.

24th April 2026

What Happens at the Coroner's Court?

When someone dies unexpectedly or in unusual circumstances, a coroner investigates the cause and holds an inquest to determine what happened.

14th April 2026

The European Court of Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg handles human rights breaches and works to protect democracy and the rule of law across Europe.

2nd April 2026

Getting Criminal Legal Aid

Get free legal advice when arrested through the duty solicitor, plus information on criminal legal aid eligibility and support.

2nd April 2026

Police and Court Bail

When police bail you after arrest, you must return on the set date or face serious consequences including new charges.

30th March 2026

Common Law in England

Common law in England is based on judge-made legal precedent rather than written codes, ensuring consistent rulings across all courts.

30th March 2026

Release on Home Detention Curfew

Eligible prisoners can be released up to 120 days early under Home Detention Curfew if they meet strict conditions and stay indoors during set hours.

16th March 2011

The Criminal Cases Review Commission

The Criminal Cases Review Commission investigates potentially unjust convictions and can refer cases back to appeal courts if warranted.

10th March 2011

Pleading Guilty and the Courts

Get a solicitor's advice before pleading guilty, you might reduce your sentence by up to a third or face a Newton hearing.

3rd September 2010

The Supreme Court Explained

The UK's highest court handles the most important legal cases, but only if permission is granted and there's a point of law at stake.

17th August 2010

What Happens at the Family Court?

Find out what to expect when you attend a family court hearing, from arrival procedures to the types of cases heard.

6th April 2010

What Are Indeterminate Sentences?

Indeterminate sentences have no fixed release date, prisoners only become eligible for parole after serving their minimum term.

6th April 2010

Information About Parole Board Hearings

The Parole Board holds oral and paper hearings to decide if prisoners can be released on licence or must stay in prison.

6th April 2010

Information About Mental Health Tribunals

Mental Health Tribunals are independent courts that decide whether detained patients should be released from hospital or can stay under the Mental Health Act.

6th April 2010

A Lawyer's Duties to an Unrepresented Party

When you represent yourself in court, judges and the opposing lawyer have duties to help ensure you're treated fairly.

9th March 2010

Statute Law in England

Written laws in England start as bills and go through multiple readings, amendments, and royal assent before becoming statutes.

18th June 2009

Magistrate Court Appeals

If you're convicted in magistrates' court, you can appeal to the Crown Court, but timing and the grounds for appeal matter.

17th June 2009

European Appeal Cases

Learn the difference between the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights and how to appeal to each one.

17th June 2009

Crown Court Appeals

If you've been convicted in Crown Court, you have 28 days to appeal, but there's no automatic right to succeed like there is from Magistrates' Court.

17th June 2009

Court of Appeal Criminal Division

If you're appealing a criminal conviction or sentence, here's how the Court of Appeal Criminal Division process actually works.

17th June 2009

Court of Appeal Civil Division

Appeal a County Court or High Court decision by applying to the Court of Appeal Civil Division if you have permission to appeal.

17th June 2009

Appeals and Judicial Review

Understand how judicial review challenges whether a public body's decision was lawful, and when it applies instead of an appeal.

17th June 2009

Arrested for Assault: Does Witness Description Count?

If you were arrested based on witness descriptions, here's how courts actually evaluate that evidence against you.

12th May 2009

Can a Final Warning Be Overturned?

A final warning can only be overturned in rare circumstances, usually if the guilty plea was based on bad legal advice or the decision was legally wrong.

14th April 2009

What Happens at an Immigration Hearing?

An immigration hearing is an appeal after your UK visa, asylum, or residency application is refused, heard by judges with no jury present.

6th January 2009

Ethics and the Law

Solicitors and barristers follow codes of conduct set by their regulators and have different duties to clients and the courts.

6th January 2009