JUDGES IN THE DOCK !! this should be interesting


		DISPATCHES: JUDGES IN THE DOCK Thursday 18 December, 9pm In an exclusive investigation , Dispatches puts judges in the dock and asks why no judge has ever been sacked for incompetence. In fact, there are no records kept of how often judges are getting it wrong, and with what consequences. Going back through the court transcripts of over 5,000 successful appeals and gathering the opinions of leading QCs, Dispatches reveals for the first time the alarming scale of judicial mistakes that can have devastating effects on those up before the court. This film is a special investigation by Mark Easton, Home Affairs Editor at Channel 4 News. If you've been affected by crime, or if you would like to know more about your human rights and the Criminal Justice System read on. Useful Organisations Justice Tel: 020 7329 5100 E-mail: admin@justice.org.uk Website: www.justice.org.uk All party law reform and human rights organisation working to improve the legal system and the quality of justice. Online press releases are available on the new constitutional reforms of appointing judges and the introduction of a supreme court. They also publish a Guide to the Criminal Appeal System. Liberty Tel: 020 7403 3888 E-mail: info@liberty-human-rights.org.uk Website: www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk Aims to protect civil liberties and promote human rights. The site has lots of information on the impending constitutional changes and the role of judges. Citizens Advice Bureau Tel: 020 7833 2181 Website: www.nacab.org.uk Offers independent, impartial, confidential and free advice on all areas of UK legislation. Victim Support Tel: 0845 3030900 (Mon to Fri 9am-9pm, Sat and Sun 9am-7pm). E-mail: info@victimsupport.org.uk Website: www.victimsupport.org Provide help and information for anyone who has been affected by a crime including violence or sexual assault. It doesn't matter when the crime took place or what type of crime it was. Rape Crisis Federation Tel: 0115 900 3560 (Mon to Fri 9.30am-4.30pm) E-mail: info@rapecrisis.co.uk Website: www.rapecrisis.co.uk Offer advice and information for anyone who has been raped or sexually abused, their families, friends and partners and can put you in touch with your nearest Rape Crisis Centre for help. The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Tel: 020 8683 3300 (Mon to Fri 12pm-2.30pm and 7pm-9.30pm, weekends and bank holidays 2.30pm-5pm) Offers support and information for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused, however long ago. Although primarily supporting those in the London area, they will take calls from any part of the country. Survivors UK Tel: 0845 1221201 (Tues and Thurs 7pm-10pm) Website: www.survivorsuk.co.uk Supports and provides resources for men who have experienced any form of sexual violence or who are trying to cope with the abuse of a loved one. Safeline Tel: 01926 496911 (Mon to Fri 9am-12pm and Monday, Wed and Fri evenings 7pm-10pm) Offers a non-judgemental support service for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Careline Tel: 020 8514 1177 (Mon to Fri 10am-4pm and 7pm-10pm) Offers telephone counselling for children, young people and adults on any issue, including child abuse, rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and depression. Links YourRights.org.ukwww.yourrights.org.uk Campaigning organisation Liberty offers an excellent and comprehensive online guide to human rights. Department for Constitutional Affairswww.dca.gov.uk/judicial/judgesfr.htm Demystifies the appointment of judges and looks at the role of the Lord Chancellor, with information on procedures and issues such as equality. Fawcett Society - Campaigning for Equality between Women and Men www.fawcettsociety.org.uk A Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System was established in September 2002; this independent enquiry into women’s experiences of the criminal justice system is chaired by Vera Baird QC MP and was opened by Cherie Booth QC. Constitutional Reform: A New Way of Appointing Judgeswww.dca.gov.uk/ Consultation Paper which discusses the new Independent Judicial Appointments Commission, which will take responsibility for the selection of judges in England and Wales. Sweeping Changes to Justice System http://news.bbc.co.uk/ Looks at the creation of a supreme court to replace the law lords and the abolition of the most historic post in government, that of Lord Chancellor. Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites. Top