Fact checks about UK law, how legal systems work, justice and human rights
Crime
The government pledged to mandate serious criminals spending two thirds of their sentence in prison. Judges already have discretion to impose this. Read
Some work ad hoc for the European Court of Human Rights, but that is separate from the European Union. Read
Judges have to stay politically impartial, and we have no idea how they voted. Read
Lord Kerr of Kinlochard is a different person to Lord Kerr of Tonaghmore. Read
Europe
Parliament has the power to reject an extension date suggested by the EU. Read
We explain what it means to prorogue parliament, why it’s controversial, and how it could affect Brexit. Read
Tommy Robinson was found guilty in July 2019 of contempt of court after live-streaming footage of defendants in a trial that had a reporting ban. Read
An academic wrote a report proposing the change in 2010, but that wasn’t backed by the government. Read
Europe
Over one million postal votes weren’t returned or were rejected during the EU referendum. A higher proportion of postal votes were counted than at the two previous elections. Read
A vote of no confidence is one of two ways that parliament can trigger an early general election. Although MPs first have 14 days to try and form a new government if the vote passes. Read
